Fallout: Ponyhammer
By Frostbite
It is the end of Equestria - nearly 2,000 years since Nightmare Moon was first banished.
For countless years the Goddess Celestia has been entombed within the Single Pony Project. She is the master of ponykind by the will of the Gods and master of a million ponies by the might of her inexhaustible followers. She is a tortured soul, writhing invisibly with the power of Pre-War Technology. She is the Ghost Lord of a dying Kingdom for whom every senseless death causes Her more and more pain.
Yet even in this deathless state, the Goddess continues Her eternal vigilance by moving the sun and moon. Her worshipers continue to send mighty armies across the radiation-infested landscape of the Wasteland, their way lit by the voice of DJ-Pon3; the ever-living radio personality spreading hope and Her message of a brighter future. Vast war bands give battle in Her name among uncounted ruins.
Greatest amongst these soldiers are the Applejack's Rangers; elite, power-armored super-warriors. Their comrades in arms are legion: the Equestrian Guard and countless town militia forces, the ever-vigilant Elements of Harmony, and the priests of the Followers of the Apocalypse to name but a few.
But for all their multitudes, they are barely enough to hold off the ever-present threat to ponykind from slavers, raiders, mutants - and far, far worse.
To be a pony in such times is to be one amongst untold millions. It is to live in the cruelest and most unfair life imaginable.
Forget the power of technology and science; for so much has been forgotten, never to be relearned. Forget the promise of friendship and understanding, for in the grim darkness of the far future... there is only War…
There is no peace across the land; only an eternity of carnage and slaughter... and the laughter of thirsting gods...
.....
I was born in such a world, and all my life I was taught what had transpired during the Great War and what happened on the Last Day.
It was a day of intense battles all along the Stableside Sector of the Front Line. Messages came down that the War had entered a new phase and they had to be prepared. Then… nothing…
The radios were silent for days, then weeks. The fighting had just… stopped… Scouts reported the Zebra whom had landed on the continent were also confused and trying to contact their homeland for new orders.
A month after no word scouts were sent back north to Hoofington as well as northwest to Fillydelphia to find out what had happened. The news they brought back was shocking; Equestria had been destroyed.
A message was sent across the lines to the Zebra commander asking for a temporary cease fire. It was granted. Meetings were arranged to find out what had happened, and what to do next. The latter was easiest - try to find a way to survive in this changed world.
Civilians in towns nearby were rounded up to be protected. A line was drawn in the sand, and outposts were built to maintain the uneasy peace between the two warring factions. Technology was scavenged to keep the people fed and to maintain the balance along the peninsula.
As years turned into decades, the troops continued their patrols, scouting ever deeper into Equestria for word of what had transpired, and what was transpiring. What could be confirmed was that the Stable-Tec bomb shelters had been sealed, cities were burning still, towns were abandoned. Chaos reigned supreme across the once peaceful land. The plans for the continuity of government had, for some reason, not been activated. Of the Princesses and the ministry mares… there was no sign…
Skirmishes with the Pegasus Enclave broke out, but our identity was kept secret. It was inevitable to combat not only the Enclave, but the Steel Rangers themselves. They had betrayed their loyalty to Applejack, Celestia, and Equestria, and become nothing more than well-equipped and well-trained Raiders. Every Traitor we captured was punished appropriately, and others were actively pursued. This was because they were traitors… cowards… deserters… They abandoned us. Left us on the Front to die. Left Equestria to die. Betrayed their oaths to Ponykind and the Princesses… our Goddesses…
Following this discovery our ancestors reorganized. They remained Loyal, the only catch is the fact they had to make deals with Zebra troops that were also trapped on the front line in the interest of mutual survival. That can be allowed, as only a ‘Cease Fire’ is in place, awaiting a government to sign an Armistice. That, and my ancestors continued battling the Zebra Remnant who continued to attack.
The Equestrian Army units became the Equestrian Guard - Earth Ponies given basic combat armor, assault rifles, and trained to guard the line between our surviving population and whatever enemy we encounter. A sub-branch, the Militia, was organized from the populace of the settlements to serve garrison duty. Another sub-branch is the Scouts, who continue to scout into Equestria for information, trying to keep tabs on our ancestral homeland out of concern, and the hope that one day we would go back. Often the voice of DJ Pon3 was the only reliable source of information for decades on end, his voice from deep within Equestria trying to spread the word of Celestia. How he continues to live after two centuries is a mystery, and many believe it is one of Celestia’s few remaining miracles.
The Royal Air Force was disbanded - the affiliation with the Enclave hurts too much for them. The units now serve as crew of the few Cloudships we have.
Unicorns are a prized commodity, and thus receive better rations and care. Each newborn Unicorn foal is checked over, and potentials are sent to a special training camp so they can maintain what records we have and maintain our technology. True potentials are offered to the Battle Sisters of the Steel Mareines.
Following the treason of the Steel Rangers, our ancestors, consisting of 4 Legions trapped on the Front, changed their name. They became the Steel Mareines, repainting their armor and swearing new oaths of loyalty to our Goddess.
We Mareines are hoof-picked mares, magically enchanted and enhanced, wearing the highly advanced T-51b Magical Power Armor (compared to the T-45d and T-51a used by the Steel Rangers stationed in Equestria). Our selection, training, and indoctrination are closely guarded secrets. Our rituals are kept from the common Pony for good reason. However, our loyalty to Celestia and Ponykind is unquestioned, and held in almost religious awe.
Each of the four Steel Mareine regiments that were formed from the original 4 Legions has a base of operation on one of the remaining Raptor Cloudships our ancestors had at their disposal. Each has been rebuilt again and again, and now serve as dedicated Attack Carriers. The fifth ship, made of two Raptors bolted end-to-end, is our Command Carrier, serving as our training ground and flagship. Each ship is crewed by the descendents of the Pegasi whom remained loyal. Each has a temple built atop dedicated to Celestia, were our recruits that are accepted swear their oaths of service, and to our ‘Primare‘ - each regiment having taken one of the Elements of Harmony or Ministry Mares as a spiritual leader, the ship being named for them.
The four regiments that were founded included the Steel Hooves (formerly the 6th Legion) and based on the Attack Carrier Rainbow Dash. The Imperial Mares (formerly 7th Legion) and based on the Attack Carrier Applejack. The Blood Pegasi (formerly 9th Legion) based on the Attack Carrier Fluttershy.
And the greatest of them all are the Ultramares… formerly the 13th Legion and based on the Attack Carrier Twilight Sparkle.
We are more than mortal.
We are steel and we are doom.
We are the champions of Ponykind.
My name is Whitemane… and I am an Ultramare.
