Deep within a stable, a brown pony in a white lab coat leads a tall white stallion across a large open room with electronic panels strewn on podiums connected to a large machine. The lab coat clad pony checked the strange machine as it rhythmically hummed. The machine contained a pod-like structure that seemed to be large enough to hold a single pony or stallion. The air in the room was strangely cool and the closer to the machine one got the colder the air got.

The stallion stepped forward and began to examine the surface of the pod. As he turned around he noticed a few guards had entered the room holding weapons and glaring at the stallion. The expression on the scientist pony hadn't changed a bit.

"I'm sorry. We need a test subject immediately." The scientist pony gave an emotionless stare.

"You can't do this!" The stallion took a step back from the approaching guards. "I have a family!"

"We aren't taking 'no' for an answer." One of the guards said gruffly.

"Your family will be compensated, should anything foolish happen to you." The scientist added with an annoyed tone. "Seize him and restrain him in the pod."

As the guards finished restraining the stallion in the pod, a large container strikes both of them in the back of the head. As they slumped over, the stallion saw it was his wife, a pregnant unicorn mare, who threw the container. In a fit of anger, the scientist pony slams his hoof onto the "lid close" button and then he turns a few knobs and hits another button before the mare can attack him. After a brief scuffle the unicorn stabs the pony in the stomach with her horn. She turns to hit the "disengage" button on the control panel, but is shot in the back by the scientist using his last bit of strength.

The stallion screams his wife's name as her blood splatters onto the pod that is slowly entering full cryostasis, though she cannot hear him. She mouths "I love you" to him with her last bit of strength before dying. The room falls near silent, as the pod finishes its cycle into cryostasis. Somewhere above, within the stable; a radio host reports for the final time.

"This is an emergency broadcast, bale-fire bombs and megaspells have been launched. All ponies must report to their assigned stables immediately." The host attempted to sound calm. "Anypony else must--."

The radio was cut off, and only had static playing as the land of Equestria died.

******

Years later, in another stable, a radio was playing music throughout. Ponies trotted about, many with their families and luggage, as its radio host interrupted the song.

"Attention residents of Stable 109, remember to stick together when the doors open. We have yet to know what is on the outside. Please keep your guard up as our guides will need plenty of assistance."

At the stable doors, the Overmare opened the door to their home. As the giant door opened, they could see a pair of pegasi in black power armor. One was large, wielding gatling guns, and the other was a small pegasus, wielding a battle saddle of plasma guns. The Overmare stepped forward to greet their guides.

"Hello. I am Summer Leaf, Overmare of Stable 109. And you are?" The Overmare asked.

"Flank Hornet. Major of the Pegasus Enclave. Your lives are over, muties. Time to die."

Before the Overmare could speak, the massive pegasus fired a barrage of bullets from his gatling gun. The screams of the stable ponies and gunfire filled the stable entrance.

******

War. War never changes.

The magical realm of Equestria, where everyone was once treated with kindness and camaraderie, had changed after Nightmare Moon was defeated by the Mane Six. At first, Equestria went through a golden era of prosperity, during which everypony chased their dreams. Some designed robotics and helped make modern home life much easier. Others tried to chase immortality with their medicines and eventually replicated life by creating the first synthetic lifeforms. But then, everypony awoke from the Equestrian dream. Years of consumption lead to shortages of nearly every major resource.

Tensions would brew between the nations of Ponies and Zebras. One tragedy led to another as fear and anger flared across the lands. When the megaspells and bale-fires were launched, hundreds were instantly killed, with thousands dying in the aftermath. Those that escaped the destruction were sealed in stables, deep underground.

Very few ponies managed to survive the devastation brought on by an angry and dying world. These survivors would form tribes and scavenge anything they could use. They would learn to adapt to the cruelty of the Wasteland in order to survive. In some ways, greed was rampant in the pre-war days of Equestria and continues on in the Equestrian Wasteland.

Legends of old pre-war treasures flow on everypony's muzzle, from buried stashes to abandoned stables throughout the Wasteland. Even collecting special bottle caps in certain areas can almost drive anypony to risk it all to strike it rich. Some would seek out these legendary treasures, only to come home empty hoofed. These would be the lucky ones, as many ponies would kill one another to find anything of value first.

There are some who consider old stables as treasure troves, possibly containing the secret to purified water. However, some treasures would be guarded for centuries by pre-war technology, or be lost forever to the sands of time. Legends like these are far too dangerous to seek, and should be left buried. Yet, the prideful or the ruthless will do anything to find it.

For Scrap Scav, however, he seems to stumble upon these treasures, whether he was intending to, or was forced to. The Earth pony, forced from his home, would travel the Equestrian Wasteland. One treasure after another, led him to uncover one pre-war secret that had eluded all pony kind.

A secret that was too dangerous to be left alone.

Author's Note

First story and I'm immediately nervous. Chapter posting will be slow as me and my buddy are going through my chapters in hopes of editing them. My only hope is that we can see this through to the end. Hopefully, somepony can enjoy this adventure.