Fallout Equestria: Shaping Shadow - Book 4

Shadow strolled back into Trottingham. He had flown out of Hayseed Swamp, but trekked it on his hooves after that. He had run into a roving raider gang on the way. They never had the chance to fear him as he didn’t play around as he cut them down. Quick and clean.

Shadow didn’t raid anything they had. He just left them to rot and be found by others. The only thing Shadow had taken on the trip was the caps in the Slog and some of the useful ammo. That and he had taken the radio Cloudy Snow had. Nopony could tell anything had been taken.

It was early in the day. Shadow was going to store his stuff and and secure the black suit. Then he would check in with Sawdust. Sawdust should have his window gardens ready.

“Ah! Good to see you,” Sawdust exclaimed coming over to Shadow. “Your order is ready and should withstand the ages.”

“Wonderful,” Shadow smiled.

They headed back to Shadow’s home to set them up. They fit snuggly and the windows sealed better than they had before they were installed. They had transported them with the dirt inside them. Shadow planted some of his seeds: rosemary, mint, lavender and savory.

“So, they just grow there?” Sawdust asked.

“Yep,” Shadow nodded. “And when I need them, I will clip little bits off of them to use. Most will be used to make the teas my mother used to make me after a hard day’s work or when I was feeling ill.”

“Tea?” Sawdust asked, unsure of what tea was.

“Tea is a drink, usually hot, that uses leaves and herbs to flavor it. Lavender and mint is my favorite tea combination. You strain the leaves out so you only drink the flavored water. You only need a small amount to flavor quite a bit of water. I usually keep my canteens flavored with rosemary.”

“Well, I will take your word on that,” Sawdust replied. “It doesn’t sound like something I would drink. And despite your size, it doesn’t sound like something a hardened wastelander like yourself would drink.”

Shadow chuckled. “It’s not a wasteland drink. It is soft. But it’s a bit from my home so far away. It is comforting. A hardened wastelander can have their soft points. Plus, if I can kill you with a blink of the idea, what does it matter what I drink? It doesn’t change how I survive, scrounging through the ruins to make my living. Besides, it will take a bit from them to sprout and grow to the point I can use them for tea.”

“To each his own,” Sawdust shrugged. “But you have a radio? Where did you get that?”

Shadow turned the radio on and found DJ Pon3’s station. He kept the volume low. The music came across crystal clear.

“In an abandoned building on my last trip. It's in good condition, so I brought it back to enjoy. I don’t sell everything I scavenge.”

“I do have a question,” Shadow said changing the subject. “The lighting in this condominium is poor. Who can I can to improve it?”

“You want to improve this?” Sawdust said shocked. “This is better than most places here. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it!”

“To me, it is broken,” Shadow shot back.

“It will cost you,” Sawdust warned. “But Forrest is the current owner of Inside Out, the construction company. They do most things in the city, from remodeling to designs to new builds. They have an office in the Municipal Building because they do so much work in the city. They seem to always be doing some project for the city. But money talks.”

“Thanks,” Shadow replied.

“This is DJ POn3 here,” The radio announced. “I have a warning for all my listeners. I have heard a few accounts of mysterious deaths. Death isn’t usually mystery out here. But these are raiders who still have their stuff. And a caravan that wasn’t touched outside of bullets to their heads. Ponyville was cleaned out, and even slaves being transported were cut down because they breathed. One escaped to tell the tale. Unchecked, unemotional killing is what they described.

“It’s not all been bad, and not just for Ponyville being gutted. Trottingham lost power after their source’s defenses were safely taken off line. These are defenses that formed a citadel that has stood since mid war. The city was able to take it back the next day, but they didn’t even have to lift a hoof to do it. They found every raider inside dead. Outside a few strategic ones left without their limbs to tell the tale.

“A pony dressed all in black, with their faced masked and glowing red eyes that never blinked. They couldn’t tell what guns she had, only that she had a red glowing sword. It was so hot it cauterized their wounds. She has come to cleanse the wasteland. To right the wrongs. To prepare the wasteland and bring some separation to an end. In Trottingham, they are calling her Black Widow.

“It isn’t clear what separation she is trying to end, or what wrongs she is trying to right, but she is here to kill and she is doing it and being found means death. There seems to be no escaping her when she hunts you.”

“Interesting,” Sawdust stated. “It explains the power plant. But I have not heard that name yet. Fitting for what she apparently did.”

Shadow shrugged. “Well, I never saw the power plant or anything. I was at the dam. But it does explain why we sat there with nothing happening, no shots fired.”

“Well,” Sawdust shrugged. “I have stuff that I need to do. A big order was put in yesterday. That is what matters to me, not some mystery mare who seems bent on killing.”

Shadow just wordlessly nodded as Sawdust left. Shadow grabbed the caps he had and headed to the bank. Most were going to be deposited. He needed to do the check in so he didn’t lose his stuff.

The Municipal Building was nearing closing time, but Shadow was able to get an appointment set up for the day after tomorrow. They would meet him at his condominium.

Shadow sat down at a restaurant, on their balcony. He had a perfect view of Gambit and his store. It was time to stalk his prey. Shadow noted his moves for the rest of the evening.

When the store closed, Shadow let the dark corners of the city hide him as he slipped his cloak on. The lock on the store was advanced. It took Shadow two minutes to get the cloud key to work. Two guard patrols walked by, forcing Shadow to hold his breath and pray to the stars that the enchantment held.

Shadow had to wait for several other ponies to move past to open the door. Once inside, Shadow quickly moved to the ammunition. Like before, Shadow grabbed the loose ammunition and then moved the boxed rounds to another shelf. Shadow had no problem exiting.

The next day was boring. Shadow spent it watching and tracking Gambit. Much of the time it was hidden under his cloak. It was a risk that Shadow didn’t like taking, but as the day wore on, he relaxed as he became more certain that they couldn’t see him.

After Gambit closed his shop and retired, Shadow had to make sure his suit and gear was securely hidden. With the team coming to check out the lighting, Shadow had to be positive they wouldn’t stumbled on top of anything they shouldn’t.

Shadow opened the door and two ponies came in, a Unicorn and an Earth Pony. Forrest wasn’t either of them.

“I’m Bright,” The Unicorn said. “I am the electrical specialist for Inside Out. And with me is Emerald Bubble. She is new and is already showing great skill with electrical aspects in the building industry.”

“It’s nice to be here,” She smiled sheepishly.

“Nice to have you joining us,” Shadow nodded.

“You said you need us to fix lighting?” Bright asked confused.

“Look around,” Shadow said looking around. “It’s not the brightest in here. The fan has a single light and the kitchen has two hanging lights. The bedroom is the same. Its bad. I am living here and I want to be able to see.”

“This is the top 10% for the lighting in the condos,” Bright replied. “I don’t know what you want us to do.”

“I want it redone,” Shadow stated. “I want it bright, like the stores. Definitely adding some more lights.”

“We can add more,” Emerald Bubble said confidently. “But making it brighter won’t be easy.”

“Or cheap,” Bright warned.

“I want to actually see what I am doing,” Shadow replied. “Draw me up a plan and an estimate.”

They walked through the rooms and Bright had Emerald Bubble doing the work. She was learning fast. At least the planning side of electrical work.

“This will provide you the lighting you want,” Bright declared. “But this will cost more than you paid for here. More than you could get for this place.”

“Can you give me an estimate on the raised value?”

“Its a 1 Bedroom condo,” Bright stated. “Its not going to sell for more than 5000 caps.”

Shadow shrugged. “The resale value isn’t really important. I am not planning on that. I just want to live in a nice place while I have to live here.”

Bright shrugged to Emerald Bubble. “Well, you will be looking at three days of work and 7000 caps. And it would be best for you to not be here so we can move faster.”

“How soon could you start?” Shadow asked.

“Next week,” Bright replied. “We would need half up front.”

“I have that in my bank,” Shadow said. “But it looks like I will have to come up with some more. I will have to really work to scavenge some good stuff to sell. Also, can you guys paint the place?”

“Of course. But that will add another 500. Its not too big to paint this entire place. Plus, we won’t have to worry about trying to match any holes. If we make some to run wires, we are going to paint it anyway. So no harm no foul.”

“That will be fine,” Shadow nodded. “More than fine.”

“I will bring the plans down to the office,” Bright stated. “When you have the funds, you can pay there.”

“I will get your funds,” Shadow said. “Thank you.”

They departed and Shadow began to plan. His best option was to be out of town as they worked, so that nopony could stumble upon the costume. But he still had the plans, patterns, papers and the cloth to hide. He didn’t expect them to do anything, but Shadow still had to be prepared for an accident.

Gambit had to go down before he left. There was no way around that. And Shadow couldn’t leave for another day at least to avoid being connected. Trottingham may be a large city, but he was known by enough ponies. Coming right off the wastelands from nowhere and buying a permanent residence peaked interest in his life.

Gambit didn’t seem to be married to his job. He had a few employees and he used them. Gambit hadn’t opened or closed the store the few times Shadow had observed him. His arrivals had been as the morning picked up and plenty of ponies were in the street.

Shadow would have the perfect opportunity to strike, out in the open so all could see. Shadow had no need for his guns, or his sword. The Zebra cloak would get him in and then after a quick escape, out. He would kill Gambit with the Zebra combat knife and the band. Ponies would most definitely be looking for a unicorn, and it wouldn’t be hard to adjust his voice to really sell that he was a mare. DJ Pon3 has used ‘she’ in his talk on the radio. Shadow had to keep the sentencing short. He wasn’t sure how the guards would react.

Blooming Glass would be avenged for being sold into slavery. She would be avenged for being put in a position that Shadow had to kill her. The ponies of Trottingham would know what happened to her. Her family would have closure and others may find it as well. Gambit may have sold more ponies.

Shadow only wore the small throw bag to hide his cloak and it was kept under his cape. He had to pop his unmasked head out of the door first to check if it was clear. It was so he could tossed his mask on and pulled the cloak over his body, disappearing.

Shadow took up a perch on a store’s roof. He observed it all as the day grew older and the city began to become organized chaos. Shadow watched as Gambit came into view.

Shadow pulled off the Zebra cloak in one clean move and slipped it into his bag. He saw ponies stop and stare. He wasn’t expecting to freeze the city, but he did. Gambit was frozen too, looking at him. There was no better opportunity.

“BLACK JACKPOT!” Shadow called out. “THE ONE THE CALL GAMBIT.”

Shadow dropped down off the roof with ease, causing ponies to marvel at his nonchalant attitude of the drop. Especially once they saw his size. Still, their view of him projected himself to be much bigger in their eyes because of their admiration or fear.

They gave him a wide berth as he walked all the way over to Gambit.

“My reputation precedes me to you,” Gambit smiled. “What can I do for somepony as yourself?”

“I AM HERE FOR YOU!” Shadow replied for all to here. “I KNOW WHAT YOU DID. I WAS AT PONYVILLE. I SAW HER, BLOOMING GLASS, CHAINED UP AND FORCED TO ATTEMPT TO DO SOMETHING SHE COULDN’T DO IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE HERSELF FROM THEIR MERCILESS HOOVES. I FOUND THEIR RECORDS. YOU KIDNAPPED HER AND YOU SOLD HER TO THAT GANG, SAYING THAT SHE COULD ENCHANT GEMSTONES! SHE WAS AN EASY TARGET BEING BLIND.”

Shadow had to pause to gather his voice. But it was perfect as ponies began to talk. Gambit was playing innocent and doing it very well. Several guards had arrived and pushed their way to the front or the crowd.

“You trust raiders?” Gambit asked shocked.

Shadow gave a single nod. “I TRUST WHAT I SAW AND I TRUST WHAT THEY WROTE DOWN ABOUT HER AND THEIR PLANS.”

“Do you have any of this proof?” Fiery Blitz asked. “We can all go to the Municipal Office and settle this.”

Shadow took several more steps closer. “I don’t take ‘proof,’ I AM PROOF!”

“That may be Miss Black Widow, but the law states we have to take this matter before a judge, and that starts at the Municipal Building.”

“I AM NOT ONE OF YOU!” Shadow said lunging forward the last little bit.

The combat knife dug deep into Gambit’s neck. Shadow paused, keeping it there as he let his hoof touch the ground. In front of a stunned crowd, ponies would guess magic, not hooves. And the band would call the blade to him, once again, magic. The guards were unsure how to act.

“I CAME FOR BLACK JACKPOT’S LIFE FOR HIS EVIL. I CAME TO CLEAN OUT SCUM LIKE HIM TO PREPARE THE WASTELAND FOR IT’S REJOINING. THE SEPARATION MUST END. BUT THAT REQUIRES A CLEANSING FIRE TO TAKE CARE OF THE ONES WHO FIGHT THIS AND KEEP THE WASTELAND SHATTERED. THEIR BLOOD MUST BE DRAINED SO THAT THEY NO LONGER STAND IN THE WAY!”

Shadow had held things there long enough. He pulled the knife from Gambit’s neck and took a few steps back, creating space in between him and Fiery Blitz. Other guards were loosely surrounding Shadow.

“ORDER! ORDER!” Paladin Brandy said making his presence known. Two others were with him. They all had their helmets off.

“You, in the mask and cape. You are in violation of the laws in this town. We protect this area, including the town. I suggest you come with us to sort out the killing of that pony. A fair and unbiased course of action will be taken.”

Shadow just slowly shook his head no and took a few steps back.

Paladin Brandy took a deep breath in, frustrated. “Are you the one that attacked the power plant? Clearing out the raiders?”

Shadow gave a slow nod.

“We must speak with you, immediately,” Paladin Brandy stated. It was a non negotiable request.

Shadow took a step back, the crowd opening up for him to move.

“Stay right there!” Paladin Brandy ordered, his guns clicking off safety.

Shadow took a half step back. The Paladin tensed up and the other two with him began to move around to the sides to pin Shadow.

“That is an unwise choice!” Shadow warned the Steel Rangers. “Don’t challenge me.”

“Challenge? You are the one causing chaos!”

“Securing the world, reorganize them after cleaning out the bad, causes temporary chaos. I am here to prepare the wasteland for a new order. New, good peace and prosperity. The wasteland will be united like Equestria of old. This now is chaos and it will become truly orderly.”

“We can discuss that, but you have to come with us.”

“The Steel Rangers are thieves and murderers. You take what you want, when you want. You use force to make everything happen. You can not be trusted. You will not listen or provide a fair trial.”

“You’re coming with me!” Paladin Brandy declared, crouching a bit as he lined up his guns.

Shadow bent down, ready to move. The Steel Rangers had the position on him. But the crowd hadn’t subsided. Shadow wasn’t ready to fight three Steel Rangers with his gear. The crowd made it all dangerous and an attack would be very risky, for both sides. It would be difficult to get away clean with the crowd as well.

“ENOUGH!” Fiery Blitz yelled, stepping into the area between Shadow and Paladin Brandy. “This is our city! We protect it and keep it in order. You both are out of order! And you, Paladin, are endangering the entire marketplace with your aggressive moves. Stand down and let us take care of it.”

Fiery Blitz turned to Shadow. “You, miss Black Widow. We need you to come with us, to the Municipal Building to discuss things. You are not in trouble, yet.”

Shadow crouched a bit lower. “I do not follow your misguided laws. You hold onto things of the past that no longer work.”

Shadow immediately did a back tuck. The crowd further opened up around him. He was able to use it to do several back flips away. The city guards surged forward. Some blocked the Steel Rangers, others tried to get to him.

Shadow landed right next to a café. He vaulted onto a table, breaking dishes and scattering food, and used it to skip cleanly onto the roof. He rolled on the roof, the cloak flipping out and Shadow expertly wrapped it around him. He might be invisible, but Shadow had to move quickly to escape and avoid a physical confrontation.

Shadow slid down into an alley as a Unicorn guard sent out a searching beam. Guards were yelling and communicating, trying to lock down the area. The crowd was working against them. After a few twists and turns, Shadow was free and hooked around to get back to his condominium.

Shadow had to wait for several ponies to pass by before he could get at his door. He was firmly pressed up against the door in an attempt to avoid a collision. They couldn’t see him and were walking side by side. It was close.

Shadow took a minute to relax, cloaked, in his room before he got undressed and put things away. Gambit was dead. He had made his word good. Nopony was there to see it though.

Shadow had to find caps. He needed a way to earn them fast in order to pay for the lighting project. Shadow would have to scavenge for real. Anything of value had to collected. Red Tip might have some ideas of where to start.

Shadow changed into just his hat and cloak and headed to the market. Red Tip cheerily greeted Shadow.

“My favorite gun nut, how can I help you?”

“I put in for a lighting overhaul in my place,” Shadow replied. “They found it crazy because apparently, I have some of the best lighting for the housing. Its costing more than the place is worth and it won’t raise the resale value that much.”

“But fuck resale. I want to see clearly. I need to see in my home. And I need caps to finish paying off the project. So I need a prime location to scavenge from. Not just weapons. Everything of value.”

Red Tip gave a slow nod. “I believe danger is not an issue?”

“Within reason,” Shadow smiled.

“Well,” Red Tip smiled back. “The north east part of the city has another, settlement of sorts. Its an old suburban city, the Lux, with a small town center. It was walled off to keep out the riff raft and only allow the purest of the purse, money wise. It is prime for the picking. The catch is that it is controlled by the White Glove Society.

“Now, the White Glove Society, they don’t really do scavenging. It is beneath their high class plots. But they don’t let ponies wander their area, let alone take stuff. Ponies go there to play. They have full services there. Alcohol, drugs, mares and stallions for both viewing and playing, and their mainstay, gambling.

“I do not know how good you are with luck, but I suspect you make your own. Perhaps you can persuade them to let you scavenge whatever you can from their territory.”

“Interesting,” Shadow grinned. “It sounds like a prime place to start.”

“How long do you have?” Red Tip asked.

“They start in a week,” Shadow replied. “I would like to be gone while they work. I would be out of their way and making a living. We shall see were life takes me around then.”

“I do suggest you check out Lux,” Red Tip said. “But as to what you will do next week, I don’t have any suggestions.”

Shadow finalized how to get there and departed. Red Tip had visited once, but it wasn’t his scene. Shadow would leave in the early morning. Somepony prominent knew where he was heading and why. He didn’t have any fears about being connected to Black Widow.