Fallout Equestria: A Lonely Road

by SummerGem

Rating: teen
Tags: Fallout, Adventure, Violence, Crossover, Alternate Universe, Sad, Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 6598

A lone pony battles against the harsh wasteland.

Bright Miner is just a simple pony trying to survive in the wasteland. All that changes one day when he receives a mysterious message. Eager to rediscover his forgotten past he heads out. But he finds that getting the answers he so desperately craves might not be as easy as he thought.

Published 2019-06-11 19:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2019-06-23 15:38:01 UTC

Message

I've heard ponies say you shouldn’t live in the past. That you should leave it behind. But what about those like me who've
forgotten their past? Do you leave it behind then? Can you? I say you shouldn’t.

If I’m going to tell my story, I suppose introductions are in order. My name’s Bright Miner and I’m an earth pony prospector. Or to put it another way, a scavenger. It was this line of work that got me into this mess in the first place.

It had started while I was combing through the ruins of a small town. I had found a few cans of food, scrap metal, and ammunition. I decided to call it a day and checked the map on my Pipbuck to find my way back to New Applelossa. Strange, there's a new message. Curious, I examined it.

There's no audio on this. Just coordinates and the name 'Hurricane.' The coordinates are in- Colossal Gulch? Why there? It's extremely dangerous, and there's not much there, or so the stories go. Still it could be worth checking out.

I'm going to need some supplies if I want to go there. I have no healing potions and could use some additional food and ammo. New Applelossa is nearby so I guess I'll head there.

As the sun set, I saw the shipping containers that made up the walls of this town. It’s good to be home. I walked through the dingy streets and hovels toward the tavern. A few ponies greeted me, despite my attempts to blend in. I suppose my yellow mane and back coat make me stand out.

Looks like I'm here. I pushed open the door and made my way into the dim interior. Ponies sat around tables chatting and drinking. I spied a red unicorn behind the bar cleaning a mug.

He gave me a small nod. "Hey there Bright Miner.”

"Jerry, come on now, we've known each other for several years.” I take my regular seat at the bar. “Just call me Bright."

"Of course, Bright. What can I get you?"

"Apple Whiskey with a Sparkle Cola to wash it down. I also require some food, ammo for my battle saddle, as well a few health potions and Rad Away.”

He gave me a questioning look. “That’s a lot more then what you typically get. What do you need them for if you don’t mind me asking?”

“Colossal Gulch.”

"COLOSSAL GULCH!" Every patron in the tavern stared at us. "Sorry, I thought you said Colossal Gulch. Why on earth would you go there? Everypony that's gone into there has never come out."

"Simple," I showed him the message on my Pipbuck. "I want to investigate this. Who knows what could be there.'

He gave a long sigh. “Bright we’ve been over this. You’ve chased leads like this before and always come up empty hooved. You need to stop obsessing over the past. Just let it go.”

“You know I can’t do that. There’s a part of my past that I can’t remember, and it’s going to keep haunting me till I find the answer.”

“I still think it's a bad idea. Plus, it could be a false signal. That wasn't in the best of shape when I gave it to you."

"I did a good job of fixing up the Pipbuck, so the signal's most likely authentic. If it's not, I lose nothing but some time."

“Very well. If you insist on doing this, I'll get you the supplies.” I sipped my drink while he was gone savoring the flavor. He returned after a brief wait with the supplies. As I put them into my saddlebags, I noticed that he had also given me barding and a syringe filled with what looked like a murky brown liquid.

I pointed to the barding and syringes. "What's this for?”

"That's armor for your protection and Hydra for additional healing. If you insist on doing this, they will help keep you alive."

"I appreciate the barding, but isn't using Hydra dangerous? I heard that it has some nasty side effects."

"Only if you use it after being exposed to radiation. Just use it as a last resort, and you'll be fine.

"Okay, how much do I owe you?

"Three hundred and fifty caps." I handed him the money and turned to leave. "One last thing Bright. Remember that curiosity-"

"-Killed the colt. I remember. Don't worry about me old man; I'll be fine." I exited the tavern and headed for my house. He's right to warn me. Sure, my curiosity has gotten me into more than one sticky situation, but I've always managed to get out of them thanks to my sharp senses and quick wit.

I entered my house and headed upstairs to the bedroom. I deposited my saddlebags and battle saddle next to the bed. Sleep sounds good. I can prepare for my trip in the morning.

After waking up, I donned my combat barding, battle saddle. Finally, a short sword went on my left foreleg for easy access. After a quick breakfast of canned beans, I headed toward the Gulch. The trip across the barren wasteland was mostly uneventful except for a few radroaches that I quickly stabbed to death.

At the coordinates, I saw the entrance. It was mostly obstructed by a pre-war bus. Spray painted across it in big yellow letters were the words: "Dangerous. Keep out!" Smaller words were painted next to them in white. "You can go home Bright Miner." Below that was the name Hurricane and- A DASHITE SYMBOL? Why is that there, and why is my name there?

This message came from the same pony who sent me that signal. But how do they know my name? Why would they want me to come here? Well, there's only one way to find out. I took a deep breath and headed past the bus into the unknown.

The first thing I noticed was how dim it had become. It barely even noon, yet eternal twilight permeated through the area. The rocky ground gradually sloped downward toward what looked like an old military base.

I turned on my Pipbuck’s light and walked toward it. The echo of my hooves striking the ground was the only sound that reached my ears.

The first thing I noticed upon entering was all the metal. Metal walls and a metal floor that seemed to suck out all the warmth. As I approached a room my E.F.S. lit up with three red bars. I slowed my pace to a crawl and loaded up the rifles on my battle saddle. The faint sound of gears whirling reached my ears. I glanced around the corner and spied a pair of sentry bots.

I waited until the first one came in to range. I immediately went into S.A.T.S. and took it out with several well-placed shots. The air was filled with bright red lasers as the second bot opened fire. The shots either missed me or were absorbed by the strike plates in my barding. Before it could fire a second volley I opened fire and took it down.

Pathetic. These things were always easy to- Argh! Pain shot through my body as a laser struck my unprotected flank. I turned and saw two more bots advancing upon me. Too close for my rifle. Time for some close quarters combat. I clutched my short sword in my mouth and charged.

I jumped at the nearest one and stabbed downward through its head. I yanked and took its head off. Wasting no time, I turned toward the remaining one and dispatched it with a few stabs. I took advantage of the respite to examine the room.

Score! Looks like this was the armory. Explains why it was so well defended. I searched all the ammo containers and emptied them in my bags. This will fetch quite a few caps. I wonder what else is around here. If I’m cautious, I could walk out of here with an excellent haul.

I continued exploring the base. Along the way I ran into a few lone sentry bots which I easily dispatched with S.A.T.S. Room after room was filled with more salvage then I can carry. I'll have to come back here later. I entered the next room and saw a terminal next to a storage tube.

I logged on the terminal and saw this text: Open storage tube and release sprite-bot? Yes/No.

Why not? This could prove useful. I selected yes.

Air hissed from the storage tube as it opened. The sprite-bot floated out of it and slowly turned to face me.

"Uh, hi?" Wait, why am I talking to it? It can't understand- Beep beep. Wait, was that directed at me? "Can you understand me?" Another beep. Okay, I guess it can. "Do you have a name?" Silence. "Well you need a name. How about I call you Beep?" It's response was several angry beeps. "Okay. Okay. You don't like that one. Since you’re a sprite-bot, how about I call you Sprite for short?" Beep.

I'm talking to a robot. This is getting too weird. "Okay Sprite, I'm moving on now. Uh, follow me please. As I left the room, I turned and noticed it following me a few feet off the ground. We headed toward what I guessed to be the exit. More sentry bots appeared. I can handle them no problem. Time to- ZAP! ZAP! I turned to Sprite to see him firing lasers at our enemies. What? No time to wonder about that now. I slipped into S.A.T.S and joined him in destroying them.

"You can fight?" Beep beep. "Well it looks like you'll be more useful than I thought. Shall we?"

I have someone to watch my back again. Wait, again? I never had a companion before. I clutched my head in pain as old memories started to surface, but they quickly faded away. Could this place hold the key to my past? I hope it dose.

With Sprite by my side, the rest of the trip through the base was simple. I noticed the remains of what looked like ponies next to the exit. A closer inspection revealed they looked different. Their armor looked to of bunch of old street signs attached to barding. Any exposed part of them was missing skin, revealing the muscle beneath.

Goddess. What had happened to these ponies? I offered a silent prayer for them and exited the base. Immediately, I was struck by a sandstorm. On top of that my Pipbuck started clicking, indicating radiation. Joy. This is getting too risky even for me. I've acquired quite a bit of salvage and some answers. I can always come back later. I headed back toward the base.

"Greetings Bright."

I turned around. A male voice was coming from Sprite. "Sprite? I thought you couldn't talk.”

"That wasn't him. I'm speaking through him to you."

"Who are you and how do know my name?"

"Who am I?” A faint chuckle came from Sprite. “I'm a fellow prospector just like you. Name's Hurricane. To answer your second question; we used to work together."

"Was it you who sent the signal? And if it was you the why?"

"Yes. As to why, simple. I knew it would draw you here. You were always too curious for your own good. Welcome to the Colossal Gulch. Back during the war this place used to be known as the Ghastly Gorge. It maintained a bunch of military bases. Now it's the most inhospitable place in the wasteland. If the sandstorms or radiation don't get you then locals will."

"Gee, you make it sound so attractive, but there's other places I'd rather be. Goodbye." I turned to leave.

"Leaving so soon? I have something you desire."

That stooped me. "What could you possibly have that I would desire?"

"Answers. Isn't there a key part of your past that you've forgotten? An essential part that you yearn to rediscover? I can give that. You just need to make it to an old base at the end of this gulch.”

“Why not just give them to me now and spare us both the trouble?”

“It’s not that simple. You have to earn them, Bright. Whether or not you do is completely up to you." The speaker cut off.

How does he know all about me? I’ve worked with various ponies over the years, but I told none of them besides Jerry about my hidden past. He promised never to tell anypony about it. So how does this Hurricane know? There's only one possible way for me to find out, and it involves me crossing the most dangerous place in the wasteland. This is going to be so fun.

Level Up! Scrounger perk. All your prospecting has given a incredible knack for uncovering things that other ponies miss. You find more items in rooms and containers.

Exploration

The ruins of an old town loomed ahead. A metal gate bared my way, but after a few well-placed bucks from me it opened up. My E.F.S. filled up with red bars. I surveyed the area but saw nothing. I slowed my pace and watched for enemies.

A red single flare shot upwards. What was- three of the strange ponies charged toward me with murder in their fierce eyes. Without hesitation I activated S.A.T.S. and opened fire. Sprite followed suit. One of them fell to my rifle while the second became a pile of smoldering ash. The third pony was too close for my rifle, so I switched to the sword. I crippled its front legs with a few well-placed slashes. It shouldn't be a problem anymore. As I turned to leave, it got back up and lunged toward me. Before I could even blink, Sprite quickly killed it.

He just saved my life! "Thank you," I croaked. How did it do that? It shouldn't have been able to stand in that state let alone fight. Questions later. Right now, I needed to get out of the open. I looked around for cover and spotted another white dashite mark next to a towering building in the distance. Over the main entrance hung a large sign entrance: Military Base 17 Local Headquarters.

Well, it's better than nothing. I headed inside, grateful to escape the punishing winds. I found myself in a reception area. A faint light emanated from a nearby terminal on a large desk. Hmm, I wonder what’s on it? I doubt it would hurt to check it out. "Sprite could you watch my back while I take a look at this?" He merely responded with a few beeps and moved behind me.

This terminal had no password protection on it. All but a few of the terminal entries had been corrupted.

Entry one: An official notice to all workers. Please be aware that a week from today you will be required to have a base issued I.D. to enter any of the buildings on this base. This will be done for security reasons. Thank you for your willing cooperation.

Entry Two: Attention to all workers. It has come to our attention that many of you still lack the required I.D. While we understand your reluctance, please remember this is for your own safety.

For your own safety. I snorted and shut off the terminal. What a load of rubbish. We don't have anything like that today and we're safe. Well, as safe as one could be in this wasteland we call home.

A thorough search of the building yielded some ammo and canned food. I reluctantly exited back out into the punishing sandstorm and toward my destination.

A small building along the way caught my attention. It looks like some sort of barracks. Perhaps there’s something useful in there. It was out the way, though. I'll give it a quick check. There shouldn't be anything too dangerous there.

A stream of fire greeted me as soon as I entered. I dove off to the side but not before my coat got singed. I turned to see one of those strange ponies wielding a flamethrower. It's bad enough they can regenerate, but now they can wield weapons?

Since it was too close for my rifles, I took out the sword. Sprite was already firing at it. I spied the tanks on its back and came up with a way to end this in one strike. I jumped on an adjacent table then off it. I plunged my sword into the tank and withdrew it. "Take cover Sprite!" I yelled diving under the nearest bed.

Seconds later a massive fireball filled the entire the room. My barding protected me from the worst of it, but my legs and face were burned by the intense heat. Pain racked my body as I crawled out. Heal yourself later. Must. Make. Sure. It's dead. It was trying to get up despite it looking like charcoal. I gripped my sword and plunged it into its head. I consumed one of the healing potions and uttered a sigh of relief as my injuries healed.

"Sprite? You there?" I looked around and noticed him hovering next to me. "Good. You're all right." I should really leave, but perhaps there's something of value here. A hasty search of the footlockers revealed some ammo. Some of it even matched my rifle. "No more detours. Come on Sprite, let's get out of here."

A few minutes? Hours? Later found me at a dark tunnel. Oh, great! As if creepy ponies, sandstorms and radiation weren't enough. Now I must go through a dark tunnel filled with goddess knows what? But there's a dashite mark at the entrance, so it must be the right way.

We journeyed forward in silence that was broken occasionally by the sound of trickling water. It's kind of nice to have some relief from the near constant battle. Maybe there's nothing in here. Red bars lit up my E.F.S again. Great. Probably more of those strange ponies. I crept forward while keeping hidden.

I peered over a boulder that severed as cover. Those aren't ponies. Several hell hounds are milling about, but something is off about them. They're smaller than average and possess much larger eyes. Fortunately, they haven't spotted us yet. I could take out the three of them with some well-placed head shots. "Sprite could you-?"

ZAP! ZAP! Dang it! That foolish robot charged on ahead. I went into S.A.T.S. and targeted the heads of each one. BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! Each one fell as the rounds blew their heads off. "Sprite don't go charging ahead like that again. Those things could rend you with a single blow."

No response. "Let's get out of here." We continued onward until the cavern opened. A building stood in the cavern as if it had fallen from above. Several more of the strange hell hounds roamed at its base. Well, it looks like we're fighting yet again.

***

Stab. I am sick. Stab. And tired. Stab. Of these goddess forsaken creatures! This the fifth time I've had to deal with them. Fifth! This whole cave is swarming with them. Is it to much to ask to go a few hours without fighting? Well at least the end of the tunnel is in sight. I left eager to leave this place behind.

Railroad tracks and an old station loomed in the distance. The sun is setting, so I should probably bed there for the night.

"Hello Bright."

I turned to face Sprite. "Hello Hurricane. I have some questions for you.”

“I'll answer them on one condition. They can’t be about your past.”

“Oh, I have plenty other questions. Like how did a pegasus from the Enclave end up here? Or what happened to this place and what were those creatures?"

"What makes you think I'm Enclave?"

"Don't play dumb Hurricane. I recognized those Dashite marks. Enclave is the only group that uses them. And since we're the only two sane being here and I'm not Enclave you must have left them."

"Sharp as ever Bright." He seemed almost impressed. "Your right, I'm an ex-member of the Enclave or Dashite. The story of why I voluntarily left can wait for another time. For now I'll answer your other questions about those creatures and what happened to this place.

"The strange ponies you encountered were former Enclave and NCR scouts. This place possesses ancient equestrian technology. Technology that both sides desire. They would clash frequently for control.

“The radiation and constant sandstorms transformed them. Now they’re nothing more the ghouls with their hides stripped away yet they somehow live. They have banded together for survival which makes them dangerous."

"NCR? I've never heard of them. Are they some raider group?"

"No. They're a faction that dwells far to the west with the goal of uniting this land under their banner. A foolish idea. One that will never work.

"Why? Uniting ponies under one group seems like an excellent idea to me."

"Even if they unite them, they'll never last. I've observed them first hoof. The entire organization teams with corruption. Corruption that will ultimately ruin them."

"The other creatures you encountered were caught in what created this place. It transformed them. Now they stay in the dark places of the world, and breed like rabbits. If they ever escape this place, the wasteland will slowly fall to them. But enough talk. You still have a long way to go."

"Wait, you didn't answer my question about what happened to this place.”

"I didn't. You still don't remember do you, Bright? You made this place the way it is. Goodbye."

It felt like a skyscraper had fallen on top of me. I created this place. How? How could I, a lowly prospector have done that? No, he must be lying. It’s the only explication.

To top it all off, he merely left me with unanswered questions. He really likes to string me along me, doesn't he? When we finally meet him, he better give me all the answers before I beat them out of him.

For now I need to bed down for the night, and that station seems like as good a place as any. "Come on Sprite, lets head inside." The only thing in the building was a lone desk. Hmm, cozy. It's not much, but it will do. Behind there is a good place to spend the night.

I settled behind the desk and removed all my gear. I had a few cans of cram for dinner and washed it down with some Rad Away since my radiation levels seemed a little high. A small yawn escaped my mouth. "Sprite watch the door. If anything comes in, eradicate it."

He merely beeped in affirmation and positioned himself toward the door. "Good boy. Night." I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

Level up! Perk gained! Marked Mare: Your fierce battles against these strange creatures have familiarized you to their tactics and abilities. You now deal 15% more damage to them.

Confrontation

“Good morning Sprite.” He merely turned to face me and gave a small beep. After a hasty breakfast of canned corn, I donned my gear and headed out. After a few peaceful hours, I heard a faint growl. Through the sandstorm I could barely make out the unmistakable outline of a hell hound but several times bigger and even more dangerous.

Great, as if this place hasn’t thrown enough at me already. Maybe I could take it out at a distance. I carefully took aim at its head with S.T.A.T.S. and fired. BANG! The shot merely grazed its skull. It let out a fierce roar of pain and charged straight toward me.

I slipped into S.T.A.T.S. again and sent shot after shot into its massive body. Sprite’s lasers found their mark. It stubbornly refused to fall despite its severe injuries. “WHY WON'T YOU JUST DIE?” It responded with a swipe of its massive claws intending to rend me in two. I jumped backward to dodge the blow, but it wasn’t enough. The claws tore through my barding and shoulder propelling me back several feet.

A cry of anguish escaped past my muzzle. It stalked toward me, with murder in its eyes. Come on, get up. My legs refuse to obey. I can’t let end here. Not when I’m so close. It raised its mighty paw and aimed right at my head. At the last possible second, I parried the blow with my sword, but the blade shattered.

I’m going to die alone in place where no pony will find my body. I didn’t expect it to end this way. My eyes closed, and I waited for the blow to descend. ZAP! ZAP! I looked up and was surprised to see the hell hound turn into a smoldering ash pile with Sprite hovering over me.

“You saved my life Sprite. Thank you.” I fished my last healing potion from my bags and drank it. A sigh of relief left me as the pain began to recede. A few minutes later I felt well enough to stand. I examined my barding and saw it was completely shredded. I tossed it aside and hoped that it wouldn't be needed.

“Let’s go Sprite.” We pushed on forward using the tracks as guidance. At the end of them loomed the entrance to a canyon. Further down and barely visible was an entrance to a base. That must be the place. Hurricane is waiting inside. Now I can finally get the answers I’ve craved.

“We meet again Bright.” Hurricane sounded genuinely surprised. “It's impressive that you made it this far.”

“I must be tougher then you're willing to give me credit for.” I gestured to Sprite. “Plus, it didn’t hurt that he helped.” I decided to cut to the case. “Now that I’m here, you’re going to give me the answers you promised.”

“No.”

My eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”

“I said no. That so called 'promise' was just a ploy to convince you to bring that bot here. It carries the military codes that I require for my plan.”

“That’s not going to happen. All I need to do is not bring Sprite to you, and your so-called plan will fail.”

“Oh really?” His voice was thick with contempt. "I've already planned for that. You see, now that it’s so close, I can return him to me by force. Override code: Sigma, Two, Alpha, Five. Sprite bot return to base immediately.” Sprite instantly flew away from me toward the base.

“No wait! Defy him!” He didn’t respond. “Sprite don’t leave! Not after all we’ve been together!” He continued onward oblivious to my passionate pleas. “Please come back.” I collapsed to the ground and wept hysterically. “Don’t leave me alone.”

How could this happen? Why did this happen? Have I been though all this for nothing? What do I do now? I just lied on the ground weeping, oblivious to the world.

After what seemed like an eternity I got back up. My sorrow was burned away by fury. So, he thinks he can just lure me here with false promises just for his own little schemes? Pull my strings like some puppet? Well, he’s dead wrong. I’m going in there and getting both answers and Sprite. Goddess help whatever gets in my way.

I galloped forward fueled by my fury. Creatures stood in my path. They think they can stop me. Cute. They all fell before my shotgun. I tore though the canyon like a thunderstorm. Nothing can stop me now.

A message was scrawled across the base’s entrance. Go home Bright. Yeah, not happening. I bucked the door open and bellowed, “HURRICANE! I’M COMING FOR YOU!”

I charged through the base seeing red. He will pay dearly for what he did. How should he die? Slowly or quickly? Gun or my bare hooves? No. I need to get answers first. He owes me that much. Then he can die.

A soft beeping snaps me out of my trance. I look up to find myself in a room with Sprite hovering in a storage tube. “Sprite! Is that you? Hold on, I’ll get you out of there.”

The adjacent terminal was encrypted, but after a few tries I retrieved the password. Open tube: Yes/No? I selected yes and released Sprite from storage. The welcome sight of him turned my fierce rage to concern. “Are you okay boy? He didn’t hurt you, did he?” I gave him a comprehensive look over. “Everything looks fine. Now, we need to take care of Hurricane.”

The quite journey gave me time to further cool my rage. I may not kill him; I decided, but he still owes me answers after all he put me through.

An enormous room stood in front of me. Inside floated several pulsing green spheres. At the far end of the room, a pegasus with a brown coat and a blue mane stared at me. A brown leather duster covered most of him while a gas mask obstructed most of his face. A pair of Sprite bots hovered next to him.

“So, you came Bright. I had hoped you would. I take it you're here for your answers.”

“You’re damn right I do.” I felt my rage begin to resurface, but I pushed it back down. “After having to drag myself though this goddess forsaken place, fight all those creatures, and to top it all off-" I paused to take a breath. "You used me! So yeah, I want some answers.”

“You don’t recognize me, do you?”

“No, it's difficult to do with that mask.”

“Fair enough.” Hurricane carefully removed his mask, and I beheld his green, dead looking eyes. Why do they look so fami-?

Instantly, all my forgotten memories of the past came flooding back to me. How I found Hurricane wandering the waste after he went dashite. All the times he defended me while I scavenged. And most importantly why I forgotten them in the first place. I had inadvertently sent off a balefire bomb killing him and turned this place into a death trap.

“No. No, it can’t be.” I took a step backwards. “Swift Bolt. I, I thought you were gone. You perished here years ago. I saw it!”

He merely gave a small smile. “So, you finally remembered. No, I didn't die, but the balefire you unleashed scorched me. I should have perished but was saved by the two bots you see before me.”

“Why didn’t you come back? Why did you let me think you were dead Swift?”

“Because in that balefire I discovered something. An answer to all the problems that the wasteland and Enclave face. Here in this balefire chamber I have the power to annihilate them both. So I guess I should thank you for that.”

My eyes went wide with horror. “Why would you do that? I know you left the Enclave because you were disillusioned with them but the wasteland? You actually thought there was something worth fighting for."

“All this time wandering the wastes and you still can’t see it, can you? The wasteland. The Enclave. The NCR. None of them can last. By destroying them all I’ll wipe the slate clean. The remaining survivors will be naturally forced to band together. They will establish a new nation. A nation that will thrive and last for generations to come.”

He’s deranged. This isn’t the same Swift Bolt that supported me in the wastes. The pony who constantly had my back. I must stop him. But how? I don’t have a hope of killing him. I’m unarmored and outnumbered. Not to mention he’s always been the better fighter. There's only one chance. A slim one, but it's all I got.

“That’s not going to work.”

Genuine surprise flashed across his face. “Why would you say that?”

“Even if you manage to eliminate everything, what makes you so sure that ponies will establish this new nation you speak of?”

“Simple. I will direct them. Once the ashes settle, I will emerge triumphantly as their charismatic leader and savior. Under my watchful eye they will rebuild. There will be no more raiders, no more suffering ponies. All will prosper.”

“What makes you so sure they’ll follow you? Even if you convince them, there’s no guarantee that everything will end up the way you want them to. Ponies will come up with ideas of their own. Ideas that will different from yours, perhaps even better.”

A look of uncertainty flashed across his face. “I’ll convince them.”

He doubts himself. Now's my chance. “Precisely how do you plan to do that?

“I’ll show them that this is the only way. That all other paths will invariably lead to ruin.”

“That’s where you’re wrong Swift. There’s another way. Don’t you remember all the times we worked together? Our teamwork helped bring prosperity to New Applelossa. To the wasteland. With enough teamwork ponies can establish this nation you speak of." I walked slowly toward him and gave him a big hug. "Please, for the sake of all we’ve done together, give the wasteland a second chance."

Swift returned the hug and wept. “You’re right Bright. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve already used the launch codes from your sprite bot to activate the mega spells. Plus, I’ve lured those creatures to slay us. It’s too late.”

“No, it’s not.” I broke apart and looked at him. “If we fight together, we’ll make it out of this. Help me one last time.”

Swift nodded and strapped on his mask and old power hooves. “Alright. For old times’ sake.”

We didn’t have to wait for long. Out of the hall spilled nearly a dozen of the skinned ponies. Swift spread his wings leaped onto the nearest one and proceed to cave its skull in two blows. I followed up with an SA.T.S. guided shot into mine. Sprite opened fire on his.

What followed was a blur of action. One by they fell. We fought fiercely until we couldn't fight anymore. Before we knew it all of them lie dead at our hooves.

“Well that was fun,” I quipped. “Just like old times, eh Swift.” No response. “Swift?” I looked around and saw him lying unconscious on the cold ground with numerous wounds across his body. His power hooves lie broken next to him.

“Swift!” I rushed over to him. “Swift wake up!” No not now! Not when we’re so close. I looked through my saddlebags for a healing potion. None. I must have something else that can help. My hoof touched the lone vial of hydra.

Under any other circumstance I wouldn’t have dared use it, but my best friend’s life was in danger. I injected the brown muck into him and waited. After what felt like minutes but was probably only seconds Swift gave a small cough.

“Ow, what hit me?”

“Swift you’re alive!”

“I am. Too bad it won’t mean anything." He gestured to a nearby console. ‘The balefire will hit its targets in matter of minutes, and there’s no way to stop them.”

“Have you forgotten I have some skill with electronics? I’m sure I can find a way to stop them.”

“Normally I’d agree, but there’s military grade encryption on it. I was only able to use it thanks to the codes from Sprite.”

My face fell in response. “Then I guess we’ll have to remain here. At least we have each other.” Sprite floated up to the console. “Sprite, what are you doing?” He gave no response but shot a bolt of lightning at it. “Sprite stop! You could hurt yourself.” He shot bolt after bolt into the console until he fell onto the ground.

“What did he do?” yelled Swift.

I carefully examined it. “Looks like he somehow hacked it. You want the good news or bad news first?”

“Good news.”

“All right. The good news is that the balefire won’t be hitting where you commanded it to.”

“And what’s the bad news?”

“The bad news is it’s going to hit here instead. Run!”

It was a frantic dash toward the exit. I was galloping like mad, while Swift flew fast as he could. Neither of us stopped until we were well away from the base.

From behind us, came the sound of a massive explosion. We turned around in time to see a massive green mushroom cloud eagerly consume the base we escaped from. I collapsed on the ground and started laughing hysterically. Laughing at the absurdity of the situation. Laughing with relief. And laughing so I didn’t have to experience the grief of losing Sprite.

“Uh Bright?” I continued to laugh. “Wasteland to Bright? Hey Bright!”

I stopped laughing. “What?”

“You ok?”

I stood up and replied, “Yeah I’ll be okay. Let’s go home.”

Epilogue: Repercussions

We made the homeward trip back in silence. My mind was going a mile a minute. Swift is alive! Alive! I can scarcely believe it. I lost a new friend, but gained an old one. Now we can travel and worked together just like old times. I can't wait!

“Hey Bright? Bright?”

Huh? I looked up and saw we were at the entrance. “What is it Swift?”

“There's something I need to tell you.”

“Sure, go right ahead. After all, we have all the time in the world now that we’re back together.”

“That’s what I wanted to tell you. You're going to have to go on without me. I'm staying here.

“What? Stay here? Why would you stay here after all that we just went through? No. You’re coming with me.”

“You don’t understand. I would enjoy nothing more then to travel with you again but I have no choice. The years spent in the Gulch took its toll on my body. I’m dying Bright.”

I stood there in mute shock. No. No that can't be true. “There must be something I can do. You just require some rest. Or a doctor. There's one back in town. Perhaps he can help.”

A faint smile crept on Swift’s face. “Thank you Bright, but it won’t do any good. Between the sandstorms, radiation and the side effects of hydra you gave me, I don't have a chance. Don’t worry, I have a few weeks left at least. I’m going to use that time to make sure no pony enters here.”

He handed me his leather duster and gas mask. “Here. At least you'll have something to fondly remember me.”

I gratefully took them. The leather duster was soft to the touch and had what I recognized as a tattered equestrian flag sown on the back. I carefully put it and the gas mask on. “Thank you Swift. I’ll never forget you.”

“I know you will. Goodbye Bright Miner.”

“Goodbye Swift Bolt.” I turned and headed toward the wasteland. Toward my home.

"Oh, and Bright?"

"Yeah?"

"Could you at least visit me a few more times? And make sure that I, well you know."

"Of course. Anything for a lifelong friend."

And so ends my story. You might be wondering why I chose to share it with you. Well, the answer is quite straightforward. To not make the same mistakes I did. Curiosity may not have killed me, but it killed those I cared about. The cost of learning I guess.

So if you ever happen to see an old grave with the name Swift Bolt on it, remember not only my story but his.