Fallout Equestria: Desperados

Fallout Equestria: Desperados

The Consequences Others Pay, Part 3

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"Before Moving to New Appaloosa, Star Charter said that she and Prism lived in Junction Town, a place that grew even faster than New Appaloosa has.

Junction Town was a former Talon base before the Lightbringer used it to send refugees, including the ponies of stable 2. Over the years, and with the guidance of their mayor, Calamity, Junction Town had flourished. It became the best example of what the NCR can offer.

Unfortunately, from what Star had described, its golden reputation has also made it a place where work had become hard to get as competition for jobs was high. There, the Followers gave Prism a job in New Appaloosa where they would move to and live in up until recently.

I have seen a few places in my own travels. Such a new settlement under the care of a strong leader. Often, if the next few leaders are just as strong, these places become the center of new civilizations. It seemed to me that the NCR had everything it needed to make a strong start; a creation story with a hero and a villain. It had a goal that pushed it to grow and the will to fight for what they want and have.

But I know there are other forces out there that want to snuff out this new republic while it’s still in its crib." ~ Azure Dice

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All the joy and excitement from riding in the gunner nest of the Smuggler was missing, replaced with anxiety and impatience. My mind focused on one thing: to see Prism no matter what.

Longslide took the driver's seat of the Smuggler. It is his vehicle after all. Harp and Slowtrot took the passenger seats as a Desperado transport cart followed behind, struggling to keep up.

The scenery passed by, hot and uncaring, the sun only just now passed high noon and the horizon blurred mirages. This tricked me into seeing New Appaloosa before it had arrived.

Longslide had not explained much. He didn’t have many details to give, but in my heart, I knew what might have happened. I cursed myself for not going home as soon as I could.

No. I had to fool around. Get into that stupid fight with Spritz. We could have just taken the Daisy Chain and fucked right off while everypony slept, but I got too interested in myself. To have fun. To literally fuck around. All while my family suffered.

When New Appaloosa finally came into sight, my anxiety only grew worse. The anticipation of what I didn’t want to see or know was eating away at me.

Changing directions, Longslide gave the town a wide berth. He did not go any closer than we needed to until we saw the Followers camp.

“Stopped Clock has been extra diligent at keeping an eye on the town's border for the last few days. He stopped everypony who comes near,” Longslide explained as we got closer to the camp. “Luckily today they’re not out in as much force. Something about dealing with a raider camp. Seemed that, because the mayor took so long to get the festival started, it's given some raiders the time to set up camp not too far away. From what I know, it’s going to be an extermination, so they don’t plan on returning until tomorrow.”

“Odd time for that, but lucky for us. Still, I rather not overstay our welcome,” Slowtrot said before looking up at me. “Star, you're going to be okay, right?”

“Would you?!” I asked him hotly.

He gave me a sad knowing look as he said,“Ya, just checking. But remember, whatever happens, we will be there for you.”

Finally arriving at the Followers camp, I hopped out and ran to the first Follower I saw. I grabbed them as calmly as I could as I demanded to know, “WHERE’S PRISM?! TAKE ME TO HER NOW!”

The pony was stunned and confused as I shook them.

“Already forgetting your manners, Star,” the gravelly voice of Jali spoke as she trotted out from a tent. “I’m not going to allow you to see your mother if you don’t calm down. You're liable to make her condition worse if you're that agitated.”

“I have all the right in the world to be agitated!” I huffed at the ghoul.

Jali nodded. “That you do, but please think about her right now. Prism is not going to want to see you so… disheveled.”

I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. I repeated this over until I found some sense of calm under all my panic, fear, and anxiety. Ponies get hurt and die all the time. What makes Prism so different? Other than she is Prism, a pony who should not be hurt, who should be with me forever. I should never have gone out and put myself in danger. I should have just stayed in town, with her and Bridget.

Trotting over, Jali gave me a somber smile. “Good. Be strong for now. Save those emotions for later. Trust me, I have done this for hundreds of years. Now follow me.”

She led us to a tent on the far side of the Followers camp. It was marked with signs that stated “Followers Only” and “Do not disturb”.

Jali stopped at the entrance and looked back at me. “Also, before you go in, refrain from touching anything. It’s all delicate things in there, including the patient. She’s also asleep right now, so keep your voice down.”

She entered and I followed.

What I saw caused me to gasp. On an old medical bed was Prism. She had several tubes inserted into her neck and a leg. It injected a rainbow-like fluid into her. As I got closer, my shock and horror only grew as I saw the extent of healed over injuries she had.

Prism was missing a leg and eye. Her horn was broken and had several deep scars across her body that looked like somepony had carved a chunk of her out. Whoever did this was cruel and malicious, and I had an idea who.

“Victoria,” I growled.

“Maybe, if what she said about her is true. What was done to her, it’s not something a raider can do without anypony causing alarm. Also, why she has not gotten better is a mystery to me, and without the right tools, I can't even investigate,” Jali said as she trotted over to a desk and pulled out an envelope from a drawer, passing it to me. “A message was found on her. I copied it before hoofing it over to sheriff Ashy.”

“Fuck load of good that murder is going to do,” I angrily muttered as I took the envelope.

It only confirmed my suspicion as I read it out loud.

“From within the island were those who could be saved. lost souls in need of guidance. All Thorn Roseland needed to do was reach them. But blocked by walls, blocked by cannon, and by sea-bound mines did sinners keep her holy presence away from those she could uplift. But to let souls be damned because of fear of loss was not her way, nor is it the way of the chosen. With the might of the Leviathan, she carved a path through the sinners, blooding both them and herself as the fires of battle raged for six days and six nights. On the seventh day did she raise the flag of victory, calling out to all those who wish to be saved. On the seventh night, without the sinners blocking them from the right path, did the lost souls find salvation.”

Jali huffed. “The Thorns being this far inland is unusual for those fanatics. They normally stay near the coastlines and rarely venture into Equestria. It’s also hard to believe Victoria Rosary is one of them. Too clean around the edges from what I know about the Thorns.”

“Thorns?” Harp asked.

“It’s what others call us, both referring to Thorn Roasland, and to how we are thorns in the side of any creature that goes out into the waters. But we just refer to ourselves as the Chosen,” I explained.

“And why that message?” Slowtrot asked.

I sighed as I gave the note back to Jali. “I guess… Victoria is referring to this town as the island, the locals as the sinners, and Prism… She is the wall that keeps me in. She is the one that keeps me from returning to the Chosen, why I turned her down and why I first left. If Prism never showed up in my life, likely… no, I would have been in Blackspot's position, aiding in the raid on the Marewaii Islands.”

Trotting over to the unconscious Prism, I struggled to keep myself calm, but like a dam, my mouth quivered and tears began to flow. “If she never showed up… if she never treated me like my real mother never did, I would have been dead. I would have never known I could have lived a different kind of life. She gave me a new choice. Something nopony ever did for me before.”

“No…” Prism wheezed as she opened her eyes. “You found the path all on your own. All I did was follow your directions. You always knew what to do when it counted.” Her voice was so pained. It caused me to feel pain in my heart hearing it.

“Mom, I’m here. You're going to be okay. I’ll make you okay,” I told her desperately as I reached out for her hoof and found it hot to the touch.

Prism winced in pain at my touch, but she also smiled. “Yes, you’re... finally home. I was… so… worried.” Her eyes closed as she fell silent again.

Backing off, I glared at Jali. “What’s wrong with her? Why is she in so much pain?”

Jali gave a deep and long sigh before answering. “That I do not know. We have done what we can, but we’ve only managed to keep her stabilized. Whatever her attacker did, it was meant to be as cruel as possible. That’s all I know.”

“Maybe I can help?” Slowtrot offered.

Giving him a nod, he trotted over to Prism. He hovered his pipbuck over her.

Slowtrot scrunched his nose, looking confused before telling us, “I don't know if this is meant to be used on alicorns, so some of the information might be off. But it says she’s suffering from some kind of poison… Hydra’s liver, it says.”

“Then that would explain it. Truly cruel indeed,” Jali’s voice quivered and a look of disgust formed on her face as she spoke. “The healing property of hydra blood is legendary. Their other parts have similar properties, including the liver.”

“Then why is she in pain?” Star asked again.

Jali put the note away, taking a moment to take a deep breath before answering. “As I’ve told Slowtrot, any medicine in the right amount is no different from poison. The liver is where a lot of nutritional energy is stored, but I’ve seen those who ate the liver of some creatures and suffered from a heart attack soon after. The energy it gave them was too much and caused their heart to literally explode. Hydra liver is something on a much higher scale.”

She trotted over to Prism. A weak tear in her eye. “My tribe knows a lot about medicine. There are many tales about those who tried to harness the healing powers of the hydra. They were the ones who originally made the chem Hydra so as to help our troops return to normal after losing a leg or an eye, but not without considerable experimentation. Even then, hydra was never meant to be used more than once since the chance of it causing mutations was exceptionally high.”

I trotted up to her, looking the ghoul in the eyes. “And that means what? She is already a mutant. Should it not heal her?”

“It is… what’s killing her,” the medical ghoul spoke in a defeated tone. “Her body is overworking itself to the point it’s destroying itself. The liver is likely replacing her cells with its own, and her body is taking that energy to kill the new cells. It’s something that the chem hydra was made to not do.”

“Then take it out. I know you can do tha,.” I growled.

Jali turned away from me, looking at Prism. “That’s not going to fix what's going on now. Hydras heal fast, and so does the chem made from them. It’s likely spread to her whole body. Removing the liver at this point will likely do nothing. What's worse, she is going to rapidly heal if I cut into her. I thought it was because of the super healing potion we gave her, but it was working too fast. I’m sorry, Star. There's no fixing this.”

“No. There is,” I huffed as I trotted over to Slowtrot, grabbing his bag. “Give it to me. The Lazarus serum can save her.”

Pulling out the apple-shaped jar with the red fluid inside, I presented it to Jali. “This can do it. It can even bring the dead back to life.”

Jali looked skeptical as she glanced at the jar and then at Slowtrot. “Is this true?”

He nodded. “Strange story, but the pony that gave me this shot me in the head first. I also gave it to Harp when she was dying from blood loss.”

“Strange…” Jali pondered for a moment, but then shook her head. “No. That doesn't solve what is killing her. The hydra liver is likely already part of her. Can you check again, Slowtrot? See how far it’s spread?”

Slowtrot hovered his pipbuck over Prism again, tapping at it. “Says her blood is… overproducing. Traces of the hydra liver are… everywhere.”

Jali reached out and gently pushed the Lazarus serum down from where Star held it. “If you use that, maybe you buy Prism a day, but it will be a day where she is in great pain for every moment. Even if it does work, it’s highly likely she will mutate into something you might have to put down yourself. Trust me, I’ve been there. Still have nightmares sometimes.”

“I’ll take that risk. I want her to live, even if for a day!” I pleaded.

Harp trotted over, giving me a hug. “Star… Star… I’m so sorry, Star.” she buried her face in my chest. “My own mother had an illness of the blood that not even the most advanced medicine or treatments could cure. It’s not much, but I understand what you're feeling.”

Taking the serum, Slowtrot then placed a hoof on my shoulder. “We're here for you, but do you need some time alone?”

“Please… please leave,” I requested sadly.

Except for Jali, they all trotted out, giving me the space I needed.

“You too,” I told the old ghoul.

“In just a moment. I want to tell you something.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “When you were taken away, Prism had a fit and wanted to talk to you. She wanted to get your side of the story. She caused a huge stir and almost attacked the sheriff over this. Not once did Prism even think you might have done it. When I asked her why since you do have a history of being unpredictable at times and getting in with bad ponies. She told me it was because you're not evil. That you are, at heart, a good pony.”

With that, Jali trotted out, leaving me alone with my mother.

I felt the tears welling up again as I looked at Prism. “Mom, I’m… sorry. This is all my fault. Again you were right… about everything. Victoria was up to something and wanted to take me away. For a moment, I wanted to go with her. To return to that old life I lived before you came into it. I thought that, with her, I could make good money and send it to you and Bridget. I thought without me there, you can finally have a normal life. Bridget too. But I got selfish and turned her down, fully knowing that she was not going to simply let me go. I didn’t think she would come after you. I was too stupid to see past what I wanted.

“I remember when I first saw you. Thought I had died and Luna had taken me away. I mean, how can some pony be so kind and worried about ship rat filly other than the goddesses?

“You know, I could not figure you out at all. Some strange mare that looked like Luna who worried about me and protected me. I don’t know why, but I wanted you to do it more. To keep worrying about me, and to keep protecting me. So when Victoria had captured you and dug those chains deep into your skin, I thought it was all over. I hated that feeling.”

Holding onto her burning hoof, I continued talking. I asked the question I had avoided forever now. “Why did you save me back then? I was just one filly out of too many that needed a pony like you. It wouldn't have been hard. Just let the water take me and move on. Your life would have been so much better if you did.”

Prism’s eyes slowly opened. She struggled to smile. “Why else? You were… there. I wanted to forget. I wanted to be a pony who was not... Prism Paint. It distressed me, but also gave me… purpose.”

I squeezed onto her hoof. “But any filly or colt could have filled that role.”

“No…” she said softly. “You needed help and I... was there. I saw you falling and heard you call… for your... mother.”

“And you came for me,” I said as I wiped the tears from my eyes. “But why did you stay? Why did you not leave me when you could? You could have left me on the Blackwater or in Bold Harbor. I didn’t need you anymore. I would have been fine.”

“You… chose me,” Prism’s voice became strained. “I was lost, and you chose me. I… saved you, and you… saved me.”

I choked a bit at her words. “But I’m why you're dying. This is all my fault. Without me, you could have been happier.”

“I would have… killed myself… without you,” she promised as she looked me in the eyes. “If I had not… given myself to the goddess… I would have committed suicide. Without you… I would have been… dead inside.”

Prism weekly pulled me closer. “You chose me. Chose Bridget. Call it… selfishness, but we all are… selfish. Making the right decision doesn't… mean you will get what you… want. If I had chosen better, I would… have lived poorer… but happier. You made the right choice… you always make the right choice when it… matters. I don’t blame you, I could… never blame you for wanting… to be with me.”

She had a satisfied smile on her face as she said, “Your good pony, Star, and these last eleven years have filled me with more… happiness than I deserve. That’s what you… gave me, Star. So don’t… blame yourself for what others do. They're not you, and… you’re, not them.”

I held onto her tighter. “But I don’t want you to go. What will I do without you?”

Prism’s leg went limp. “You… live.”

Her eyes closed as she fell back to sleep.

I sat there, quietly sobbing into her hoof, not wanting to move.

“Star,” Jali spoke as she trotted back in. I don’t know how long it had been, but it hadn't been long enough. “There's a pony here to see you, so please come out.”

Now was not the time, so whoever this pony was, I was going to give them a piece of my mind. I needed somepony to hurt!

Leaving the tent and back into the dry hot air, I followed Jali to another tent where I saw Longslide standing in the entryway. He motioned with his head for me to come inside before going in himself.

Trotting in, I grumbled out “So who’s the-”

“Mommy!” Bridget screamed as she jumped into my chest and tightly held onto me with her talons.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment. My mind raced and what anger I had faded away to nothing as I grabbed my filly in my hooves. “My baby.”

I looked over at Longslide. Next to him was Javelina holding a case.

“I knew you can’t stay for long, so I went and got Bridget,” Longslide explained.

“Thank you,” I told him as I continued to hold Bridget tightly. “Thank you.”

My little filly squirmed out of my grip, poking her head out from my chest. “Mama, where were you? Grandpa is gone too. Nopony would tell me anything, and now they say grandma is not feeling well.”

More tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at my adorable Bridget. “I’m sorry… something forced me away. I wanted to come back, but I couldn't until now.” I lied. I could have come back so much sooner.

Bridget then smiled a goofy smile. “Now that you’re back, Grandma will get better.”

I didn’t have the heart to say it, but I couldn't lie to her either.

Fortunately Javaliena spoke up, drawing our attention. “Color blue with a hint of white and black… I.. it… sadness is like that… but harder to… describe. It is like the cold. Like wetness.” She fidgeted, struggling to find the right words. “It’s loss, but wanting to see again, but knowing you can’t. You… here… now. Like yellow and orange… warm.”

I smiled at the poor griffin. “I missed you too.”

She then placed the case she was holding in front of me. “F… Father worked. Your... rust gun, it filled him with light red and gray-blue. Made this to make him feel yellow like gold. Take it… he made it… it’s yours.”

Raising an eyebrow and letting Bridget go, I reached out and flipped the latch that kept the case closed. Opening it, inside was a griffonstone typewriter. Unlike Hardballers, this was made to be used by ponies with a large hoof guard and a front hoof rest. Strangely it had a ported heat shield over the barrel instead of the wings they normally had. With it were two large drum magazines and several stick magazines.

“Why?” I asked.

Longslied sighed. “Like Javelina said, Dad hated that rust gun of yours and made this as an example of what a real SMG should be. It’s mostly a traditional early model of the gun, but Dad threw in a few modern techniques into it, so it can’t be considered a classic typewriter. Probably why he gave it a heat shield and never put it out to sell. Javelina always said it was your gun, called it the-”

“Outlaw.” Javelina blurted. “You don’t trot like others. Restricted when you do. Trot around it, under it but, not like others. Not one of many. Not to be restricted.”

“She means you don’t follow the rules, just like how this gun was made,” Longslide explained.

I closed the case and smiled. “Are you sure? Without Hardballer, you're going to need it.”

“We’re going to be just fine without Dad,” he said coldly, but I could see a hint of sadness on his face. “He was no fool. Told me many times that he could suddenly drop… well, you know. Every griffin in the compound was trained to know what they need to do if he’s not around, so we will be just fine. We're not going to pack up and run with our tails in between our legs. Not when we now have the truth.”

“That sounds like you. I wish I could be there when you finally show Ashy why she shouldn’t mess with the Gunrunners.” I told him.

“Unfortunately we can’t do it the old fashion way. A bit too violent for more civilized folks. But having the NCR force the mayor to remove her from power and have her taken to court is at least proper justice,” he said, sounding unsatisfied.

“Worried she will go free?” I asked.

He huffed out in annoyance. “A bit, but even if she does go free, I doubt she will have peace. Likely president Gwad will send her someplace far away to avoid a scandal with the Talons. We griffins aren't known for forgiveness.”

“But you’re half pony.” I pointed out.

“I ain't going to sing about it, if that’s what you're implying.” Longslid chirped at me, then asked me, “So... what's next?”

Pulling the case closer to me and holding onto Bridget with my other arm, I couldn't help but feel warm. There was so much I wanted to say, so much I wanted to do, but time was quickly running out. “Not sure. I'm going to need more time to think. I also want to be there for Mom.

"What about you now that you have the Smuggler back?”

He grimaced. “That's going to be complicated. Ranger Gavril has been showing a lot of interest in what we have been doing before you were taken away. He’s good at getting griffons to loosen their beaks, so the NCR has been making requests. If I take the Smuggler back now, they will likely force me to sell it to them so that their own ponies can make copies, so I’m going to let the Desperados hold onto it for now.”

This had me a bit confused. “And what? Skip on a big payout?”

Longslide smirked. “Naw. Instead, I’m getting a bigger payout. It’s going to cost them more if I make them their own vehicle from the ground up. Turns out they found a small fleet of broken-down old-world troop transports in Fillydelphia a few years back. They don’t have anypony that knows what to do with them. So, if Ranger Gavril can’t get their hooves on my Smuggler, then he wants me to take apart the vehicles they do have.

“Anyways, I have a delivery job that requires the Smuggler. I was going to have that merchant Moody do it, but his prices are steep. But now I’ve asked the Desperados to do it as part of the deal to hold onto the Smuggler for me.”

“That sounds like a Gunrunner.” I chuckled. It was good to have a normal conversation with him for once. Longslide and I rarely saw eye to eye, but we could at least trust each other. “Again, thank you. Both of you. You’re like… you’re family to me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Safe travels, Star,” he bade as I turned to trot out with Bridget by my side.

Waiting for me was Jali, Harp, and Slowtrot. Several other Desperados were mulling about further away, along with that merchant.

“So everypony… I’m going to stay here for now. I need to be with Prism and Briget. Could you come by later tonight or tomorrow and pick us up?” I told my friends.

“Of course, Star,” Harp said as she trotted over to Bridget. “Now Princess Bridget, do look after your mother for us.”

My Bridget smiled wide. “Mama is safe with me!”

“Oh, Slowtrot,” I addressed him. “Turns out that Longlside will be lending the Smuggler out to the Desperados. Wants them to use it to do a delivery job for him. So you can take the Smuggler out of here. Just bring it when you come and pick me up.”

“I see… then I’ll do just that,” he replied.

Again Harp gave me a hug. “Please stay safe.”

“Naw, I’m trouble,” I said with a smile. “But ya, I’ll do my best.”

Watching them leave, I held onto Bridget a bit tighter. “You want to see grandma?” I asked her.

“Ya!” she replied.

“Are you sure, Star?” Jali asked.

I looked at the zebra ghoul with determination in my eyes. “We don’t have the time for a debate. I at least want us to see Prism off.”

She gave a gargled sigh. “This part of the job never gets easy, even after over two hundred years.”

Looking down at my adorable daughter, I knew she was not going to like what she was going to see, but I knew she would hate it even more if she's not there for Prism. At least I can be there for her. For both of them. It’s the least a family can do. “Alright, let's go see grandma and be careful of what you touch in there.”

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-Unique Item Obtained-

Outlaw: A griffinstone Typewriter made by the Gunrunner Hardballer for controlled and sustained fire. Perfect for life in the wasteland. Though heavy compared to all other SMG’s, it has almost no recoil and is built to even outlast its user. The gun also has an air of mischief and style only a roguish pony could truly enjoy.