Fallout Equestria: Sisterly Love

The dilapidated old shopping strip stood silent, broken and dusty windows peered lifelessly into the streets of Fetlock. Rubbish of a time long since past blew in the gentle wind, plastic bags and food wrappers swirling around each other in a dance that nopony would witness. Movement rustled, and from the rubble a grey unicorn emerged, her bright pink mane almost glaring in the dim and darkened street. Her wary eyes darted to and fro, and she began to cross the street, hoping that she would remain undetected by any roaming bandits or stray pack of manticores for a while longer. Even on the outskirts of Manehattan, a mare alone was easy pickings.

That is, if she was alone.

“YEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH!” A huge manticore came hurtling through the previously quiet street, snarling and slashing at the second grey pony that somehow stood upon it’s back, a shield of pale gold magic protecting her from its dripping venomous tail and biting a rope tied around the manticore’s neck. Gripping the rope in her teeth, she wrenched the roaring manticore to the side, her soft pink mane flying in the wake of her steed’s galloping path. The enormous creature smashed into several buildings on its way past the pony on the street, who was now deathly still and her face pale as she watched her idiot older sister ride the beast like a brahmin. Nei’s crazed gleeful laughter rang off the broken down buildings as she and the giant manticore careened off, disappearing into the ruins.

“So much for stealth.” Nai grumbled to herself, wondering how long it would take before her sister Nei attracted every bandit and raider in the entire city to their location. She adjusted her saddlebags across her back, then trotted at a quick pace down several back alleys, her bright purple eyes seeking out the old apothecary that was listed on her faded map. Zebra apothecaries always held a plethora of interesting and useful herbs that couldn’t be found elsewhere, but finding one intact that hadn’t been decimated by vandals was the key. She had bartered for this one’s location on the promise that it was whole and safe. She slipped down another alley, her ear cocked as she listened for any sign of her sister. She had asked Nei to retrieve some manticore venom sacs, she shouldn’t be surprised that she had chosen to have some fun on the way. Nai let out a sigh, before spotting an old rotting zebra mask of welcome leaning against a sheltered doorway. This was it! And the lack of broken doors and windows was very promising!

Excitement overtook her and she ran inside the shop, the door making a pleasant tinkling noise behind her. She skidded to a halt, her eyes wide and she breathed in the musty smell of the old herbs and spices. Shelves upon shelves of containers lined the shop, some of them looked to be magically sealed for freshness. The floor was clear of shattered glass, only coated in thick dust. Tiny motes of that dust danced through the shafts of light trickling through the grimy windows panes, disturbed by her arrival. It was completely untouched! This was perfect! Nai did a little dance in the spot in excitement, squeaking in delight.

“Who the.. Who are you? How did you find this place?”

Startled at the feminine voice, Nai looked over the the back of the shop where a unicorn mare was emerging from behind a rotting curtain, her magic pulling a heavy whip from her bag. “This shop has many dangerous things! You shouldn’t be in here.” The whip now began to uncurl, the mare looking concerned and wary at the intrusion by a single pony. Normally bandits came in packs, not a bedraggled unicorn with a bright pink mane.

Nai’s world, which had once only been filled with books, potions and knowledge, shrank down to a single point, tunneling until all she could see was the beautiful mare in front of her. Her body felt hot and cold all at once, like a great fever had seized her body. Her mind went blank, seemingly to only comprehend the soft pale coat with dapples of cream, the pastel mane that was so fluffy and looked softer than anything Nai had ever seen. Warm, but watchful lavender eyes peered at Nai, the streak of cream on her face going up to her horn. She was the most lovely sight Nai had ever seen. Her mouth was dry, and it seemed like her tongue had forgotten how to speak with proper words.

”Er.. Why are you staring at me like that?” The pony took a step back, preparing to flee through the back entrance.

“Preeeettttyyyyy…..” Nai breathed.

“I’m sorry, what?”

They were interrupted by a clatter above them, and as one both the mares looked to the ceiling to see Nei crawling along it like a spider, a knife clenched in her magic and malice in her eyes, making her way to the cream and pastel pony.

Nai’s eyes widened, recognising when her sister perceived a threat.

“Nei, no! She’s okay!” She gripped her sister in a glow of bright green magic, prying her off the ceiling and setting her on the floor. “She’s just getting supplies, she’s not dangerous.”

The strange pony stared hard at the two of them before addressing Nai. “You know that mad mare?”

“This is my sister, Nei. I’m Nai.” Nai stared at the mare again, that tunnel vision of adoration threatening to blow her mind away again. She had never seen such a stunning mare, her heart was throbbing hard in her chest, beating out a rhythm of love at first sight.

”Nai and Nei. Because that’s not going to get confusing.” The mare rubbed her nose, coiling her whip away into her saddle bags. “You know that your sister was riding a manticore earlier?”

“Yeah, Nai needed some venom sacs and that beastie didn’t want to share.” Nei stepped forward, her eyes calculating and cold. She had seen the blush on her sister’s cheeks, knew that this mare had cast the beginnings of a dangerous spell on her sister. She levelled her blade at the pony. “Name and reason for being in our way, sweet cheeks.”

Nai pushed Nei to the side, eager to make conversation with the lovely stranger. “Please ignore my sister, she’s nuts. What are you doing in a zebra alchemy shop? What’s your name? You’re pretty. Do you have any books to trade?”

The pony cringed under the barrage of questions, but softened at the naive eagerness in Nai’s freckled face.

“I’m Willow, I’m a herbalist, I sought this shop to replenish my supplies. You should be careful, if you don’t know what you are doing, a place like this is deadly.”

“There ain’t no better herbalist than my sister here. She can cure anything!” Nei glared at Willow, clearly less willing than Nai to trust her. Happy to ride a manticore, but apparently kindly conversation was beyond her abilities.

Willow looked down at the smaller pony, surprised. “You know about herbs?”

Nai nodded happily, dumping out her saddlebags crammed with books on zebra alchemy, proudly showing them off to the newcomer. “I’m trying to make a particular brew that causes a controlled poison joke effect, something we can use to incapacitate ponies who are wanting to fight without doing long term harm. We came here to find some of the rarer herbs, since the Everfree Forest is several weeks away across dangerous territory.”

Willow looked impressed both at the book collection and at Nai’s words. “You want something non lethal but incapacitating?”

“I don’t see why we don’t just fight to win.” Nei grumbled, taking up residence near the dirty window. She cupped her face in her hoof, looking outside with a pout. Nai ignored her, ploughing onwards with her high pitched and excited explanation.

“Yes! Using anesthesia spells is okay but pretty draining. I want to dispel the potion in a powder form, and make sure it doesn’t have lasting nasty side effects. You never know when a life you save may be one that saves yours!”

Nei made a rude noise, but both the ponies ignored her, now eagerly discussing how to alter the potion to cripple but not harm.

Nai felt a little thrill as they talked, she had made a friend!