Chapter 1: A new World and new Friend
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Fallout Equestria: The Equestrian Ranger

Chapter 1: A new World and new Friend

What is Live...this feels too real to be a Dream...

It's past Midnight and you lay pondering about the strange events of today on your makeshift Bed.
In your time in the NCR-Army and before as a Mercenary you saw a lot of weird stuff, but nothing can compare to this.

‘Ok let's think about what steps to take first.’

The checklist forms in your mind and first action should be to find a map of this Equestria to download to my Pipbuck..boy whatever. Maybe find some more info on history.

‘If this world is really almost like my own i have to search for more supplies...’

Looking in to the Room below, the little Ghoul sleeps by the firepit. The corpses of the adults you killed still there where they dropped.

‘I wonder what the deal with him is...freaked out when he saw me but doesn't seem to care that i killed those 3 others. Are they just neighbors or his own Family.’

One thing is for certain tho, staying in this barn or in Appleosa is not an option.
Taking out the rest of the feral-ghouls is not a big problem, but how would the kid feel about it. Sure you can sneak around and take loot, but the more ghouls are still walking around, the more dangerous it is.

Scanning the room once more from up here reveals a hatch in the floor.
‘Hey that could be a good place to look for supplies first.’
You close your eyes for a nap and make a mental note to check out the barns cellar first thing in the morning.

After a few hours of sleep, in the early morning you pack up the sleeping blanket and gear.
You climb down the ladder and over to the hatch, your steps waking Corn Seed.

“Good Morning Marco, where are you going?” corn asks you with a sleepy voice

“I take a look down there for supplies, sorry for waking you up”

Corn seed walks over to you “Thats a old apple cellar we used it when the Megaspells hit”

Opening the rusted hatch reveals shallow stairs into the darkness below.
You take out the 10mm Pistol and start walking down the stairs with night vision on.

Bevor you now is a room with low ceiling and just a bit bigger than the barn was.
To both sides on the walls are barrels stacked, the contents most likely spoiled years ago.
On the floor are makeshift bedding from blankets and sleeping bags, trash everywhere.

‘No skeletons for a change...’

You navigate your way through the mess and search for anything useful.
A Doorway ahead reveals a corridor that leads left and right.
Looking around the right corner reveals a Door that could provide an airtight seal.
Left is another open room with crates and shelving.

Entering the Room the to the Left with no enemies in sight, you start looking for Loot.
Opening the first crates reveals nothing but old rotten dry much.
There are some bottles with liquid content on the shelves, ‘looks like a lot of alkohol...’

On one of the shelves are some familiar bottles with dark brown content.
You read the label on them “Sparkle Cola” you laugh at the name and pack all 3.
Next to it you find some “Sugar Apple Bombs, ha i bet they are healthier too”
On another shelf are Pre Packaged Apples, you open one and find preserved apples.
“They look almost as fresh as from the tree, weird”

“Those are enchanted packaging” a raspy voice comes from behind you

Whirling around Corn Seed stands behind you now “Fuck Corn you startled me”

“Sorry Mister Ranger, it has been a long time i was down here last. I could never open the hatch by myself” the little ghoul says

“Enchanted packaging you say ?” you raise an eyebrow on that

“Yes Magic remember, a lot of industrial food stuff is preserved like that” he answers

“Magic Riiiight” you shake your head and keep searching

You find 4 cans of pure water and 2 bottles of apple whisky, adding to 5 packs of apples and 2 sugar apple bombs. The rest of the shelf's contents is ether scrap empty tins or half full alk.

Walking back to the sealed door with corn seed now following, you check the handle. “Locked, do you know where the key is Corn?”

“hm i think its hidden by the cider barrels somewhere” corn bolts in the room and starts searching around.

You watch the eager foal with a smile. ‘the poor thing must have been very lonely all this time’

Only a minute later Corn returns with the key dangling from his mouth.
“Thanks Corn, now let's see what's behind door number 1” you joke a little

At the door you use the key Corn seed happily gave you and slowly open the door with a hiss of dry air. The door creaks loudly and echoes through the rooms around you.
Behind it is a small pre war bunker for only 1 family and the first pony skeletons.

“iiiiihhhhhhiiii” upon taking a look inside and at the skeletons Corn seed screams like a banshee and bolts back the way you came.

You give a heavy sigh and enter the small bunker stepping over the 2 skeletons.
The floor is littered with empty Radaway and Rad-X bottles all empty too.
There are 3 bunk beds on one of them is one more skeleton with a recording device.

Taking the recording and looking it over you try to fit it in the slot on your Pip-Boy.
“Unbelievable that fits” you comment in ahw and the recording starts.
You Plan on to listen to it while you search the room for more loot.

“Apple Seed here recording my last words. It’s 4 Weeks after the Megaspells
*cough*
I think we got hit bad by the Fallout from Fillydelfia. Mom and Dad are very sick just like me. We are out of meds for only 3 days now and are almost dead already.
*cough**cough**cough*
....coughing up Blood can’t be healthy he he. Dad was sure we would be save here.
But turns out the air filter is broken or something. Mom wouldn't let dad out to check on it outside. The door was bolted shut with a deadlock from our side so nopony could get in to us. I got scolded from dad when i wanted to let the others in.
*cough*
It was at the first day, they scream'd at us and pounded on the door for days after.
After a week Mom would knock on the door and call out if they are still alive out there.
Of Course nopony answered...*sniff*..if one of you finds this i am sorry everypony, i left the door bolt unlocked so it can be opened from outside again with the spare key.
*cough**cough*
I think Mom and dad are dead too, they didn’t wake up for hours now, i just wish i would know what happened to my dear cousin Corn.
*cough*
I still have some Med-X Left, it should be enough...see you soon cousin.”

Half way through the recording you had to take your facemask of and sit on the other bed.
Four empty files of Med-X near the ponyskeleton still on the opposite bed you stare at.

“This shit never gets any easier, why do i keep listening to those”

Your search for loot was not any better, only one box with snack cakes and some gold coins.
Packing up and putting your mask back on, you walk with slow solemn stepps back upstairs.

Back in the barn room, closing the hatch feels now like sealing a Tomb.
Corn Seed sits by the fire watching the flames dance with a stare you have seen too many times on fellow soldier’s. The ghoul Corpses stench reaches now even through the filter on your mask. You walk over and sit down with the poor kid.

“hey you ok ? got pretty scared even for a ghoul” you say with a halfhearted chuckle

‘very smooth smith you idiot...’ scolding yourself, you were never good at comforting others

“Skeletons always freak me out, the other ghouls are scary too but i got used to them”

“I found a holotape by one of the dead inside there, do you know someone named Apple Seed?” you ask Corn

Corn Seed perks up and nods yes “That's my cousins name, i already knew she was dead”

“I can play it for you on my Pip-Boy if you want” he nods yes again and play it for him

After the recording stops silence fills the room with the feeling of a funeral.
Minutes tick by and you just stare at the wall with the posters on it.

‘...i swear that pink pony is judging me...’

Thinking about what to do next, you consider searching the other building’s.
You keep one eye on the foal in front of you just in case he goes feral now.
The silence is unnerving, only the wind around the building and crackling of the fire.
One of the Ghouls from outside walks past the Barn Door and you have to think how to deal with them if you want to search the town, or just pack up and leaf this place.

“Corn” you address the kid softly, he looks at you “Yes Marco”

“I would like to check the other buildings in town, any idea where i could find something useful ?”

“Yes there is a general store by the town center and a ironshod-firearms surplus” he answers

You think of a good way to address the Deathclaw in the room “If i want to make it a safe scavenge, i maybe have to kill more of the feral ghouls”

“Oh...i..understand, they would attack you” Corn answers looking at the ground with his ears down
“It is for the best, they are not like real living pony's anymore” he tells you with a sad look towards the nearby corpses

“Yes Corn it’s better that way, giving them mercy” even tho you try to justify, you feel like you just kicked a puppy

You prepare your 10mm and start walking to the side room where you came in yesterday.

Looking back to Corn before you open the door “Hey want to join me kiddo?”

“YES” he cheers and is all of a sudden a little ball of energy again and scampers to your side

“OK Corn just one thing, we both have to be quiet so the feral's in town don’t swarm us”

He nods and makes a sipping motion with one hoof over his mouth.
‘The little kid is too cute for his own good’ You chuckle a bit and move with him outside.
In the small Store room you find more scrap, to make some noise maker Later.

Outside the wind has picked up a bit and brings with it dust from the desert making the towns scenery foggy. Sneaking toward the front of the barn you look around the town center.
The occasional Tumbleweed bouncing between buildings. What strikes you as odd are the missing ghouls you could see stumbling around yesterday.

Moving quick to the next building checking on Corn Seed behind you, his ears flat pointing back and crouching low, tongue poking out to the side a little.
You spot the Surplus store on the other side of the street, two western style revolver on either side of the stores big sign “Ironshot Firearms Surplus” ‘Bingo..’

You turn to Corn and whisper “Is the General Store on this side of the road” you ask

“Yes right across the Gun store two buildings down” he answers Looking around the corner as well moschend with a foreleg left and right with narrowed eyes.

‘Looks like the kid has some fun at least...’ you think to yourself

The Two of you make your way to the store ahead checking the space between the buildings. No sound of the Feral's could be heard from the buildings you pass.

‘I don’t like this where the hell are they all...’

Now you stand in front of the General Store “Filthy Rich's General Good’s”.
Looking through the destroyed door inside reveals a mess of past looting.
Checking your hud compass gives no indication of danger.
just to be sure you throw one bolt inside with a klatter on the wood floor.

“Looks like its save Corn, lets get on a scavenging hunt”

He Nods and trots inside, you follow after him scanning the clutter and shelf’s.
“Hey Kiddo any idea where the feral's are, the town was full of them yesterday” you ask walking side by side

“Maybe there are out in the fields, they are often distracted when its windy”

You get a sudden image of a Feral Ghoul chasing after Tumbleweed. ‘Now that would be funny to see...’ you chuckle a to yourself

To your dismay most of the shelves are empty, and only worthless knickknacks here and there.
Trampled and torn packaging on the floor, occasional something that could have been something edible once. Empty bottles and tin cans, you check the counter and find some more gold coins in the register. ‘what’s with all the fucking gold man...’

“Corn is this stuff money in this world?” you show the colt the gold coins you found so far

“Oh yes those are Bits, i always got 10 bits a week allowance from my Dad”

“Gold Coins as money, that's something new alright” you comment

“Why what do Humans use for money where you come from?” he asks with interest

“Dollars for example” you pick one out of your pocket, a old 10 Dollar bill and show it to him

“You are kidding that’s just Printed on Paper” he gives you a puzzled look

“Yeah at the and of the great war, the old dollars were practically worthless” you chuckle and put it away

“Now we use bottle caps or new money like that” showing him some caps and NCR dollars

He scrunches his muzzle and shakes his head “Humans are weird”

After an unsuccessful scavenge downstairs you move up the stairs to the first and only upper floor of the building. There's a corridor with 2 doors on either side, checking the first on the Left opens up to a kitchen with dining table dusty cushions around it and a open refrigerator.

“Corn can you check the kitchen cabinets for stuff please” he nods and walks in

You meanwhile open the other door to the right. Looking Inside you only see one double bed
with a Skeleton on it, you back out the room and close the door again.

“Corn don’t go inside the firs room to the right ok” you say into the kitchen

“Ok marc” he answers with his head inside one of the cabinets

You move down the corridor the wood creaking with every stepp. Now you spotted movement on your Compass indicating one enemy in the right last room.
Back to the wall, hand on the door handle and Pistol in the other. You slowly turn the handle and open the door letting it swing open on its momentum. There in the middle of the room stands a ghoul with glowing green eyes staring right at the door frame.

The ghoul starts to growl and you move swift on instinct with a ‘piff’ the feral goes down.

On the desk in the room sits a terminal, bookshelves on either side of the room.
You move around the desk and find a rather big save underneath it.

“Jackpot” you say to yourself and start working on the terminal, the keyboard of it has much bigger buttons but the same letter system you know.
‘The key’s are way bigger but still, how the hell are pony’s using this with hoofs...’

You only need 2 tries to crack the password and the contents of it show on screen.

Corrupted Datafile.......
MailBox
Business Income Data

Open Save

You open the save with a click and open the Mailbox to be greeted only by Boring business mail.

Taking your Pib-Boy cable and connecting it with the terminal, you don’t even bother to wonder how that even is compatible.
On the screen comes gibberish data and ends with the message “Pib-buck device detected”

‘Alright fine Pib-Buck let’s just roll with it...’

Entering the command for Map Update, the screen shows a search prompt “searching Stable-Tec network for update data”
“Map Update complete...”

Disconnecting your now renamed Pib-buck you check the map and are greeted with a complete map of Equestria with all bigger cities and towns Markt already.

‘That program actually renamed my pip-boy into Pip-Buck-3000’

From the corridor you can hear scraping and shuffling sounds and ready your weapon.
“Corn Seed is that you” shortly after the answer comes muffled “heahm isff fme”

Your little companion comes in the room dragging a burlap sack with him.
“look what i found !” he exclaims with a wide grin
“Ah what did you found kid, let me check the save her real quick”

In the save is a purse with bits and paper in some folders. Also 2 packs with .38 ammo but no gun for it. A little frustrated you shuffle the folders around but find nothing else.

Meanwhile Corn dumped the contents of his looting on the floor. “Look Marc some snack cakes 2 bottles of water and Abronko-Cleaner, some other stuff i’m not so sure off.”

“That other stuff is just useless crap, let's put the good stuff back in with the stuff i found and move to the other store”

On your way out it takes only a brief look in the last room to leave it bee, one more dead pony and the missing weapon. The Weapon is beyond repair and use rusted over.

I turn to Corn seed to ask “hey kid how come you have a nickname for me already?”

“Because we are friends right !“ he tells you with a happy bounce

“No offence kid, i like you, but is it normal around here to call stranger’s your friend that quick? you ask your new little friend

“Well, most pony’s in Equestria love to find new friends”

“In that case Corny, sure why not!” you say and the little ghoul makes a happy whinny “yay”

Back at the front entrance you make a Quick scan of the street outside, and start walking to the Surplus store on the other side, Corny short behind you proud of the loot on his rump.
In the time it took to loot the other store the wind settled down again and you took a glance at the clouds above.

“Is it always this cast over in Equestria corn?

“yes ever since the pegasi made that cloudbarrier” corn aswered

You stopped in front of the door to the shop and looked down at him. “Pegasi?, you mean with wings who can actually fly?

“yes, they can fly, control the weather and walk on clouds” you just stare at him “what?”

you give a defeated sigh “This i will believe only when i see it. just with the magic stuff”

“I am not lying Marc” he puffs his cheeks out in a pout and glares up at you “you should believe your friends”

“sorry i am a little sceptic don’t take it personal Corny” you test the door handle and find it locked
“hm that door looks not very sturdy, step aside corn” you take a step back and start kicking the door in

One...it bumps and clutters....two...the lock frame splinters...three...it bursts open with a crash and wood pieces.

“SCREEEAAHH” A Feral jumps at you with a scream from hell

Acting on instinct you let yourself fall back on the ground just as it comes in range, your feet kick the beast and let it fly in an ark over you, the ghoul crashes on the street 5 meters behind and rolls a bit further. Rolling on your belly and taking aim you hit it three times in the chest.

You stand up dust yourself off as if nothing happened. Corn sits beside the door with wide eyes.

“You alright kid?” you ask and he answers with a spreading grin “That..was...AWESOME”

You cringe a little on that outburst scanning your surrounding area for more danger.

“I am a Ranger for a reason kiddo” you tell him smugly

You enter the Store first and find a open space store with racks and shelving on the wall.
A Quick look around, there are military clothing saddles and leather barding with the ocationel armored chestpiece. On racks are all kinds of weapons, in the counter are build in display cases with smaller weapons.

“Heeloo Motherload” you say with an imprest whistle

Corn Seed Trotts to the counter and eyes the firearm’s within. You take a look at the weapon racks, the contents looking usable and only slightly rusty.
On closer inspection the weapons appear to be mouth held by the pony's.

‘I really wonder how they are not breaking their teeth by shooting those...’

It dawns on you that you won’t be able to use this kind of weaponry properly.
So you start checken the weapon’s for spare parts.
After about 15 minutes you have a collection of parts for your own weapon.

“Hey Marc how do i look?” Corn calls from the other side of the room

You look over and see him in a getup like a soldier fresh out of Bootcamp.
Walking over to him he makes a show with his new selection of gear.

“I think it's a little too much and some of that stuff don't seem to fit well” you comment

Taking a close look he's wearing a steel helmet much too big for his head.
The Camouflage uniform sags on his belly and the sleeves are wrinkled up threatening to slip over his hoof’s.
Around his neck dangles a sheathed combat knife almost as long as his leg.
Only the Saddle looks made for a Foal.

“Where did you find the saddle, maybe there's a foals section with proper clothing”

You take the helmet and knife and he guides you to a row of closing that look like a better fit.
Another Ten Minutes later has him outfitted with a fitting uniform and foal sized leather barding, the knife now strap'd in place like a sword on his side. There even was a small helmet for him on the upper shelf.

“Now you look like a Soldier Corny” you chuckle
He grins from ear to ear giving that pink pony a run for her money.

“Do you think you can handle a Gun if i show you how” you ask the new junior recruit

“My Dad always told me Gun’s are not for foals like me” he looks down and scuffs a hoof on the ground with his ears down

You take your mask of now and give him a sirius look “Corn Seed, in the Wasteland everyone should be able to defend themselves, friend and family”

“The world out there is very dangerous, you understand” you give him a reassuring smile

“I understand Marco, i want to learn” he puffs out his chest and stand tall and proud to proof it

“Good that's the spirit, come let's get you a fitting gun”

Both of you walk over to the counter display and start searching.
You open one with .38 Pistols and take one out deciding it would best for the ammo you found earlier.

“Here try this one it's a .38 caliber, that big lever on the grip is the trigger and the smaller one should be the safety switch”

“First rule of gun handling, never point it at something you don't want to shoot at”

Corn listen's careful to your instruction and takes it in his mouth testing it.
you fill up some mag-clips for him and place them into his pockets.

“ok first try some dry shooting, pull that lever back to load a round in the chamber”
He does just that with his hoof
“now push the trigger with your tongue” .klick. “good now switch the safety and try again”
After some more dry training and instructions on his new weapon, fittet with holster on his right foreleg, you and corn are upstairs and serge for more salvage.
Just like in the other building you find 2 bedrooms and a kitchen, the later inhabited by 2 radroaches witch made good practice for Corn using his knife even tho you had to stop him wasting bullets on bugs.The office this time was another story.

“Holy Macaroni someone had a bullet fetisch” you comment

And that was no understatement, the room was packed with army ammo boxes.
On those both of you got to work and stacked up on your ammo count.
Instead of a desk there was a ammunition workbench and a key for the room on it.
after you are out and done with the room you use the key to lock it, maybe you can come back sometime to resupply.

Taking a break in the kitchen you offer Privat Corny a sparkle cola and try one yourself.

“juck that stuff tastes like carrots and not in a good way” your rad meter agrees with that statement

“i think it's delicious, it even tastes better as a ghoul i think” Corn licks his lips in delight

“i guess that's the radiation in it” you tell him

All of a sudden your peaceful brake time is interrupted by distant sounding gunfire from outside of town. You stand up and position yourself at a nearby window, taking out your binoculars and scanning the horizon.

“Whats going on” Corn asks in a hushed tone

You find the source of the comoschen two fields away in the distance. about 800 meter outside of town. There are Pony’s who this time look very much alive and in trouble.
Two pull a wagon loaded with goods, one riding up front and one on the back.
Four more Pony’s with obvious Mercenary gear are guarding points of the wagon.

“It’s a Caravan with guards Corn”

Searching for there Attackers reveals the mystery of the missing towns ghouls, it’s a entire herd closing in on the defenders who have a hard time gaining some distance to the Feral-Herd.

“Corn hold your ears this is going to be loud”

With that warning to your new found friend you take the .308 Sniper from your back, adjusting the dials on the scope and taking aim.

Corn watching beside you out the window flinches with an raspy “eep” to the loud “POW” of your rifle. The shot flys true and strikes one of the feral's in the herd cluster down.

“POW” “eep” one more dead feral

The caravan rider noticed your shots and makes a 45 degree towards the town.
Three more shots from you and the work of the caravan mercs cut the heard in half.
Reloading and adjusting the battle continuous and you empty your magazine once more.
The Ponys who pull the wagon give it all to get ahead of the rest of ghouls and into town.
You sling your rifle over your shoulder and storm downstairs, telling Corn to stay put.

Just as you come out of the front the Waggon sips past you and the gourds taking position.
The Mercenaries don’t seem to notice your presence or don't care at the moment.
Gunfire rattles the street now as the reaming feral's enter the town. You take aim with your .44 Revolver on the nearest Ghoul and go from Right to Left in your aiming process.

!POM! !POM! !POM! !POM! Now you have the nearest guards attention

The remaining Feral's are taken care of by the Caravaners and Mercs.
One of the Feral's comes charging and very close to the one of the Earthpony guard’s, you try to react with S.A.T.S...’why got that renamed too..huh...’you think to yourself while you watch in slow motion how the pony spins around and buck’s the ghouls head clean off, the body follows suite and crashes a few feet away. ‘Now that was impressive.’
You hold your revolver up and turn to the pony’s, awaiting there reaction ready to dive for cover.

“What in Tartarus are you stranger !” the Caravaner pony on the Waggon front asks

“Hi...i am Ranger Smith, a Human” you answer in a calming manner

Taking notice off the ponys around tree who don’t hold there weapons in mouth but in an aura suspended in midair. ‘Are those UNICORNS and they use freaking MAGIC....’

“I take it you where the Sniper then, thanks for your help ranger smith” the unicorn riding the wagon thanks you with a tip of her cowboy hat

“No problem that's actually my job as a ranger” you answer while you reload your revolver and holster it

“I have a friend with me, who is a ghoul foal and not feral” you tell them in a stern tone

The assumed caravan leader hops down from the wagon and walks over to you, giving you a judging look with one raised eyebrow. After a moment she offers you a hoof to shake with a smile.

“I am Dust Trail, and that's my Caravan. We don’t have a problem with ghouls, as long as they don’t want to snack on us” you take off your mask and shake the pony’s hoof

“Nice to meet you and good to hear” you answer with a non toothed smile this time

Now that the brief battle was over and my help in it, the caravan pony’s were quite interested in me and the town of course. Dust Trail wanted to set up camp and asked if the town was safe, i told here about the resident feral’s and what buildings i checked already.

She ordered her guard’s to make a patrol around town and take out all the remaining ferals.
I told her the barn was a good place to stay, the two stallions who pulled the wagon moved it in front and set to task on making camp inside.

I called out to Corn Seed that it was safe to come down, while Dust Trail took a look around the surplus shop.

“Whooee it’s rare to find a place like this that is not picked clean or ransacked” Dust commented

“yes, i was the first one to kick the door down, and the shop owner was not happy about it” i told her pointing a thumb over my shoulder to the corpse outside

From the stairs Corn seed came down a little shy, Dust noticed him and gave the little ghoul a gentle smile.

“Hey there little one you must be Ranger Smith friend, it's alright you are not the first prewar ghoul i met, i am Dust Trail” she told corn with a motherly tone in her voice and went to shake hoofs

Her behavior towards corn set me at ease towards them for now at least. Some of the Guards had concerned and suspicious looks to them but could also be the standard weathered wastelander glare.

“Jup i am Corn Seed, nice to meet you Ma'am” Dust giggled and turned back to me

“You don’t mind if we go scavenging right?” she asked me

“Not at all, i wasn’t planning to stay anyway. Speaking off, would it too much trouble to take two more traveling comrades with your caravan?

“We were traveling south to a settlement with market, normally the trip past Applelosa would be safe but our luck ran out today it seems. If it wasn’t for you we would have been in much more trouble”

“So the ghouls did not come out of town in the past ?” i asked her

“No they never wandered off that far and the sound of us was drawing them in”
she raised an eyebrow at me “Was that maybe your fault ?
“No not that i would know” i assured her and showed her my 10mm
“You seem to be a very capable wastelander, but no offence you are obviously not from around here” Dust told me with some suspicion

“Well no, it's a long story and i would not believe it myself if you told it to me” i told her with a shake of my head

“Uh i love story’s let’s check on the boy’s and take a lunch break” she answered with a little hop and pranced out the door to the barn

Heading back to the barn its front door now open and the wagon backed up inside.
Outside stands one of the guard unicorn’s watch. She exchanges a look witch Dust,
she gives a nod and he looks up at me and gives a glance and smile to Corn.

“Thanks for the help back there, that was some impressive shooting strancher”

“Tanks it’s what i do” i replay to the guard with a smile

The tree of us head inside, in the center around the firepit are sitting the two stallions.
One has gathered up the toys and is currently busy disassembling a truck toy for screws.

Seeing that Corn “eeps” and dash’s over to him “Hey Mister those are MY toys give em back!”

The sudden raspy and squeaky outburst of Corn Seed makes him jump and drop the screwdriver he had in his mouth. The stallion looks down at the kid, corn giving him a stare and growls almost like a feral. He takes one glance at me, my raised eyebrow and gulps.

“Oh sorry kid i didn't know” he shoves the pile of toy’s towards Corn “Here let me put that back together and you can have them back of course !

‘Being twice as tall as these pony’s must make me very intimidating hehe...’ I give a grin at the display

Dust Trail brakes the silence “Boy’s that is Ranger Smith” she gestures to me
“And that there is Corn Seed, don’t worry about the cute little colt” pointing to corny
She gestures for me to sit beside her near the fire “Come on Ranger you wanted to talk business and i want to hear your story”

I place my Backpack Sniper and helmet+mask beside me and sit down with Dust Trail.
Corn Seed has gathered his toys on a pile behind him Guarding it and staring down the poor stallion who works with a little swett to reassemble the “Sparkle Cola Truck”.

Me and Dust Trail start conversation about where i am from and i tell her about what happened yesterday night, giving me a expected disbelieving look.
She Tells me about a view insights about Equestria and a brief rundown about current trade economics. That gives me an idea how to show them the proof about my world since my gun was not enough, something about just be a griffon design. ‘Go Figure...Griffon’s..’

“here that is a bottle cap from my world with Nuka-Cola printed on them, have you one with sparkle-cola on them?” i show her the cap and she Levitates one out her pocket

“They look almost alike !” she compares them in ahw

True to her comment the two bottle caps where one and the same only with different names printed on them “Nuka Cola” and Sparkle Cola”

Ouer conversing took a dive in the depths of after Megaspell Equestria, talked about dangers and factions in the wasteland. Apparently Raider’s are a thing here too and slaver’s.’..organised slavery’. I got more insight on the ministry’s and what they did before the war. The pegasi retreating behind the cloud barrier to be never seen since, only rumors off occasional sightings of power armor clad flyers. The Steel Rangers mostly still in there underground bunkers only to be seen if they want something and keeping to themselves.

I also noted that i not only made a jump between worlds but time as well, falling back almost 100 years. The stable dwellers rarely emerged at this point, most Stables/Vaults still sealed.
And the wasteland and many sity’s still irradiated by you guest..freaking MAGICAL-Radiation.

We exchanged a Pack of radawy for trying each others world goods. The gathered pony’s sharing one pack in cups. Corn Seed Made an icky Face at it, having moved to sit beside me and protecting his stash of toys between his hooves and giving the stallion the occasional stink eye. The taste of the pony’s Rad-away reminded me of the taste of Sarsaparilla only a bit weird tasting just like any medicine. ‘Hm oranges...’

Having moved to eating i took out one of my remaining rations and warming it up over the fire. Dust Trail interested in my Radhog-Goulash with Rice, NCR ranger ration’s have there perks.

She experimental smelled on my meal and scrunched up her mussel in a rather cute manner.

“Something wrong with my MRE Dusty? i asked her with a grin

“It smells a little of Meat, are you a carnivore by any chance? no offence” she answered

‘Her we go...’ i took a breath in and out in a calming sigh. “Yes Humans are actually Omnivore’s”
“And before you start to panic” i held my hands up flat “No we don’t eat Pony’s” i deadpanned

“Good to know, Ranger” she thought for a moment “Just so you know you would not be the only one” she gave me a knowing smirk and wink. ‘Now what was that about...’

We were sitting in silence for a moment to eat and the other tree guard’s arrived meanwhile to join us, one going back to her partner with two portions in her magic.
The other two remaining by the fire beside Dust Trail.

The Earthpony Guard Stallion spoke up to Dust “So Boss what’s the plan, the Town is save now so far and the buildings have some loot left mostly in the Ironshot store”

“We are going to take what we can and head out tomorrow to Tumbleweed Town”
“That reminds me, you wanted to tag along mister Ranger ?”

“yes if you would have us, there's no sense in staying here and i got some urge to explore this new world of yours, you want to come with me right Corny?”

“Of course Marc, we are friends and can have a Awesome adventure” Corn Seed Replayed

“Good!, now let's talk about our compensation then” Dust say'd with the glint of a caps hording merchant in her eyes

“Alright, aside from providing additional security, i have here something you might like”

I took out the key and waved it in front of her “Thats for the locked room in the Surplus store”

Now that got her attention even if she tried to hide it. “hm and what do tell might be in there”

“The stores Ammo Stash” i told her and made a toothy grin

“That might be good enough, but i am not buying blind barrels you know”

“Shure i show you anytime you like” i answered

The other Earthpony Guard now looked at me and the key like a gun nutt. I pocketed the key again and gave the Earthpony stallion a knowing smirk.

Corn seed watching our exchange quietly spoke up “I don’t care much about the stuff scattered in town as long as you keep your hoof’s of my toy’s, they are all i have left” he finished with a ghoulish grumble clutching them close.

All of us Laughed a little at the foalish display and i petted his helmeted head.

“Don’t worry kiddo we got the message” Dusk say'd
“eyup” the wagon puller stallion say'd with a sheepish grin

Corn gave him one more stink eye “good” and proceeded to pack them away in his saddlebags.

Dust Trail gave orders to scavenge to her Caravan Team.
Me Dust and Corn walked back to Ironshot Surplus and up the stairs to the locked storage room. I took out the key and unlocked the door just waiting a moment to open it.

“We already took what we need, the rest of it can be all yours as payment Dust”

I proceeded to open the door, walked inside and leaned on the door watching Dust to come in. She stopped dead in the doorway and i could watch as her eyes grew wide and yer mouth hang open.

Dam these adorable Pony’s...wait is she drooling? i tried to keep my giggles down

She shook her head hard and walked further in, looking around taking peeks in ammo boxes and crates. Dust turned her head to me.

“Ranger Smith, there's enough in here to buy all i have on my wagon.”

“Just let your guards resupply and take as much as you can put on it, all i want is to come along to your next stop and then we see what we are going to do from there.”

“You don’t even want compensation? No offence but you are a bad trader” she answered with a grin

“I am a Soldier not a Merchant Dust, i just take what i need and i’m good with that”

“Well if you say so, it is more then just generous. If i would sell all of this i would be halfway to my retirement Fund” Dust commented

Downstairs again one of the guards and wagon stallions where packing the loot. Dust ordered to go upstairs and take as much of the ammo to the wagon as possible and have ammo distributed. They just shrugged nodded and moved upstairs. A moment later one of them could be heard all the way to the shop front.

“HOLY BUTT OF LUNA”

Corn Seed Looked back with his ears just a little back and mouth open...Dust just started Laughing.

“Hey Dust Need me for something to do while the others are busy Scavenging, pattroll around town maybe?” i ask

“If you really want to make yourself useful be my guest, i will stay by the wagon” Dust answered

With that Me and Corn walked to the edge of town and started patrolling in circles.

After a while we spotted some lone Feral's out in the field rather far apart.

“Marc i think we should take them down before we leave” Corn told me with a sad tone in his voice and ears pointing down

“Do you want to kill them Corny?”

“I...I have some feeling that...they suffered enough..and...my friends from before the war must be out here somewhere.”

“I know its hard kid, i had to kill ghoulified children before...still gives me nightmares.”

“Can they come back like they were, before they changed Marc”

“No kiddo, not that i know of and certainly not after a long time as feral's”

Corn Seed took his Pistol out the holster and started walking towards the first Feral.
I took off my backpack and told him to stop for a moment. Taking out a view Tin cans and bolts i made some improvised noisemaker. Corn watched me interested, when i whacked one with a quiet rattle he knew what i was doing and nodded.

I took one tin and threw it as far as it would go. when it impacted on the dry desert ground in the field it made quite some rackus. The nearby feral's snapped at the sound and walked in it’s direction. We sneaked closer, now unnoticed by the distracted feral's.

As we were close enough i took my Pistol too and patted Corn on his back, he glance over to me without pointing the gun in my direction ‘...good boy you learn fast...’
He adapted a determined look and nodded, taking aim at the firs feral.

“Crack” he did not miss but it was not enough to take the thing down “crack” “crack”
The First went down, with only one of the two more shots missing. The other ghoul was charging ‘...at me of course.’

I took aim but Corn beet me too it with four rapid shots. “Nice shooting Kiddo, you learn fast” i praised him but noticed he was not in a good state

He shivered like a leaf and wide teary eyes.

“hey there Corny it’s alright, the first time killing something is always hard but it had to be done” i tried to comfort him

After a moment he holstered his pistol and wiped his face of tear’s. He walked back in the direction of town while i collected my tin can. We walked by the first buildings and one of the Unicorn Mare guard’s joint us.

After some time of silence she spoke up “Found some Feral leftovers? she asked with a grin

“Jup” i answered and corn just looked the other way

“What’s wrong little colt” she asked Corn who just stayed silent

“We decided to take care of them before we leave” i told her

“Corn Seed just had his first time killing something”

Now she shot me a death glare “You let the kid do it, he’s still just a foal” she snorted and moved closer to Corn

“Sorry if i am corrupting the innocent here, but that’s how the Wasteland works and the kid has to learn how to defend himself” i retorted to her

“Thanks for caring miss, but i don’t want to leave and let my friend's suffer as mindless ferals. Corn said to the Guard’s Mare

She Looked down with what i could call a sad pony face. We walked together for some time until we found one more. It was not far away and out of range Corn took his pistol and took aim. Four shots later and the ghoul was no more.

Corn moved to pocket his Pistol “Don’t forget to reload after 12 Shots kid or if you are not sure check the magazin.

He nodded and reloaded, our female companion watched with a more neutral look.
We Continued our way around town until the Mare spoke up.

“We found 3 Feral ghoul foal’s when we secured the town earlier” she said
And Corn stopped dead in his tracks, looking over to her “Where are they”

We stand bevor tree small corpses, Corn looks practically shattered. He sits there his helmet of with ears ponting as low as they would go, soft sniffling in greef of his old friends.
The guards mare looked solem, more apologetically. Dust Trail has joint us in town.
For several minutes no one said anything, leaving the poor little colt to his greef.

“Do you want us to bury or burn them kid” Dust asked

“All of them should be buried” he answered

We agreed on burning the corpses and burying the leftovers, the children would get a full burial. I set to task with digging the graves for the kids with Corn and Dust while the others gathered the corpses and bones and building a bonfire for it.
Everything took most of the remaining day, in the evening one of the unicorn Guards litt the fire with her magic and we watched for a short while. The fire was supposed to burn all night.

Later we were all gathered in the barn by the campfire the burial-bonfire illuminating the town center. There was a solemn mood in the group and Corn seed was with his head on my leg while i pet his head. Dinner was ready for all to koock but barely anyone touched the food.
I tried to cheer Corn up with a sparkle Cola but he refused. Me and the guards were the only ones eating after a while. Dust also tried to cheer up the kid with no success.
After some time Corn was calming down enough to fall asleep where i constantly pet him.

Most of our group was asleep at 22:00 one guard taking watch in rotation. i fell asleep sometime later.

Sometime at one in the Morning i was woken up by one of the guards. I had fallen asleep in a sitting position Corn sleeping to my left and to my surprise Dust migrated to my right.

“Hey Big guy it’s your turn to take watch” one of the male Earthpony Guards prodded me with sleepy eyes

“Ok go to sleep, i take the shift till 6 in the morning” he nodded and plopped down on the free sleeping mat

I got up carefully to not disturb the two cuddle bugs. Taking my Helmet/mask on, Binoculars around my neck. Leaving the backpack and sniper where it was i walked to the door and stared out into the night and Bonfire still Burning. The Fire Produced still some smoke but not as much as it was fresh. The wind thankfully carried the stink of burning flesh away from the barn. Left of the barn in a open area to the first building were the graves of the shields, Corn hat made grave markers out of wood with the appropriate names on them. I could not tell them apart, most ferals look the same to me. I looked up at the sky were no star could hope to penetrate the thick cloud layer, imagining the pegasi up there in city's made of cloud.

4:30 in the Morning i took a look back to the sleeping group of pony’s and taking a drink.
Corn Seed and Dust Trail where huddled together.

‘Those two are really some cuddle bugs, cute display daaww...’

The Night was uneventful and at 6:00 the landscape was shrouded in a light Surface Fog.
That explains how you can farm in a desert i guess. The Bonfire was burned down and wafting moisture. Two of the Guards joint me at the door with coffee mugs in there magic.

“morning guy’s sleep well?” i asked them and both just nod yes

“You are not really drinking coffee there are you?” they looked at me and shook there head no

The mare answered me “It’s Just Hot water, made with roasted Barley, the Can is on the fire go take some”

I just did that even if it was not real coffee but that stuff was hard to come by even in the NCR. Dust also was up drinking some coffee substitute.

“Morning Dust Trail” i greeted her Corn Seed Still curled up beside her

“Morning Mister Ranger, how was the Morning watch”

“Quiet, nothing to report” she nodded and got back to cooking breakfast

I sat down beside her and watched her work the pan over the fire with her magic,
she didn't even need cooking tools to flip the pancakes. Corn seed stir'd just a little and mumbled about breakfast in his sleep. The two Stallions already munching away, i got the next fresh one and the other guards took theirs as well.

“All right everypony as soon as you had your fill we need to pick the firepile apart and bury the bones, after that we move out to Tumbleweed” she told all gathered

Said and done after three hours we had finished the burial, and Dust said a few fare well words for the dead. The wagon was already packed and ready to move out so we did.
I got to sit beside Dust Trail in Front Corn Between us, the guards took their places on either side front and behind. We Left Appleloosa behind and moved south west.

Our Caravan Moves comfortable along a path what would have been a road once but the desert claimed it over the years. Around us is the smoldering landscape, one thing the cloudlayer is good for, we could be cooking right now. A view dead trees and big caktai and shrub. Only wildlife seems to be missing. Corn seed fell asleep again and snores like some old man. I did not know ghouls would even sleep. Me and the guards are keeping a watchful eye and Dust Trail is just relaxing next to Corny. The morning trip from Appleosa was uneventful, only that cloudlayer freaks me a little even if it's for providing shade in this desert.

“Dust how save is this route on a normal day” i ask

“Normal speaking mostly save, you have to watch for bandit ambushes tho”

“Are there any Vo..i mean Stables around here?

“Not that i know off, the location of most stables is lost to history anyway” Dust answered

“What's Equestrias Capitol like, still standing ? i ask and she pulled her cowboy hat down

“Canterlot is a no go zone, it's more dead than dead. toxic and filled with Canterlot ghouls”

One of the Guard’s spoke up “Yes you better stay away from there, i heard stories that would give any wastelander nightmares for weeks”

“What's the difference from a Canterlot Ghoul to a normal Ghoul” i ask again

“They don’t die ranger, regenerate like mad” Dust told me

I snapped from our conversation when i caught something ahead of us. Taking my binoculars looking for what i saw, there was one of those Eyebots hovering towards us.

‘Even in this word are those annoying things...’

“There's an Eyebot coming our way ahead of us” i told the group

Dust looked at me funny “A what?” she grabbed my binocular and looked herself

“We call them spritebots” she told me and made a very annoyed groan

“They are harmless tho, only hover over the landscape with the most annoying music blasting your ears off”

True to her word as it came close we could hear a polka style music and the Robot bounced to it’s tune even slowing down as it came near us. That even woke up Corn Seed.

“ARAHRH PINKIPAI!!!” he yelled at the machine and it speed up “Horseapples i hate those things!" he grumbled and layed back down

Two hours later we made lunch break at a roadside clearing witch had a totally destroyed Diner and benches we could still sit on. I ask Dust about the spritebot and she told me what she did know about the ministry of moral. In my head i could peace together equestrias version of a Internal security and spy agency. After break we quickly moved on.

At the Diner i had that instinctif feeling that i was being watched.

Some Hours later the town named Tumbleweed came in to view and now i could tell why it was named after that thorny shrub. It was literally everywhere, tumbling about in the soft breeze. One of it even sneaked up on one of our guards who yelps in mild pain and surprise getting it stuck to his tail for a moment. The town had a defensive wall made of shed metal, almost as tall as the buildings inside. The Tumbleweed piled up to it like a natural razor wire. Outside are a view wheat fields, fenced of and Tumbleweed stuck to it as well. Unicorns were collecting the stuff from the fields fencing and earthpony’s working on the fields. Driving by got me some curios looks from them. The two guards at the towns entrance greeted our caravan and we moved inside with only one second look at me from them. The Towns Buildings were made of a stone/clay mix and shed metal roof. It was rather small and cosy looking but packed tight with the pony’s homes.

Dust and the others were greeted a view times by the residents and most pony’s stopped to gawk at the Alien...ME. The Foal’s walked with us growing a little Herd left and right of us.
In the town’s center was a open marketplace with stalls set up in a circle. Dust Trail directed the pulling stallions to a open spot and we started to unpack.

Dust had a trading stall in the wagon that we assembled with the wagon behind it.
While Dust and the earthpony’s worked on the Market Stall, me and the unicorns unloaded the wagon with Dusts instructions what she wanted at the stall to sell. A Medium sized crowd had formed to ether watch me or wait for Dust to open trade.

The two stallion drivers had moved for there brake after the long trek, corn seed sitting between them. The foals of the town apparently found the ghoul foal now more interesting than me and a small herd of foals had gathered near them.

Corn Seed was now acting more timid and shy with all the attention of the towns colts and fillies, he practically used the two stallions as shields. Being alone under ferals for who knows how long probably did not do well for his social confidence.

We finished unloading and setting up shop for Dust and she dismissed us to have our own freetime. I placed my backpack and sniper in the wagon and asked Dust to keep an eye on it.

The unicorn guard mare led our group now and we moved up to the wagon pullers.

“Come on boy’s let’s hit the Tavern” she declared with a cheer

The two joint up, but Corn Seed scampered past the others to hide behind me now.

“Hey Corny whats wrong, don’t you want to go play with them” i ask him and looked back

The herd of colts and fillies had moved to a semi circle in front of me and stared wide eyed up at me.

“Uh hi?” ‘yes alien new in town, dam those big eye looks are cute...’

It took only a moment for the siege of questions to start.

“what are you” “who are you” “what’s it like to be a ghoul” “are you a Minotaur” “where are you from” “that’s are big gun wow” “do you wanna be friends” “are you Mercenaries”

Some of the questioning was directed at corny and both of us had some hard time to spit the answers out in the rapid fire onslaught.

The others only had a hard time containing there snickering and giggles.

Once there curiosity was satisfied one of the fillies walked closer to corn seed and invited him to play with them.

“Go on Corny have some fun” i told my little buddy

“ok” he almost whispered and just timidly moved to join them

“Come we show you the playground” and with that they were of Corn following them with new energy

‘Sometimes i think Corny is more traumatized then he shows...’

I joint the others who just grind back at me, the curies adults of the town doing a more sneaky job of staring. We walked towards a larger building one of the only two biggest as far i could see. “The Salty Water Hole” the tavern was named. We moved inside me last and just like in some old time western movie, as soon as i was through the door the tavern became dead silent and all stared at me again. One of the stallions walked up to the bar to rent some rooms for us all, the rest of our group moved to a table at the far corner that was big enough for us all. I took my mask and helmet of and sat down with the others. the stares only intensified now.

A waitress took our orders and i asked if they also take the gold bits i had. Old habits die hard, the others and the waitress gave me a confused look.

“Not usual, the exchange rate is 50 bits to 1 cap around here” she told me

And i was glad to have always caps with me aside from the NCR-Dollars.

“Why would you even bother with that old crap money” one of the guards ask

I popped one pouch with the bits on the table “That's gold right and gold is worth much more in my world” i told them

“Not in this one i’m afraid mister Ranger, by the by i think it's time to properly introduce ourselves now. i am Fire Eye” the unicorn guard mare said

“I am her sister Black Eye” the other unicorn guard mare next to the other announced

“This here is mah Twin Brother Sand Trail” one of the wagon pullers pointed with a hoof to the other “And i am Fast Trail, we are Dust Trail’s Older Brother’s” the Stallion said

“I’m Buck Rock” one of the Guard Stations Said

“And i’m his brother Shot Rock” said the other

“Nice to meet you all i’m Ranger scout of the NCR, Marco Smith” i introduced myself to the group

“Told you he’s a proper soldier bro” Buck Rock said to his brother

“Just one question marco, what is the NCR” Fast Trail asked

“It’s short for New California Republic” i told them, only responds where disbelieving stares

After a short silence Sand Trail spoke up “You mean like in...a real government?”

“Yes, different world remember”

In that moment someone new interrupted us “Well i'll be damned, i thought those rumor breeders would throw hue around”

There now stands a stallion with cowboy hat and sheriff star on his west.
“I am Sheriff Morningstar, law order and Judge of 3 in Tumbleweed”

“Hey there sheriff what's the occasion” Fire Eye said to him

“Just checking on the rumor of some strange creature, that's supposed to be tall as a Minotaur. You no troublemaker right? i ain't allowing troublemaker in ma town, got me”

“Sure Mister Sheriff Sir, just a honest soldier here” i answered him

“Good, now enjoy your stay in Tumbleweed”

With that the town’s sheriff left the tavern and the stares stopped as well.

“That kind of sheriff huh?” i ask the others and they just nodded yes

We were drinking and Eating together with mild conversation and enjoying each others company. The Guard Brothers and Sisters told me about, that they were old childhood friends and started out as self made Mercenary’s, after some time as guard’s in there home town far north. The matter of there home tho was a touchy subject and they did not want to talk about. The Twin Brothers excused themselves after some time to help there sister Dust close up shop. I stayed with our guard Merc Group and we exchanged stories from our lives.