Fallout: Equestria - Shadow of the Day

by Kaciekk

Rating: teen
Tags: Adventure, Fallout, Profanity, Gore, Violence, Crossover, Death, Alternate Universe, Main 6, Drama, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 84526

SwiftHaze finally leaves the Stable to find her hometown controlled by violence. She and her friend seek a way to end it, all while learning of their links to the past.

170 years after the apocalypse, a defiant Pegasus named SwiftHaze yearns to leave her Stable 47 home. Perhaps she can finally find her purpose in this ravaged world. During her adventures, Haze and her friends learn of their links to the past, and grow to appreciate their lineage. Music guides their way.

Meanwhile, a looming threat hangs over the city of Los Pegasus, quite literally. SwiftHaze won't stand to see the ponies of her hometown overrun. She seeks to end the violence, because somebody has to be brave enough to take the first step.

Published 2021-09-09 17:40:00 UTC
Last updated 2024-05-28 00:57:16 UTC

Chapter 1: Graduation

“Good morning my little ponies,” the voice of the overmare spoke pleasantly over the loudspeaker, echoing throughout the Stable. “We have a very special day today. A few of our training security guards are graduating today. If interested, you can view the ceremony at Celestial Hall, 11 o’clock sharp. I hope all of you have a wonderful time.”

SwiftHaze hopped out of her bed. That meant her! Well, her and two other ponies. Haze spread her wings in excitement, which was abruptly diminished when her feathers hit the walls. Her wing had also managed to hit the open switch. The door slid open, and she was thankful for the extra space. Quickly, she put on her Stable suit and attached her PipBuck to her right foreleg.

Into the small kitchen area, SwiftHaze snagged something to eat. An apple and dried fruit bits… that were also made of apples. I can’t wait to eat more than just apples, carrots and potatoes, she mused. Once she was done, she headed for the door to the hallway.

“Going out so early?” Her mother asked as she passed by. “You’re graduation isn’t for another three hours.”

“I know that,” SwiftHaze retorted. “I still need to pick up my uniform.”

“You should wear something nice at the ceremony,” her mom suggested. “Maybe a necklace, or a broche.”

Haze groaned. She wasn’t a fan of jewelry.

“And you should brush your hair out nice-”

“I’ll do all that when I get back!” Haze blurted out without even turning her head. She flipped the switch and cantered into the hallway.

As SwiftHaze was on her way down the hall, a different pony passed in the opposite direction. The orange stallion waved a hoof.

“Haze! See you at the party?”

“You know it!” Haze replied and waved back.

Haze was excited yet nervous about her own graduation party. She was sharing it with two other ponies enlisted in security training. Being around all her friends in a celebration seemed so fun, but… her mother would be there. Her mother always nosed into her personal life.

Haze attempted to distract herself from the subject. She brought up her PipBuck and used the end of her muzzle to scroll through the tabs. She found the Stable’s local radio station. One of two. She placed an ear bud in one ear.

Currently, this one was in the middle of a song. It blared thrashing guitars and drums. Then it fell into the bridge, when a stallion sang aggressively. Haze shut it off quickly. She was growing so earsore to the songs that were constantly played over and over. The favorites, they claimed. Haze found most of them too brash; not necessarily bad, but they lacked diversity.

Instead, Haze switched her PipBuck to her music storage. She selected a different song, by the same band. Yet it played so differently. It opened with an atmospheric intro, which was followed by drawn out piano chords and then softly plucked guitar. The gentle voice of a stallion long gone began to sing. When the chorus came in, a different stallion’s voice began, higher pitched, but more powerful.

Eyes glued to her PipBuck’s screen, Haze didn’t notice the mare coming towards her, until they bumped into one another. Haze glanced up in surprise. A ruby colored Earth Pony smiled back at her.

“Whatcha listening to?” She asked.

“How did you know I was listening to something?” Haze wondered.

“You’re looking at your PipBuck and have a bud in your ear,” the mare answered.

“Huh, observant,” Haze mumbled, raising her thick brows. “Burning in the Skies,” she named the song.

“Nice!” The mare said with glee. Haze knew this mare, OrchidRays, was particularly fond of the band that wrote the song. Linkin Pony. Most ponies in the Stable adored them and their music played often. But OchidRays was a bit more obsessed with them than most of Stable 47’s residents.

For a moment, both mares stood in awkward silence.

Haze spoke again. “You coming to the party today?”

“Of course! It’s gonna be so fun. I can’t believe you're finally graduating!” OrchidRays replied.

“I know, right,” Haze said with a bit of pride in her.

“Alright, I’ll see you later, Ray,” Haze stated as she began to trot past the Earth Pony.

“See ya!” Ray waved back with a prosthetic metal hoof.

A few more turns and Haze was at the security quarters. The door slid open and she was given a friendly greeting from a few guards inside. I feel almost bad that I’m not actually joining their team, Haze reflected. Everyone was expecting her to do her guard duties, but she had other plans. Maybe just until I figure those details out.

Haze obtained her armored vest and tucked it under her wing. She passed by a grey Earth Pony. “Where’s Buffer?” She asked them.

“I think he’s setting up at Celestial Hall,” the Earth Pony told her.

“Got it.” She nodded and left the quarters.

As Haze retraced her hoofsteps through the hallway, her music changed to a new song. New Divide. She turned up the volume of her PipBuck and forced herself not to sing along. It would be kinda awkward breaking out into song passing by ponies who couldn’t hear the music themselves.

As she passed into her living quarters, she nearly missed her mother asking her something, drowned out by her music. She stopped in her tracks as the older mare spoke again.

“Did you get it?”

“Huh?” Haze whipped her head and picked the earbud out of her ear.

“Your uniform. Let me see it.”

Haze rolled her eyes and pulled the armor out from under her wing. She let it hang by her hoof and extended it forward. Her mom took it in her own hoof and examined it. Every time I get something she just has to look at it, Haze thought.

“You aren’t wearing this to graduation are you?” The mare asked.

“No.” Haze just shook her head.

“You really should wear something nice. Maybe I can find something for you,” her mother offered and gave the armored vest back. She walked around Haze.

“Pretty sure there’s no obligation to wear anything special,” Haze pointed out.

“Yes, but you are going to be in front of a lot of ponies. You should look nice,” her mom argued, vanishing into her own bed space. When she returned, she had a necklace rolled up in her hoof.

“Mom, I don’t-” Haze started but was cut off.

“Try this. I wore it at my wedding.”

SwiftHaze stared for a moment. She knew that her mom, despite how much she could despise her, was offering something personal, and Haze felt the need to acknowledge that. Besides, there was some memory of her father within that necklace.

“Okay,” Haze accepted.

Before SwiftHaze was the crowd of ponies waiting for the ceremony to start. At least one hundred ponies sat in the rows of seats. To Haze’s left side were two ponies, an Earth Pony and a Unicorn. They all stood on the stage, waiting patiently. Well, maybe impatiently in Haze’s case. She forced herself from bouncing on her hooves.

Buffer took his place behind a podium. As he reached the microphone, the crowd of ponies silenced, watching intently. In the front row was Haze’s mother. The young mare had hoped to see more excitement and pride in her mother’s face, but knew that was foolish to wish. The deep green mare watched, deadpan.

“I’m proud to announce this year’s security graduate students,” Buffer began, his voice echoing around the hall. “They’ve all worked diligently to gain their status. I couldn’t be happier to have been their mentor.” The brown stallion glanced to his right, and for a moment his eyes met with SwiftHaze’s.

First, Buffer announced the ponies that stood by Haze’s side. Each took their own turn to stand center stage, and take their badges from Buffer. They both moved to the other side of the stage. Now, left alone, it was Haze’s turn. She stepped towards her mentor.

“SwiftHaze,” Buffer said, “you have shown great determination, and have displayed great skill. You have earned the honor of security guard status.”

In his hoof held a bronze badge. SwiftHaze was written on it. With a beam, Haze took it in her yellow hoof. With a burst of elation, Haze reared up and hugged Buffer tight. “Thank you so much!”

After letting go, she glanced at the crowd again. She saw her mother smiling, but couldn’t tell if it was genuine or not. That didn’t really matter now. Haze stepped over to the other new security guards. The crowd clopped their forehooves. Then the clapping ceased as a new figure took place on the stage.

The overmare, a light pink, almost white Unicorn, faced the crowd. “Congratulations to the new guards. I wish you well in your career.”

After the ceremony, ponies gathered in the Stable’s cafeteria for an after party. There were games, music, food, cake, and to SwiftHaze’s delight, alcohol. She gathered around with a few of her friends. They talked, laughed and drank.

SwiftHaze had become quite a popular pony, and had a good number of ponies that would refer to her as a friend. Truthfully, she didn’t feel quite connected with any of them. She enjoyed their company, and loved to socialize, but there always seemed to be a disconnect. Some of them were just impressed with her skills, how well she fired a gun, or that she was just a Pegasus. There weren’t many Pegasi in Stable 47, and any of them drew in a lot of attention just from the fact of being ‘rare’.

No, Haze found many of her friends’ interests to be shallow. They enjoyed gossiping and partying. They seemed content to live their whole lives out in the stable, and never spoke of wanting more. As far as Haze could tell, even a few of them thought of the ponies outside as savages. The ponies in the Stable were completely fine with staying in the Stable. Safe, comfortable. Careless to the outside world. While she knew it was fine to be happy with that, it just didn’t resonate with her.

The only pony Haze thought she’d miss once she left the Stable, besides Buffer, was OrchidRays. While Ray was a bit childish, and could be annoying, she was genuine. She always cared for Haze, and politely listened to her complain about her mother. Ray didn’t judge Haze, and even thought she was courageous. Not in the way that she fired off guns, dived through the air or rose through the ranks of security. But in the way she defied the standards of the Stable residences. Her beliefs stretched beyond the walls. Haze believed everyone, everywhere, should be given a chance at a better life. And she was willing to risk her own to make that happen.

A voice jolted Haze out of her thoughts. Of course, it was her mom. She glared away from her friend group to the green mare. The other ponies glanced around awkwardly.

“Should you really be drinking in the afternoon?”

“Hey, it’s my graduation party! I can drink when I want to!” Haze defended. “Goddesses, can’t I just have fun with my friends?”

“Um, miss Emerald,” one of the ponies sitting at the table said, “I think she’s right. Could you please go? We wanna hang out together.”

Haze’s mom, Emerald, didn’t seem to take that. “I’m only giving her the best advice. I am her mother after all.”

Throwing her head in the air, Haze groaned. “Please go away!”

“Don’t talk to me that way!”

Infuriated, Haze hopped off her seat and began stomping away. She was aware that both of them were causing a scene, ponies staring. She nosed her way through the tables and out of the cafeteria. Now she was cantering, making sure Emerald couldn’t catch up to her. Haze headed towards where she always went when she wanted to clear her head. The apple orchard.

For a while, SwiftHaze just flew around the orchard, making at least ten laps. She played some music, attempting to cool down her anger. Wind blew through her short maroon mane, and apple tree leaves tickled her feathers. This was the largest area in the Stable, yet it felt so minuscule to Haze.

As the Pegasus neared the entrance to the orchard, she spotted a ruby coated pony standing there, expectantly waiting. Drifting downward, Haze landed into a trot. She met up with the other mare.

“OrchidRays?”

“I saw you leave the party. Is everything okay?” Ray asked.

Haze shook her head and growled. “It’s just my mom again. I can’t even enjoy my own graduation party.”

“Oh,” was all OrchidRays said. Her deep blue eyes expressed concern.

“I need to get out of here” Haze muttered.

“Out of the orchard?” Ray cocked her head.

“No! Out… out of the Stable,” Haze corrected.

Ray’s eyes widened. “Outside? But, you know it’s dangerous. There’s a lot of ponies who’ve never come back. Your dad…”

“You think I don’t know that?” Haze snapped, then recomposed herself. “But I would be free. I can finally live on my own, without my mom! I could have infinite space to fly, not just confined to this orchard! And maybe I could actually help ponies out there.” She gazed into space, past OrchidRays, as if she could truly see the outside of Stable 47. Ray’s voice snapped her back.

“Are you sure?” Ray lowered her head. “You’d be leaving behind so much.”

“I know but-” Haze attempted not to let her voice quaver, “there’s so much out there I’m being kept from. A lot more than what I’m leaving behind.”

“Do you want to go out there for good?”

Haze pondered that for a moment. “If I could, yeah.”

“Then let me come with!” Ray blurted out.

“What? You?” Haze jolted her head back in disbelief. “I can’t see you surviving out there for a day! I went through security guard training to prepare for the outside. And I regularly go to the shooting range.”

There was a look of hurt in the younger mare’s eyes. “But you can’t go out alone. Maybe… maybe you could teach me!”

Haze sighed. “I don’t know, Ray. I don’t want anything bad happening to you. Besides, I don’t even know how I’m going to get outside. I’d have to convince the overmare to let me go on a supply mission or something. And how the hell am I going to get in contact with the overmare?” As she spoke, all of her hopes seemed to be crumbling before her. There had to be some way.

After a few moments of silence, SwiftHaze gaited towards the orchard’s exit with her head low. She heard the steps of OrchidRays behind her.

“And, Ray,” Haze said and turned her head back. “Don’t tell anyone about this. Especially not my mom, okay?”

“Okay.” Ray nodded her head, her braid swaying.

“I can trust you to keep a secret, right?”

“Of course!”

Haze gave her a meager smile. “Thanks.”

After leaving the orchard, SwiftHaze wasn’t quite sure where to go. Then she decided to go to the shooting range. Maybe she could let out some of her frustrations on inanimate targets. The range was adjacent to the orchard. While it wasn’t nearly as wide, it was very lengthy. The space was great for practicing long range shots. This is where ponies prepared for missions outside, although anyone was free to use it.

Sighing, Haze lowered her rifle. She stood up from behind the wooden cover. There was one other pony in the room. A grey Unicorn named Cast Iron. He was around Emerald’s age, and had gone outside on missions a few times in his life. He gave Haze a troubled glance as she put her rifle back.

“Such a long face for someone who just graduated,” Iron remarked.

“What’s the use if it doesn’t even matter to my mom,” Haze muttered. Why was she even concerned about her mother’s approval? Maybe she just wanted some hint that there was a reason to stay in the Stable.

“I’m sure it does matter,” the stallion said, “but your mother has a funny way of showing it.” Iron sighed. “I bet your dad would be so proud of you.”

“Yeah?” Haze wondered.

“For sure. He’d probably throw you a second party just to show it!” Iron chuckled.

“I wish I could have a second party,” Haze let out, feeling a little better. “Thanks, Cast Iron.”

“Anytime, kid.”

Trotting out into the hallway, SwiftHaze considered the older Unicorn. He had once been a partner on missions with her father. They had gone outside to retrieve supplies for the Stable. She missed when they would come back and tell of the adventures they had. If only her dad had returned from his last adventure…

It was early evening by the time Haze got back to her living quarters. She used music to drown out most of Emerald’s harping. It was the same thing, over and over. Despite not truly hearing what she said, just her voice increased Haze’s rage. She locked herself in her room.

She plopped onto her bed and raised her PipBuck to her face. She scrolled through the list of songs she had. She began to play an album by Linkin Pony. Hybrid Theory. It wasn’t one of her go-to albums to listen to, but it felt fitting now. Although she preferred the lighter, alternative sounds, she couldn’t help but admit that the lyrics of the heavier music were very relatable. It was as if the music was speaking to her anger towards her mother.

By the time the album ended, SwiftHaze was nearly asleep. Who knew heavy rock could be relaxing, she remarked to herself.

Chapter 2: Freedom

SwiftHaze was up bright and early the next morning. Her first shift as security guard was an early one, but she was up nearly two hours before it began. Benefits of going to bed early, she guessed. Although she much preferred staying up late. Maybe she could ask for later, night time shifts.

Entering the dark kitchen area, she realized she had awoken even before her mother. What a pleasant feeling, she thought, to be alone in a quiet space. Even without her mother, it was almost impossible to be alone within the well populated Stable. While Haze enjoyed interacting with others, and even considered herself an extrovert, solitude was nice every once in a while. Most of the time, the closest to that she could get was within the shooting range.

Eventually, a door slid open behind the young Pegasus. “You’re up early,” Emerald stated.

“I want to be ready for my shift,” Haze said blandly, and then added, “It’s my first day on the job.”

“I see.”

Is that all she has to say? Haze didn’t even turn around to face her mother. She watched a green streaked tail pass by the table as Emerald reached for the counter.

Impatiently, Haze drew away from the table and announced, “I better get going!”

She returned to her room to retrieve her PipBuck and padded armor. Quickly she darted through the kitchen area and to the door that opened to the hallway.

It was nearly 6 AM when Haze reported for duty. Buffer assigned her a position and she was on her way.

SwiftHaze's shift was admittedly boring. Not much occurred, besides standing around waiting for something to happen. She had stood beside another guard who had to break up a fight between two school children. Neither of them were even hurt. Besides that, nothing interesting came up.

To pass the time, Haze listened to stories of much more exciting days from the other guards. Times when there were bar fights, when broken glass caused blood to spill. Or times when security had to go outside the Stable's massive door to fend off raiders, as if they could even get inside. There were even instances of ponies trying to get through security to pass through the door outside, not too much unlike Haze herself.

But I don't want to have to fight through my peers just to get outside, Haze decided. I need to earn my way out.

Haze and her shift partner were escorting a line of colt and fillies from their classroom to the cafeteria. She kept her eye out for any rough housing. She noticed the children splitting their line up to go around a pony who was trying to exit the cafeteria. It was OrchidRays. Once past the kids, Ray galloped up to Haze.

“There you are! I need to tell you something!”

Haze wasn't sure she had the time for Ray's ramblings. While she would greatly appreciate any distractions during her boring shift, she was still on duty.

“Sorry Ray, I gotta move positions. We can talk after my shift.” She checked the time on her PipBuck. “I get off at two. Can we talk then?”

“Okay,” Ray said with her head dropping. She maneuvered around the other mare and disappeared into the hallway.

Haze hated seeing Ray look so saddened, but she truly did have something to do. She continued into the cafeteria where she overlooked the school children's lunch session. Once done, she led them back to their classroom.

After her shift, SwiftHaze just sat on a bench in a hallway. Overhead was the soft humming of a generator, and the flickering of a light down the hall. I swear that light's been going for a month! And they still haven't fixed it! Maintenance is so lazy!

She clicked through the tabs on her PipBuck with her hoof. Once she placed an earbud in her ear, she shuffled a playlist. She continued to browse her PipBuck, doing all she could to read about the spells it offered.

“Hiya!”

SwiftHaze jolted in her place and snapped her head up. While browsing her PipBuck, she had become unaware that OrchidRays had walked up to her. Now the ruby colored pony was staring at her. It was as if she was unaware that staring wasn’t always polite, not that Haze really minded.

“What are you listening to now?” Ray asked.

“Huh? Oh, Muse.”

“Oh,” Ray said, sounding disappointed, as if she was expecting a Linkin Pony song name. She perked up a bit. “Muse is good too! I like Drones! Oh, and Absolution! What’s your favorite album?”

“Uh, I’m not sure. Maybe The 2nd Law?”

“That’s great!” Ray beamed. For a moment, OrchidRays just stared at her, silently.

“You wanted to ask me something?” SwiftHaze reminded.

“Oh yeah!” Ray let out.

Amused, Haze noted silently, she can be forgetful, yet remembers way too much about bands.

“Um,” Ray spoke up, but her eyes drifted away. “I know you said to keep a secret, but I may have told one pony about what you said.”

“What?” A flash of panic surged in Haze’s chest. “Who?” She demanded.

“Well, my cousin works on the overmare’s council. I asked to see if we- er, you, can get in contact with her.”

At that, Haze let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Really?”

“Yeah!” Ray perked up and beamed. “He said you can talk with her later this week!”

“Seriously?” Haze’s wings spread in excitement. “That’s awesome! And a lot sooner than I expected!” She was absolutely beaming. She lunged forward and wrapped her forehooves around Ray’s neck. “Awe, thank you Ray! Tell your cousin he’s awesome!”

“I already have!” Ray remarked.

Haze let go and chuckled, “Awesome.”

Suddenly, in her excitement, she changed subjects. “I need to go tell Cast Iron! He knows about the outside!”

As she began trotting around, Ray asked, “Can I come with?”

“Sure,” Haze accepted.

The two mares made their way to the shooting range. Haze poked her head in and searched around. There was a young blue Unicorn using the range, but not the usual grey stallion.

“Huh, he’s not here.”

“Come back later?” Ray suggested.

“I bet he’s in the workshop.”

Haze then began leading away from that section of the stable.

“Guns are so loud,” Ray said with her ears pushed back, looking uncomfortable.

“Eh, the sound echoes off the walls. I’m sure outside they aren’t quite as loud,” Haze explained. The sound never bothered her, but she suspected Ray was more sensitive to noise.

The two made it to the tool and weapon workshop, and just as Haze guessed, Cast Iron was inside. He greeted them as they approached.

“So, uh, what do you know about going outside?” Haze questioned almost too casually.

Cast Iron blinked. “Why do you want to know?”

“‘Cause I… kinda want to go outside myself.”

The stallion’s eyes widened. “A young mare like yourself… outside?”

“Hey, you weren’t that much older when you first went out!” Haze pointed out.

Iron sighed. “I guess you’re right. But, why do you want to go out?”

“I want to be free,” Haze said simply. “And I’m curious. And I want to help ponies if I can.”

“Like your dad.” Iron nodded. “You’re so much like him.”

Haze was aware she was trotting in almost exactly the same steps as her father. She became a security guard, and now wanted to explore the wastelands. However, her father was a security guard for a couple of years before he made it out.

“How do I get out? I know I gotta talk to the overmare, but what qualifies me for going outside?” Haze inquired.

Iron pondered for a moment. “Well, it’s preferred you have combat training, which you do. At least you know how to fire a gun. And yes, security guards are more likely to be chosen to go outside. But you’d have to be selected by the overmare to go on a mission to retrieve supplies.”

“I don’t want to retrieve supplies, I just want to go outside!” Haze snapped.

“Okay, okay, I hear you.” Cast Iron placed his hooves up in a defensive position.

“Sorry,” Haze said, realizing she had become quick tempered.

“Well,” Iron continued, “you’re going to have to prove to the overmare you are prepared to survive. Maybe if you just straight up tell her how you feel she’ll consider it.”

“Alright,” Haze sighed. “Well, thank you anyway.”

“Of course. And, hey, if you do end up going outside, you better come back here and take a gun with you.”

“Oh, I plan on it,” Haze smirked.

“I’ve got an assault rifle with your name written all over it,” the stallion said.

“You wrote her name on a gun?” Ray wondered, cocking her head

“Uh, no. Not literally,” Cast Iron replied, looking just as dazed as Ray.

Haze chuckled inwardly at Ray’s literalness. “We better be going, I’ll see you later, Cast Iron!” As Haze turned, she waved a wing in farewell.

As they walked through the metal-lined hallways, OrchidRays told SwiftHaze when she could speak to the overmare. Apparently there was an opening this Friday. It was Tuesday, Haze thought, so she only had to suffer a few more days before getting in contact with Stable management.

As the days passed, SwiftHaze became more excited, yet she kept her excitement to herself. She didn’t want anyone to get a clue of what she was planning. Less ponies to slip the secret to her mother.

One of her shifts was extended, making up for a guard who was supposedly sick. Although Haze suspected they were just hungover. She was scheduled for later that day, but decided to come in early just to cover for them.

Now, Friday afternoon, Haze was accompanied by OrchidRays on her way to the overmare’s office. Haze had assured Ray didn’t have to come with her, but the younger mare insisted. Something about that comforted Haze.

They climbed the stairs to the second level above the atrium. Haze watched the ponies come and go in the space below. A filly was excitedly showing her new cutie mark to her parents. The sight caused Haze’s heart to tighten with nostalgia.

A metal hoof prodded her side. She returned her gaze to the doors before her, which were sliding open. Inside, the pale pink Unicorn gestured to the two of them to come inside. The overmare swiveled her way around a large mahogany desk. She sat down, and watched them intently.

"So, why do you want to go outside?" The overmare asked, placing her forehooves together.

"Because I'm not happy here," SwiftHaze stated bluntly. "I know it's safe here, but I'm willing to risk everything to be free. Please, overmare."

"You only just started your career and you already want to leave?"

"Actually I became a security guard because I wanted experience to prepare for the outside,” Haze admitted, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof.

"Do you even have any idea how to look after yourself out there?" The overmare continued.

"I've researched everything about the outside since I was a filly! I know about the radiation. I'll bring potions. And the raiders and monsters. I'm not going out unarmed."

“And you plan to face all of it alone?” The Unicorn mare wondered. “You shouldn’t go out without at least one other pony.”

Haze paused for a moment, considering that. Her gaze flashed at OrchidRays beside her. There was a pleading smile on her face.

"I'll bring OrchidRays!"

"And what does she know about going outside?” The overmare challenged.

“Well, um,” Haze was stumped.

"I can carry Haze's supplies while she does the fighting! And I know what potions are good for what!"

The overmare raised her brow quizzically.

"Ray doesn't know much now, but she's a fast learner," Haze offered. "And I know she has the sense to not run into a useless fight. She'd try peaceful solutions before any fighting."

Ray gave her an appreciative glance.

The overmare still seemed unconvinced. "Well, even if you did go out, it would be for a mission. But we don't have one scheduled soon.

"Please overmare, I've been waiting for this for years, and I'm not looking to do an errand run. I want out of here. I have skills that could aid ponies out there much more than in here. You wouldn’t keep a pony stuck here if she was unhappy, would you?

"What if we do go out, and we do find supplies, we could bring them back!" Ray suggested.

"Hmm, we could always use more spark batteries. We also need more weapons to equip future mission squads.

"Weapons should be easy to find," Haze remarked.“C’mon! We’ll bring back any of that stuff if we find it!”

The overmare sighed. “Alright. I’ll have the door scheduled to be opened early next week. Be prepared then.”

Haze hopped up in the air and danced on her hooves. “Ha ha! Yes! Woo!” She stopped, but still beamed. “I mean- thank you, overmare!”

SwiftHaze and OrchidRays left the office, the former being ecstatic. They began trotting down the stairs.

“So, is everything you said in there true?” Ray was asking. “Have you really been preparing to leave for years?”

“Yes, of course!”

“So, you want to leave everything behind? You’d… leave me behind?” Ray said in a feeble tone.

Haze stopped in her tracks to face the younger mare. “What? Ray, you’re probably my closest friend. I’d never leave you behind, not on purpose.” She wrapped a green wing around Ray. “I’m glad you're coming with me.” But I also dread it. If anything happens to her, it’s on me.

Ray’s glum expression quickly brighten into a grin, but then faltered. “I’m just worried about what I’ll leave behind.”

“And what’s that?” Haze asked genuinely. “I know you don’t really have any other friends besides me.” Haze tried to put it as delicately as she could, but cursed herself for being so blunt. Growing up, Ray had always been shunned for ‘acting different’.

“Well, I’ve collected a lot of things; tapes, posters. I’ve made sculptures!”

“Ray, those things are trivial. There’s so much more out there you could collect. And all the music you could ever need is on your PipBuck,” Haze reasoned.

“I guess you’re right.” Ray stared at the floor in thought.

Haze quickly changed the subject. “Promise me before we leave that you gather all the supplies we need, okay? I’ll get us some weapons and tools.”

“Of course!” Ray said with a sudden smile.

The day before leaving, SwiftHaze approached Buffer about her upcoming absence. He didn’t take it as well as she’d hoped. She assured him that it was nothing personal, and that he had been the best mentor she could have ever had. After all, it was his mentorship that gave her the experience she needed. Buffer bid her a bittersweet farewell.

“Shouldn’t you say something to your mom?” OrchidRays was saying.

SwiftHaze tensed up. “I don’t want her to end up locking me in my room. She’d go insane if she found out!”

“But she should at least know. And you should have some closure with her, whether it’s good or not,” Ray explained.

Quite a mature statement for such an inexperienced, naive pony. “I guess you’re right,” Haze sighed. “I’ll tell her tomorrow before we leave.”

It was the day of departure, and SwiftHaze was as equally nervous as excited. Nervouscited. She met up with OrchidRay in one of the hallways. Luckily, Haze was able to slip out of her living quarters with saddlebags while her mother wasn’t home. Ray was carrying even more saddlebags, supposedly filled with food, medicine, and blankets. Haze was boggled at how much the small pony was able to carry.

Now, Haze was on her way to do the one thing she dreaded the most. Through the cafeteria, Haze passed by some ponies chatting over lunch. She nosed her way into one of the kitchens. There she found her mother talking among a few other mares who were sorting out food rations. Not caring to listen to their meaningless dialogue, Haze approached.

“SwiftHaze?” Emerald noticed her. “Why do you have those bags?”

“Because,” Haze felt her throat close up, but she fought through it. “I’m leaving the Stable.”

Several gasps came from the other mares. Emerald gawked, wide-eyed, “What do you mean? You can’t just do that!”

“Uh, yeah, I can. The overmare is letting me. And don’t try to persuade me, because you’ve done nothing to convince me to stay. And don’t try to stop me.”

“I can’t believe you’d just leave me! After all I’ve done for you!” Emerald retorted.

“What you’ve done for me?” Haze questioned, her tone nearing anger. “You mean control everything I’ve done and nose into my personal life? Yeah, I’ve had enough of that. I’m taking control of my own life, and there’s nothing you can do about it, EmeraldShowers.”

Offended, her mother just gaped, the other mares mirroring her.

Swirling around and flicking her tail, SwiftHaze exited the kitchen. Quickly she paced through the cafeteria to the hallway where she found OrchidRays. Haze peered back but did not see Emerald. She isn’t even trying to follow? That didn’t matter now.

Haze sighed. “That was not easy, but I said what I needed to. Let’s go.”

As they made their way to the atrium, Haze continuously glanced back, anticipating her mother, but there was no sign of the green mare.

“Before we go can I look at something?” Ray asked.

“Sure,” Haze said, but was unsure what she meant. She followed Ray to the edge of the atrium.

Both of them stood before a long wall underneath the window of the overmare’s office, which overlooked the atrium. Along the wall were bronze plaques, all with names of significant members of the first generation of Stable dwellers. They consisted of famous actors and musicians, or members of the wartime government.

Ray had her metal hoof placed next to a plaque. Haze leaned forward to get a closer look/ It read ‘BlazingFlair, Bassist of Linkin Pony.’ Next to it was ‘CharmingRhythm’, and then ‘HyperBlitz’. Haze knew the last name before her was the reason she was here, and the reason she was a Pegasus. Perhaps she should feel grateful, but she felt no connection to her ancestor the way Ray did. Haze wasn’t sure how one was supposed to form a bond with someone they had never met, especially one who had lived so long ago.

Beside her, Ray was still staring forlorn at the plaque of her own ancestor. It was as if she was afraid to leave it behind. No, she was afraid of leaving his memory behind.

“You know,” Haze said, “I bet we could find out more about Linkin Pony than anything we have in here.”

Ray turned to her with huge blue eyes. “Really?”

“Yeah. I mean they did live out there before they lived here. I’m sure we could find out about their lives before the Stable.”

“That would be awesome!”

“So, what do you say? Should we get going?” Haze prompted.

Taking one last glance at the wall, and then back to her Pegasus friend, OrchidRays replied, “Alright. Let’s go!”

In front of Haze was the massive steel door of Stable 47, shaped like a cog wheel. They had been permitted past the airlock chambers, and now were waiting for the all-clear to exit. Overhead, the voice of the overmare spoke.

“I wish you both luck on your travels. If you find the outside is not suitable, you are always welcome back here. Stable 47 is your home.”

Not a few moments later did the airlock chamber close behind them. Lights began to flash and an alarm played. Ray appeared startled by the sudden change in stimuli. A large metal arm lowered from the ceiling and latched onto the door. With a hiss and a clatter, the door was pulled inward and rolled open.

Excitement fluttered in SwiftHaze’s chest as she took steps towards the open Stable door. That excitement faltered when she passed the outlet. She wasn’t outside quite yet. A rocky cave surrounded them, with only the lights near the Stable door dimly lighting the way. Haze heard the door move again with a loud clatter as it shut. She pressed forward, OrchidRays right beside her.

Chapter 3: Sights Unseen

Low traces of light scattered across the end of the cave. The damp air gave way to dry as SwiftHaze emerged from the earth. At first, shrubs blocked her view, but as she trotted down the winding path, the view became more clear.

Stopping in her tracks, Haze took in the marvel of the outside world. The air stretched for miles in all directions. Far above, a curtain of bluish grey clouds hung over the wasteland. Ahead the mountainside sloped down into suburbs. Beyond the mountain was a vast cityscape, its skyline shrouded by hazy air. Skyscrapers towered over the city, most of them diminished to just their skeletons. One, however, appeared to be in adequate condition, most of its paneling still attached. It was also the highest tower in the city, which seemed to pierce the clouds above.

Haze was so astonished by the sight that when OrchidRays bumped into her, she was jolted back to her surroundings, as if she was in a trance. She tried to move out of the way to let Ray look too. The path that ran down the mountain was narrow, only wide enough for one pony to walk at a time.

“It’s so…” Ray began, but was too mesmerized to continue.

“Big!” Haze finished for her. “Look at all of it!” She threw her head up and yelled into the air. “This is amazing!” She bounded upward and began hovering.

“Where should we go first?” Ray asked.

“Hmm.” Haze peered around, unsure. She looked at the map on her PipBuck. Their location was marked as ‘Stable 47’, as well as ‘Applewood Sign’, the latter confusing Haze. She threw on her Eyes Forward Sparkle spell just to be on the safe side. Once again, she stared down into the valley below.

“It might not be safe to go into the city. We won’t be able to tell where enemies are hiding,” she proposed. She wasn’t completely confident in the accuracy of her E.F.S. She pointed to the east. “Why don’t we go that way? We could explore the mountain.”

She gently fluttered downward, checking back every few seconds to see Ray make her way down the path. Haze surmised that the path was once wider, but over a century of plant growth blocked the edges of the path. At the end of it, the ground was more even, and a larger concrete road traveled eastward.

Pivoting in the air, Haze glanced back at her home. She suddenly realized what that other map marker meant. Affixed to the mountainside were massive letters that spelled out ‘Applewood’, however the second O was missing. Below it was where the mares had come out of. The entrance to the cave was completely obscured by shrubbery from this angle.

“What does ‘Applewo- D’ mean?” Ray wondered, turning her head towards where Haze was staring.

“Applewood,” Haze corrected. “I have no idea.”

As they traveled east, they saw the mountainside become more even, but it was still elevated above the city. To the north was a patchy forest area. Labeled on Haze’s PipBuck was ‘Griffon Park.’

SwiftHaze enjoyed the rush of wind through her mane as she flew. The air felt different than inside the Stable, and she wasn’t quite sure how to describe it. She dove down through the open air and circled around where OrchidRays was walking. Haze was able to pick up speeds she had never accomplished before in the Stable, where there had always been a wall or trees in the way.

“Wow, you can fly so fast!” Ray remarked.

Once again, Haze circled around. This time she dove downward, gravity aiding her speed. Zooming over Ray, her feathers nearly collide with her head. With wings outstretched in a glide, Haze rose upward again. Completely overwhelmed with bliss, she called out a “woo” into the sky, letting her forelegs dance around.

A few moments later, SwiftHaze regretted yelling so loudly. To her right there was the sound of gunfire. Her E.F.S. showed several red dots from the same direction. Haze couldn’t see who was shooting, but she could pick up the sound of ponies yelling. Bullets flung her way, but she was quick enough to juke them. One of them clipped the feathers of her wing.

Tilting to the side, Haze descended to the left until she could land into a canter. OrchidRays was running to catch up to her. The gunfire continued. It seemed to be coming from a large, decayed building on the side of the clift.

“C’mon! This way!” Haze motioned.

They galloped towards the forest land and sheltered behind some trees. Haze peeked out between the trunks. She could see movement among the building, but no ponies seemed to be chasing them. She pressed a hoof to the assault rifle that hung at her side, just in case she needed it for defense. After a few long minutes, the comotion ceased. The dots on her E.F.S disappeared.

Haze let out the breath she was holding. “Okay, maybe no more aerial acrobats and shouting.”

“But you were able to dodge those attacks!” Ray said.

“Yeah but I’m not taking that risk. I’ll stick to low flying,” Haze replied. Her eyes darted around. “Well, maybe not in this forest. I’ll stay on the ground with you.”

As they pressed forward, Ray asked, “Do you think they’ll come after us?”

“I think they’re just protecting that building. It must be a gang or something. Maybe they claimed this as their territory,” Haze explained.

As they passed through the trees, some lizards scurried by and a bird fluttered away. Haze kept an eye on her compass for any hostile life. These woods could be home to mutant animals.

“So, what kind of tools did you bring?” Ray asked, attempting to spark a conversation.

“Oh, just some supplies for basic survival or to fix weapons. Screwdriver, duct tape, wonderglue, a lighter for fires, a switchblade- oh!” Haze halted as an idea struck her. “That actually might be a good weapon for you!”

“Me? Why would I need a weapon?” Ray wondered.

“It’s dangerous out here, and I won’t always be there to protect you.” As Haze said that, there was a glint of distress in Ray’s face. “We could make you some sort of cuff or something, and attach the blade to it. Then you can flip it any time when you need it!” Haze flicked her hoof out in front of her as if replicating the action.

“I guess,” was all Ray responded with.

They continued walking to the north. The trees were beginning to thin into low hanging brush. Haze could just make out a gated area past the grassland.

“What’s that?” Ray pointed at the steel fence that blocked off a large portion of the park.

“I’m not sure. Let’s get closer.”

Finally when they got close enough, a marker appeared on Haze’s map. Los Pegasus Zoo.

“Oh, a zoo! Do you think there are any animals still there?” Ray grinned.

“Eh, I don’t know,” Haze said. “They probably all died. Or… mutated.” Haze grimaced at the idea of stumbling across dangerous animals in the zoo.”

“Could we at least check it out?” Ray pleaded.

“Okay,” Haze replied with an exaggerated sigh. “But if anything tries to bite us we’re heading the fuck out of there.”

The ornate metal gate door swung open with a creek. Haze stopped dead in her tracks. There were dozens of pony skeletons littered around the entrance clearing. Slowly, she creeped into the zoo, Ray tagging behind. Horrified, she passed by a stroller with the skeleton of a foal. Her gaze drifted upward and saw the admissions office. She decided that was where they would go first.

A couple skeletons laid in the office, one being slouched over in a chair. Just ahead of it was a still functional terminal with its screen glowing a sickly green. Haze pressed a hoof on it, and found that it was password locked. She gave it a few tries before backing out and cursed herself for not knowing anything about terminals.

“How am I supposed to find the password!” She muttered.

“Oh, here it is!” Ray said behind her.

“Huh?” Haze whipped around. “What do you mean?”

“Look.” Ray pointed to a folder she had found. It looked like a training guide. Sure enough, the password was displayed for employee eyes only: Tortoise.

“How the hell do you just find that?” Haze exclaimed.

“I dunno.”

Returning to the terminal, Haze entered the password. Most of the entries were standard update logs. However, one entry caught Haze’s eye.

The Ministry of Morale is set to implement sprite-bots in zoo parameters. Supposed security protocol, with a benefit of music for the public. Unique animal designs for the bots are still being processed.

Haze had heard the word ministry before inside Stable 47, but she wasn’t quite sure what it was about. It was something to do with the government during the war, but she had never heard of the Ministry of Morale.

“Haze, look!” Ray said. She was pointing out the window to the opposite side of the clearing. A sign above a door read Gift Shop. “Can we go look?”

Haze shrugged and followed the Earth Pony mare outside and across the clearing.

The inside of the gift shop was dark, so Haze turned on her PipBuck’s lamp spell. Most of the shelves were half barren, as if ponies had already come here to loot. Collector’s drinking glasses were scattered around as glass shards on the floor. A few stuffed animals hung from hooks on the wall. A container labeled ‘crystals’ was completely empty. Why would ponies want rocks so bad?

With ears flickering, SwiftHaze thought she heard something outside. She looked over to OrchidRays to see if she noticed, but her friend was trying on different sunglasses.

“Ray!” She murmured. “Do you hear that?”

“What?” Ray mused, cocking her head. She popped an earbud out of one ear.

“Ugh, Ray! This isn’t the time to be listening to music!” Haze snapped. “We’ve got to use all our sense when we’re exploring!”

“Sorry,” Ray whispered, putting the bud away.

Both of them were silent for a moment. Haze was certain she had heard something high-pitched. She dashed outside to get a better listen. It seemed to be coming from further inside the zoo.

“It sounds like a pony screaming,” Haze said as Ray stepped up to her side.

“Should we leave?”

Haze hesitated. “No. I want to see what’s going on.”

They trotted deeper into the zoo. Haze kept her ears perked to follow the sound. The further they got, the more clearly the screaming was heard. Slowly, they snuck around the paths between enclosures, which were filled with animal skeletons. The screaming was cut off, but they were close enough that Haze was certain which way it had come from. Other sounds became clear too; indistinguishable voices, the splashing of water, and a low growling noise.

Haze poked her head around a corner and froze. There were three ponies moving about, including a Unicorn that was looking over the edge into an enclosure. All of them wore crude armor and looked as if they hadn’t showered in weeks. Luckily, they all seemed more interested in the enclosure that they didn’t look behind at Haze.

Then Haze’s eyes drifted to the left. There were more ponies, but these ones were locked in a cage. The cage didn’t seem to be originally from the zoo, but instead was brought here. Inside, the ponies quivered with fear. They were caked with mud and blood, and were chained to the bars of the cage. The sight enraged SwiftHaze. These were raiders, or maybe slavers, that were holding ponies prisoner.

“So which one of you is next?” The tan Unicorn directed at the cage. “I’m sure Miss Chomper can use another snack!”

With his horn glowing, the Unicorn levitated something out of the enclosure below; a severed pony leg. There was a fierce growl from below. For a moment, a maw of sharp teeth appeared above the enclosure wall, then disappeared again. The Unicorn flung the leg back.

They were feeding ponies to something in the enclosure!

Without hesitation, Haze snatched the assault rifle that hung at her side. She bounded into the air and took aim. A dark blue Earth Pony noticed her first. He snatched a spear from the ground in her teeth and charged the Pegasus. How exactly are you going to hit me with that? As she fluttered, Haze aimed directly at the Earth Ponies’ head, which exploded into a bloody mess within an instant.

The gunfire caused the other two raiders to spin around. A grey Earth Pony yelled. He then raised his foreleg, which had a small pistol attached to it. Using his teeth, he pulled the trigger. The bullet missed Haze. The Unicorn levitated a shotgun from behind the cage. He had much better aim, and Haze felt a few fragments strike her lower leg.

Grimacing, Haze aimed for the next Earth Pony. At first she struck his torso, then adjusted her aim closer to his chest. The grey pony collapsed to the ground, wriggling for a few moments before falling silent.

Again, the Unicorn fired his shotgun. This time Haze felt the pellets rip into her right wing. Of course, that didn’t stop her. Flying in closer and higher, she made it more difficult for the Unicorn to aim at her. Hovering almost directly above him, she fired at his head. Then she swooped downward, circled around, and dove straight for the Unicorn. With force, she pounded into him, sending him flying into the enclosure below.

The growling started again. Haze peered down and saw massive lizard-like creatures chomping away at their new food, even if they hadn’t finished the first pony. Scowling in disgust, Haze turned away. OrchidRays was galloping towards her.

“Y-you just…”

“Killed ponies,” Haze answered, feeling dazed. “But they were killing ponies too.”

She turned to face the ponies in the cage. “Don’t worry, we’ll get you out.” She attempted to open the cage, but realized it was locked. Of course it was locked!

“The… key,” a pink mare inside croaked.

“Where is it?” Haze demanded.

“The Unicorn had it,” another pony spoke up, his voice cracking.

Haze stood up straight. “The Unicorn? You mean the pony I just kicked into the enclosure?” She threw her head up and groaned dramatically. “Seriously?!”

Peering over the enclosure wall again, she watched the massive lizards feast. “What are they?”

“Radigators,” a caged pony replied.

Raising her rifle, Haze shot at the radiators. However, it took several shots to finally kill them. She hopped into the enclosure, using her outstretched wings to slow her descent. Her hooves splashed into a puddle of water that was stained red with blood. She scowled as she searched the half-eaten body of the Unicorn raider. Fortunately, the back legs were spared, which was where the key had been holstered. Haze flew back up.

She placed the key in the lock with her teeth, and then turned it with a hoof. The cage clicked open. The ponies stared at her in disbelief. At first, she thought there were only two ponies, but realized there was a filly hiding behind them. A filly!

But these ponies weren’t free just yet, just like when Haze left Stable 47. Haze tried the key on their locked shackles, but it wasn’t a match.

She muttered in frustration. “Don’t tell me there’s another fucking key I have to get!”

“Here, let me try something,” Ray suggested as she entered the cage. “Can you guys pull at your chains? Real tight.”

At first they looked at her, confused. One pony tugged his chain away from the bar, causing it to straighten. Ray lifted her metal leg in the air, then swung down hard on the chain. It snapped in half with the force. She repeated the action with the two other ponies.

“Thank you so much,” the pink mare squeaked.

As they trotted out, the one stallion started to search the body of one of the dead raiders.

“What are you doing?” Haze questioned.

“Scavenging. Better take what useful supplies they have.”

Haze just raised a brow, unsure how someone could loot a corpse. The pink mare was looking among a crate, which was probably the raiders’ own loot.

“If you want, you could take their weapons,” the mare offered. “There’s an ammo box over here too.”

Haze had been worried about running out of ammo for her rifle, even if she had brought plenty. She doubted there were any bullets that would fit her gun. Still, she could use the guns left from the raiders. She picked up the shotgun and found some shells within the ammo container. There were also a few bottle caps in the container.

“Caps are money, right?” Haze asked, trying to recall the information she had learned.

“Oh, yeah,” the mare said. “You could take those, as a thanks for freeing us.”

Haze shook her head. “You take them. You need them more.”

“Then… let’s split them.”

Accepting that, Haze passed over the caps. There were only about nine caps for each of them. Still, better than nothing.

OrchidRay had offered to carry the shotgun. The stallion had looted the small pistol from the raider and given it to their saviors. Haze wasn’t sure if they’d use it, but they could always bring it back to Stable 47. Then again, looking at its condition, it may just be better to sell. They left the spear.

“Be careful out there,” the pink mare warned. “Up north there are more raiders, so steer clear of there. The safest place in Los Pegasus is South Gait.

Haze noted that as she watched the freed ponies canter away. She thought she heard the filly say, “I can’t believe a Pegasus saved us!” Haze wasn’t quite sure what that had to do with anything.

“Haze, you’re bleeding!” Ray commented with concern. “Want me to get you a potion?”

“No, no,” Haze refuted. “Save those when we really need them. I think these just need bandages.”

Once her wounds were dressed, she decided that they needed to leave the zoo. Along the way, they heard cheery music draw closer to them. The tuba and harmonica mix sounded so out of place within the skeleton littered path. Floating out from a diverging path, a round metal robot bobbed in front of them. At first Haze thought it was rusted, but realized it had been painted orange black like a tiger. This must have been one of the sprite-bots.

She and Ray made it past the entrance clearing and through the exit. Still, Haze heard the upbeat music behind her. Glancing over her shoulder, she noticed that the sprite-bot had left the zoo as well.

“Is it following us?” Ray wondered.

“Not sure. Let’s keep going.”

After a few minutes, the music had stopped, but the bot was still trailing them. Haze spun around to face the bot which was drawing near.

“What do you want?” She snapped.

“Hello there,” a tinny voice erupted from the bot.

“Ah!” Haze was taken aback, her wings spreading out in alarm. One of them comically slapped Ray in the face.

“I saw you free those ponies,” it said.

“Uh, okay. And?” Haze shot back.

“That was very noble of you. Most ponies would run when they see raiders,” the bot explained.

“I was only doing the right thing,” Haze explained. She found it odd talking to a robot. “I couldn’t see them suffering anymore.”

“Indeed you did do the right thing. The wasteland needs more ponies like you.”

“Uh, thanks?”

“As far as I can tell, you are new out here, right?” The mechanical voice inquired.

“You would be correct. What’s it to you… you… robot?”

“Call me Watcher. I came to give you some advice.”

“What advice can you give me that I don’t already know!” Haze retorted with sass. “I have a weapon, actually a few now. I got armor-”

“Not very good armor.”

“Ugh, then I’ll find better! And I have potions and supplies and-” Haze turned to look at Ray. “A friend.”

“Off to a good start I see,” Watcher remarked. “I hope you continue to go on your path of ‘doing the right thing’. Out here, you’ll need all the goodness you can get. So, I wish you luck.”

“Uh- huh,” Haze murmured.

Suddenly a crackle-pop came from inside the bot. It began floating away, belting out music into the air. Haze watched it with even more confusion. What just happened?

The two traveling friends decided to go in the opposite direction they had already gone. They carefully passed by the building of raiders they had passed on their way to the zoo. This time, no pony shot at them. Down the mountain side, they reached the street which the Applewood sign overlooked. The city to the left was barely visible between the overgrown shrubs and crumbling houses.

As they passed an intersecting street, a new voice called out from further down it. Both Haze and Ray stopped to look for the source of the voice. Haze had realized she’d become very unaware of her own E.F.S. compass and the dots on the edge of her vision. A few ponies were trotting towards them. By the looks of it, they appeared to be raiders as well. Haze was ready to whip her weapon in front of her, but stopped when she saw none of them had their own weapons drawn.

“You there!” A buff Unicorn stallion shouted in a low voice. “You’re trespassing on our territory!”

“Um, sorry?” Haze shrugged.

“We don’t want any trouble!” Ray pleaded.

The brown Unicorn telekinetically raised a pipe pistol from his side. “Give us everything you have, and we’ll let you go free.”

“What?” Haze yapped. “No way! We need this shit, and you aren’t getting it.” She pushed her assault rifle forward with a wing, and held it up with a hoof. “Or do you want a problem.”

Grinning, the brown stallion stated, “Like you’d give us any problems. You’re fresh meat, straight out of a Stable!”

A different voice called out from behind the two Stable mares. “And what did I tell you fuckers about messing with Stable dwellers?!”

Chapter 4: New Faces, Old Souls

Swiveling around, SwiftHaze saw a cloaked figure standing upon a short cliff. The hooded pony carefully leapt down from rock to rock before coming to their level. He approached the raiders.

“How many times do we have to go through this?” He questioned in a gravelly voice.

As he came closer, Haze realized he was a Unicorn, his horn jutting out from under his dark purple hood. His muzzle was masked, and only his dark eyes were visible. A sword floated out from behind his other side, magenta magic wrapped around it.

“Oh, fuck, not this guy,” a raider said and took a step back.

“They’re on our territory!” The buff Unicorn challenged.

“Stable dwellers are allowed to pass through!” The masked Unicorn remarked. “Or do I need to give you a reminder?”

His sword floated over and stopped right before the Unicorn stallion’s throat. He jerked back with fear in his eyes.

“We should go,” a raider mare hissed. “You know how bad things get with this asshole.”

The brown stallion nodded. “Right. You can go, for now. But if we catch you back here, you’re asking for trouble.”

“Just try anything, and you’ll be the ones in trouble! ” The hooded Unicorn shouted back as the group of raiders trotted back down the road.

“I’m sorry about them,” the Unicorn turned to Haze and Ray. “Are you two alright? Did they hurt you?”

Ray only shook her head, while Haze spoke up. “What the hell was that? Who were those guys, and why did you bail for us?”

“That was just a local raider gang, who apparently need to be reminded regularly that I don’t stand for assaults on Stable dwellers,” he grumbled.

Haze tried to read his eyes, but they appeared dark under his hood. “And why do you protect Stable dwellers, exactly? Who are you?”

“Who I am is not important,” the Unicorn claimed. “I’ve been looking out for Stable dwellers for a long time. It’s only right they had some protection from this hellhole of a city. Some guidance, if you will.”

“So you’re like... the Stable protector!” OrchidRays chimed in. “That’s pretty cool! You should come inside, I’m sure ponies would love you in Stable 47. You could tell them about your adventures-”

The stallion cut her off. “I’m not allowed in there.”

“Why not?” Ray cocked her head.

“They don’t like outsiders very much.”

For a moment, all of them were silent. They exchanged glances.

The hooded figure spoke again. “What are you two doing out here to begin with?”

“Exploring,” Haze told him.

“What?” He spat. “You’re just here to explore?!” He sounded outraged. “If you aren’t out here for a good reason, go back home!”

“No,” Haze argued. “I hated it in there! I’m not going back! At least not so soon. I want to see what I can offer for the wasteland. Maybe I can help ponies.”

“Help ponies…” the stallion muttered. “You two fillies won’t last a week out here! Go back!”

“Hey, we’re not fillies,” Haze shot back.

“Yeah, we’re mares!” Ray added, although Haze thought it was a little hypocritical. Ray was younger than her, and while, yes, she was technically a mare, Haze always thought of her as a kid.

“Please, I’m over two centuries older than you. So, you’re kids to me.”

“Two centuries?” Haze said. “You’re a ghoul?” She remembered the tales of ponies who ventured outside and met ghouls. Ponies from the past that had lived far longer than they should have.

“So what if I am?”

“That means you have a lot more experience than us!” Ray told him, almost echoing Haze’s mind. “You could help us better prepare for the wasteland!”

Haze nodded in agreement. “If you really wanted to protect us, teach us what you know.”

The stallion snorted then swirled around. Now he stomped away, down the road they were traveling. “Just go home.”

With a quick glance at Ray, Haze started trotting after the ghoul. Ray quickly caught up with her to walk side-by-side. The older pony didn’t try to deter them anymore, but was surely aware of them following him.

“Hey!” a voice called out from behind them. A lavender Unicorn was cantering after them. Haze tensed, ready for this to be another attack. She realized the Unicorn was a young stallion, probably not much older than herself.

“I, uh, heard about what just happened” the lavender Unicorn said to the ghoul. His orange eyes scanned the two mares. “Sorry about my gang. They’re just…”

“Trying to steal from these mares!” The ghoul snapped.

“Wait. Your gang?” Haze targeted the younger Unicorn. “You’re a raider.”

“I- erm.”

With a sigh, the ghoul explained. “This is GleamingChance. That was his gang, but Chance is different than them.”

“Different?” Haze retorted. “He’s a raider!”

“He lives with them, yes, but he’s not like the rest,” the Unicorn ghoul continued. “He’s a good pony. I’ve known him for a few years now. He doesn’t attack and steal like the rest of them.”

“If that’s so, why does he stay with them?” Haze wondered.

Chance looked uncomfortable. “It’s the only place I felt I belonged. Well, at least as a home. I definitely don’t like raiding.”

The ghoul shook his head under his hood. “Chance, I’ve told you over and over, you’re always welcome to stay with me. Or I could get you a home in South Gait.”

Chance didn’t respond. His gaze fell to the concrete.

Now facing the Stable mares, the ghoul said, “I guess if you two are traveling out here, you better get better equipment. Why don’t you come with me to my friend’s house. He’s got plenty of supplies and food there. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.”

“That would be awesome!” Ray squeed.

As they began trotting, Haze kept her eye on Chance, still unsure. “I’ll come with,” he offered. “Clay’s pissed, and I kinda don’t want to be around for that. I’m sure he’d find a way to take it out on me.”

“Well yeah, he knows you associate with me,” the ghoul muttered from ahead.

“So uh,” Haze announced loudly. “Do you have a name?”

The mysterious ghoul only grumbled and continued walking.

“Flash.”

“Huh?” Haze quickly flicked her head to look at Chance.

“His name is Flash,” Chance acknowledged, pointing to the ghoul with his muzzle.

“Is he always this grumpy?” Haze asked, failing to keep her voice to a whisper.

“Oh yeah,” Chance replied. “But he means well.”

Now there was a voice in Haze’s other ear. “Should we trust this old guy?” Ray commented.

“I can hear you!” Flash called without turning his head.

After a pause, Chance spoke up. “We’re going to see EchoBeat, right?”

“Yes,” Flash verified.

“EchoBeat,” Ray murmured. “I feel like I’ve heard that name before.”

Haze only hummed, not really sure what she was getting at.

“Echo’s real nice,” Chance said. “You’ll like him.”

“But we better get moving if we want to reach his house before dark,” Flash told them.

At that, SwiftHaze lept into the air and began flapping her wings. Her flight only lasted a few seconds before Flash spun around and grasped her entire body in his magenta magic. He telekinetically pulled her down, forcing her to stand on the pavement.

“No flying!”

“What?” Haze protested. “I came out here to be free! I want to fly!”

“Flying makes you more noticeable. You’ll end up getting attacked if you’re not careful,” Flash argued.

“Hey, I can fly fast!” Haze shot back.

“But can you fly faster than bullets?”

For once Haze didn’t contend, for she knew he was right. The whole group fell silent for several minutes. Haze broke that silence to speak with OrchidRays.

“So, uh, nice trick you did with the chains earlier.”

“Oh, thanks!” Ray responded. “Are you doing okay? I mean since…”

“Since I killed ponies?” Haze let out a breath. “I’m still processing it.”

“Well, you better get used to it,” the voice of Flash commented from ahead. “Killing is just part of survival in the Equestrian wasteland. Learn to live with it, or you’re not going to live at all.

“Wow, a bit harsh, huh?”

Flash turned his head, one eye glaring at Haze. “This world is beyond harsh; worse than any words I could throw at you. If you don’t like it, go back home.”

Once again, Haze fell silent and only followed obediently.

After another few minutes of awkward silence, Chance asked, “So, what’re your names?”

“SwiftHaze.”

“I’m OrchidRays.”

“It’s nice to talk to ponies who aren’t going to shoot me first,” Chance acknowledged.

“Well, I’m still not sure I completely trust you yet. You do associate with raiders,” Haze affirmed.

“That’s alright. It’s smart not to trust ponies you just met.” Haze was taken aback by the evenness of his tone. He didn’t even sound offended at all nor condemned by her stance.

Flash had halted and was now holding up a hoof to alert the following ponies. Haze noticed a red dot crawling across her compass.

“What is it?” Chance wondered.

Ahead of Flash, Haze saw something scuttling across the street with several grotesque legs. A large segmented tail rose above it. Haze knew this was a scorpion, but it was much larger than she expected. It was as big as a pony!

A revolver floated from Flash’s side. With a loud BLAM a bullet struck the scorpion in the head and it fell limp. As the ponies passed by, Chance stopped in front of the scorpion. A knife levitated in his own magic. He sliced the tip of its sharp tail clean off.

“What are you doing?” Haze questioned.

“Radscorpion venom goes for a lot of caps. It’d be stupid to pass this up.”

“Always leave it to Chance to think of those things,” Flash remarked.

Haze shuttered at the thought of what evil doings a pony might do with that venom.

Out of nowhere, Ray screamed from behind them, which made all of them spin around. Haze’s heart sank when she saw another one of those monstrous scorpions standing next to OrchidRays. And its tail was sunken into her flank. She tipped over and hit the pavement.

“Fuck!” Flash cursed.

His horn flared and a matching sheet of magic surrounded Ray’s entire body. He lifted her away from the radscorpion. Whipping out his own pistol, Chance fired a few shots into its armored hide. This time he left the tail.

“Run!” Flash ordered.

“What do we do?” Haze yelled as she instinctively jumped into the air and flew.

“Hurry! Echo should have some antivenom,” Flash assured as he galloped.

If Flash didn’t want Haze to fly, he wasn’t say anything now. She was surprised at how fast the old ghoul could move. Although she was even more impressed by his ability to levitate a whole pony with ease. She had never seen a Unicorn accomplish that back in Stable 47.

Once again, a shot of panic surged through Haze. Her life-long friend was in danger of dying, and it was only their first day out! Oh goddesses, please let us get to Echo’s quick.

Luckily there were no more obstacles on the way there. By the time they had reached their destination, the sky was dimming into twilight. EchoBeat’s house was almost completely obscured by overgrown foliage. As they entered, Haze thought she heard Flash say something along the lines of being glad for once Echo didn’t lock his door.

Inside, Flash placed Ray down on the nearest chair. SwiftHaze loomed over her friend, dread flowing through every part of her. For a moment she thought it may have been too late, but then heard Ray make a slight groan.

“What’s going on?” A new voice approached from a different room. “SilverFlash?”

The pony who entered the room was a red Earth Pony who’s flesh looked like it was rotting off. Half of his fur was gone, only leaving pink skin exposed. He had very few strands of brown, grey and red hair left dangling from his head. Another ghoul.

“We need antivenom. Now!” Flash barked.

Echo flinched, and then reentered the room he had come out of. A few moments later he returned, a tube held in his mouth. It was a syringe filled with some sort of liquid. Flash’s magic took the syringe from Echo’s grasp and then injected it into Ray’s flank near where she had been stung.

“Will she be okay?” Haze asked.

“I think so,” Flash sighed. “That’s it- from now on, I’m carrying antivenom with me. You all might want to take some with you too.” The hooded ghoul turned around. “Thank you EchoBeat.”

It was Chance who approached the scraggly red ghoul. He levitated over the severed radscorpion tail. “Here, you might need this to make more antivenom.”

Haze was touched by the fact that Chance was offering something that he had originally intended to barter for money with. Perhaps there was good in the lavender Unicorn.

“New ponies,” EchoBeat noted in a raspy voice. “Who are these mares?”

“This is SwiftHaze and OrchidRays,” Flash introduced them. “They’re from Stable 47, but you probably could already tell.”

“It’s been awhile since you’ve brought Stable dwellers over here,” Echo commented.

“W-where are we?” Ray mumbled from the chair.

“We’re at Echo’s. We made it,” Flash said with gentleness Haze wasn’t expecting.

It took a few minutes for Ray to completely pull through. She was still a bit weary, but she seemed to be recuperating well. Flash assured that he’d stay with them long enough to make sure they were okay. Finally Ray felt well enough to stand, and was quite curious to explore the antiques in EchoBeat’s home. Of course, the ghoul was courteous enough to let them look.

Echo’s house seemed to be filled with just as many plants on the inside as it had on the outside. Haze wondered if that had anything to do with the ghoul being an Earth Pony, or if he had an even stronger affinity with plantlife than the rest of his race. Both Haze and Ray entered what looked like a display room. There were posters on the wall, and trophies in a tall glass case. A record player sat at the corner of the room.

A loud gasp came from Ray. Haze looked to her, confused. The younger mare galloped forward and jumped up to place her forelegs on a wall. She was staring at a poster.

“Linkin Pony! I can’t believe it!”

Sure enough, the poster was advertising the pre-war band. Haze recognized it as their first album’s cover, Hybrid Theory. Her eyes drifted over to where a stack of vinyl records sat next to the record player. Haze stepped up to it. She recognized the album on top; A Thousand Suns. Below it were more Linkin Pony albums.

“Hey, Ray. Look!” Haze said.

“No way!” Ray expressed with energy that made it seem like she was never poisoned.

Haze attempted to pick up one of the albums, but the stroke of her hoof just caused the tower to collapse and scatter across the floor.

“Fuck!” She blurted out.

Ray just stared in awe at the vinyl cases on the ground. “Oh! I’ve never seen this one before!” She remarked, looking at a green cover.

As Haze began to collect the cases together, she stopped as she saw the image on the back of one. Five ponies were displayed; on the left was a tall red Earth Pony with a short brown and red mane. There’s no way, She thought.

“What’s going on in here?” Flash’s voice asked from behind them.

“S-sorry! We didn’t mean to-” Haze stuttered.

Flash’s magic lifted up all the albums and sorted them into a stack. Haze noticed he had also arranged them in order of release date. Perfectionist much? Instead of placing them on top, he inserted them into a shelf below.

EchoBeat stepped into the room next. Ray excitedly ran up to him.

“You have so much Linkin Pony stuff!” She beamed.

“You know about Linkin Pony?” Echo wondered, taken aback.

“Yeah! I love their music, it plays all the time in Stable 47. I know all their albums- well, I guess I don’t if I just found one I’ve never seen!” Echo didn’t even try to stop her from rambling. He seemed quite intrigued by the young mare. “Oh, oh! And guess what! BlazingFlair- who was their bassist- is my great-great-something grandfather!” Ray seemed to finally take a second to breathe.

Echo’s dark gaze softened, and he gave a gentle smile. “BlazingFlair was one of my best friends.”

Haze heard Ray take in a huge, exaggerated gasp. She must have realized exactly what Haze had.

“You’re the drummer of Linkin Pony! That’s why your name was familiar!”

“Yes,” Echo said simply. “Well, I was. Of course, that was a long time ago.”

“Oh. My. Goddesses! This is amazing!” Ray started bouncing around in circles. Haze couldn’t help but to chuckle. Ray stopped and faced Echo again. “Oh, and Haze-” she pointed at her friend.

“Oh, no,” Haze mumbled, rolling her eyes, knowing what was coming. “Don’t-”

“Haze is the great-great-something granddaughter of HyperBlitz!”

“Nooo.” Haze collapsed to the floor and wriggled her legs around Ray playfully patted on her and giggled as she squirmed. Haze didn’t think much of this useless fact and didn’t like Ray making it such a big deal.

“Hmm, that would explain why you are a Pegasus,” Flash commented. “Pegasi are rare in the wasteland, so be careful with the power you have.”

Haze sat up straight and gave Flash a confused stare. “What do you mean?”

“I mean some ponies down here may fear you, so be careful with what you do.”

“I think as long as she wears her Stable suit she won’t be recognized as a threat,” Echo countered.

Haze’s eyes darted between the ghouls, even more confused than before. “Fine! Keep your secrets!” She called and waved her hooves in the air. Her wings motioned with them, the tip of one just barely missing a glass case.

“Let’s get out of this room before you break anything.” Flash’s uncovered eyes gave her a hard stare.

“Heh, yeah,” she grinned sheepishly.

As they returned to the front room, GleamingChance looked up at them. He had been using his knife to carve the radscorpion tail. Its venom dripped into a bowl standing on a coffee table below.

“Alright, I better be going,” Flash announced. “Echo, do you mind watching these two overnight? They shouldn’t be wandering the streets at night.”

“Of course. You’re all welcome here,” said Echo who was also looking at Chance.

“You don’t have to go,” Chance told Flash with just a hint of pleading in his tone.

“I need to check up on a friend. I may come back here to check up on all of you later,” Flash explained.

“Alright. Be safe, SilverFlash,” Echo stated in farewell.

Flash nodded once and proceeded to slip out the door.

“Wait, you mean we have to stay the night with Raider boy? What if he steals from us?” Haze asserted. Chance glared at her.

“Oh, Chance? He won’t harm you,” Echo assured. “He’s a good pony.”

“If Mr. EchoBeat says so, it must be true!” Ray chimed in.

Haze squinted her eyes, still not convinced.

“Tell us about Linkin Pony!” OrchidRays was requesting as they were settling down.

“What would you like to know?” EchoBeat replied.

Both Ray and SwiftHaze had placed their blankets down on the floor. Echo was more than happy to add to those blankets as well as pillows. He had offered a guest room, but Haze wasn’t sure she trusted a nearly two hundred year old bed frame. Ray just seemed to be happy to be close to Linkin Pony memorabilia. GleamingChance had taken his spot on the couch. He seemed uninterested in everyone else’s conversation, and was reading through a book from Echo’s home library.

“What was BlazingFlair like?” Ray asked.

Echo’s eyes filled with reminiscence. “Blazing was down-to-earth. He loved sports, and loved encouraging others. He always looked at things positively. Even during the war, he wanted to believe there was a peaceful solution.” Echo sighed.

“What about HyperBlitz?” Ray questioned more.

At that, Echo smiled. “Hyper was a character. He was funny, and very kind. One of the kindest ponies you’d ever meet. Well, maybe a close second to the Element of Kindness.”

“What’s the Element of Kindness?” Haze wondered, raising a brow.

“That’s a story for another time,” Echo assured and continued. “No, Hyper was very passionate with everything he did. Whether that was playing music, or working for the Ministry of Peace.”

There was that word again. Ministry. Before Haze could even ask, Echo bid them goodnight. Emotional exhaustion seemed to fill him just from a few answers. Even after 170 years? Haze pondered. Maybe he hadn’t had many ponies to talk to about it.

It was past midnight. SwiftHaze had fallen into a light, restless sleep, and ultimately woke up, unable to go back to sleep. Sitting alone within Echo’s kitchen, she reflected on her first day outside. She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard hoofsteps approach.

“You’re still up?” Echo asked, just barely visible in the darkness. He flipped on a light.

“Do ghouls sleep?” Haze dodged, squinting.

“Sometimes. It depends. Perhaps not as much as natural ponies. Some ghouls don’t sleep at all and depend solely on radiation to sustain them.”

Haze hummed, taking that information in. Ghouls were weird.

“Can’t sleep?” Echo urged.

“Yeah.”

“Worried about Ray?”

“Huh? N-no. I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Haze said, not expecting that. “She seems better than fine, honestly.”

“Then what’s on your mind?” Echo inquired.

Haze sighed deeply. “It’s only my first day out, and I’ve already killed ponies. I killed three to save three. Was it really worth it? What’s that make me compared to a raider?”

“Initially you saved three, yes, but you could have saved ponies from being killed in the future. Those raiders could have found more captives,” Echo replied intuitively. “In the wasteland, you have to weigh your gains from your losses.” He paused, then added, “Sadly. I wish the world wasn’t this way.

“And as for your morality: the wasteland requires sacrifices for your survival and the survival of others. As long as you follow your heart’s decisions, I think you’ll make a positive difference.”

Haze nodded while she listened. Her gaze locked onto the old ghoul’s. “Thanks EchoBeat.”

“Of course,” he replied. “I’m glad I could be of some help.”

Haze pushed herself away from the table. “I guess I should try to get some sleep.” She took a few steps towards the doorway.

“Oh, and I know this may sound redundant,” Echo notified, “but give Chance a chance. He may have been brought up astray, but ponies have been proven to outgrow their origins. Just like how you left your home in Stable 47.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Haze thought aloud. “Again, thank you,” she expressed, truly grateful for his wisdom. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
Echo smiled and responded, “you as well.”

Chapter 5: In My Remains

“Good morning!”

SwiftHaze had felt like she had finally fallen asleep after a restless night. Now, OrchidRays was standing over her, begging her to wake up. Haze groaned, and placed a wing over her face.

“C’mon Hazy! There’s so much out here we still have to see! Can’t see it if you’re asleep!” Ray cheered.

“Don’t call me Hazy,” the drowsy Pegasus mumbled. She opened her eyes and saw GleamingChance staring at her from across the room.

“We let you sleep in,” he told her. “May as well get up now. Most days in the wasteland won’t give you the time to sleep.”

“Then it’s stupid to wake me!” Haze snapped.

“But Mr. EchoBeat’s making us breakfast!” Ray said.

Haze sat up. Food did sound appealing. She got up and entered the kitchen.

“I’m not the best cook,” EchoBeat admitted. “But SilverFlash has taught me some things over the years. I want you to save the food you already have, when you really need it. Eat while you’re still here.”

“Thank you so much,” Haze expressed sincerely. “You’ve been so kind to us.” Haze knew that there were ponies out there that could really use a safe place to stay, or a full meal. “I don’t know how we’ll repay you.”

“Oh, nevermind that,” Echo assured. “I’ve sheltered many ponies in the past. This is nothing new.”

“But,” Haze argued, “You’re really doing us a favor. Is there something we can do for you in return? An errand or something?”

“Yeah!” Ray agreed. “Maybe we can help you! Are you sure there’s nothing you need?”

For a few moments, EchoBeat thought carefully. “Well, I suppose there is something.”

“Tell us!” Haze urged with a smile.

“Actually, you may enjoy it but… It might be dangerous. You see, HyperBlitz and his wife kept memory orbs. I bet there’s still some left at his old home, but I’ve never dared to trek that far. I prefer staying out of the fighting, and out of sight,” Echo explained.

“That sounds awesome! We’ll do it!” Haze accepted, a little too quickly.

Ray whispered in her ear. “What are memory orbs?”

Haze hummed to the tune of “I don’t know.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Echo asked carefully. “I don’t know how dangerous that part of town is these days.”

“Of course. Just- what exactly are we looking for? What do these ‘memory orbs’ look like?” Haze said, waving her hoof in a circular motion.

“Dark, glass-like spheres. They fit in your hoof. They usually come in sets of four in a wooden box. The boxes are a little smaller in length than a vinyl case,” Echo described. “And be careful with them. They’re fragile.”

“We’ll get them for you.” Haze paused for a moment, stumped. “Um, where do we go? Can you mark it on my PipBuck’s map?”

“Sadly I don’t possess the technology to do that,” Echo replied regretfully.

He entered the front room and the others followed. He found some paper, sat down by the coffee table and picked up a pencil with his hooves. After writing something, he passed the paper over to Haze. “This is the address.”

Haze just stared at it. “Um, so is there a way I can put this in my PipBuck or…”

“Let me see,” Chance said and levitated the paper out of Haze’s hoof. He studied it for a moment and then reached for his saddlebag which laid on the couch. Floating out of a pocket was a map, which Chance unfolded.

“You have a map with you?” Haze questioned.

“Yes. Every smart wastelander should have one,” He defended, and added in a murmur, “also maps are kinda my thing.”

What, is his special talent reading maps?

“I know how to get there,” Chance announced. “If you’d like me to take you.”

For a moment, Haze hesitated but so decided, “Alright. Sure.”

OrchidRays and SwiftHaze were guided by GleamingChance through the streets of Los Pegasus. Haze happily fluttered above her companions, free from SilverFlash’s nagging. A thought struck her.

“So, how long have you known Flash?” Haze directed at Chance.

“Awhile. He said it’s only been a few years, but it’s closer to ten years. I guess time gets skewed if you’ve lived as long as he has,” Chance explained.

“Ten years, huh? Wait, how old are you?” Haze wondered.

“Twenty-six,” Chance replied.

“Three years older than me,” Haze noted.

“Five years older than me! That’s a lot!” Ray chimed in.

“Five isn’t a lot,” Chance countered.

“That’s nearly a quarter of my life!” Ray said.

“Well, if you put it like that…” Chance considered.

“Hey you!” A voice called out from behind them.

Swiveling around in the air, Haze faced the source of the voice. Two Pegasi hovered above her. They wore dark plated armor and one’s face was covered by an insectoid-like helmet.

The other Pegasus, a sky blue mare, spoke. “Hey, Pegasus boy!”

‘I think you need your eyes checked!” Haze taunted. “I’m a mare!”

“Sor-ree, Pegasus girl. I see you're from Stable 47, huh?”

“How the fuck can you see my number but can’t tell I’m a mare?” Haze quipped.

“Haze, don’t engage with them,” Chance warned from below.

“Actually it’s because Stable 47 is the only active Stable around here that lets ponies out. Also the only Stable around here known to have Pegasi on their record,” the blue mare explained.

“And just what do you know about Stable 47?” Haze challenged.

“Not as much as we’d like, admittedly. Say, what are the chances you’d let us in your Stable and give us a look around?” The tone in her voice didn’t make the proposal sound friendly.

Haze sneered. “Pretty sure the overmare doesn’t let in outsiders. Besides, I wouldn’t let in a snobby ass bitch like you, anyway.”

“Haze!”

“You wanna fucking go?” the mare threatened, jolting forward.

“Stop,” the masked Pegasus said. “We need this one alive.”

The sky blue one nodded. “You may want to rethink our proposal, okay, Haze?”

SwiftHaze only glared as they flew away.

“You know, Flash does have a point about flying making you more obvious,” Chance pointed out.

Haze rolled her eyes and fluttered to the ground. She trotted with the rest of them. “Who were those bastards anyway?”

“The Enclave,” Chance disclosed with a groan. “They run this city.”

“What do you mean?” Haze asked.

“I mean they’ll do anything they can to control the ponies here. They like to hoard technology, although they have to compete with the Steel Rangers for that. And they want to eliminate any creature or pony they deem as ‘impure,’” Chance explained.

“Sounds like trouble.”

“They are. I suspect they were interested in you because you are a Pegasus,” Chance guessed.

“What’s that have to do with anything?” Haze wondered.

“The Enclave are only Pegasi, and the majority of Pegasi are controlled by the Enclave. They see you as a possible resource- maybe a new recruit. They want all the Pegasi on their side.”

“Is that why they want in the Stable? To take the Pegasi?” Haze mused.

“Probably. Also just to take whatever useful technology they can,” Chance said.

Haze just grumbled, displeased with this new information. This explained why Flash and Echo were speaking as if she was seen as an alien to other ponies. Ponies feared the Pegasi. In Los Pegasus. Yeah, that makes sense.

Haze noticed Ray had been quite silent most of their walk. She fell back a few hoofsteps to meet with the Earth Pony mare.

“You alright?” Haze said.

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” Ray responded. “I… don’t really know how to talk about these things.”

“That’s okay,” Haze told her gently. “I just want to make sure you’re doing okay.” Ray gave her a thankful smile.

“Hold up,” Chance announced and halted. Haze nearly bumped into him. “Mines.”

“Huh. What?” Haze glanced left and right, confused. “What are you talking about.”

Chance used his magic to grab hold of Haze’s head and set it forward. “Look.”

He was pointing down at the road below an overpass. A pillar of the overpass was painted with the image of a skull, perhaps with blood. Garbage littered the corners under the overpass. In the road were what looked like small, circular rocks. Their color made them almost impossible to notice.

“What are they?” Haze asked.

“Mines. They’re explosives. Don’t step on them.”

“Why are they here?”

“Raiders must have set them up,” Chance replied. “I think they used to camp here, but must have moved on.” Chance levitated out his map. “Erm… there’s a way around the overpass but we gotta sidetrack back a few streets. That or I disarm the mines… would make for good bartering loot,” he added, almost to himself.

“How long would it take you to disarm them compared to going around?” Haze inquired.

“Hmm, maybe about the same amount of time.”

“Then why don’t you disarm them? You said you could barter with them,” Haze allowed.

Chance nodded and proceeded to carefully inch forward. “I probably won’t disarm all of them to save time, just enough to lead a clear path. You better be careful when walking through here.”

“I could always fly over,” Haze reminded.

“Is disarming them dangerous?” Ray questioned.

“Only if you don’t know what you're doing. I’ve disarmed dozens of mines, maybe hundreds,” Chance claimed.

He lifted a mine ever so gently in his magic and began tinkering with it. Once he was done, he pocketed it and moved to the next one. Impatiently, Haze flew above the overpass and waited for him on the other side.

“Okay, Ray, walk in a straight line towards me,” Chance commanded once he had finished. “Just keep your eyes forward.”

OrchidRays seemed to be shaking in her own hooves. Slowly she crept forward, into the darkness. She kept her eyes on Chance, however she glanced at Haze every few seconds. One she passed the shadow of the bridge, she perked up, relieved.

“I made it!” She grinned.

Both Chance and Haze turned and began trotting forward. Ray skipped with excitement. Carelessly, she grazed a mine which Chance had missed. BEEP. Chance spun around in alarm. Ray jumped back, wide-eyed. BEEP. Orange magic enveloped the circular mine and flung it away towards the ramp of the overpass. It exploded, causing a few fragments to rain back towards them.

“Chance! What the fuck?” Haze reprimanded.

“Sorry! I must have missed one!”

Haze cantered over to OrchidRays who was stiff with shock. “Are you okay?” Haze placed a hoof on Ray’s shoulder. Pivoting her head, she glared at Chance, who shrugged with a grimace.

Finally they made it to their destination. The gate of the mansion was wide open, and overgrown plants overran the yard. However, unlike EchoBeat’s home, they were not trimmed along the path. Instead grass shot up from between cracks. Graffiti stained the outside walls, and trash was scattered everywhere. Ponies had been here before, but hopefully hadn’t looted the inside.

Chance approached the front door with a screwdriver and bobby pin. “It’s jammed,” He reported. “There’s gotta be another way in. Let’s look around.”

Haze led them around the deteriorating building. She took in the sight of the tall windows. Many of them were boarded up, as if to deter ponies from getting inside. However, some windows on the top floor were lacking wooden boards. Who put these here? Was someone already here before them?

A wide door spanned in front of her. It was raised a few centimeters off the ground, and appeared badly damaged, concave. Haze peeked at the crevice below, but could barely make out what was inside.

“Over here,” Chance spoke up.

He had found a side door to the shack-like structure, and was beginning to pick it. Haze stepped up just as he clicked the door open. She turned on her PipBuck’s lamp as they entered. A vehicle of some kind laid dormant in the room. For a moment, her heart lurched as she picked out a pony-shaped shadow. Relieved, she realized it was only a set of heavy armor.

“Would you look at that. Power armor!” Chance remarked, illuminating it with his horn.

“Ooh! Can I have some armor like that? Haze was telling me I need some armor!” Ray queried.

“Ray, how are you supposed to put on this armor with your leg?” Haze said bluntly.

“Hmm... Cut the armor leg off?” She suggested.

“Doesn’t matter,” Chance stated. “This looks like armor for a much taller pony.”

Chance proceeded to pick the lock of the next door. Haze wondered why this armor was here. It didn’t look fit for a Pegasus.

Finally inside, Haze asked, “So where would we find these orb things?”

“Most likely in a bedroom,” Chance replied. “Probably upstairs.”

Through the kitchen, several chairs were knocked over. Chance stopped to look through the cabinets.

“What are you…”

“Doesn’t look like this place has been touched. Perfect for scavenging,” Chance explained.

“Can we do that after we find these orbs?” Haze scorned.

In the living room were broken picture frames. Haze used a feather to dust off a photo. A middle aged yellow stallion smiled pleasantly, his wings wrapped around a pretty tan Earth Pony. This must have been HyperBlitz, and presumably his wife, who’s name Haze didn’t know. She must have been really pretty when she was younger, Haze thought. She shook her head, as if to fling the thought from it. She pressed on.

“Hey, I found a bedroom!” Haze followed Ray’s voice.

The room was upstairs, just as Chance had predicted. The room appeared mostly empty despite the full sized bed in the middle. Near a closet were stacked up cardboard boxes. Under a wide window was a desk.

“I don’t see any small boxes, but I did find this weird case,” Ray reported.

Under the desk was a long, grey case. It had a strap and a handle. It’s shape suggested what was in it.

“Actually, I think this is a gun case.” Haze fell to her haunches and used her forelegs to lift the case up. There was definitely some heft to it. She attempted to open it, but it wouldn’t budge. “Locked.”

Haze sprang up and headed for the hallway. “Hey, Chance!”

The mares found a second bedroom, which must have been the master bedroom. There was a king sized bed, which GleamingChance was laying on. Confused, Haze approached. His head was down, his horn touching a small, dark ball. A memory orb? Haze nudged him with a hoof. He didn’t respond. She shook him a little harder, but he still didn’t wake.

“Oh no, he’s dead!” Ray wailed.

Panicking, Haze shouted, “No! He’s still breathing, but he won’t wake up!”

“What do we do?” Ray pleaded.

“I don’t know!” Haze snapped and began pacing. Maybe he’d wake up eventually. Did the memory orb do something to him? Haze couldn’t focus, and headed back downstairs.

In the living room she uncovered more photographs. In one, HyperBlitz appeared much younger, without grey in his mane. In his tattooed hooves was a young, orange colt. His son? In another, two pink fillies clinged to his wings as he laughed. They looked like identical twins. A touch of sadness hit SwiftHaze. These ponies were gone, and so were their memories. Except for in these photos and EchoBeat. And perhaps memory orbs? Haze wasn’t quite sure what the spheres were.

Haze placed an ear bud in one ear and played the first Linkin Pony song she scrolled to. She tried to imagine the Pegasus stallion singing. Hyper’s gentle smile matched much better with his soft, sweet singing -Haze’s preference- than with his screaming vocals.

“He’s awake!” Ray shouted from upstairs. Haze stopped the music.

Haze raced up the stairs and barged into the bedroom. “Chance, what the fuck happened?”

He was sitting upright on the bed, blinking in confusion. “I looked at the memory,” He said.

“What?” Haze sat back on her haunches, feeling drained.

“Unicorns can look into memory orbs and relive the memories,” he explained.

Haze rubbed her eyes with her hooves. “Don’t ever do that again!”

“Sorry…” Chance winced. “But I did find this one.”

“There’s a box over here,” Ray spoke up. In the open wooden box were four more of the dark orbs.

“If there’s four in there, that means this one’s separate, or belongs to a different set,” Chance guessed. He slipped the ball into his saddlebag.

“What was the memory?” Haze inquired as they continued to search.

“It was a ceremony,” Chance answered. “An orange stallion receiving a medal or something. I think it was military.”

“Orange… maybe it was Hyper’s son,” Haze wondered, remembering the photo.

“Oh yeah, I need you to open something for me.”

It wasn’t long until Chance had unlocked the gun case. Haze sat down and opened it. Inside it was a long, powerful looking rifle. It had a kickstand and a scope. On the stock a flaming lightning bolt was painted, slightly faded. Haze whistled. She picked the rifle up.

“It’s a lot lighter than I expected,” Haze observed.

“There must be enchanted gemstones in it,” Chance said.

“Gemstones?”

“Yeah. They can make the gun easier to carry,” Chance told her.

“I need to try this baby out!” Haze declared excitedly. She stood up and mounted the desk. Next she unlocked the window.

“What the hell are you going to do with a gun like that?” Chance questioned.

“She’s really good with guns!” Ray commented, smiling.

“Yeah right. A Stable girl?” Chance scoffed doubtfully.

Through the scope, Haze peered at a bird perched on a street lamp far down the street. She pulled the trigger and felt the kickback from firing. The bird fell limp and dropped to the ground.

Chance was gaping.

Haze smirked. “I wish I could take a picture of your face right now.”

Chance recomposed himself. “The bird was sitting still. No big deal,” he claimed.

“I could have shot it even while it was flying!” Haze boasted.

Groaning, Chance rubbed his forehead with a hoof. “C’mon, we gotta keep searching. There could be more memory orbs, and I want to loot at least the bathroom.”

“Fine.” Haze rolled her eyes.

She strapped the sniper rifle to her left side, mirroring the assault rifle on her right. She knew carrying two guns at once would be taxing, but it would be worth it. She bagged the ammo from the rifle case as well.

Down the hall the trio entered into a new room. It appeared to be a home office. Books were filed on a tall shelf with a few scattered on the floor. An acoustic guitar leaned against the dusty shelf. Ray was immediately drawn to the instrument. In the middle of the office was a wooden desk with a terminal sat on top of it.

“Aha!” Chance let out as he approached a shelf.

Instead of books there was a box identical to the one they had already found. Chance opened it and sure enough, three orbs were there. He levitated the lone orb out of his bag and back into its set.

“What’s this?” Haze asked, staring at an object next to the box. It was a metal crown-like item with gemstones embedded in it.

“That’s a recollector,” Chance said. “Non Unicorns can use it to view memory orbs.”

“Sweet!” The Pegasus took the recollector for herself.

“Uh, I’m pretty sure Echo already has one of those,” Chance notified.

“Yeah, but I want one for myself!” Haze justified.

She placed the recollector in her bag and faced Chance. “Can we go now?”

Chance just blinked. “No. I told you I want to look through the bathroom. There may be medical supplies. There’s probably food in the kitchen too.”

“You eat old food?” Haze gasped.

“It’s been magically preserved,” Chance said matter-of-fact-ly.

Haze shook her head. “You go ahead. I’m gonna go outside and practice with my new gun.”

“But…” Ray was protesting, “There’s so much to look at here! It’s the home of HyperBlitz! The singer of Linkin Pony! Isn’t that amazing! Oh, what if he made music in here!”

Haze smiled a bit at her friend. Ray was thinking of Hyper like a celebrity. Haze thought of him as an average pony. He had lived here with his family.

“Wanna look around with me?” Chance offered. “You could help me carry stuff.”

“Sure!” Ray accepted.

Haze departed from her friends. Friends… she had begun to consider GleamingChance as a friend. He had been kind and patient enough to answer all her questions she had about the world outside.

As she trotted down the stairs, she could hear the planks creak underneath her. The added weight of her guns must have put pressure on the old wood. She quickly lept to the ground floor, afraid the stairs would give out on her. Hopefully Ray wasn’t carrying too much to cause that to happen to her.

Passing through the house, Haze felt a pang of regret. There was so much here she could learn about the past and her lineage. Perhaps she should take more into consideration. She could have looked at the terminal upstairs. She’d look into the memory orbs, she decided, when she had the chance.

Outside, Haze tested looking through the scope of the sniper rifle. She didn’t want to waste any ammo, so she only got the feel of carrying it. She found it was quite easy to carry it in both her hooves while hovering in the air. She concluded that she’d have to only carry one gun at a time.

In the corner of Haze’s eye, she could see a glint of silver. She turned to see a sprite-bot floating towards her. This one wasn’t painted like the one from the zoo. Also, she noticed it wasn’t playing obnoxious music. It approached her.

“Hello there,” the robotic voice greeted her.

“You again?” She wondered.

“I see you have a new weapon. But still the same armor.”

“I’m working on it,” she grumbled. “Except I’d like armor that won’t completely cover my Stable suit. I don’t want to look like an Enclave soldier.”

“Enclave soldiers have very specific armor,” Watcher informed. “I highly doubt you’d be mistaken for one of them. Although I do find it quite curious that a Pegasus came from a Stable. So far, I have only seen earthbound ponies.”

“Well, my ancestor was a Pegasus, so you have him to thank for that!” Haze quipped. She realized that she had been giving HyperBlitz more credit for her birth than her own mother.

“What do you want with me anyway?” Haze snapped. “Who are you? You’re not in the same bot as before.”

“I hack into these sprite-bots,” Watched explained. “But it’s quite difficult getting range this far west. Almost all sprite-bots here are already hacked by the Enclave.”

Haze grimaced. “Wonderful.”

“Anyway, I’m just here to check on you. I want to make sure you’re still headed on the right path,” Watcher said.

“It’s only been a day! Do you really think anything’s changed?” Haze retorted.

“Such a quick temper for someone looking to help others.”

“And I’m still going to help others,” Haze reassured and then admitted, “I just… need to figure out what to do next.”

“Maybe you need to find your virtue to help guide you,” Watcher suggested.

“Virtue?” Haze raised a brow. “That's very specific advice. You mean like… patience or discipline?”

“Yes, but there are many other virtues. It’s a positive quality that will keep you going. Something that will aid yourself, as well as those around you,” Watcher revealed.

“Um…”

Before Haze could question anymore, she heard the voice of OrchidRays call out from the house. Both she and GleamingChance were exiting now. Haze turned her gaze back to Watcher, but the sprite-bot was now bobbing away.

“This place is a treasure trove of loot!” Chance remarked with a smirk. “We should come back sometime.”

“Well, then you should lock the door so nobody else gets in,” Haze suggested.

“Already ahead of you!”

“Hey, Haze! Look what I found!” Ray approached with a photo in her hoof.

Depicted were six stallions; Linkin Pony. Haze recognized HyperBlitz, but not the others. They all appeared to be in their thirties, sharply dressed. A cream Pegasus, two Unicorns, one purple and one blue, and two Earth Ponies, one red, and one orange. Haze realized that she did recognize the red one; EchoBeat.

“You’re taking that?” Haze wondered.

“It’s all the Linkin Ponies together!” Ray grinned. Haze stifled a laugh at Linkin Ponies. “Can’t I have a picture of all of them?”

“I guess so,” Haze said. I suppose someone should remember them.

“You girls ready to go?” Chance announced. There was a sparkle in the Unicorn’s eyes, surely energized by scavenging.

“Yeah.” Haze gathered her guns and bounded after him.

“Oh, and Chance,” Haze was saying as she caught up. “Thanks.”

“For what?” He asked genuinely.

“For guiding us here and… for dealing with us in general,” Haze told him.

“And I thought you didn’t trust me,” Chance teased.

“I may have misread you,” Haze admitted, her eyes peering away.

“It’s all good,” Chance assured. “Let’s get back to Echo’s and try not to get almost blown up this time.”

Chapter 6: South Gait

It was past midday when the trio of young ponies returned to EchoBeat’s home, GleamingChance levitated memory orb boxes out of OrchidRays’ bags. Echo’s eyes widened as they were set on the table before him. He opened one and took an orb in his hooves.

“Oh, thank you so much!” He rejoiced.

“Sure thing, Mr. EchoBeat!” Ray said.

“Would you mind if I took a look at a few of them?” SwiftHaze requested. The recollector she found was dangling by her forehoof.

“I suppose so,” Echo replied. “However I’d like to view them first. To know what’s appropriate to share.”

That made sense. “Okay,” Haze accepted.

“I hope it wasn’t too much trouble retrieving these,” stated Echo.

“We had to disarm some mines and dodge raider camps. Besides that I’d say we fared pretty well,” Chance reported.

“And got stopped by the Enclave,” Haze added.

“Oh no…” Echo cautioned.

“I got ‘em to fuck off but they were interested in me.” Haze shrugged.

A second later, the door opened behind them. Haze turned to follow Echo’s gaze. In the doorway was the shadowy figure of SilverFlash. He stepped in and shut the door behind him.

“Oh, you’re just in time!” Ray greeted him. “We just got back from HyperBlitz’s house!”

Flash looked at Echo. “Hyper’s place? What were they doing there?”

“They wanted to do a favor for me, so I had them find some of Hyper’s memory orbs for me,” Echo explained.

“Have you been there since… you know,” Chance attempted to inquire, but awkwardly stumbled. “You…” He waved his hoof in the general direction of Flash.

“Yes, I have,” Flash replied flatly. “Many years back.”

“But, the doors were locked when we got there,” Ray said.

“Do you think I’d leave the doors unlocked? No, that place holds too many memories to let miscreants ransack. You already saw what they did to the outside,” Flash retorted.

Ray lowered her head and pushed her ears back. Haze remembered the crude graffiti on the sides of the home.

“Wait, if you’ve been there before, why didn’t you ever get the memory orbs for Echo?” Haze chided.

Before Flash could respond, it was EchoBeat who spoke up. “I’ve asked for enough favors from Flash for a lifetime,” he sighed.

“I hope we aren’t miscreants for scavenging,” Chance mumbled, ashamed. He certainly held the opinion of Flash quite highly.

Flash let out a breath behind his mask. “You didn’t defile the place. I’m sure what you took wasn’t any use there. Food and medicine, right?”

Chance nodded.

“Anyway, enough chit-chat, I’ve got to get moving,” Flash announced.

“So soon?” Echo asked.

“I only stopped here because it was on my way to South Gait from my friend’s house. Her son had just fled from there because there’s a band of raiders camping at the entrance,” Flash clarified.

“South Gait?” Haze wondered, interested. “Why don’t we come with you?”

“Did you not hear me? There’s raiders,” Flash refuted.

“And we’ll help fight them off!”

“I did want to go to South Gait next,” Chance noted. “I’ve got a lot of shit to sell.”

Haze nodded. “I wanted to go there next, too.”

Flash sighed. “I don’t know, but I’m definitely not wasting any more time standing here.”

“We’ll just end up following you anyway,” Haze smirked.

“Yeah!” Ray squeed.

“Oh!’ Haze thought of something and turned to Ray. “We gotta get you your switchblade. Chance, do you know how we can make a cuff to attach a blade to?”

“Hmm, I’m sure we could find something,” Chance contemplated. “But since Flash is in such a hurry, I don’t think we have the time to make one. But I’m absolutely sure you could find something like that for sale at South Gait.”

Haze clapped her hooves together. “Then it’s settled. Let’s go!”

The group of four ponies hiked down the hills of Los Pegasus, towards downtown. Ahead of them, the skyscrapers loomed larger and larger. SwiftHaze thought she saw Pegasi flying around the top of the central tower.

“Is that the Enclave?” She asked.

“The tower that pierces the clouds?” Flash stated. “Yes. That’s their base of operations.”

“You see, Los Pegasus was a partial Pegasus city before the war, hence the name,” Chance explained. “Parts of the city were also in the clouds and more towers touched them.”

“How do you know so much about the world before the war?” Haze questioned.

“I’ve done my research,” Chance said sheepishly. “And Flash has told me a lot.”

“He has a real knack for learning,” Flash remarked.

‘If you’re so smart why do you stay with your gang? Haze inquired. “No offense.”

Chance sighed and his gaze fell to the ground. “It’s complicated. I was born and raised with my gang. It’s what I’m accustomed to. They’re the closest thing I have to family, especially since my mom left.”

“Family isn’t everything,” Haze claimed. “Just because you’re used to them doesn’t mean they aren’t bad for you. Sometimes you need to split from the family you knew to find your full potential.”

“I suppose you're right,” Chance took that in.

“Wise words for someone who’s only been away from her family for one day,” Flash pointed out from ahead.

“Hey, I knew what I needed all along!” Haze defended. “I needed to kick my mom out of my life as soon as I could!”

“You forcibly kicked your mom out… mine just up and left,” Chance huffed.

“Why?”

“I’d love to know that,” Chance mumbled.

“You sure she isn’t like… dead?” Haze asked.

“No, I’m sure she’s out there. Some of my gang said they saw her a couple years back, and recently Clay got a letter. He just doesn’t say where it came from.” Chance scrunched his muzzle in frustration.

“Maybe we could help you find her,” OrchidRays suggested.

“Yeah, right,” Chance scoffed.

“No, for real. We could help!” Haze insisted.

“Good luck with that. If I haven’t been able to find her in several years, there’s no way you’ll find her. But I appreciate the offer,” Chance said.

“Hmph.” Haze pouted. She was looking for another way to help someone.

She looked to Ray, who had been mostly silent again. “Oh, speaking of family,” she directed at Ray, “How are you doing? I never asked how you felt about leaving your family. Sorry, I should have considered that.” Haze had been too focused on her own wants when leaving the Stable.

“Oh, you know how my dad is,” Ray mumbled.

Haze didn’t respond. She knew Ray’s father was quite distant from her, and didn’t quite care what she did. Ray never knew her mother; she died during childbirth. It was no wonder Ray latched onto music and figures of the past.

Finally, Haze muttered, “Oh, yeah. Sorry.”

“So, I guess we all have dysfunctional families,” Chance concluded. “Whatta shame.”

“I suppose I should be lucky I can’t relate,” Flash spoke up from the lead. “Well, my whole family is dead, so of course I couldn’t.” He exhaled. “No, I had a loving, accepting family, and… I miss them very much.”

Haze wasn’t sure how to reply. She felt bad for the ghoul. What was it like to outlive all your family and friends? What kept you going at that point?

For a few moments the whole group fell silent. Chance was looking off somewhere to the left. He stopped in place.

“Aw, fuck! Guys, we got ferals!”

Flash whipped his head around to look. There was movement down a dark alley. Decayed pony shapes emerged from the shadows. They began clumsily giving chase to the traveling ponies.

“Run!” Flash barked.

Instinctually Haze bounded into the air. The pony creatures were quite fast. Unfortunately there was another small group of them ahead blocking the path.

Chance levitated out his pistol and began shooting a sickly green one. It groaned in protest.

“What are they?” Haze called as she bolted upward to dodge the snapping jaws of one of the creatures.

“Feral ghouls!” Chance replied hastily and aimed for another. “Shoot them!”

Haze brought up her assault rifle, but hesitated. Ghouls? “But they’re ponies!”

“No they’re not!” Chance snapped.

“These aren’t like me an Echo,” Flash clarified briskly. “They’re feral, mindless ghouls who will attack you! Shoot!”

Haze tried something new. She hit a button on her PipBuck and brought up S.A.T.S. (Stable-Tec Arcane Targeting Spell). She was easily able to target an erratically moving ghoul directly on its temple. Blood spewed from the wound as the ghoul collapsed.

A once-white ghoul stumbled its way over to Ray. With her back turned, she wasn’t prepared for it to bite her neck. Yelping, she lept away. She swiveled around and slammed her metal leg against its cheek. Rotting teeth flew from its mouth. Haze finished the foe quickly with a bullet.

A feral was rounding on Flash. He aimed his revolver for its head but as it reared up and bashed its forehooves against his shoulders his aim was tilted upward. Saving his ammunition, Flash floated out his sword from his side. He punctured the exposed belly of the rearing ghoul. Blood oozed as he pulled it out of the now fallen corpse.

Haze used S.A.T.S. again to take down another ghoul before she had to let the spell recharge. She was surprised how fast the zombie-like ponies were.

At last all of the feral ghouls were lying dead on the concrete. Haze and Ray stared in horror at the bloody mess. These were once ponies - friends, loved ones of ponies from the past. But their minds had become corrupted from radiation. Haze wondered what was the line between a sane and a feral ghoul.

“Everyone alright?” Flash asked, surveying the others.

“I got bit!” Ray whinnied. “I’m not going to turn into a ghoul, will I?”

“No, but you might get an infection,” Chance replied.

Ray looked just as frightened as if that was an equally horrid fate.

Flash pulled out some medical supplies from. He cleaned Ray’s bite wound and applied a magical bandage. “We want to save our potions for when we deal with those raiders,” he informed. “C’mon, let’s get moving.”

The roads ahead of them began to darken as they passed under the shadows of the close constructed buildings. Along the crumbling walls were posters from many decades before. They boasted propaganda of the war. “Better wiped than striped”, one claimed, with the image of Zebras scattered on the ground, dead. Many other posters were too faded to be legible.

SwiftHaze wondered exactly how the war between ponies and Zebras began. What had led to the world they knew now?

The group halted as they reached the end of one street. Across the road were low buildings with ponies trotting around the top of the roofs. Turrets pointed to the streets below. Between the buildings were makeshift wooden and wire fences, wrapping around an entire block, maybe more. Haze couldn’t see that far to tell where the fence ended. Inside must have been South Gait.

In the intersection in front of them was a band of raiders, hiding behind barriers of sandbags. One had his gun aimed towards the ponies patrolling the rooftops. The ponies on top returned the gesture with weapons aimed below. They appeared to be at a stalemate; nobody fired, only threatened with gunpoint. There were, however, a few guards dead on the street in front of a tall wooden gate.

“What do we do?” Haze questioned from behind SilverFlash.

He pulled his sword from its sheaf. “We gotta catch them off guard, that will give us the advantage.”

“What if we distract them?” Haze suggested.

“I don’t see the point of giving away our position,” Flash quipped.

“Do we really have to fight?” Ray said. “Maybe we can just ask them to leave.”

Ray walked out of the alley and into the intersection.

“Ray! What are you doing?” Haze hissed. Fuck, she doesn’t even have armor!

“Hi there!” Ray exclaimed as she approached the raiders.

All of the raiders’ heads popped up and stared at Ray. They jumped up and aimed their weapons towards her. All of the guards’ attention was placed on her as well.

“Wait! Don’t shoot!” She pleaded. “Maybe we can help you!”

Haze dashed into the street behind her. Shit!

But surprisingly, the raiders didn’t shoot. A charcoal Earth Pony emerged from the group. He glared at Ray.

“And what the fuck do you think you’re going to do?” He sneered. “Get any closer and we’ll fucking kill you.”

“So, I guess you wanna get in there because you wanna raid?” Ray stated obviously. “What if we traded with you instead? And then you could leave these ponies alone!”

“What?” Chance snapped and entered the street. “We ain’t giving away my loot!”

“But we could come to an agreement without a fight!” Ray beamed.

Chance stepped up to her and argued. “These fuckers won’t just take shit an’ leave. They’re raiders! If we give them anything they’ll just take it and shoot us!”

“You just don’t want to give up your loot,” Ray remarked.

“No! I mean- I’m not giving my shit up to criminals that won’t even negotiate!”

Haze was bewildered at the fact the raiders hadn’t shot yet. Ray really thought they could find a peaceful solution.

“Hmm, what are you offering?” The large charcoal stallion wondered, raising a brow.

“Oh, we have a lot of mines!” Ray said.

Chance shook his head violently. “No! I’m definitely not giving them weapons!”

“Then what about medicine?” Ray wondered.

“I ain’t giving them shit!” Chance refused.

Magenta magic pulled Ray back, away from the front line. Flash replaced her and faced the raiders.

“No offers,” He told them. “Leave now or we will attack. You’re outnumbered.” He pointed his muzzle to the guards on the rooftops.

“Wrong answer!” The Earth Pony stallion shouted.

He grabbed a pistol in his mouth and aimed it towards them. He used his hoof to pull the trigger back, the bullet flying between Haze and Flash. Haze darted into the air and Flash pulled out his revolver. Peering behind his shoulder, he used his magic to levitate Ray and place her by the alley, away from the fight. She blinked, dazed.

The other raiders began to take fire. As Haze zipped through the air, she felt a bullet sink into the base of her wing. Pain shot through her, but she gritted her teeth and fought through it. She raised her rifle and shot the charcoal Earth Pony. First, she shot his pistol, which clattered to the ground. As he went to retrieve it, another one of Haze’s bullets lodged into his neck. He faltered, but still picked up his pistol. Again, he pulled the trigger. This time the shot struck Haze in her foreleg, below her sleeve. Agony surged through her leg as she felt the bullet strike against her bone. She screamed and dropped her rifle, which dangled at her side by its strap.

Chance fired his pistol a couple times into the Earth Pony’s head. Once he fell to the ground, Chance aimed for the next raider behind him, who was a skinny orange mare. The nimble mare was fast enough to react, dodging behind some sandbags. Chance levitated his pistol, tracking it along the top of the barrier, waiting for the mare to resurface. Before he could find her, a different raider stabbed Chance in his side with a short blade.

Ignoring Flash’s non-verbal warning, OrchidRays ran back out into the street. Haze swooped down and attempted to stop her. She placed her yellow hooves on Ray’s shoulders.

“You aren’t wearing armor! Get out!” Haze warned.

“Chance needs our help!” Ray argued.

She dashed past Haze and towards the gold raider with the blade. It was connected to a cuff, much like their idea for a weapon for Ray. Chance just grunted and turned to face the gold pony. On his opposite flank was the orange mare. She lept and grabbed Chance by his neck, drawing him back. The gold raider raised his bladed hoof to strike again.

Before he could attack, Ray assaulted him with a heavy punch to the face, courtesy of her metal leg. Behind Chance, the mare’s head exploded with blood as a shot rang out. One of the guards on a rooftop was aiding in the fight. Once again, Chance raised his gun and took action. The gold raider collapsed to the floor. Briefly, Chance gave Ray a curt nod, thanking her for her assistance.

In the air, Haze struggled to hold her assault rifle. Her left foreleg throbbed like hell, but she forced herself to line up an attack. With her faltering aim, now was the perfect time for S.A.T.S. There were two raiders left.

A pale green Unicorn was dueling with Flash. They challenged each other with... their swords. Haze didn’t see the point of a sword fight. Wouldn’t the Unicorn raider be more accurate with a gun? Haze shot the green raider on the tip of his muzzle. Screaming, he swiped his head to the side. Before he could raise his gaze again, Flash slit his throat with a quick swipe. The Unicorn crumbled to the ground.

The last raider was a small grey one. She was obviously young, probably a teenager. She looked to the other ponies in fear and just darted in the opposite direction. Bullets from the rooftops followed her as she slipped into a dark alley. She was gone, and nobody dared to follow her.

Exhausted, Haze hovered to the ground, landing on three legs. As she met with the rest of her party, the wooden gates were beginning to open. A guard stepped out.

“Thank you so much for coming to our aid. We haven’t been able to let anyone in or out!” The blue guard expressed.

“Why couldn’t you just attack them?” Haze urged, annoyed.

“You see what happened when we tried.” The guard waved his hoof towards his two fallen comrades on the concrete.

Wimps! Haze snickered inwardly. I’m fresh out of a Stable and I fared better against these raiders than them!

Flash levitated both limp bodies of the guards. “I can help carry them to their families,” he offered.

“That would mean a lot,” the blue guard pony told him. “How can we repay you?”

“How about you give these three a place to sleep for tonight?” Flash pointed his horn to the three younger ponies.

Haze realized that it was starting to get dark. It wasn’t just the shadow of the buildings, but the sky was falling into shadows as well. Haze limped forward past the gate.

“I suppose we could do that,” the guard considered as he led them inside.

“I think it’s the least you could do,” Flash muttered.

In the barrier were many shops along a square. Several buildings rose up multiple stories, with lights in the windows. Ponies must have lived there. Sentries walked the streets, looking for troublemakers. Shorter buildings marked the perimeter of the gated community. Some decent, non-raider, ponies were taking in the square. A few glanced over as they heard the gate close.

The guard they were following approached a patrolling sentry. “Could you show these three to the Grand View Inn? Tell them they are allowed to stay a night free. I have business to attend to with SilverFlash.”

The sentry agreed and began to lead the way.

“I’ll meet up with you later,” Flash told the trio as they departed with their ghoul companion. He was obviously known here. He was still levitating the bodies alongside him.

SwiftHaze hopped forward to walk- no, limp- parallel with GleamingChance. “So, uh, is that something Unicorns can normally do out here? ‘Cause I’ve never seen a Unicorn float two ponies at once.”

Chance was caught off guard, and had to process her question for a moment. “Oh, you mean Flash? Yeah, he’s kinda special that way.”

Haze blinked, attempting to figure out what that meant. A different question occurred to her.

“Is there a doctor here?” She raised her leg slightly, but stopped due to the pain.

“I’m sure we can heal it with a potion,” Chance said.

Haze frowned. “No! I’m pretty sure I have a bullet in my leg! I need a doctor!”

“There’s a clinic not far from the inn. An attendant there can direct you to it,” the sentry informed them.

“Great!” Chance remarked. “In the meantime, I’m gonna sell what I brought.”

Haze’s group got situated in a room at the Grand View Inn. The building was quite nice compared to the rest of the city, but the staff seemed peeved that they had to give away a room for free. Chance had left the girls for the market. At last Haze had a moment alone with OrchidRays. She gave the younger mare a hard stare.

“You know what you did was absolutely stupid? You’re lucky it didn’ end up any worse.”

Ray shrank back, hurt by her words. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I saw they weren’t shooting and thought maybe we could talk things out.”

Haze groaned. She would have rubbed her forehead, but at the moment only had one foreleg to balance. “You’re going to have to learn that things aren’t that easy out here. I know it’s hypocritical for me to say, but you’ve got to think before you act. We need to follow Chance and Flash’s lead; they know what to do out here.”

Ray was gazing at the floor, ashamed. Haze felt bad. She placed a wing around Ray’s back.

“Thank the goddesses it didn’t turn out worse. We’ll have to buy you some armor, then you’ll be able to help out in battle. Okay?”

Ray nodded. “Okay.”

“Awesome.” Haze stepped back. “Now, I’m going to find a doctor to get this fucking lead out of my leg.”

Haze was directed by a very snobby desk clerk to a doctor, a little over a block away. Haze realized she only had nine caps to her name, not nearly enough to pay for treatment. Instead, she returned to the hotel and waited for Chance to return as well.

Sure enough, he had caps to spare for Haze to use. She thanked him and retraced her steps back to the clinic. It was nearly completely dark by the time she left.

A few foals were eyeing her down the street, surely bewildered by the sight of a Pegasus. Haze decided to play along. She outstretched her wings and heard the children “ooh” in harmony. An older pony, perhaps a parent, began ushering them away, one eye glaring at Haze. I’m not part of the Enclave!

The doctor was a cute, young Unicorn named QuickFix. Haze doubted that was the purple mare’s real name. At least she seemed more friendly than most of the rest of the residents of South Gait she had met so far. QuickFix was able to use a spell on Haze’s leg to remove the bullet, which unfortunately hurt like hell. Haze assured her that she didn’t need a potion, but the doctor insisted she took one anyway.

Haze felt much better after her visit to the clinic, but continued to not put weight on her leg, as instructed by the doctor. It was late, and she was quite hungry, so she decided to stop by the bar inside the Grand View Inn. There were some stallions inside, chatting and drinking. A radio played softly in the background. Haze recognized the voice of Sapphire Shores.

“I haven’t seen ya ‘round here before,” an older, beige stallion was saying to Haze as she was waiting for her order. “Whatsa pretty mare like ya doing here?”

“Well, I did just save your town from some raider gang,” Haze quipped. She was getting an uncomfortable vibe from the stallion. He must have been drunk.

“So you’re a fighter, huh?” the stallion smirked. “I appreciate a mare who could stand for herself.”

“Could you kindly fuck off?” Haze snapped.

A second later, Haze received a plate of preserved corn and tomatoes. They didn’t taste as bad as she was expecting.

“Sounds like ya could use a drink. Why don’t I buy ya one?” The stallion offered.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll buy my own drink,” Haze muttered and continued to eat.

A different voice came from behind her. “Be careful wi’ that one. She mi’ be an Enclave spy,” said a different stallion sitting at a table in the corner of the bar.

Haze whipped her head around. “I just came from Stable 47! See?” She pointed to the “47” written on the collar of her Stable suit.

“Hmm, I didn’t think there were any ponies left in that Stable,” the drunk stallion commented. “Are the rest of them as fine as ya?”

“Listen here, mister,” Haze growled. “I’m not interested in you. I’m not getting together with a pony I don’t even know the name of. And you’re probably ten years older than me! Now get the fuck out of my face!”

She smacked his cheek with a yellow hoof. He blinked, as if it didn’t even phase him.

“I’ll take a whisky to go,” Haze told the bartender and passed over some caps.

Chapter 7: Hollow and Alone

Exhaustion of the past two days came crashing down on SwiftHaze that night. When she woke up, she thought she had never slept so deeply before. She had already fallen asleep before SilverFlash met up with them again. Apparently he didn’t sleep, and stayed on watch outside the inn.

Now, Haze still wanted to browse the market for supplies. GleamingChance showed her and Ray the way. Flash was following close by. Some ponies stopped to greet him. Haze wondered how he’d earned such a positive reputation in this town. Maybe it was a product of many decades of speaking with ponies here.

“I’ll show you the best place to get armor,” Chance was saying while leading the front.

“Do you think there’s anything I could reinforce my current armor?” Haze wondered. “Like something I could put underneath?”

“Hmm, that might be a good idea,” Chance thought aloud. “Your current armor is good at absorbing blunt force, but reinforced metal would protect you from bullets.

They walked up to a shop with an open front and no windows. It looked as if the wall had shutters which would close at night. In the back of the shop were workstations and stacks of metal. A light grey stallion greeted them inside.

“Ah, Chance, it’s great to see you again.”

“Hey, Cobalt. We’re looking for some armor for my friends.” Chance tilted his head in their direction.

“I need some metal reinforcements,” Haze said.

“Hmm, security armor. Sure, I think I may have something for that. But… it looks like I’ll have to compensate for some wings.” As Cobalt trotted around a counter, he asked, “Have you ever thought of adding padding to your wings?”

“That sounds uncomfortable,” Haze replied.

“Armor isn’t meant to be comfortable- it’s meant to protect,” Cobalt pointed out.

“I’ll consider it.” Haze shrugged.

“What about me?” Ray spoke up.

Cobalt took a single glance at her and said, “Oh, you should be easy.” His head dipped below the counter for a moment. He reappeared with a padded vest held in his teeth. He laid it on the counter in front of Ray. “Here you are my dear.”

The grey Earth Pony returned to the back and searched around the workstations. He brought up some pieces of thin metal form into the shape of a chest piece and shoulder pads.

“Now, I’m going to have to fit you, and I could apply the metal to your armor, but the labor will cost extra.”

“Oh,come on, Cobalt,” Chance bargained. “Can’t you give them a first time discount? They’re new to the wasteland and could use all the help they can get.” Cobalt seemed to consider that, and Chance continued. “I’ll even give you the wonderglue needed to make Haze’s armor - erm, that’s the Pegasus.”

Cobalt sighed. “Alright, Chance. But only because they’re your friends. I’ll do the assembly labor for free.”

“You’re awesome,” Chance replied. He exchanged a smirk with Haze.

Once they had all of their armor equipped, they exited and found Flash conversing with a sentry.

“I’m not sure. All I’m saying is that we may need to investigate the bodies,” Flash was saying as they approached.

“That’s for mayor Vista to decide.” The sentry shook his head.

“What?” Haze butted in.

“Politics you shouldn’t get involved in,” Flash warned.

“What bodies?” Haze urged.

“The raiders. They had some suspicious weapons,” Flash informed. “Looks like they came from a specific group that’s not in the greatest relation with South Gait.”

“Sounds pretty vague,” Haze replied. “Can’t you tell us more?”

“No,” Flash refused. “This isn’t for you to get into.”

“Now, did you find everything you need?” He changed the subject.

“We still need to find a weapon cuff for Ray,” Chance said. “I think I know where we can get one.”

“Fine. Let’s do that and get out of here,” Flash muttered.

“Why?” Haze wondered. “It’s nice here. I wanna look around.” She was intrigued by how things worked around this town. Ponies acted differently, but they were interesting.

“Well, first of all, I doubt they’ll let you stay another night for free. And there’s no use wasting caps. I can take you back to my place; I’ve got enough room for all of you,” Flash explained.

“Ookaay,” Haze whined.

The four of them continued into the market. Sure enough, they were able to find a cuff that could hold a switchblade for Ray. Haze was feeling much more comfortable with Ray entering a battle. Chance had even got them another discount. Haze was glad they knew somebody who knew how to haggle because she certainly didn’t know what words to say to get a good deal. Maybe she could learn.

As they were leaving South Gait, Haze asked Chance, “So, where did you learn how to barter like that?”

“Oh, it was my mom who always did what she could to save a few caps. Even if some of her methods were unethical. You gotta make sure you’re not being ripped off, y'know?” He sounded nostalgic speaking about his mother.

“Do you miss her?” Haze questioned.

Chance looked away and sighed. “I just wish I knew why she left. Did she not want to be with her family anymore? Did she think I was old enough to live on my own? Or maybe she didn’t want to deal with Clay…”

“What about your dad? Is he still with you?”

“Um, actually, I never met my dad. You see, my mom actually came from the Stable. I think my dad’s still in there, and she left him for reasons I don’t know,” Chance clarified, at least as much as he could.

Haze paused in her tracks. “Hold on. You’re from the Stable?”

“Stable 47?” Ray mused.

“Well, my parents were, but I was born out here.”

“Huh.” Haze started walking again. An idea hit her. “Wait, what if there’s something in the Stable that says where your mom went!”

“What? Why would there be something in the Stable? She left so long ago,” Chance countered.

“Yeah, but they keep records there. Maybe you could find some about your mom,” Haze suggested. “You never know what you might find.”

“And even if you don’t find anything, we’d still be willing to help you find her,” Ray offered.

“C’mon!” Haze poked the Unicorn with the tip of a feather.

“I’ve never been in the Stable… do you think they’d let me in?” Chance wondered.

“I’m sure we could convince them!” Haze assured.

“But we promised we’d bring back supplies if we went back to the Stable,” Ray pointed out.

“Shit. You’re right. Well, we still have that shotgun, back and Echo’s house.” Haze then asked Chance, “Do you think they have spark batteries for sale in South Gait?”

Chance scoffed. “Yeah, good luck finding one that won’t cost you all the caps you have plus some. It’d be better to find one on your own.”

“Hmm,” Haze huffed. “Well, if we find one, we’ll check the Stable records for anything on your mom.”

They walked for nearly another hour. They zigzagged through the streets to dodge the raiders and radscorpions that inhabited the hills. A new marker popped up on Haze’s map: “Hooverly Hills.” All of the houses here appeared to be pristine mansions. Those with broken gates had rubbage and graffiti defiling their yards.

“I bet it would be fun exploring these houses!” Ray remarked.

“No,” Flash denied. “We aren’t entering any of these mansions. You never know what might be in there. Keep to the path.”

“Aw,” Ray said, disappointed.

A few houses later, they stopped in front of a gate. The scraggly remains of palm trees rose above the fence.

“Hey, I thought we weren’t stopping at any of these!” Haze chided.

“This is his place,” Chance whispered in her ear.

Flash didn’t respond. He only proceeded to unlock the gate.

“How the fuck do you live in one of these mansions? Did you claim it after the war? You stole someone’s house?” Haze pressed for answers.

“I didn’t fucking steal a house,” Flash snapped. He flicked his nearly hairless tail and continued forward. The rest of them followed.

This house didn’t have any graffiti like the rest of the mansions. Flash must have been protecting it in the past decades. The roof was missing many shingles and the walls had cracks running along them. There were three large doors to the right, which must have been for carriages or sky wagons. Haze wondered who needed three of them, no matter how rich they were. Above the doors were two balconies, and another above the main entrance.

The main entrance was in a small rotunda, with a winding stone staircase inside. There were rounded doorways that entered into other rooms. In those rooms were pristine furniture and paintings on the wall. Haze was bewildered by Flash’s connection to this. Was this really his home before the war? She would have asked, but knew Flash would probably give her another sharp objection.

“Wow, this place is amazing!” Ray squeed.

“Would you like to look around?” Chance offered.

“Oooh, could I?”

“Can I show Ray around?” Chance asked for Flash’s approval.

The ghoul shrugged. “Fine.”

“I’m gonna stay here,” Haze said. She had questions for Flash.

Chance nodded. “Sure. C’mon Ray.”

Ray happily followed after Chance. She gaped at all the paintings on the wall. They passed through the kitchen, which had a large wooden countertop island. The living room had high ceilings and a marble fireplace. While the furniture had seen better days, it was in considerably better condition than Hyper’s home had been. Many of the tall windows had broken glass. Once golden wallpaper was fading and peeling.

Chance led Ray into a studio, which had less open space than most of the rest of the house. The green walls were nearly completely covered by wall decorations. A couch sat on a risen platform, and on the other side of the room was a large, encircling wooden desk. Many guitars stood in their stands, dusty from lack of use. On the desk was a large, blank computer screen.

“Wow! Guitars!” Ray eyed. “Oh, and drums!” There was a small kit in the corner of the room. “Wait, was Flash a musician?”

Chance shook his head. “Nah. This wasn’t his house. He just lives here now. You like Linkin Pony, right?”

“Oh! Yes!” Ray cheered and hopped over to him.

Chance clicked on a keyboard and the large screen flickered to life. The screen displayed a large range of colors, more sophisticated compared to the black and green terminals found in most of the wasteland. After searching through a few files, Chance brought up a video. There was no sound, but the video played an image of an older, blue Unicorn. His black and blue mane was streaked with grey, and he appeared tired. He was sitting in the same room; the recording source must have been from the computer itself.

“Wait…” Ray gaped. “I’ve seen him before!”

“Have you heard of CharmingRhythm?” Chance asked.

At that, Ray gasped. “Yeah! He lived in Stable 47! Is… is that him?! I saw him in the photo I found at Hyper’s house!”

“Yeah, that’s Rhythm.” Chance looked to the screen. He seemed intrigued by the older stallion from the past. “This was his house.”

“What? No way!!!” Ray’s volume was above conversation level. “Wait, did he make music here?” She spun around, taking in the site again.

“Yep. This was his studio.”

“This is amazing! How did Flash end up living here?” Ray wondered with bewilderment.

“Actually, Flash was CharmingRhythm’s brother,” Chance revealed.

“No. Way!” Ray beamed. “Oh my goddesses! Why didn’t he ever tell us? I need to go ask him-” Ray nearly bolted out the door.

Chance stopped her by pulling her tail with his magic. “He never said anything because… he gets upset when his family is brought up.”

“But… his brother was one of the greatest musicians in Equestria ever! That’s so cool! He should be proud!”

“And I’m sure he is,” Chance said. “But he also misses his family a lot. He lost everything when the war ended.”

“But- but,” Ray protested. “Can’t he tell us anything?”

“It’s hard getting anything out of him, honestly,” Chance replied. “I’ve had to learn about CharmingRhythm and Linkin Pony on my own. I find it fun learning about the past.”

“Could you show me more?” Ray begged.

“Sure.”

Meanwhile, in the living room, SwiftHaze was interviewing Flash as he sorted through supplies. Flash was mostly dodging all of her questions with short, blunt quips. She tried to ask what the deal was with the raiders at South Gait, but he wouldn’t disclose. She tried something else.

“How did you become a ghoul?”

“The bombs went off,” was all Flash said. “Radiation changed me.”

“Then what’s the difference between you and feral ghouls?”

Flash sighed. “Something about genetics. Some ghouls’ brains deteriorate over time. Some become feral right after ghoulification, some after many decades, and some never at all. Hard to explain how magical radiation effects different ponies.”

Haze thought about that. She hated the idea of ghouls just turning feral out of nowhere. Was there no cure?

“How many ghouls are here? I haven’t seen any others beside you and EchoBeat,” Haze asked

“Most ghouls are hidden,” Flash told her. “We get some discrimination.”

“Is that why you’re kinda fully covered? And why Echo stays in his house?”

Flash nodded and continued to sort medical supplies. There was the sound of hoofsteps coming up the hall.

“Haze! Flash!” Ray called.

Haze’s ears perked up as the ruby Earth Pony entered the room with a smile.

“Haze, you won’t believe it!”

“Ray, I swear, don’t-” Chance cautioned as he followed after her.

“What?” Haze cocked her head.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Ray directed at Flash, almost pleading. He didn’t even turn his head.

“Say what?” Haze was still confused. Her eyes darted back and forth between the others.

“About who you are and where we are!” Ray stated, still looking at Flash.

Finally he stood up and faced the young mare. “So, Chance showed you?”

“C’mon, Flash. I had to,” Chance said.

Flash sighed. “Yes, this CharmingRhythm’s home.”

“Wait, CharmingRhythm?” Haze had seen that name before. Her mind conjured the image of the plaque on the atrium wall in Stable 47. “Another member of Linkin Pony? How did you end up living in his house?”

Flash turned his head to Haze. She couldn’t read his expression, for his face was mostly covered, and his eyes were in shadows. “He was my brother.”

Haze blinked. “Really?” She stood up. “So you’re staying at your brother’s home because…?”

“My house was badly destroyed from the balefire, so I moved here,” Flash explained.

“Ah, I see,” Haze let out. “So you’re related to one of the original members of Stable 47, and a pony we, or Ray, looks up to- and you never told us?”

“What use would that have been?” Flash spat. “He’s dead. It’s just useless trivia now.”

“Ray, I told you not to bring it up!” Chance rounded on the mare. “Now look what you’ve done; he’s upset.”

“But... you’re the one who showed me.”

“Chance, it doesn’t matter,” Flash muttered. “And Ray didn’t know any better. I’m fine.”

There was an awkward pause. Ray broke the silence. “So, you don’t mind if I look around?”

“No, I don’t mind,” Flash said. “Just don’t break anything.”

“Like there wasn’t already shit broken,” Haze mumbled. Flash glared at her.

“So, did your brother make music here?” Ray asked curiously.

“Ray,” Chance hissed.

“Yes, he did. In his studio,” Flash replied.

“Oh! We were just there!” Ray looked to Chance. “What was that video playing on the computer?”

“Video journals,” Chance told her. “Rhythm recorded them during the war. Flash has allowed me to watch them.”

“Could I watch some?” Ray requested.

“I guess,” Chance shrugged. “They give pretty good insight into what it was like to live during the war. So, they aren’t all happy.” Chance grimaced, and glanced in the direction of Flash, but he was facing away.

“Does he say anything about Linkin Pony in them?” asked Ray.

“Um, sometimes. But I think there’s more about Linkin Pony in the videos they recorded during their tours, or in memory orbs.” Chance explained.

“Oh! I wanna watch some!” Ray grinned excitedly.

“I think I could find some on the computer.”

Chance was leading Ray back into the hallway they had entered out of. Haze was alone with Flash again. The old ghoul was silent.

“Memory orbs, huh? Got any here?” Haze inquired.

“You’d need a recollector to watch them,” Flash said bluntly.

“I brought one with me,” Haze boasted wittily.

“There should be some in the bedrooms upstairs,” Flash allowed. “I’m sure you’re capable of finding them on your own.”

“You’ll be fine on your own down here?”

“I’ve been alone for 170 years, Haze,” Flash replied grimly. “I’ll manage just fine, thank you.”

Haze left him and explored the pristine home herself. She considered going upstairs first, but was interested in what the first floor had to offer. She found the door to the back. Outside was a large yard, with a rectangular pool which now held green, sludgy water. There were blown over lounge chairs further into the yard. She went back inside.

She climbed the stairs to the second floor. At least these stairs would never collapse beneath her. Haze found two bedrooms which appeared to be guest rooms. And then a third... just how many bedrooms were in this mansion?! She doubted memory orbs would be in guest rooms, so she sought a master bedroom. She was sure she just found it. It was considerably larger than the rest of the bedrooms, and even had a couch in it. The walls were lined with many bookshelves and paintings.

At last Haze found a wooden box filled with three memory orbs. She wondered where the fourth one was. The box was labeled “CharmingRhythm.” These must have been his memories. She picked one and set it on the bed. Next she removed the recollector from her side bag. She wasn’t quite sure how to use it, but was determined to figure it out.

She pushed herself up onto the bed, which creaked when she did. She lifted the recollector and placed it on her head. Its metal parts were uncomfortable. She rested her legs underneath her, and stared at the dark orb in front of her. Chance had his horn on the memory orb he found in Hyper’s home. Maybe the crystal on the front of the recollector acted like a Unicorn’s horn.

Haze dipped her head down and contacted the orb with the crown’s front crystal. The world around her faded from existence. Feeling in her legs disappeared, and she was sure she would have panicked if she was awake, but now she was unconscious. Well, not quite

A new reality was replacing what she knew. Feeling came back, but it was in a foreign body. She, or the pony she was in the perspective of, was looking out into a vast wilderness of pine trees. Directly in front of them was a wooden barrier, a blue hoof resting on it. There was a slight chill in the air.

“Rhythm,” a mare’s voice said from behind them. Their vision pivoted around to see a mint green Unicorn standing in a lit doorway. “You’ve been standing out here for a while. Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m fine,” Haze’s host assured. CharmingRhythm.

“Well, why don’t you come in? You don’t want to miss dinner, do you?”

“I’ll be just a moment,” Rhythm replied.

The brown haired mare closed the door. Rhythm looked out into the woods again before entering the cabin himself.

Inside was much warmer, and Haze, or Rhythm, saw the last of the mare’s tail vanish into a hallway. He followed after. In the next room there were two younger Unicorns sitting on a couch, playing a board game. They were both a deep, aqua green color, perhaps twins.

“Gotcha!” The one on the right said.

“Oh come on!” The other replied in defeat.

Haze felt a slight smile form on Rhythm’s face. He then continued into a different room.

Now they stood in a kitchen, which was filled with the smell of something Haze couldn’t describe. Seemed salty, but savory. One more Unicorn was overlooking the pots boiling on the stove. The grey stallion turned around to look at Rhythm. He had black and violet hair, with dark brown eyes that shimmered in the light. He appeared to be about the same age as the mint green mare, but was quite dashing. Haze thought he would have been very handsome when he was her age.

“Hey, Rhyth, where have you been?” He asked.

“Just enjoying the view,” Rhythm responded in a flat tone.

The grey stallion gave them a concerned look. “You’ve been acting off the whole trip. You okay?”

Rhythm sighed. “I’m just disappointed GentleSketch couldn’t come.”

“Well, you know he’s a busy stallion these days,” the other Unicorn reminded. “He’s doing big work with the Ministry of Image.”

Another Ministry? Haze wondered as she observed.

“Yeah, but this is our yearly family trip. He couldn’t take time off for his family?” Rhythm shook his head. “It feels empty here.”

“I know,” the grey Unicorn said, sympathy in his eyes. There was something behind them that Haze couldn’t quite place. Maybe grief. “But you’ve gotta be proud of your son. You know he’s doing great work, and is working with some of the highest ranking ponies in Equestria!”

“I know, I just... we’ve been coming here since we were kids! This is a tradition!” Rhythm stomped his hoof on the wood floor.

The other stallion stepped closer to him. He placed a hoof on Rhythm’s back. “It’s more than just Sketch, isn’t it? I know the war is dragging all of this down... but enjoy the vacation while you can, okay? I’m sure Sketch did everything he could to get off, and is missing us too. He’s an important pony... just like his dad!”

Rhythm smiled a bit at that. “Thanks, Flash.” He hugged the other stallion.

Flash? This was SilverFlash? Haze watched, bewildered. But he looks, sounds and is acting so much different! She couldn’t recall ever actually seeing Flash’s current face, only his dark eyes. And she never really paid attention to the color of his thin tail hair.

“You know I’m here for you,” Flash smiled back as he pulled away from the hug.

At that, the cabin kitchen began to fade. SwiftHaze could feel her own legs coming back. She blinked a few times, staring at the dark orb on the bed sheets. She raised her head, her neck feeling stiff from the weight of the recollector. She took it off.

It took a few seconds for her to regain her composure. She was still slightly dizzy from the odd experience. She had been in a different pony’s body, and had experienced their memory! Yet, she still had her consciousness to observe. She was in awe of the phenomenon.

Haze pondered for many moments. That was a different Flash she saw. He had been alone for so long that he had changed as a pony. He was cold, and harsh now. But Haze was sure he still had a heart deep down. Afterall, he had been protecting the inhabitants of Stable 47 for many decades. She finally understood why. That’s where his family had lived the rest of their lives. Stable 47 was special to him.

Haze understood what family could mean. Maybe not with her experience with her mother, but surely with her father. Flash had no family left... that didn’t mean he couldn’t find a new one, even if they weren’t related.

At last, SwiftHaze decided what she was going to do next. She was certain to help GleamingChance find his mother. Someone deserved to be with their family. Haze placed the memory orb back and sought out her friends.

Chapter 8: Preperations and Dedications

With the clip clops of hooves, SwiftHaze cantered down the stone staircase. She peeked her head into the living room, but nobody was there. She entered the kitchen and saw SilverFlash searching through the cabinets. His head rose when he heard Haze come near him.

“Which one did you watch?” He questioned.

Haze was taken aback. “Um, it was one of CharmingRhythm’s memories. He was in a cabin, you were there.”

Flash nodded. “Annual family trip.”

“You... seemed so much different,” Haze admitted. “I didn’t even recognize you at first.”

“Well, it’s not like you’ve actually seen my face,” Flash said. Before she could reply, he added, “You don’t want to. I’m as ugly as any other ghoul.”

There was a pause. Flash turned back to the counter. Haze saw some pots sitting out on the stove. She remembered he was cooking in the memory.

“Do you like to cook?” She wondered.

Flash nodded. “Always have. Although I don’t really need to eat as much as I used to. But I like to cook for others, and I so happen to have company over.” He turned to face her for once. “Oh, and you’re welcome to stay a night. There’s enough beds for all of you.”

He does have a heart, Haze confirmed for herself. “I mean, yeah, I saw all the bedrooms. Why the fuck are there so many?”

“Rhythm and Heartfelt had three kids, and they often had company over... also Rhythm was one of the most successful musicians of his time, so of course he’d be living well,” Flash explained.

“Hey, Haze!” Ray’s voice called from behind. “Wanna look at Rhythm’s studio?”

“I guess?” Haze peered around. “Is Chance with you?”

“He’s in the studio.”

“Show me the way,” Haze told her.

On the way, they passed by framed photos on shelves. Haze looked at a photo of the mint green mare she had seen in Rhythm’s memory, standing next to a blue stallion. She recognized the stallion from Ray’s photo of Linkin Pony. He was older here, with grey starting to form in his blue and black mane. This must have been CharmingRhythm. He had a warm smile encircled by black and grey facial hair, and deep brown eyes. The mare next to him was shorter, and had a cute, crooked smile. His wife? What was the name Flash had mentioned?

In another photo was a young, sky blue stallion in a grey suit. He was standing next to an older, gorgeous white Unicorn with a swirling purple mane. Something about the photo told Haze that this wasn’t a couple, but perhaps business partners. The younger Unicorn had the same dark brown eyes as CharmingRhythm, as well as black and brown hair, perhaps inherited from both Rhythm and his wife.

“You coming?” Ray said from somewhere further in the mansion.

“Yeah.” Haze picked up her speed again.

She entered into what she assumed to be CharmingRhythm’s studio. There were dusty instruments around the room, and paintings on the wall. Tattered blinds hung over the windows. GleamingChance was sitting in a chair behind a desk. In front of him was a lit computer screen, and below it were two different keyboards; one for music and one for typing. The white ceiling had large foam panels on it for soundproofing.

“Hey! Guess what! CharmingRhythm and HyperBlitz recorded singing here!” Ray claimed happily. Her metal hoof was pointing to a door which was just slightly open. It only looked like a dark closet.

Haze didn’t respond, and instead stepped in front of a sofa. There were picture frames sitting on the large desk in front of her. She was standing behind Chance, who was scrolling through the computer files.

“What are you looking at?” Haze asked.

“Oh, I just like browsing,” Chance replied. “It seems like I find something new every time I look at this.”

“There’s even videos of CharmingRhythm!” Ray beamed. “It’s so cool!”

“Hey, Chance, you got a second?” Haze said.

The blue haired Unicorn spun around in the office chair. “Sure.”

“So…” Haze scuffed her hoof on the carpet floor. “I’ve decided. We’re going to help you find your mom!” She grinned.

“And how exactly are you going to do that?” Chance’s eyes widened.

“Well, I guess first, we gotta get some supplies to get back into Stable 47!” Haze decided.

“Oh, treasure hunt!” Ray cheered.

“Where do you think we can get a spark battery?” Haze inquired from Chance.

Chance sighed. “Most places that would have them are probably already claimed by the Steel Rangers.” Haze slumped but Chance continued, “But... I do know somebody who has some. But he won’t be happy if we borrow one.”

“Well, we could tell him that we’ll return one if we find another! I mean, we’ve gotta be able to find one when we’re looking for your mom, right?” Haze suggested.

“I guess,” Chance considered, although sounded unconvinced.

“What about more weapons, or ammo?” Ray reminded Haze.

“Hmm, we got that shotgun.”

“Flash has a stockpile of supplies, if you’d like to look through them,” Chance said.

“Oh, really? Sure! Anyone can look through them?” Haze asked.

“Yeah, he said they’re for anybody to use.”

The trio peeked into the kitchen for a moment. Haze smelled what Flash was cooking, but didn’t think it was the same smell from Rhythm’s memory.

“Hey, Flash, can we look at your supply stash?” Chance requested.

“Yeah, go ahead,” Flash replied, his eyes on a pot in front of him.

Chance led them to the stockroom. One of the walls was curved, with mirrored doors covering it. On the other side were shelves behind glass doors. Some doors held supplies, some had… old shoes and clothes.

“Is this a fucking shoe closet?” Haze blurted out. “Like this whole fucking room?”

“Erm, I think?” Chance said. “Flash has repurposed it.”

“Who in Celestia’s name needs an entire room for shoes?!” Haze flipped her muzzle up and shouted.

Chance opened one of the glass doors. On the shelves were ammo containers. He picked one in his magic.

“This will work for that sniper rifle you found,” he announced.

“I left it at Echo’s…” Haze peeked over his shoulder at the shelves. “Is there any that would fit my assault rifle?”

“I’m sure there is,” Chance replied.

“Oh, what are these?” Ray asked from the corner of the room. She had something in her hoof that looked like a metal apple.

Just as Chance glanced over in her direction, he quickly snatched the object in his magic. “These are grenades! Don’t mess with them!”

“Why?” Ray cocked her head.

“They explode!” Chance snapped.

“Then why are they in here?” Haze questioned sternly.

“Because… they just are, okay?” Chance retorted.

“Doesn’t seem okay to have something so dangerous laying around,” Haze shot back.

“They’re meant to be thrown at enemies! And they only explode if you pull the pin,” Chance explained.

“Do you think I could use them?” Ray asked, intrigued.

Chance just stared for a moment. “I mean, I suppose they aren’t a bad weapon for an Earth Pony to use. You don’t really have to aim with them like a gun.”

“Sounds great!” Ray beamed.

“Ray, I told you, just use S.A.T.S. when you aim,” Haze countered.

Ray shook her head. “I don’t like guns. They’re just too hard to use.”

Haze just huffed. She took a gaze around the room. “So what do you think we could offer to Stable 47?”

“Why not ammo?” Chance shrugged.

“I was thinking more like weapons.”

Haze opened a mirror door. Inside the shelves were shoe boxes. Were the shoes still in them? Sure enough, the boxes on a middle shelf still had quite stylish shoes. Could I give these to them? She reached for a box on the bottom shelf, her ears perking when she heard jangling in it. That wasn’t a pair of shoes. Inside was a stash of Sparkle-Cola caps.

Just then, Haze felt a tug at her wing and was pulled away from the door. Orange magic placed the lid back on the box. Chance was glaring at Haze.

“Those are mine!” He hissed.

“Why do you have a cap stash here?” Haze wondered.

“Because… I can’t let my gang find them! They already know how I barter… and have already taken caps from me. Better to have them where they won’t know.”

“Speaking of your gang; aren’t they gonna be suspicious you’ve been away for awhile?” Haze questioned.

“They’re used to me being away for days at a time,” Chance said with what sounded like disappointment. “I just say I was out looking for my mom.”

“Well, this time, it’s going to be true! You’re going to tell them, right?”

“I don’t know.” Chance stared at the floor.

“Isn’t it better to tell them the truth?” Ray spoke up. “I mean, they can’t really stop you, can they?”

“I guess not. I just… I’m considering leaving them altogether, but at the same time, I’m scared to,” Chance admitted.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be alone,” Ray told him. “We’re with you!”

Haze nodded in agreement.

After they chose what to take from the supply stach, they gathered around the long dining room table. SilverFlash had prepared a late lunch for them. Chance and Ray were already eating, but SwiftHaze just stared at her plate of pasta.

“Are you sure it’s okay to eat? I mean where did you get this stuff from?” Haze questioned cautiously.

“The pasta was stored dry,” Flash explained. “Dry stuff doesn’t go bad.”

“And the green thingies?”

“Broccoli. Frozen.”

“And the sauce?” Haze lifted a brow.

“Jarred and preserved.”

“It’s really good!” Ray remarked.

“It won’t make you sick, I promise.” Flash said.

Haze was hungry enough to take the risk. She slowly dipped her muzzle and took a bite. It was good, salty, but still good. “It tastes great!”

“I’m glad, because, well, I can’t taste it myself. I just go off memory when making food,” Flash stated.

“You can’t taste anything?” Haze asked.

Flash shook his head. “Side effect of ghoulification.” He sighed.

“Do you ever eat?” Ray said, looking up from her plate.

“Sometimes. Don’t need to eat as much as I used to.”

“Echo told me some ghouls survive on radiation alone,” Haze recalled.

“That is true.”

Haze felt bad for ghouls. They didn’t really need to eat, nor could find any pleasure in it without taste. She continued to eat for herself, glad that she wasn’t a ghoul.

“Oh! Can I play some music?” Ray asked.

But she didn’t even wait for permission. She kept skipping through songs on her PipBuck, playing without earbuds. Haze recognized most of them. They were all the beginnings of Linkin Pony songs. How appropriate, Haze thought. Ray finally stopped on one. The keyboard and string intro was familiar to Haze. Before the song could open into the verse, Flash’s magic shut off her PipBuck’s volume.

“No.”

“What? Why?” Ray whined.

“Because it makes him upset,” Chance answered for the ghoul.

“Huh? How do you know that?” Haze challenged. “I’m pretty sure you’re not Flash.”

“Because I know some songs make him upset, okay?” Chance defended.

“Some lyrics can be quite difficult to listen to,” Flash clarified. He sounded apologetic.

Haze pondered that for a moment. She didn’t always pay too much attention to lyrics, except for those she related to. She thought of the song Ray had started playing, “Leave Out All The Rest.” What in it would upset Flash? When you're feeling empty, keep me in your memory. Was he thinking of the singer, HyperBlitz, or perhaps his brother?

“Oh,” Ray let out. “Is there any song I can play?”

“Probably best not to play any Linkin Pony with Flash around,” Chance told her. “Just to be safe.”

“Do you know any of their songs?” Ray wondered, now smiling.

“I’ve heard a few.” Chance shrugged, then continued eating.

Haze didn’t like the awkward tension in the room. “Um, we could change the subject.”

“To what?” Flash questioned.

“I know. Can you tell me what the Ministries are? I keep seeing and hearing about them,” Haze requested.

“The Ministries were government offices that aided in the war effort,” Chance said eagerly.

Flash glared at him before he could go any further. “Chance, I know you know all about Equestrian history, but don’t you think they should hear from someone who was actually there?”

“Okay,” Chance murmured meekly.

Flash continued, “As Chance said, they were offices, or organizations, commissioned under Princess Luna’s government during the war. They all had their own purposes in aiding and ending the war. Well, except for the Ministry of Awesome, I suppose.”

Haze let out a snort. “Ministry of Awesome?”

“Yeah, that was a thing. As far as I know, they didn’t contribute much,” Flash said.

“Okay, okay,” Haze composed herself. “I’ve heard of the Ministry of Morale, Peace, and Image. Were there any others? Besides Awesome.”

“Yes. There was the Ministry of Arcane Sciences and the Ministry of Wartime Technology.”

“Did you know anyone who worked for the Ministries?” Haze questioned.

“Did any of the Linkin Ponies work for them?” Ray added.

“Yes,” Flash replied. “A fair portion of them worked with the Ministry of Peace. SpinningNote worked for the Ministry of Science. My nephew worked for the Ministry of Image.”

“Um, speaking of Spinning,” Chance brought up, sounding guilty. “The girls need a spark battery, and I was going to see if Spinning would let us borrow one.”

Flash’s eyes widened. “Spinning? Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

“No, it’s alright. I think I can convince him to give me one. Besides, didn’t you want to check on Sierra?”

“Yeah…” Flash was still contemplating Chance’s move.

“We’re going to stop by Echo’s to get our stuff tomorrow. Why don’t we meet there after we get our spark battery?” Haze suggested.

“Well, if you're certain,” Flash said, still looking at Chance, uncertain.

“I got this,” Chance confirmed with as much confidence as he could manage. “We’ll leave early so we can get there with enough time to hopefully make it back to Stable 47 before dark.”

For the rest of the day SwiftHaze aimlessly wandered around the mansion. She had found another set of memory orbs, and decided she’d match some later.

When she peeked in the studio, OrchidRays was still in there. She was watching a video on the computer screen. It was of CharmingRhythm and HyperBlitz, who looked much younger than they did in the photo’s Haze had seen. They appeared to be in the process of writing music, but were having fun and laughing together. The video was shot more like a movie than a home recording, which was strange to Haze. Were these videos filmed as entertainment for fans?

In the living room. GleamingChance was reading something. Haze had noticed the home was cluttered with books on bookshelves. Someone who lived here really liked books. Flash had informed Haze that it was his sister-in-law, Heartfelt, who had a love of reading.

Passing through a hallway, Haze spotted more photos. One was a family photo of CharmingRhythm, the mint green mare, which Haze guessed was Heartfelt, and three younger Unicorns. They must have been their children. There were foal photos of their kids too, including the two teal colored twins.

Then Haze found more ponies in the photos she hadn’t seen before. One photo, which was a lower quality, perhaps older, displayed a grey Unicorn stallion and a blue Unicorn mare. Their coat colors reminded Haze of Rhythm and Flash. Were these their parents?

Suddenly, she realized there was no photo of Flash to be found. Did he take them down himself? Why would he take photos of himself down? There was even a photo of Rhythm standing with his bandmates, but none of his brother. Maybe there were some somewhere else in the house.

Now Haze stood on a balcony, overlooking the suburbs on the hillside below. Behind her was one of the guest rooms Flash had offered. Somewhere in the distance were gunshots. There never seemed to be an end to the shots that rang out. Haze wasn’t sure she’d be able to sleep with the noise. Should she be concerned about the shots? She wasn’t even sure how close they were.

She sought to distract herself from the outside, and stepped back in the room. She picked an orb from the memory orb box she had found. This one was labeled “Heartfelt.” With the recollector on her head, she sat on her bed and entered into the orb. The shots outside silenced, and the bed faded from her senses.

First, Haze felt sunlight on her fur. It was very bright, brighter than any day in Stable 47’s orchard. It was quite hot too, and not that stuffy, humid kind of hot. The air was dry, but luckily Haze’s host was wearing something light, perhaps a sundress.

Before Haze and her host was a tall building made mostly of glass windows, which reflected the sunlight. They peered up for a moment, and Haze was sure she’d have vertigo if she was in her own body. The buildings beside it were even larger. Their vision rested back at eye level as they walked. There was a small sign above the double doors that read “Ministry of Image, Los Pegasus Hub.” It wasn’t flashy, just large enough to inform the ponies passing through.

Just ahead of Haze’s host was a sky blue stallion. As he looked over his shoulder, Haze recognized him from the photo in Rhythm’s home. He was around the same age he was in that photo, too, maybe Haze’s age. His black and brown mane was neatly combed, and he wore a tan suit this time. He was looking at Haze and her host with big, brown eyes.

“You know you didn’t have to come with me,” he said to them.

“I know, but I wanted to support you,” Haze felt her host say. She was definitely a mare. “You’re being inducted into Los Pegasus’s Ministry of Image council! How could I not come?”

The blue Unicorn smiled, bringing out his cute cheeks. “I appreciate that. I know dad would have come too if he wasn’t touring.”

They kept walking forward. Haze’s host spoke again, “We’re very proud of you.”

“I know, Mom,” the stallion replied at a low volume.

Just before the door, the young stallion turned around again, a hoof against the glass. “I’m not sure if they’ll let you in or not.”

“I’m sure they would at least let me in the lobby,” his mother assured. Heartfelt?

The stallion didn’t reply. Instead his gaze drifted off to the right. Haze and her host turned her head around to follow his gaze. Between two buildings a vehicle was floating their way. A Pegasus was pulling it at the front. Was that a sky chariot? With hooves shuffling, Haze felt her body fully face the other direction. It was a few moments before the Pegasus touched down.

The door on the side opened downward, creating a ramp. A white Unicorn trotted out onto the sidewalk. She wore a frazzled expression along with her makeup. It was the pretty curly maned Unicorn which Haze had also seen in the photo. She was quite older than she remembered, and bore strands of grey in her mane.

“Oh dear, I’m fashionably late again, aren’t I?” she fussed.

“Rarity?” The sky blue stallion said from behind his mother. “I thought you were already here.” He was gaping. Heartfelt’s eyes were wide too, as if from astonishment. This was clearly an important pony in front of them.

Rarity stepped past Haze’s vision to face the young stallion. “I had some business to attend to, which ended up taking more time than I would have liked,” she explained. “But if you are just coming in, that means I’m not too late for the meeting I suppose.”

“Yeah, it doesn’t start for another fifteen minutes,” the younger Unicorn replied.

“What a relief,” Rarity exhaled. “Oh, and it is quite nice meeting you again, darling,” she told the blue Unicorn. Her blue eyes peered in Haze’s direction. “And you would be…?”

“This is my mom, Heartfelt,” said the stallion.

“Oh, well, it’s nice meeting you then. GentleSketch is quite talented. You must be so proud of him.” Rarity dipped her head politely.

“I am,” Heartfelt smiled.

“What caused you to come here in such a rush?” GentleSketch asked Rarity.

“Oh, some dilemma in Old Olneigh. I can’t really speak much of it now.” Rarity glanced at Heartfelt. “I will explain at the meeting.”

“Sounds like I should go,” Heartfelt said. “It’s great meeting you, Rarity. And… thank you for the opportunity you’ve given Sketch.”

“Well of course, darling,” Rarity gave a pleasant smile.

GentleSketch briskly hopped over to Heartfelt and hugged her with one foreleg. “See you later, Mom. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Heartfelt responded.

Heartfelt stood where she was and watched the two Unicorns trot into the glass double doors. The memory was beginning to fade.

Once she came back to her own body, Haze collected the information she was given. Who was Rarity? She was obviously important. Was she the head of the Ministry of Image? How did GentleSketch end up in such high ranks of a government office?

Haze picked up her head and realized she was feeling quite sleepy now. She took the recollector off and placed it on the nightstand. There were still gunshots in the distance, but she decided to try to drown them out with music. She put her earbuds in and scrolled through her PipBuck.

For some reason, she felt drawn to listening to “Leave Out All The Rest.” She wanted to closely listen to the lyrics this time. Perhaps that was something she should do for more songs. The lyrics filled her with sadness and grief of ponies she’d never even met, nor lived in her lifetime.

When SwiftHaze first left the Stable, she didn’t think much of her connection to HyperBlitz. Now, she realized, she was beginning to form a bond with her ancestor. It was a strange feeling, one she couldn’t describe in words. Maybe she was just paying her respects, and she did want to, after all. She wanted to learn more about HyperBlitz and his family. In the meantime, she listened to some more Linkin Pony while she drifted to sleep.

Chapter 9: Steel to Rust

The next morning, SwiftHaze woke so early that the sky outside was nearly fading to grey. GleamingChance had warned that it might be a long trek, and that it would be best to save as much daylight as possible.

“You girls set to go?” Chance asked Haze and OrchidRays once they had their bags packed.

“Yep. Lead the way,” Haze said.

They parted from SilverFlash as they left the mansion, taking a different path. Haze was excited to explore more of the city. As they scaled down the hills, Haze searched her PipBuck for something to listen to. Instead of music, she played some recordings she had downloaded from CharmingRhythm’s computer. The first one was labeled “From FeatherTune.” Haze popped one earbud in and played it.

“Hey Rhythm! I hope you’ve got time to talk. I know you’re busy working with MFR, but it feels weird since it’s been so long since we’ve seen each other. I’ve got some song ideas if you’re interested. We gotta hang out sometime for sure! Alright, hope you’re doing well. Talk to you later, bud.”

Song ideas? Was FeatherTune another member of Linkin Pony? Haze counted the names she knew; five. There was one she still didn’t know, unless it was one she had missed. And what was MFR? Haze didn’t recognize it as any abbreviation of the Ministries.

Haze was suddenly aware she was trailing behind so she quickly galloped forward to reach the others.

“Hey, Chance. What did the Ministry of Image do?” Haze mused.

“Oh?” Chance looked at her, surprised. “As far as I know, they made advertisements for the other Ministries. Why?”

“Just curious,” Haze replied with a shrug. “What about MFR?”

“MFR? Nope, have no idea.”

“Finally, something you don’t know!” Haze quipped and smirked.

Chance just glared at her.

They continued for several more blocks. Haze was amazed at just how many buildings there were. She had thought Stable 47’s population was large, but just how many ponies lived in this city before the war? Her thoughts seemed to reflect reality as they passed by skeletons in the streets. Haze wished they had the time to bury them.

Suddenly there was a sharp “Eep!” from Ray. She jumped back.

“What?” Haze glanced from right to left repeatedly.

“More of those fucking radscorpions,” Chance said grimly.

In front of them was a wide building, taking up its own block. To the left was the wreck of a large sky wagon. Haze imagined it took several Pegasi to hull the thing. Its metal body blocked the whole road. On the street to the right of the building were the scuttling shapes of radscorpions. There must have been a nest nearby.

“Well, shit,” Chance blurted out. “We need to go that way.”

“Why not shoot them?” Haze suggested and placed a hoof on her assault rifle.

Chance shook his head. “There’s too many of them and I don’t think we’ve got enough antivenom to deal with all those fuckers.”

“What about that way?” Ray pointed to the right, along the road they were standing on. There appeared to be makeshift structures in the road about two blocks down.

“Nope. Raider camp that way.”

“How the fuck do you know that?” Haze snapped. “Do you just know where every raider camp is?”

For a moment, there was hurt in Chance’s eyes, but he spoke in a level tone. “No! It’s because I’ve been here before and I’ve marked it on my map.” He waved the piece of paper.

“Sorry,” Haze said with her head drooping.

Chance turned around to face the wide building. “If I remember correctly, there should be another entrance to this building. We can go through it to bypass the scorpions.”

“As long as there’s no scorpions inside,” Haze grimaced.

“You could always just fly over,” Ray pointed out.

“No way! I’m not leaving my friends’ side,” Haze said and gave Ray a smile.

As they climbed the stairs in front of the building, a marker appeared on Haze’s map: “Los Pegasus Robotics Emporium.” Many of the windows were smashed, and crushed rubbish sat around the parameters. A chunk of the wall to the right collapsed from the sky wagon.

They entered through the double doors. In the large entrance room were knocked over chairs and scattered papers. There was a large round desk with a chandelier above it, hanging by a single wire. A few lights still flickered. In the far left corner were the remains of old mattresses. Some ponies had been camping here.

As they inched further, Haze could hear water running from deeper in the building, as if from a busted pipe. Haze circled around the desk to reach the terminal on it. She hoped there was information that explained what this building was, but unfortunately, the files were corrupted.

Ray was wandering towards the right side of the entrance hall and approached a doorway. “I wonder what’s in here.”

“Um, Ray, I’m pretty sure we need to go this way,” Chance announced and pointed to a door near the corner with the mattresses.

“Can’t we just look?”

Chance sighed and continued after her, Haze not far behind.

“She does know that’s the part of the building that collapsed, right?” Chance whispered to Haze.

“Nope. Probably not,” Haze smirked.

In the next room there was a hole in the floor. Water dripped from the cracked ceiling above. There must have been a washroom on the floor above and the water had damaged the structure below. In the undamaged section of the room were cubicles and desks. Haze searched around for anything interesting. Something shiny caught her eye. A memory orb beneath a desk!

“Nice!” Haze exclaimed to herself and slipped the orb into her bag.

“Wait, did you hear that?” Ray asked.

“What?” Haze said and they all froze.

A voice called out from the floor below them. “Hello? Are there ponies there? Please, someone help us!”

Ray peered into the collapsed floor. Haze galloped over and skidded to a halt before the dip, the slippery floor nearly causing her to fall in.

Below two ponies were fearfully staring up at them. They both stood on a desk with flooded water filling the room, nearly as deep as the desk.

“Oh, thank the goddesses! More ponies! Please help us. We’ve been trapped here for over a day,” a cream colored mare pleaded. Sitting next to her was a pale green stallion with a lethargic expression.

“Isn’t there some other way out down there?” Haze replied bluntly.

“This water is radioactive and we have no more Radaway. We can’t risk it,” the mare shot back.

“Sorry,” Haze said with ears pressed back. She realized she had sassed them unintentionally.

“Don’t worry, we’ll get you out!” She called. “Just gotta figure out how…”

“Why don’t you fly down there and lift them up?” Ray suggested.

Haze studied the hole in the floor. “I don’t think I can lift a pony.”

“But you’ve done it before,” Ray pointed out.

Yeah, but not with a pony my own size! Plus that was flying down, not up!” Haze snapped.

Ray shrank back.

“Sorry,” Haze mumbled. I’ve got to stop doing that!

Once again, SwiftHaze looked down and outstretched her wings. “Besides, I don’t think this hole is wide enough for my wingspan.”

“Hmm. What if we build something to get them out?” Ray proposed.

“Huh?”

Haze watched Ray wander around, looking left and right through the cubicles. What was she hoping to look for? Rope? In an office? This time, Haze bit back the witty comment.

“There has to be something here,” Ray thought aloud. “Maybe in a different room.”

She entered a new door and disappeared behind it. Haze dashed after her into a poorly lit hallway. Further down the hallway there were windows to other rooms. They appeared to be display rooms, but whatever was meant to be displayed was missing. There were a few pieces of scrap metal on the display platforms, which were encircled with rope barriers.

“Wait.” Haze’s ears perked up. Subtle noises came from the right. Haze checked her E.F.S. and saw a dot moving. She peeked around the corner and saw the source of the noise. It was a round, floating robot with multiple limbs, one including a saw. Haze was familiar with this robot. There were a few in Stable 47.

“Oh! A Mister Handy! I’m sure that could lift a pony!” Ray remarked. She stepped around the corner.

“Movement detected. Scanning for intruders,” the robot said. Its multiple eyes swiveled around to face the young mare.

She began to approach the robot. The dot on Haze’s compass turned red. The saw on the Mister Handy’s arm began to spin and it floated towards Ray.

“Fuck!” Haze quickly took aim in S.A.T.S. and brought down the floating robot in a few quick blows.

“Aw.” Ray peered down at the lifeless robot, saddened. But that sadness didn’t last as she ran her hoof over the metal body, searching for something. She lifted up the arm with a small claw on it.

“No, this won’t do. I need something bigger.”

“What are you looking for?” Haze cocked her head.

“Something round, with a hole,” Ray said.

“There’s some metal scraps in that room over there.” Haze pointed to the wall behind her with a wing.

“Oh!” Ray cantered past Haze and found a door into the other room.

Ray continued her search with her eyes on the floor. She trotted over a broken section of the rope barrier and climbed onto one of the display platforms.

“Oh! This will work!” She beamed. In her hoof was a silver ring, large enough to put your hoof through. “Oh, and here’s another one!”

“You wanna use any of these?” Haze pointed to the red ropes.

Ray shook her head. “No, they’re too short. I saw some wire in another room.”

“Wire?” Haze pondered as she followed her friend back through the hallway.

Ray poked her head into a utility closet, and pulled out a large roll of thick, orange wire wrapped around a wood cylinder. “This looks strong enough to hold a pony.”

Ray rolled the wire spool into the office room. She sat down and fiddled with it. A portion was tangled, so she used the switchblade on her left leg to cut it. Once she had the end of the wire, she tied it around the metal ring. She tied the rope in a way so that it split into a fork, and tied the second end to the other ring.

“Here! They can hold onto these as we pull them up!” She displayed her craft. “I really wanted to find something like a belt which could support a pony better.”

“I gotta say, I’m impressed,” Haze said and gave Ray a smile. Ray beamed back at her, surely adoring the praise.

Ray got up and trotted over to the door and closed it. She tied the thick wire onto the door handle. Back at the hole, she threw the two handles to the ponies below. There was a slant where she was standing, which could make for a good platform to climb up onto.

“Hold onto these and we’ll pull you up!” She told them. “I’m gonna need both of your help,” she directed and Chance and Haze.

The cream mare waved her hoof out in an attempt to reach the handles, but it was too far from the desk. Haze hovered over the hole and moved the wire closer to them. She felt weight pull her down as the cream mare grasped. Haze fluttered backward and placed her hindlegs back on the floor. She, Ray and Chance continued to pull the wire back with their forelegs. Haze grimaced at the effort.

The ring handles were finally at the end of the slope. The mare frantically hung onto the edge. Haze jolted forward and helped the mare fully climb onto the slippery floor. After a slight pause, they did the effort again with the pale green stallion. He had been harder to get up, only because he was too tired to climb the slope himself.

“Thank you so much!” the cream colored mare exhaled. “You saved us!”

Haze was panting. “No… problem…”

“How did you end up down there?” Ray asked, who was less exhausted than Haze.

“The floor collapsed under us,” the mare explained. “We sent out a distress signal to our squadron, but nobody ever came.”

“Squadron?” Haze pondered.

“Yes. We’re Scribes of the Steel Rangers. I’m Scribe Coconut Puff and this is ClimbingIvy,” said the distressed mare.

Haze held in a snicker at Coconut Puff, but had to agree it fit well with her poofy white and orange mane.

“Oh, you’re part of the Steel Rangers?” Chance inquired. “Were you out here scrounging for tech?”

“Researching,” Coconut Puff confirmed. “What great luck is it that you stopped by too!”

Haze realized they would have never saved these ponies if Ray hadn’t been curious to look around.

“We owe you one,” the Scribe mare said.

“Yeah… kinda,” Haze muttered.

“Actually,” Chance began and took a step towards them. “Do you think we could have a spare spark battery?”

“Well, we don’t have one on us,” Coconut considered.

“We could take you to our base and give you one,” ClimbingIvy finally spoke up with a raspy voice.

“That’s pretty far,” Chance said aloud. He glanced at Haze. “Do we still want to go to Spinning’s?”

“Why don’t we go to Spinning’s, and maybe we could drop by their base when we have the time,” Haze decided. Maybe it would be less work to just get one battery and not have to jump back and forth from locations, but she was curious to meet this elusive Spinning.

“Sounds great,” Coconut exhaled. She trotted up to Haze and held her left hoof. Haze tried not to jump away as the Scribe worked with her PipBuck. “Here. I marked our base’s location on your map. If you stop by, just ask for me. I’ll let them know you saved us.”

Haze agreed. They went their separate ways. The Steel Ranger Scribes left out the front door while the trio continued to search for another exit. After passing yet another display room, they found the back door.

As they skirted around the streets, a couple of radscorpions spotted them. They began scuttling their way, and the ponies broke into a run and soar. They didn’t want the noise of guns to alert the rest of the nest.

“I think we lost them,” Chance huffed as they stopped in an intersection. “But just in case…”

His magic lifted a disk out of his bag. It was a mine. He placed it on the ground in front of the alley they had just ran out of. He tinkered with the mine and then stood up.

“You kept some?” Haze wondered.

“Yeah. They’re great for warding off followers. C’mon, let’s keep moving. We don’t wanna be here if it gets set off.”

It was after 11 AM by the time they reached their destination. Well, at least that’s what SwiftHaze’s PipBuck said. It was hard to tell time based on the ever cloudy sky. As they entered the yard, Haze put a custom location on her map, so she knew where to go if she needed to come back. She decided if they got a spark battery from the Steel Rangers, she would just fly solo back here because it was faster.

Haze realized they were going in the same way they had at HyperBlitz’s house. There was a section of the house that was almost isolated, with large doors. They entered the smaller side door.

Haze expected the room to be dark, but instead, there were several lights running. Some came from terminals or computer units. Many wires ran along the walls and floor. In the middle of the room was what looked like a metal dock, or work station. Sitting in it was a metal, pony-shaped and pony-sized object, laying on its hindlegs. It didn’t move as they approached.

“Whoa, did Spinning build this?” Ray marveled.

“This is Spinning,” Chance informed her.

“No way! He’s a robot?”

Chance stepped up to the sitting pony shaped robot. It was unmoving and silent, as if turned off. It was a purple Unicorn with a black mane and tail. Wait a minute… Haze recognized the pattern from the photos of Linkin Pony. No fucking way. For sure there was no way, she thought. Wait, what was it that Flash said about Spinning? He worked for one of the Ministries? Is this actually the same pony?

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Ray whispered in her ear. Haze nodded, and Ray giggled gleefully.

“It looks like he’s… turned off,” Haze stated bluntly. It felt odd talking about a robot if it were a person. But, this was a person, if she were to believe Chance.

“He’s in dormant mode. He usually sets himself on a timer that wakes him up. If not, a pony can come by and wake him,” Chance explained.

“Now let’s see…” Chance began circling around the robot pony. He seemed to be examining the metal body, but returned to the face. He waved his hoof in front of the robot’s eyes. Did it detect motion?

The robot stirred. His head lifted up and his segmented neck shifted into place. His eyes lit up, and a soft hum began to emit from his body. The purple robot pushed his hind legs to stand up. He faced the rest of the ponies in the room.

“GleamingChance,” the robot said. “What are you doing here?” His voice was tinny, much like Watcher, but there was more emotion in his voice than the secretive Sprite-bot.

“Uh, hey, SpinningNote. I brought some friends.” Chance motioned to the two mares. “They’re from Stable 47, but you can probably see that.”

“Um, hi.” Haze raised a hoof.

Ray gasped. “Are you actually alive?!”

“No,” Spinning said in a flat tone.

“Oh,” Ray murmured.

“Yes, he is,” Chance told her. “He’s messing with you. He does that. He’s just not… organically alive. But he’s fully cognitive.”

“You and your fancy words, Chance,” Spinning remarked, now with more emotion.

“You wouldn’t happen to be related to a member of Linkin Pony, would you?” Ray wondered. “Your coat and mane color are similar… even if you are a robot and don’t have hair.”

“I am one of the members. What do you know about Linkin Pony?”

“Wait, seriously?” Ray beamed.

“Hold up,” Haze said, and simultaneously held up her own hoof. “I’m pretty sure all the members were ponies, not robots. You had to have been built by someone.”

“I was built by me,” Spinning told her.

“Huh?” Haze just cocked her head.

“I used to be a pony,” Spinning explained, “But I transferred my soul to this robot body when the bombs fell.”

SwiftHaze was just gaping.

“That’s something you can do?” Ray echoed Haze’s thoughts.

“Yes, although it’s a very tricky process. It’s done with what are called Soul Jars. This robotic body is a Soul Jar.” Spinning’s glowing eyes kept staring at them, unblinking. He didn’t even move his mouth when he spoke, it came from somewhere inside of him.

“Now, enough explaining. Chance, why have you brought these ponies here?” Spinning turned to the Unicorn.

“Erm, well, you see,” Chance began awkwardly. Haze pondered just how this stallion was able to barter so well when he talked like this! “This is Haze and Ray,” he tilted his head to the mares respectively. “They- we need to get back into the Stable, but they need some supplies to offer them. I was wondering… could we borrow a spark battery?” Chance gave a pleading smile.

“A spark battery? You mean what I run on?” SpinningNote challenged.

“Oh, oh come on!” Chance fussed. “You got plenty of them! You even know how to build them!”

“Which require very rare parts.”

“Listen, we’ll repay you. We made a deal with a couple of Steel Rangers; they said they’ll give us a spark battery when we meet them again,” Chance offered.

“Steel Rangers,” Spinning said with distaste in his strange, mechanical tone.

“Don’t be like that! You modeled your body off power armor!” Chance retorted.

“I modeled it after soldiers! Not organized raiders,” Spinning countered.

“They didn’t seem that bad,” Ray mumbled, referring to the Rangers.

“C’mon, Spinning. These girls want to help me find my mom. They think there might be some info in the Stable,” Chance clarified. “They’re even descendants of some of your bandmates.” Haze was surprised he’d even use that card.

“Oh?” Spinning looked to Haze, then to Ray. “Hyper, and Blazing, I’m assuming?”

“How’d you know?” Haze gaped again.

“Well, you’re Pegasus after all. Although I guess species mix after so many generations. You probably don’t even have any of their genetics. How long has it been? Hundred fifty years?”

“One hundred seventy,” Chance corrected.

“Same difference,” Spinning said. “If you are trying to win me over by using the memory of my old friends, it won’t work.” At that, Chance’s gaze drifted to the floor, but Spinning continued. “But, I trust you to keep your word, Chance. You can borrow a spark battery if you come back and return one to me.”

“Really? Awesome! Thanks SpinningNote!” Chance’s head popped up and he smiled.

Spinning began to move his limbs which made strange squeaking sounds as he did. His metal hooves thudded heavily on the ground. He reached for a metal box and placed a hoof on a circular plate. The box clicked open. Spinning reached inside and attached a cylindrical battery to his hoof, perhaps magnetically. He passed the battery over to chance.

Ray had already begun exploring Spinning’s workshop. She was looking through his tools set out on a table.

“How in the Goddess’s names did you build that?” Haze questioned, still staring in astonishment at Spinning.

“It took a lot of research in technology, science and magic,” Spinning told her. “Some of Equestria’s brightest minds helped me.”

“They helped you? A musician?”

“Well, musician, artist, video director, MAS associate,” Spinning listed casually.

“Oh wow. Just good at everything, huh?” Haze rolled her eyes.

“A little bit, but not as much as Rhythm,” Spinning said.

“It’s so cool meeting another member of Linkin Pony!” Ray remarked cheerfully. “I never thought it’d be possible!”

Spinning pivoted to face the young mare. “How exactly do you know of my band?”

“Oh, they play their music all the time in the Stable,” Ray replied.

“I suppose that makes sense,” Spinning commented, almost to himself. “I’m sure a few of them made it into the Stable.”

“Let’s not waste too much time talking. I thought we wanted to make it to Stable 47 before nightfall,” Chance announced.

“Oh, come on. Can’t we have a little break?” Haze appealed.

“Yeah!” Ray agreed.

Chance sighed. “Alright, but you better be ready by noon.”

Haze checked her PipBuck and was sure that was enough time to view the memory orb she found. She took out her recollector and sat on a risen wooden platform.

Haze’s host was sitting at a desk with eyes glued to a terminal, tapping away at the keyboard. They clicked a tab labeled “appointments.” A few were already marked off with names, but the next one lacked a name. It was titled “12:00 PM.” Haze’s host glimpsed the time on their terminal: 11:58. This office work was boring Haze.

A door opened ahead of them and they looked up. Haze realized this was the same entrance hall of the building she was just at, but in much better condition.

“Welcome to Los Pegasus Ro-” Haze felt her host say, but stopped dead in their tracks as they saw two purple Unicorns approach. They gaped at a mare with a neat indigo mane streaked with pink and violet.

“I have an appointment today at 12 PM,” the mare said with a smile. Well, she was a timely pony. She seemed to be in her forties, maybe around the same age as Rarity was in Heartfelt’s memory.

“Twilight Sparkle?” the receptionist marveled. “I- I mean, of course. I’ll send someone to come get you.” The pony marked off the appointment then messaged someone via their terminal.

For a second, Haze was able to get a glance of the second Unicorn. He was older than Twilight Sparkle, and had a short black mane. Wait, was that SpinningNote? Haze didn’t get a good enough look to be sure.

A moment later a yellow Earth Pony circled around the wooden desk. “Oh, Twilight Sparkle,” the mare greeted. “It’s a pleasure to work with you. I’ll be your guide today.”

“Great. I’d like to see your newest models,” Twilight replied politely.

“Of course. Right this way.”

As they walked around the desk, Haze’s vision followed them. She caught the image of the stallion’s cutie mark. Three round discs. She was sure that was similar to what was on Spinning-bot.

The three ponies exited into another room. The same door that Haze’s party had gone to exit the building. On the opposite side of the desk was another receptionist. He looked at Haze’s host.

“Whoa. The mare of the Ministry of Magic!”

“Yeah, I was not expecting that!” Haze’s host remarked. “Maybe the mare of the Ministry of Technology, but not Twilight Sparkle! What would she be doing here?”

The other worker commented, “Well, I’m pretty sure the MAS works closely with the MWT.”

The memory ended abruptly, although it took a few moments for Haze to regain her own senses. She looked up and saw Ray still tinkering with Spinning’s tools.

“Who’s Twilight Sparkle,” Haze mused aloud.

Spinning’s head swiveled to face her. “She was the mare of the Ministry of Arcane Sciences.”

“Oh? I heard someone say Ministry of Magic,” Haze recalled, although didn’t remember it from Flash’s list of Ministries.

“That was a colloquial term for the MAS,” Spinning explained.

“Ah. So… when you said you worked with Equestria’s brightest minds, you meant her?”

“Yes,” Spinning responded with a head dip.

“Whoa,” Haze said.

Even before noon the traveling trio were on their way. They had stopped to eat something quickly, but wasted no more time. SwiftHaze had a lot of questions to ask SpinningNote, but they were on a mission. Although she didn’t quite get why they had to be in a rush. Who cares if this quest spills over into tomorrow? GleamingChance, apparently. The lavender Unicorn guided them to EchoBeat’s house.

Chapter 11: The Next Steps

The sky above was already growing dark, but the shapes of the buildings in the distance were still well defined.

OrchidRays began galloping down the slope, away from her friends. “Hey Flash! Guess what!”

Before she could even make it to the foot of the hill, she stumbled on the rocky path. She lost her balance and tumbled a few times on her side. Concerned, SwiftHaze fluttered down where her friend had fallen.

“Are you okay?” Haze asked briskly.

Ray pushed herself up. She patted off some of the dust that covered her Stable suit. “Yeah,” she replied, only slightly dazed. She didn’t even seem fazed.

Haze breathed a sigh of relief, glad that she wasn’t hurt. Both GleamingChance and SilverFlash met with them.

“Did you find anything?” Flash inquired.

“Not really,” Chance grumbled, discouraged.

“We got those photos,” Haze pointed out.

“Yeah, just photos. No hits where she could be at now. I should have expected that much.” Chance shook his head. “That shit is from the past. Not gonna help us now.”

“Well-” Ray attempted to speak next, but Chance wasn’t finished. He spoke over her.

“I guess I could try one last time to get any details out of my gang.”

“Wait, wouldn’t they have told you all they know yet?” Haze asked.

“They aren’t transparent like that, unfortunately. But I do really need to speak with them if we’re going to search. Better if they know I’m leaving...” Chance’s thoughts were swirling.

“I-,” once again, Ray attempted to speak but was interrupted by Haze.

“Well, I hope you’re alright with doing that by tomorrow, unless you’re planning to convince your gang to let us stay in their base overnight.”

Chance grimaced. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Guess we’ll have to camp out here somewhere.”

“Yes, Ray, what’s wrong?” Flash addressed the young mare. He noticed her giving a pouting expression.

“I- we wanted to tell you something,” She said hesitantly. She looked at Chance and Haze. “Right? Can I tell him?” Haze gave her a nod, which made her perk up with excitement. She faced Flash. “Well, we just wanted you to know- we looked through the archives- oh, about Chance’s mom! And it turns out CharmingRhythm and Heartfelt are his several times great grandparents!”

Flash’s dark eyes widened as he took that in. He turned to Chance. “Really?”

“You guys are practically family!” Ray added briskly.

Chance looked away, somewhat abashed. “Eh, I’m still not certain about that. That is a lot of generations between relations.”

“Chance, I don’t care how distantly we are related, I’d still call you family,” Flash replied sincerely.

“Thanks, Flash,” Chance said.

“Thank you for letting me know this,” Flash glanced at Ray and then Haze. “It’s good to know their memory lives on in at least one pony I know.Yes there are probably plenty more in the Stable, but I may never meet them. Anyway, it’s even more special because I’ve already known him for several years.”

“So, um, are we going to camp out for the night?” Chance attempted to segue, although awkwardly, as if he didn’t like being the subject of conversation.

“But where?” Haze wondered, examining the terrain. “Is there anywhere safe?”

“Actually, that tunnel that leads to the Stable would be a good spot,” Chance suggested.

“But what if there’s bugs in there?” Ray protested.

“Uh, Ray, there’s bugs out here too,” Chance pointed out.

“What, scared of a few bugs?” Haze teased.

“She was stung by a radscorpion,” Flash said bluntly. “She’s allowed to be afraid of bugs.”

Haze bared her teeth and turned to face Chance. “What about the light in there? Wouldn’t it bother us?”

“We can stay in the dark part of the cave,” Chance replied.

“I can keep a lookout while you sleep,” Flash offered.

“Are you sure?” Ray asked. “We could take turns keeping watch.”

“I’m a ghoul. I don’t need to sleep as much as you do.”

“You still need to sleep some,” Chance commented. “When was the last time you slept anyway?”

Flash didn’t speak and ignored eye contact.

“Seriously, Flash?” Chance criticized.

“I’ll be fine,” Flash assured. “You need your sleep. I’ll keep watch. And that’s that.”

“Fine,” Chance mumbled.

The group returned to where they just came, accompanied by SilverFlash this time. Before entering, Haze took a glance at the city beyond. Sections of the city were illuminated by clusters of lights under the skeletons of the towers. Which one was South Gait? The central tower also had lights on, which made it stand out compared to the rest of the skyscrapers.

They settled on the floor of the cavern with sleeping bags and blankets. Low amounts of light entered the clearing, bouncing off the walls from the lamp at the Stable door. The rocky floor was chilly.

“It would be nice if we had a fire,” Haze remarked.

“I could find some wood,” Flash offered. Even before receiving a response, he dipped out of the mouth of the tunnel.

“It would have been nice if we could have actually stayed in the Stable overnight and not out here!’ Chance ridiculed Haze. “But you just had to be so stubborn to not stay in there any longer. We could have had easy shelter.”

“Hey, I’ve been sheltered my whole life and I’m sick of it!” Haze defended.

“You’re taking your safety for granted,” Chance said.

“So what if I am? There’s plenty of ponies that aren’t safe and need help. I’m willing to risk my safety to do that.”

“You don’t get it do you?” Chance contended. “You’re caught up in your fantasy of being a hero, when in reality it’s a hellscape out here.”

“He does have a point,” Ray noted quietly. “I mean... you know what happened to your dad.”

“Actually, no, I don’t!” Haze snapped with growing aggravation. “They never found him. He just went missing and never returned.”

“Well, in that case, maybe he’s still alive out here!” Ray remarked.

A small spark of hope lit in Haze’s heart. “You think so?”

“Probably not,” Chance countered.

“Seriously?” Haze harped on him.

“Hey, I’m just being realistic,” the Unicorn shrugged. “If he didn’t come back, he’s most likely dead. I’m sorry.”

“Your mom’s been missing and you don’t think she’s dead,” Haze argued.

“Because I’ve had evidence that she isn’t,” Chance said.

Then he stood up and began pacing around the cave. His magic grabbed a few rocks from the floor.

“What are you doing?” Ray wondered.

“If Flash is building a fire, we may as well make a pit.”

Haze watched him set the stones in a small circle. “I don’t get why you are being so snippy with me,” Haze said.

Chance sighed. “You’re being ungrateful for what you had. You had a safe home, easy commodities, education, a mom who cares about you.”

“Pft, please,” Haze replied. “You saw how my mom acts! I can’t deal with that for the rest of my life. I had to get out of there. She’s so controlling and nosy.”

“Maybe she’s just being protective because she doesn’t want to lose you like she did your dad,” Chance suggested.

Haze hesitated for a moment, then continued to argue. “Eh, I don’t know. She was controlling even before Dad went missing.”

Ray just glanced back and forth between them. She raised her blanket up to her muzzle and shrunk down as if to hide.

“But you don’t get it. She does care. Can’t you appreciate that instead of completely pushing her out of your life?”

“Hey, just because we’re related doesn’t mean I owe her anything. I’m allowed to not like my mom.”

Chance groaned in frustration. “I’m just trying to get you to see another perspective. You’re going to have to learn it’s not always you first, especially if you want to help ponies out here.”

Haze huffed stubbornly. She didn’t get the point of seeing her mother’s perspective. It wasn’t like it was going to help her in the wasteland.

Shortly after, SilverFlash returned with a bundle of wood in his magic. Chance gestured towards the stone circle he had made. Flash thanked him and placed a few logs into the circle.

“And how are you exactly planning to light it?” Haze questioned. While she had a lighter with her, she was more interested to see if they knew what they were doing.

Flash raised his head up and his horn began to glow. A magic orb appeared just above the stack of wood and suddenly exploded in a small spark. Magenta fire engulfed the logs and quickly transitioned to orange.

“Fire magic!” Ray observed. “That’s so cool!”

Unicorns just think they can do everything, huh? Haze scrutinized. I mean there’s got to be a limit to their magic, right?

After Flash’s return, Haze and Chance had ceased their arguing. They just settled, ready for sleep. But Haze’s mind was racing, thinking of everything Chance had said and more. To top it off, the ground was hard and uncomfortable. Haze wished for a memory orb to distract her from her surroundings and thoughts, or at least a drink to calm her down. Instead, she played some audio from her PipBuck.

Linkin Pony wasn't doing it for her. They weren't known for a wide selection of soft, calming music. Haze chose Sapphire Shores. The long gone mare sang sweetly into Haze's ears, lolling her to sleep.

“So, uh, do we stay outside of their camp or...?” SwiftHaze mused.

The four ponies were on their way to the camp owned by GleamingChance’s gang. Grey morning light lit their way.

“I’m not sure,” Chance admitted.

“If they threaten you, I’ll be there to defend you,” SilverFlash assured.

“I’m sure I can stand up for myself, thanks,” Haze disregarded.

“Clay isn’t afraid of picking a fight in his place,” Chance commented.

“Oh, he sounds like a wonderful guy,” Haze muttered.

Chance just grimaced.

“They know what happens when they mess with me,” Flash asserted. “We’re all going in, and they aren’t setting a hoof on either of the girls.”

Haze wondered what he meant by that. What exactly was Flash capable of that terrified a gang of raiders? Was it his fire magic, or ability to levitate several ponies?

The group entered into an almost abandoned neighborhood. The gates of mansions were bound together by chains. Sharp, spike traps on the ground deterred ponies away from certain areas. Haze saw a large, domed building peak over some of the mansions. They kept following the road towards the odd shaped building.

The mansions gave way to a long, open road that led the way to the large structure. It looked like a theater of sorts, with a huge, once white arch covering it. Most of the seats of the bleachers were taken out, possibly destroyed by explosions. In the clearing and on the stage were shabby wooden structures. The raider camp was in this old amphitheater.

As they neared the entrance, Haze’s PipBuck marked the location. “Applewood Bowl.”

“This place looks awesome!” Ray exclaimed.

“Not awesome with raiders around,” Flash scowled.

Ray disregarded that. She gasped, “Oh my gosh, I bet Linkin Pony played here!”

“Several times, actually,” Flash added, with a sudden uplift in tone.

“Really? That’s so cool!” Giddy, Ray shuffled her hooves with a squee.

Ahead of them, a raider was galloping up the stairs of what was once an aisle. The group stopped at the platform above the stairs as the raider mare reached them.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing here?” She spat. At that moment, she recognized Chance. “Why are these bitches here? Chance? You better have a good explanation.”

“I do. But not for you,” Chance muttered. “I need to talk to Clay.”

“After being gone for over two days?”

“As if that mattered,” Chance said. “We’re going. Get out of our way.”

Chance began leading them down the stairs. The orange mare glared at them as they passed her. Flash gave her what was essentially a death stare.

The arch loomed above them as they entered the clearing below the stage. A few raiders were mumbling to themselves as they watched the group pass through. Chance trotted up a wooden ramp to the stage. Haze saw the brown Unicorn that had confronted them days before.

“GleamingChance,” the Unicorn muttered. “You got a lotta nerve to show back up here... with Stable mares! Tell me you’ve got a good reason for this.”

“Did you take their stuff yet?” a different raider hissed.

“We should chain them up,” another said. “We could have some fun with them.”

Haze didn’t want to know what that meant. Immediately she, begrudgingly, hoped that meant torture and not something else.

“They’re my friends,” Chance asserted with his chin high.

“You’re fucking kidding me,” the brown Unicorn snickered. “I knew you were soft, Chance, but this soft? Stable dwellers? You’re fucking with me, right?” He levitated a pipe pistol and aimed towards them.

“Don’t try anything,” Flash barked. He brought out his own weapon, a sword.

“You know he’s not welcome here,” the Unicorn sneered at Flash.

“Clay, it doesn’t matter who’s in your fucking camp. We need to talk. Now,” Chance said.

“Oh?” Clay raised a brow and put his pistol down.

“Last time I ask this: What do you know about my mother?”

“Huh? What do you mean? What else is there to say about her?” Clay wondered.

“I know you know where she might be. Would be great if you told me,” Chance replied, his voice rising. “Where is she? Where’s that fucking letter you got?”

“Not for you,” Clay claimed. “Piss off.”

Chance levitated a piece of paper out of his saddlebag. It was the photo of his mother. Clay’s eyes widened. He held a hoof out, but Chance snatched it away.

“Where did you get that?” Clay demanded.

“From the Stable. With their help.” Chance pointed his head towards the mares. “You can have it if you give me the letter.”

“Hmm... I don’t know,” Clay considered.

“How about this and some caps?” Chance bargained. He took out another sack of jangling caps from his bag. He displayed it to the older brown Unicorn.

“Chance!” Haze hissed in her friend’s ear. “You can’t give away all our caps!”

“Don’t worry. I planned this. There’s still more. That box at the house wasn’t everything I owned,” Chance whispered. Haze just gaped.

Clay scrunched his nose stubbornly. “How many are you offering?”

“Fifty.”

“Make it seventy-five,” Clay countered.

“Sixty and this photo. That’s it,” Chance replied. He reached for his bag to fish out a few more caps.

Clay huffed. “Fine.”

He motioned them to follow him. They entered behind a wooden wall. There were mattresses on the floor and a short table. Under the table was a safebox. Clay pulled it out, punched in a combination, and opened it. He levitated out a piece of paper and passed it over to Chance, who proceeded to unfold it.

“Wait, you’ve never seen a letter from your mom?” Haze wondered. She glared at Clay. “Why the fuck would you keep something from him.”

Chance’s face contorted as he read. “The letter wasn’t for him. She addressed it to me,” Clay explained.

“She didn’t say where she was, only that she’s staying within the Mahoove desert area,” Chance said.

“Yes, but I never said where the letter came from,” Clay disclosed. “A Talon delivered it from Phoenix City.”

Chance’s eyes widened. “So that’s where we’ll go.”

“Hold on. You’re not actually planning to go look for her?” Clay pressed.

“Yes, I am,” Chance answered confidently. “You guys never offered to help me find her, but these mares have. I’ve decided to leave the gang to search for my mother.”

As Clay gawked, another raider spoke. “Well, it’s about fucking time. I knew it would happen at some point. Like we even need a weak sucker like you in our gang.”

“Chance is smarter than all of you put together!” Haze spat.

“But he’s not tough,” the raider argued.

“To survive you need to be more than tough,” Flash rumbled in a low tone. “You need to be smart and calculated. Outsmart your enemies. That’s how Chance survives.”

“Okay,” Chance groaned. “Can we stop talking about me?! We’re leaving.”

“If you do ever find Wisteria, you are free to come back and tell me,” Clay said as they were leaving. Chance only responded with a wave of a hoof.

The group of outsiders were flanked by raiders as they exited the camp. Each of the raiders had their weapons pointed to the ponies they were escorting. Haze kept a close watch on them. They were led through the amphitheater’s yard and out of the entrance pavilion. They continued walking forward without speaking.

At last GleamingChance breathed a sigh of relief. “That went better than I was expecting. Although Haze could have easily made it worse.”

“What did I do?” Haze squawked.

“You were provoking them!” Chance shot back.

“Flash was doing it too!”

“So what was in the letter?” Ray asked out of nowhere.

“Eh, some things I rather not talk about,” Chance muttered. “You see... my mom may have had an affair with Clay.”

Haze grimaced while Ray wondered “What does that mean?” but nobody answered.

“So, it was sort of a love letter, eh?” Haze inquired.

Chance laughed awkwardly. “Not exactly. She had some choice words for him. Like yeah, she missed him but not enough to come back here. Clay’s kind of a jerk.”

“I’m confused. Was it a good letter or a bad one? Towards Clay,I mean,” Haze questioned with a raised brow.

“Kind of both. Not my deal. He could have just told me where it came from.” Chance shook his head.

“What’s a Talon?” Ray asked, once again out of nowhere, recalling what Clay had said.

“Griffon mercenary,” it was Flash who spoke. “Don’t see them much around here. They work more towards the east.”

“Anyway... how exactly are we getting to- what was it? Phoenix City? Last I checked I was the only one of us who can fly,” Haze noted.

“Flash can fly,” Chance mumbled.

“Huh?” Haze gaped. “How the fuck does a Unicorn fly?” She glared at Flash who was keeping up the rear.

“Self levitation?” Ray guessed.

“Correct,” Flash answered. “Not that I do it frequently.”

“Well, in that case, let’s just have Flash float us there!” Haze said sarcastically.

“I never said I was going,” Flash grumbled.

“What, why not?” Ray pleaded.

“Actually,” Chance turned to face Flash. They all ceased walking. “I was wondering if you could keep watch on my gang while I’m gone. Never know what they’ll do without me to keep them in check.”

Flash nodded in agreement. “I was thinking of that. Not sure how they’ll act when I’m not around.”

“Of course you couldn’t because you wouldn’t be here to see!” Haze quipped.

Flash only groaned.

“But... we’ll miss you if you stay behind,” Ray lamented to Flash. “You’d be so much help, and we could always use your guidance!”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve ventured out of the city. Not sure how comfortable I’d be,” Flash explained. “Besides, I’m sure Chance can offer enough guidance for all of you.”

“Still, how are we getting there?” Haze exclaimed with raised volume.

“We could get a wagon,” Ray suggested. “I saw a few on the sides of the streets. But we might have to fix one up. Haze could pull us to be faster!”

“Imma what now? I never agreed to this.”

“But you are the fastest of all of us,” Chance pointed out.

“If you get tired I could take over for you for a bit!” Ray offered.

“Well, where do we get a good wagon?” Haze asked begrudgingly.

“You’ll probably want one with a roof,” Flash said. “I think I know where you might get one.”

“I’m sure CharmingRhythm had some! I mean, what were all those large doors for at his house?” Haze remarked. “Those were wagon doors, right? Sky chariots? Carriages?”

Flash blinked. “Those aren’t Pegasus drawn... or pony drawn for that matter. They have parts that are hard to come by, and after all this time, I highly doubt they’re safe to use. Too heavy to pull anyway.”

Haze huffed.

“Is it far from here?” Chance inquired.

“Shouldn’t be too far.”

“Then I guess it wouldn’t hurt checking,” Chance said. He looked to Haze for approval.

“Fine,” she allowed.

After an hour of hiking, a marker appeared on SwiftHaze’s map. It read ‘Hackamore Carriage Company.’ Out in a lot were the remains of old chariots and wagons that had been destroyed by age and balefire. As they approached the building, Haze noticed many of the large glass windows had been smashed in.

“Hmm, that’s not a good sign,” she commented.

“Could have been from the megaspell blast,” Flash observed. “There could be vehicles in better condition inside.

They didn’t even need to go through the door and instead entered through one of the broken windows, careful not to tread on glass. Inside was a showroom with more carriages. Some of them seemed to be missing parts.

Haze stopped as she heard a sound ahead of them. A metal barrel dropped out from the ceiling and clicked. Magical energy suddenly began firing at Haze’s group. In a panic, they all scattered and hid behind vehicles.

“What the fuck is that?” Haze hissed. She tucked her wings in after feeling a laser strike the end of a feather.

“Turret,” Flash said from behind a different vehicle. “Must have been security to prevent thefts.”

“But it looks like there’s already been thefts here!” Chance noted. “These carriages have been looted!”

“There might be enough parts to salvage between them to get a working wagon,” Ray surmised.

“Ugh! Not with this bitch shooting at us!” Haze snapped.

Flash pulled out his revolver and poked his head out from behind cover. He attempted one shot at the frantic turret, but missed. A few lasers burned holes into Flash’s hood. He recoiled and grunted in pain.

“Use your magic!” Chance ordered.

“Lasers against lasers doesn’t sound like a good idea!” Flash argued. “Might cause an explosion.”

As they bantered, Haze pulled out her sniper rifle and positioned it within her hooves. She took a peak, but was instantly pattered with laser shots. They stung at her skin, singing the fur. A few more seconds out there and it could have burned holes into her flesh.

“Need to distract it!” Haze murmured.

Ray, who was sitting next to Haze, raised her metal forehoof up. She waved it over the top of the wagon they were behind. Magic lasers fired towards her. Her prosthetic leg prevented the shots from causing any pain.

Haze was sure she could get a clear aim on the turret herself, but she needed to be quick. She brought up S.A.T.S and targeted the metal turret. She pulled back the trigger with a hoof and the whole gun recoiled with a powerful BANG. The turret exploded into sparks and metal bits.

“Thanks, Ray,” Haze sighed.

“Nice shot!” Ray beamed.

“I know, right,” Haze cooed, not even admitting to using S.A.T.S. “Blitzkrieg is pretty sweet.” She raised the rifle closer to her face.

“You named your gun?” Chance pondered as he stood up.

“Blitz... Oh, did you name it after HyperBlitz?” Ray asked excitedly.

“Maybe...” Haze smirked.

“I thought being related to him was nothing special to you!” Ray teased.

“I guess being out here has helped me appreciate the past more,” Haze admitted.

Flash was scrutinizing the sniper rifle as Haze harnessed it to her side. “That was JumpingJolt’s.”

“Huh?” Haze let out.

“The gun. It belonged to Hyper’s son. When he was in the military...” Flash explained. His eyes had grown distant.

“Well, I promise to take good care of it,” Haze told him.

“I…” Flash seemed lost. “Can we keep moving?”

“Right,” Haze said.

They continued into the showroom and examined the vehicles still left intact. Most were more sophisticated than a simple wagon, with high-powered components to operate them.

“Looks like someone’s already been here and looted the place. They stole the regulators and batteries out of most of these,” Chance observed a carriage with wires hanging out of a square hole on the side. It looked as if the panel had been pried open rather than being removed by proper tools.

“Oh, what about this one?” Ray announced.

The three other ponies gathered around her. Sure enough, it was a simple wagon with a roof, however it had very open sides. Ray attempted to push the wagon from the front, but it took force to get it to move a few meters.

“The wheels are stuck,” Ray noted. “I bet if we can oil them they’ll be good as new and this wagon will be super easy to pull!” She peered around the showroom. “There’s gotta be some oil somewhere.”

Ray went off in search of oil while the others stayed on the showroom floor. Chance circled around the wagon to inspect it. Haze looked quizzically at the harness.

“Is this thing capable of flight?”

“Well, I was thinking more of you flying low and pulling it on the ground,” Chance said.

“Sounds boring,” Haze murmured.

“Vehicles used for flight usually have flux regulators to provide lift,” Flash explained. “This one doesn’t seem to have a compartment for it. Although I’m sure we could add parts to make it more aerodynamic.”

There was a scream from a room beyond. They all froze. It was OrchidRays. Haze galloped towards the source of the scream. She burst into what seemed to be an office and nearly collided with Ray. She had been staring in horror at a corpse on the ground. Haze’s nose scrunched from the vile stench of decay.

Flash stepped into the scene. “A ghoul…”

“How can you tell?” Haze exclaimed. “It just looks like a rotting corpse!”

As Flash stepped forward, Ray shielded her eyes with a hoof. Flash prodded a hoof at the sprawled out pony body. Haze cringed at the grotesqueness.

“These wounds look like they’re from magical energy weapons,” Flash analyzed. He pointed to large sections of the flesh that had been cut away in smooth craters.

“From the turret?” Haze mused.

“No… too large for that.”

“The Enclave uses energy weapons,” Chance brought up.

Flash nodded. “I was thinking of that.”

Silently, Ray left the room to search somewhere else.

“What would the Enclave want with… whoever this was?” Haze said. Curiously, she noticed a terminal on a desk and reached for it. “There’s files on here that are relatively new. Maybe there’s something in them that will explain what happened.” She downloaded the files to her PipBuck to look at another time.

At last Ray had found some oil. As she applied it to the wheels, Haze watched in admiration. Ray wasn’t always quite there, and didn’t understand a lot of things, but Haze was grateful for her creative thinking. Once done, Ray suggested that Haze try to pull the wagon.

They pushed the wagon out into the lot. The harness felt awkward to wear, especially how Haze had to angle it around her wings. Pulling the wagon while filing was quite easy. It was as if she was pulling nothing at all, only the harness felt uncomfortable. Haze hoped that adding in a few ponies wouldn’t feel too much different.

While Haze was continuing practice, she noticed SilverFlash on the other side of the lot floating the corpse they had found. He was burying it. Someone had to pay respect to the lost pony. As much as they butted heads, Haze wished that Flash would come along with them on their journey.

GleamingChance met up with them after looting the building. He had found a few medical supplies and some tools for crafting. Unfortunately he reported all of the vehicles with spark batteries had been stripped clean of their valuable contents. They would still have to get a battery from the Steel Rangers to pay back SpinningNote.

SwiftHaze wasn’t sure she was ready to face the wasteland beyond the city. Of course, nobody could ever be ready for the unknown. She was glad she had some friends along with her. She may have been outside for a few days now, but this is where her real adventure would begin.

Chapter 12: Umbra

“We’re going to miss you!” OrchidRays was telling SilverFlash as they were doing last minute packing. GleamingChance insisted that they leave as soon as possible, even if the day was already halfway over.

“It’s not like I’m going anywhere,” Flash replied.

“Yeah, but you’re not coming with us!” Ray said.

“Just be smart out there,” Flash stated, his gaze falling on SwiftHaze. “And be careful.”

“We don’t have to be smart when we have Chance!” Haze teased. “He’s got enough brain for all of us!”

“I’m being serious,” Flash rumbled.

“I know. You always are!” Haze rolled her eyes. “But we are going to miss you.”

“I-” he hesitated. “Just come back in one piece, okay?”

“Is that your way of saying you’ll miss us too?” Haze smirked. She only got a hmph out of Flash. “I’ll take it.”

The trio of young ponies set out just after at what Haze guessed to be midday. The cart behind her was slightly weighted, but with the oiled wheels, it was a breeze to pull. Even though she was flying, she still felt trapped. She could only go a couple meters high and always had something weighing her down.

Ray and Chance were not a chatty bunch, which was odd to Haze. Ray loved to talk to her. Chance was busy with reading material.

Haze listened to music to pass the time. She was surprised to get a radio station even out here. The host claimed to be “DJ Pon-3,” whatever that meant. Haze was also surprised that they never played Linkin Pony. Maybe they were only a Los Pegasus thing.

Once Haze couldn’t stand music anymore, she sought a different distraction. She brought up the recordings she had found at the carriage company. She kept her E.F.S up in case the audio distracted her too much. But she doubted that. All that was out here were cacti. She played the recordings in order of oldest to newest.

Personal Journal of Rolling Spoke. My memory ain’t what it used to be, but I find recordin’ my events of the day helps me remember. I’ve been alone out here for a long time. I can’t remember my coworker’s names. Wait, there’s files on them. We were… a family business. Oh dear.

I stay here at this company… perhaps hoping one day these inventions could serve the ponies of Equestria again. Maybe one day I will get customers. Someone has to make sure the carriages stay shiny.

Finally! Customers! A group of ponies came by callin’ themselves the Steel Rangers. Not sure what that means, but they seemed real interested in my products. They wanted spark batteries. Erm… which vehicles had those again? They told me they would pay me caps. I guess that’s whats ponies use for currency now? That explains why I found my Sparkle-Cola machine completely broken into. Never saw who stole ‘em though.

For a moment, Haze paused in her listening. She glanced behind the wagon and noticed the cloudy sky growing dark on the horizon. Why would that be? Didn’t the sun set in the west? She faced forward again and played the next journal.

Steel Rangers came back and bought a fine passenger carriage. Gave me 200 caps. I’m not sure if thata fair price or not. At least I can use these caps to buy more equipment. But now I have no company supplying me with vehicles. Oh no… this ain’t good.

Some more ponies came by. They weren’t as friendly as the Steel Rangers… A whole team of Pegasi! I told ‘em that if they want my products that they’ll have to pay. One of ‘em got real nasty and said that I was hoardin’ the technology which could help all of ponykind. I hope that’s not true… I don’t wanna be a bad pony.

Those Pegasi came back. They threatened me if I didn’t give them any parts… They don’t understand this is a business…. Then they smashed my showroom windows! I’m not sure where to get glass panels that large anymore… Anyway. The Pegasi said they’d be back, and if I don’t cooperate, that they’ll take everythin’ by force. Oh dear.

That was the final recording.

“What?” Haze exclaimed. She stopped flying and landed on the desert dirt. “No!” With fury, she stomped the earth, creating puffs of dust. “They killed him! How could they!”

Chance leaned over the front end of the wagon. “Haze! What’s wrong?” he shouted.

Haze swiveled around as far as the harness would let her. “The fucking Enclave did kill that pony! And he was a ghoul! But he wasn’t doing anything wrong,” she fumed.”I can’t believe it!”

Chance stood up and hopped out of the wagon. “Alright. Get in the wagon, I’ll take over.”

“What?”

“Go sit down. You need to cool off,” Chance ordered. He helped unbuckle the harness,

Haze climbed into the wagon and sat down with crossed forelegs. OrchidRays was just staring at her uncomfortably, her head sunken into her shoulders. She took a few glances at Chance as he fastened the harness and began trotting.

“Why the fuck would they kill a ghoul who was minding his own business? His literal business!” Haze exhaled.

“Um, what are you talking about?” Ray asked nervously. “How do you know this?”

“I listened to the recordings I got off that terminal in the office,” Haze explained. She raged silently, a scowl across her face.

“You wanna listen to some music?” Ray offered to her. “Music always helps me when I’m mad. I like listening to angry music!”

You’re always listening to music no matter what mood you’re in, Haze judged but only said “Sure. Give me the angriest one you got.”

Ray began browsing through the PipBuck attached to her metal foreleg. She played a song from Linkin Pony’s second album, Meteora. The chorus sounded harsh to Haze, and not in a good “let your anger out” way. It was just grating her ears. Ray noticed her contorted face.

“You don’t like this one?” Haze shook her head. “But… it’s angry! How can you dislike a song by Linkin Pony?”

“I’m allowed to have songs I don’t like,” Haze blurted out. “Play a different one.”

Ray changed the tract several times until she picked one. Haze recognized the wailing guitar intro of “No More Sorrow” and began bobbing her head when the drums came in. This one was better. She even began chanting the lyrics with Ray. Chance paid them no mind and kept pulling.

After a while, Haze didn’t feel as aggressive. She was still upset at what she found out, but didn’t have the urge to lash out and destroy something.

The two mares felt the wagon halt.

“What’s going on? Why did we stop?” Haze hollered to Chance.

“Why don’t you look?” he replied.

Haze stretched her neck to peer beyond her Unicorn friend. Ahead of them was a valley lined by uneven, rocky walls. At the bottom of the valley were small buildings built around a riverbed. To the north the slope was more gradual and less rocky. The remains of the river bubbled around stones on the slope.

“Where are we?” Ray asked as she stood up to look.

“Good question,” Chance said and proceeded to pull out his map.

“Want me to take over and fly us over?” Haze commented, halfway joking.

“What?” Chance squawked. “What part of this wagon is incapable of flight don’t you understand?”

“Kidding, kidding,” Haze smirked defensively. “Maybe we could stay here for the night.”

“Eh, we still have some daylight left, but…” Chance craned his head to look behind the wagon. The dark heavy clouds in the distance had closed in on them. “Looks like rain. I guess we can shelter here.”

Haze had never experienced rain before. She heard it was like the spray from a shower head… except everywhere.

“Do you see a way we can get down?” Haze wondered. She hopped out of the wagon and met up with Chance.

“Yeah,” he said. “Gotta go around to the gradual side.”

He let Haze put the harness on and take control of the wagon. She followed along the cliff wall until the slope of the ravine met their level. Haze turned the wagon around and drove it in the opposite direction down, the meager stream following right beside them. Aside from it, there were no other sounds. It felt surreal.

“This place isn't like Los Pegasus,” Haze commented as they approached the first row of buildings. “It's completely abandoned here.” Finally, a marker appeared on her map: ‘Camp Umbra.’

“I hope there’s no ghosts here,” Ray murmured.

“No, but there could be other creatures,” Chance warned. “So keep your eyes peeled and ears perked.”

“How do I peel my eyes?” Ray asked with genuine confusion.

“Erm- keep them open!” Chance snapped.

Haze flinched when she felt the first drop of rain on her fur. They parked the wagon next to the nearest building and took some of their supplies in with them. The glass on all the windows had been shattered, so Haze noted to herself to stay away from the outer walls while it rained. Luckily this building had several military cots set up. They Place their blankets on them. In the corner was a shabby, cramped bathroom.

“I wonder what this place is,” Haze mused, referring to the whole settlement.

“Probably a military outpost,” Chance guessed.

“Sweet!” Haze exclaimed. “That means there’s probably some badass weapons around here! We have the spare time to look.”

“Yeah, if you wanna go out into the rain to look,” Chance muttered.

“What if you come with me and use your fancy Unicorn magic as a shield?” Haze suggested. “C’mon, don’t you wanna learn the history of this place?”

“Er… I guess so,” Chance gave in and sighed.

“Well, I don’t want to be left all alone here!” Ray whined and got up off her cot. She filed in line after the two ponies.

As they walked, Chance shielded them from the pattering rain. Haze watched the water droplets bounce and drip down the magic barrier. It was almost mesmerizing.

“All these buildings look the same,” she commented on the small cabins.

“Probably military housing,” Chance said.

“Well there’s gotta be a supply storage somewhere.”

The pattern of architecture changed the further they went into camp.

“Aha! An armory!” Chance exclaimed.

Ahead was a wide building reinforced with concrete. Sure enough, there was a small sign above the door that read “Armory.” It had tall, narrow windows, which ensured that nobody could break into them. Below a set of windows was the remains of a skeleton. It was the first sign that any pony had ever existed here.

“I thought we were looking for weapons, not armor,” Ray said.

“Armories have weapons as well,” Chance explained.

“Oh.”

The Earth Pony stared at the ground. She walked more slowly as Chance approached the door. Her tail had begun to catch water droplets as the barrier moved past her. Haze noticed her friend falling behind.

“I hate feeling stupid,” Ray mumbled.

“It’s okay, you aren’t,” Haze told her. “The name is kinda confusing.”

Ray gave her a silent, grateful glance and walked fully under the shield.
Chance turned the door handle with a hoof and the door creaked open with ease.

“Huh. I expected it to be locked,” he let out.

The three ponies entered the building and Chance decasted his shield spell. Rows of empty metal shelves filled the room. On the sides were metal cabinets, a few broken into.

“Fuck. Looks like someone already came and looted the place!” Haze cursed.

“Probably the Steel Rangers,” Chance grumbled. “Leave it to them to not leave anything for anyone else.”

“A few of these are still locked,” Ray referred to the metal cabinets.

“I guess I could give it a shot.” Chance stepped up to one and pulled out his bobby pins and screwdriver. He sat down as he attempted to lockpick, breaking a bobby pin in the process.

“I don’t know if I can get this one,” Chance admitted.

“You can do it!” Ray encouraged. “If the Steel Rangers could do it, so can you!”

Chance only nodded and continued.

Haze walked around him and peered around the back of the building. There were sets of armor, mostly leg pieces, that still remained. Perhaps they could use these at least. Haze was feeling discouraged at the fact there were no weapons like she was hoping for.

When the metal locker clicked open behind her, she twirled around to look. Chance was staring down at a box of grenades.

“Well, that’s something,” he said.

“Oh! Could I have them?” Ray requested.

Chance shrugged. “Sure.” He passed the case over.

“Are you going to try any of the other lockers?” Haze asked.

“I don’t think it’s worth the bobby pins,” Chance sighed.

“Well, I found some armor if you’d like to look through it.”

Once they were finished with the armory, they exited back into the rain. Haze suggested to keep exploring in case there were medical supplies or food stock.

“If the Steel Rangers, or whoever looted the armory came through here, they most likely took all that shit too,” Chance remarked pessimistically.

“We may as well try. I mean we found those grenades,” Haze said.

Just beyond the armory was a square clearing, with cabins on the east and west sides of it. The remains of benches still stood, with metal heaps that once were outdoor grills. On the south side was another building like the armor, however it was more mundane, and bore larger windows.

Haze peered up past the wide building. Her gaze traveled along the cliff walls until it stopped on something. It was hard to make out shapes between the magic barrier and sheets of rain, but Haze was sure there was some abnormality about the cliff face.

“That’s weird,” she stated.

“Huh? What?” Chance asked.

Haze pointed to the left wall. As if to emphasize the feature, a flash of lightning lit up the sky. It outlined a round crater on the top of the cliff wall. A few seconds after, a crackle of thunder roared overhead, causing Ray to jump back with fear. Her wide eyes looked around as if she was looking for the source of the sound.

“Looks like a missile struck this place,” Chance noted on the crater.

“A missile? You mean like a megaspell?” Haze wondered.

“Not exactly. There were large megaspells that hit densely populated areas, like Los Pegasus or Manehatten. The Zebras also sent smaller missiles to places of importance, like military outposts. They were mostly ballistic, and didn’t cause as much radiation as megaspells.”

“Is that why all of the buildings don’t have windows?” Ray pondered.

Chance nodded. Haze hadn’t thought of that.

Again, the door of the next building was unlocked. The noise had disturbed a radroach which began scuttling towards them. Ray let out a high pitched scream. The oversized bug tried biting at Haze’s foreleg. Ray quickly squashed it with her metal hoof.

“Ew,” Haze muttered as Ray removed her hoof from the smashed insect.

“Well, that saves bullets,” Chance mumbled casually.

A long counter made of marble stood in the middle of the room. Its surface was clean, but perhaps it held supplies on top of it. On the outer perimeter of the room were rows of metal shelves, also empty. Haze noticed a green glow come from a doorway by the far wall. Trotting through the doorway, she found a terminal lit inside it.

“Nothing,” she heard Chance say from the main room. “I don’t get it. Why didn’t the Steel Rangers just make this one of their bases? Unless there was a reason…”

Haze tuned him out and proceeded to look at the terminal. It was locked, so she tried a few times at the password. She would have felt proud to guess the correct password, but it was so painfully obvious… the password was “Umbra.” The first document she found had been an incoming message from somewhere else in Equestria.

We apologize for the delay, but there has been an issue with your shipment of food. A Zebra spy had been found riding with the shipment, so the product has been disposed of incase it had been poisoned. A new shipment has been sent. We understand the delay is frustrating, but we advise your troops to ration their food while they wait for the new shipment to arrive.

The next document was a journal entry, under the name of River Rush.

Great! Now we have to wait another week to get our food! I can’t tell the troops the reason why we have to ration… they’ll all be too scared to ever eat anything again! I’ll just tell them the first shipment was sent to the wrong camp. Fucking Zebra.

Haze clicked the next entry.

Somehow the ‘rumor’ of a Zebra poisoning the last shipment has spread in camp. Who the fuck got into my terminal?

Haze snickered inwardly. Well, you should have chosen a better password. She kept reading.

I gotta convince them the food is fine. If I find out who got this information… I’ll deny them their holiday vacation!

There was another incoming message.

Officer River Rush of Camp Umbra: The Shadowbolts have requested a squadron from your camp to accompany them on a mission. There is a blockade of Zebras just east and we need the extra pony power to push them back. Commander RainbowDash will be sent to retrieve your Pegasi.

From River Rush’s journal:

Take our Pegasi? But what if the Zebra attack our camp while they’re gone? Not like they ever have, but still. We’re in a canyon, we need all the air power we can get.

Haze was getting bored of all the military stuff. She called in Chance to see if he was interested in reading it. She replaced his spot in the main room. She shuffled her hooves underneath her, unsatisfied with the empty room.

“Find anything?” she asked as she approached OrchidRays.

The Earth Pony shook her head. “Mm-mm.”

“Guess this place is a bust too,” Haze huffed.

She turned around to face the back wall. On the wall was a poster she had seen before, although in worse condition than this. “Better wiped than striped.”

SwiftHaze had been taught in Stable 47 that all Zebras were malevolent. If you ever came across one, you better kill them or run. But was that really true? Zebras were sapient, sentient creatures just like ponies, Right? There had to be some good in them, just as ponies had evil in them, as the wasteland had proven.

“Hey, Haze! Come here!” Chance called from the office. She cantered back into it and looked at him quizzically. He was peering down into a drawer which he had opened. “Look what I found.”

Haze stepped forward and stared down. There was a pristine memory orb sitting on top of a stack of paper.

“Whoa! Awesome!” Haze reached for it.

“I thought you might like it,” Chance said with a smile. “Let me finish reading these entries and we can go back to our stuff so you can watch it.”

While Chance’s shield disintegrated in the room, their hooves still sloshed in water on the ground. When the trio returned, they found the floor flooded with water.

“Ugh! Of course! It rained through the windows!” Haze groaned.

Splashing, she stomped over to her cot. She lifted her saddle bag off the floor, now dripping water from the bottom, onto the cot next to hers. At least they weren’t sleeping on the floor. She pulled out the recollector from her bag and hoped it wasn’t damaged by the water.

Unsurprisingly, the memory was of a pony in Camp Umbra. Except this time it was much brighter, dryer, and busier. Soldiers were strolling through the clearing. A few crossed over the bridge above the winding stream and passed by Haze’s host. She felt them nod in recognition and heard one of the soldiers acknowledge them as “River Rush.”

Somewhere above, a voice called down, echoing off the canyon walls. Haze’s vision pivoted upward, squinting at the bright sky. Just as they looked, a group of Pegasi circled around and flew into camp. River Rush cantered to meet them a few buildings to the north. In the head of the group was a sky blue mare with a striking rainbow colored mane. Haze had never seen a pony with such vibrant hair. Her dark attire only made it stand out more.

“Commander Rainbow Dash,” Haze felt River Rush say.

The blue mare paid them no mind as she took in her surroundings. “Wow! This camp is so cool! In a canyon! Whoever decided the location is a genius. Oh wait, it was me! Ha!”

“I do hope you enjoy your stay,” River Rush told her.

“Sorry, officer, I can’t dally around. We’ve got serious work to be done,” Rainbow Dash replied. “Are your Pegasi ready?”

“Yes, just a moment.”

They turned around and passed through the clearing again. They approached a pole with something attached to the top, which stood near one of the benches. Haze saw their teal foreleg extend and pull a lever. A loud alarm rang through the clearing and beyond. The bell rallied the soldiers together in the clearing. River Rush silenced the bell and addressed them.

“Pegasi of squadron A: you’re aware you have been selected for a mission. Now is time to fulfill that goal. Please gather before your commander.”

A select few Pegasi emerged from the encircling crowd. They formed a neat, square alignment and faced the visiting team of Pegasi.

“Awesome!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “Thank you all for your service. You’re making Equestrian history! Alright now, let’s go kick some ass!”

Almost instantly, Rainbow Dash bounded into the air with a powerful thrust of her wings. Her team and the squadron followed behind her in an organized position. Haze could hear the crowd dispersing and beginning to chat amongst themselves, but her vision never left the sky.

She was still struck by that rainbow maned mare. Haze had barely any time with her, yet she was intrigued by the energy she possessed. In a way, it reminded her of HyperBlitz.

The vision of the bright sky faded and was replaced by the blank surface of the cot. “But rain is one of the most relaxing sounds!” GleamingChance was saying as Haze lifted her heavy head.

“What’s up?” Haze wondered as she took the recollector off.

“Ray says she won’t be able to sleep with the sound of the rain,” Chance answered. “I don’t know how! Rain is relaxing!”

“I’m not used to it,” OrchidRays said in a small, defensive voice. “We don’t have rain back in the Stable.”

“Just… listen to your music or something,” Chance mumbled.

“Are we not taking watch shifts?” Haze asked.

“I considered it,” Chance replied, “but as far as I can tell, nothing else is here.”

“Alright.” Haze shrugged. She decided to trust Chance’s instincts, since he was usually right.

“You done with that?” Chance referred to the memory orb on Haze’s cot.

“Yeah. You want it?” Haze scooped it up with her hooves and chucked it over to Chance.

His magic swiftly caught it. “Hey! Don’t throw these! They can break,” Chance reprimanded.

“Sorry,” Haze said through bared teeth.

Chance shook his head and proceeded to place the memory orb on his cot. As he viewed it, Haze rolled over onto her back and stared at her PipBuck. Once her foreleg became weak, she curled up and snuggled into her blanket. The pattering of rain was somewhat peaceful. She let it guide her to sleep.

A chill hung in the air the following morning. The rain had stopped falling and left the atmosphere humid. SwiftHaze arose, her wings feeling strangely achy. Was it because of how much she flew yesterday? She ignored it and gathered her things.

It was still quite dark outside, the sky just barely lighter than black. As Haze placed her bags in the wagon, she noticed GleamingChance staring past the cabins in the camp. She alerted him.

“I… I swear I heard something,” he said.

“I thought you said nothing was here,” Haze urged.

“I know but… I heard something, down that way.” He pointed to the clearing with his muzzle.

“Whatever,” Haze dismissed.

“Wake up Ray,” he told her. “We may have to leave early if there’s something out there.”

“Maybe your ears are playing tricks on you,” Haze muttered.

When she didn’t get a response, she groaned and returned to the cabin. With a lime hoof, she gently nudged OrchidRays on her cot. Her eyes blinked open.

“Aw… I was finally sleeping,” she pouted.

“You can sleep in the wagon,” Haze said.

Ray sat up and rubbed her eyes.

A moment later, they heard Chance shout “fuck!” from outside. Haze dashed out of the door to see the issue. He was levitating his pistol and stood in a defensive position, Her eyes followed where his lead. There was something in the camp, but Haze couldn’t make out what it was. She just saw a round, fuzzy mound mostly hidden behind one of the cabins. The creature turned around and sniffed the ground with a strange wriggling snout.

“Get Ray’s stuff in the wagon,” Chance commanded.

Haze helped Ray pack her stuff but kept glancing back into the camp. Was the creature coming closer? Haze’s ears pricked at an odd scuffing sound. Chance backed up a few steps.

“Shit. Shit!” He hissed. “Haze, put the harness on. We gotta go.” He twirled around and levitated the remaining cargo into the wagon.

“What is it? I don’t see it?” Haze questioned as she did what she was told to.

The scuffing sound was coming back but it was coming from… below the ground. The earth began to move beside the cabin that was adjacent to theirs. Gnarly claws pushed up a huge, round creature. Its small beady eyes locked onto the ponies. It grumbled and began stumbling towards them.

“What the shit!” Haze cursed as she struggled to put the harness on. Chance attempted to help with his magic.

The enormous creature approached them. It reached out with claws to the nearest pony, which happened to be Ray. It’s claws struck her down, causing her to roll toward the wagon. Scrambling, Chance ran to help her up. With effort, he used his magic to push her into the wagon. Her side was bloody with several shallow claw marks. Again, the creature lashed out, this time striking one of Chance’s forelegs. He grunted in pain and lept into the wagon. Levitating his pistol up, he fired a few times at the creature, slowing it down.

Haze began to flap frantically, and the wagon moved with her. Chance secured the back hatch.

“Maulwurf!” He uttered.

“Excuse me?” Haze snapped.

“It’s a Maulwurf! They’re mutant moles,” Chance explained. “Of course they’d be out on a wet morning!”

The dirty creature kept up the pace and followed the wagon up the slope. It was at least twice the size of a pony.

BLAM. BLAM. Chance shot a few times at the Maulwurf’s face. It staggered, shaking its head. It continued to climb.

Haze heaved with effort to get up the slope. Once she reached even ground, it was much easier to pull the wagon faster. Now they were no match for the Maulwurf. It sat at the top of the slope, muddled. After a few moments, it began tunneling back into the earth.

“Is it coming for us?” Ray feared.

“I… no, I don’t think so. Maulwurfs can’t dig very fast. It’s going back,” Chance said with a sigh of relief.

He reached out for one of their bags with his magic and pulled out several healing bandages. He gave a potion to Ray and used the bandages for himself. Ray’s eyes were wet with tears and her Stable suit stained with mud.

“It’s gonna be alright,” Chance told her quietly. “Don’t think we’ll see any more of those outside of the canyon.”

I hope he’s right, Haze thought from ahead. I suppose I should believe him. He’s always right.

Chapter 13: Quagga

The temperature had risen but the humidity stayed the same as the group of young ponies traveled west that morning. GleamingChance was insistent on guiding SwiftHaze in the right direction, despite the Pegasus assuring she could follow her E.F.S. compass. OrchidRays took over for Haze for a bit so she could eat her breakfast, making up for the rushed departure.

Haze was back in the harness, the flat desert earth passing beneath her hooves. She groaned in boredom. “There’s nothing out here but cactuses!”

“Cacti,” Chance corrected from his position in the wagon.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

“A Pegasus of all ponies should know words ending in ‘U-S’ have an ‘I’ as their plural,” Chance said.

“Shut up,” Haze muttered.

Ray leaned forward near the front of the wagon. “Not just cacti. Look, there’s some mountains ahead!”

Haze squinted and saw the faded outline of a mountain range on the horizon.

“Well, how do we pass over them?” Haze pointed out. She heard the crinkling of paper as Chance took out his map.

“Looks like there’s a path that crosses over them. Go to the south. You should be able to find it.”

Haze studied her Eyes Forward Sparkle. She followed the ‘S’ and steered the wagon in that direction.

The road was just as barren as the rest of the desert. At least the concrete was easier on the wagon’s wheels than the rocky soil. The mountains appeared no closer than they were before.

“Ugh, so bored!” Haze groaned dramatically again.

“What about some music?” Ray offered.

“Fine. But Ray, just because we are descendants of Linkin Pony doesn’t mean it has to be Linkin Pony every time,” Haze informed her.

“Okay,” Ray said in a disappointed tone. She browsed her PipBuck. Haze recognized the song but couldn’t for the life of her remember who it was by. It was a sort of punk rock song, with a fast beat. It did make traveling a little bit livelier. A few tracks later and the mountains grew before them. They rode upward into the pony-made valley.

As they passed through, Ray asked, “At least one Linkin Pony song, please?”

Sighing, Haze accepted, “fine.”

Almost immediately, Ray played the song. Oh of course it’s that one Haze thought as she heard the simple piano intro.

“I know this one,” Chance noted, but continued to read his book.

A few lines into CharmingRhythm’s rap verse, Ray began chanting the lyrics along with him. She stopped once to call out “Come on Haze! I know you know the words!”

Rolling her eyes, Haze went along with it despite her annoyance. She sang strongly, mimicking HyperBlitz as the chorus started.

I tried so hard, and got so far
But in the end it doesn’t even matter!

Haze had to admit to herself that it did feel good to sing out loud. The trip was much more bearable this way. Leave it to Ray and her obsession with music.

As the girls kept going, Chance picked his vision off the pages of his book to keep a lookout on the surroundings. He scrutinized the rocks they traveled past. Instantly he felt a jolt of panic.

“Stop! Stop singing!” Chance hissed. His magic wrapped around Haze’s muzzle like rope. “Turn it off!” He snapped at Ray. She silenced her PipBuck.

“What the fuck, Chance?” Haze spat as soon as his magic let go of her muzzle. “You got a problem with singing?”

“Quiet!” He said in a forceful whisper. “Look!” He pointed at the stones they were rolling past. They had long grooves in them. “Those look like Hellhound marks.”

“Hellhound?” Ray asked in a low tone.

“Yes. And they have extremely good hearing,” Chance said. “We gotta be careful.”

“What’s a Hellhound?” Haze wondered as she kept pulling.

“Only the most fierce creature in the wasteland,” Chance revealed grimmly. “Their claws can cut through stone and metal like it was paper.”

Haze peered from side to side as they passed through the valleys. The long marks in the stones seemed to continue. There were a few holes in the earth, nearly covered by fallen rocks. The further they traveled, the more dispersed the mounds of rocks were. The mountains were behind them, and now they were in a field of rocky earth, as if it were miniature mountains.

“Chance, give me my rifle,” Haze requested. Her fur was standing on end. The strap of her assault rifle floated over her head and onto her shoulders.

It was almost deathly silent besides the squeaking of wheels.

Haze caught sight of something moving by the corner of her eye. She looked to the right and saw several meters away where two large creatures stood by a mound of rocks. With sharp claws, one was slicing through the rocks with ease. The other stood up on two legs and lifted its canine shaped head. Long arms hung from its torso, nearly reaching the ground. Those arms possessed massive claws. The Hellhound turned its head towards the passing ponies. A few seconds later, it began to chase.

“Fuck!” Haze blurted out. She began flapping her wings as hard as she could.

As they rushed down the uneven path, more shapes of Hellhounds appeared. Some followed the wagon with howls, some dug into the earth. The ground crumbled upward like bubbling water just a few meters ahead of Haze. She jerked the wagon to the left and swerved around the creature. Its claws swung down on the wagon, slicing into the wood as well as one of their bags. Contents from the bag flinged out of the wagon as Chance attempted to scoop it up with his magic.

“Haze! Just keep flying!” Chance shouted.

Swiftly, he levitated his pistol up and began firing on the trailing Hellhounds. BLAM. One of them staggered, shook its head, and began scampering again on four legs. Chance kept focusing on it, unloading his whole magazine into the rampant Hellhound. Its bullet wounds didn’t stop it from chasing.

As Chance reloaded, Ray peered around at the Hellhounds that followed them, some behind, and some to the side of them. Quickly, she reached for her bags and pulled out a grenade. She pulled the pin with her teeth, and chucked it out of the wagon. A moment later, it exploded, causing one of the Hellhounds to topple over from the explosion. It held its ears with its paws and howled in pain.

Haze’s heart pounded as she pumped her wings. Again, she saw the earth cracking open from the tunneling Hellhound. This time, the creature swiped its razor sharp claws at her. They tore through her wing, causing a gaping wound to open and blood to spew. She screeched in pain.
A tip from another claw had run down her back leg, causing a long, shallow cut. The pain overwhelmed Haze, causing her to cease flying. Her wing throbbed every time she flapped it. Falling to the ground she began galloping as fast as she could.

The Hellhound that injured Haze was drawing near again. Ray lunged halfway out of the wagon and swiped her foreleg at it. She got a clean cut on its eye with her switchblade. Chance put a few bullets into its neck.

“They don’t like the sound of the explosions!” Ray told Chance and reached for her grenades again.

“Good idea.”

He searched his own bags and fished out a few mines. He tinkered with them, then threw them overboard. In quick succession, three explosions went off. One blasted an arm off of a Hellhound in a bloody display. Another toppled one over. They all caused the Hellhounds to hold their ears and cry in agony. They stopped chasing, and were left behind.

“Keep going!” Chance yelled to Haze.

“I- I don’t- I cant!” She kept running, but her heart and every muscle was burning. Overextension was getting the better of her. She slowed her pace.

Chance glanced behind them. He could still see the Hellhounds grouped up, but they didn’t appear to be following now. He feared that if they slowed, the canines would attempt to chase again.

“Ray, can you take over?”

The Earth Pony nodded quietly. When they came to a stop, she hopped out of the wagon. Chance stood up and walked over to the front and unlatched Haze. Her wing was nearly torn in two and was soaked with blood.

“Fuck,” Chance muttered. “Haze, get up here.”

He knocked down the back hatch so she could have an easy way up into the wagon. Groaning in pain, Haze pushed herself up into the vehicle, then collapsed onto her belly. Chance attempted to extend her wing, but she screeched in protest. He reached for their healing supplies.

“Oh shit. No, no… fuck! Those motherfuckers!” Chance cursed as he saw the sliced open bag. Much of the contents had spilled out of the wagon when the Hellhounds had attacked.

He found a single potion and levitated it up to Haze’s mouth. There were a few healing bandages left, which he attempted to use on her wing. Slowly, the potion mended the slice on her leg completely, but it only healed her gaping wound halfway. While the bleeding had stopped, the red tissue of her wing was still visible.

“I can’t fucking believe it. We’re going to need more healing supplies,” Chance growled.

“But where do we go?” Ray wondered as she began cantering.

With a huff, Chance rolled over and pulled the map out of his saddlebag. He studied it for a moment. A pinpoint outside of the mountain range was labeled “Quagga.”

“There’s a town nearby. Um… Qwug-gah? I don’t know how to pronounce this.”

“Are you sure it’s close?” Ray asked anxiously.

“It… better be,” Haze rasped.

“Yes, it’s just along the road and near the mountains. It’s gotta be close. Just keep going on the path,” Chance assured.

“But… what if it’s abandoned?” Ray fret.

“Well, if it is, there’s still got to be some supplies left in it,” Chance said with hope he didn’t have.

Eventually, abandoned buildings began appearing sparsely. They grew closer and just beyond them was a gate which fortified even more well kept buildings. Two figures roamed the top of the gate, similar to the guards at South Gait.

As Ray pulled them near the gate, something was made abundantly clear. The striped coats of the guards indicated that they were not ponies, but rather Zebras.

One of them, a stallion, called down in a strange accent. “Halt. What business do you have in Quagga?”

Chance peeked his head out from under the roof of the wagon. “We mean no harm. We’re in serious need of medical attention. Please, we need help.”

“How can we be sure you ponies aren’t planning some attack?” the Zebra stallion accused.

“What? Attack? No, we need help,” Chance reassured. “Please. We have items we could trade for medical supplies.”

The other guard, a mare, whispered something into the stallion’s ear. He gave her a nod back, then leapt out of sight behind the gate. A few moments later, the gate was pulled open with creaking hinges.

“Thank you so much,” Ray said as she passed the guard who opened the gate. He eyed them with suspicion, and continued to follow them into town.

With a grunt, SwiftHaze sat up to take in the sight of the foriegn eyes watching her. Zebras! She had never seen real Zebras before. They looked like ponies, but less colorful and with stripes.

The stallion guard guided them through the streets. Even the architecture of the town was quite forign to the ponies. Small, rustic buildings that were simpler than the grand towers of Los Pegasus.

“Come. I’ll show you to a healer,” the guard leading them said.

They stopped in front of a two story building made of logs with a stone base.A windchime jingled just above the door. Ray parked the wagon along one of the walls. Haze stumbled as she exited their vehicle. Both Ray and Chance rushed to aid her. She placed her good wing around Chance’s back for support. It wasn’t just her wing that throbbed, but her whole body screamed with pain.

They made their way past a set of curtains and stepped inside. Gery daylight scattered across the room from an open window. A Zebra mare appeared from another room and mader her way around a low standing table. She wore her mane in thick strands, two mirroring each other on each side of her face.

“Greetings. How can I-” The Zebra mare stopped in her tracks. Her widened eyes stretched her face, which suggested that she was near her fifties. She goggled at the ponies, bewildered. “Ponies…” she uttered. “And ones I’ve never seen before.”

The guard who escorted them stepped forward. “These ponies claim to be in need of healing.”

“Claim?” Haze sneered. “Have you seen my fucking wing?”

“Haze!” Chance silenced her.

Slowly, the Zebra mare inched forward and extended her hoof to examine Haze’s wing. She stretched it out, causing Haze to wince in pain.

“Oh my,” the Zebra muttered. She turned to face the guard. “I think I can handle this from here, thank you.”

Without a word, the stallion bowed his head and proceeded to exit the building.

“Now then,” the mare was saying. “My name is Ayza. What brings you to Quagga?”

“It was the closest town we could find,” Chance explained.

“What did this to you?” Ayza asked Haze.

“H-Hellhound…”

Ayza shook her head. “Such dreadful creatures. Damned by the stars.”

“Come, lay here.” Ayza picked up a blanket in her teeth and dragged it over the low table. Haze forcefully pushed herself onto the table and laid flat on her belly, letting her wings droop off the edges. Once again, Ayza examined the wound and removed the bandages that covered the perimeter of it. She swiveled around and searched through many bottles that sat together on shelves.

“I had no idea there was a whole Zebra town out here,” Chance brought up as Ayza treated Haze.

“Quagga has grown within the past few decades. Zebras from many walks of life have gathered here for a safe place to stay. We even have a small population of ponies among us,” Ayza revealed.

“Ponies?” Ray wondered. “So you don’t hate us? I thought Zebras didn’t like us.”

Ayza poured a liquid into her hoof then applied it to Haze’s wing, causing her to flinch, but say nothing.

“Perhaps our ancestors did, but it has been many generations since the war. There may be some who resent ponies, but I know none who seek to harm you ponies.”

“Huh,” Ray took that in.

“My whole body hurts, not just my wing!” Haze complained. “Can you do anything about it?”

Ayza cocked her head and inquired, “Have you harmed yourself in any other way?”

“Um, well… I ran like fucking hell.”

“Hmm, you may have torn some muscles. A potion might heal them.” Ayza turned around and returned to the corner of the room. Stretching her head down, she pulled out a crate from a bottom shelf, causing the sound of glass clinking. She picked a thin vile of green liquid in her teeth then popped the lid off and prompted Haze to drink.

“Eck, what is that?” Haze muttered.

“Healing potion. Homemade. It is more natural than the common potions you may find in the wastes. And because of that, it’s not quite as strong,” Ayza explained as she shifted to another side of the table.

Haze glanced at her wing, but didn’t see the wound close any further. “It’s not immediate healing?”

“No,” Ayza said. “Because it is organic, it promotes natural healing. Still quite faster than your body mending on it’s own, but not as rushed as its Equestrian potion counterpart.”

“Ugh, I wanna be able to fly again right away!” Haze whined.

Ayza let out a sigh. “Have patience, my dear pony.”

Farther in the house was the sound of hooves descending down stairs. A few moments later a Zebra stallion appeared in the doorway that Ayza had first appeared from. He was much younger than her, yet still mature.

“Ay, Ma, I heard some voices. You got-” the stallion stopped mid-sentence as his lime green eyes widened. “I know all the ponies in this town, but never have I seen y’all before.” His accent wasn’t quite as thick as his mother’s. “Whatch’all doing here? How did this-” with a wave of a hoof he gestured to Haze on the table. That instance, he took a second to get a better look at the pony mare. “A Pegasus? Well, that’s a new one.”

“You know all the ponies here?” Ray questioned him curiously.

“Yep! I hang out with them. Not so bad folk,” he claimed.

“And you are…” Chance said awkwardly.

“Xoqan. And how ‘bout yourselves?”

“Erm, I’m Chance.”

“OrchidRays!”

“And that’s SwiftHaze.” Chance used his muzzle to point to the Pegasus on the table. She only grumbled.

Ayza stepped back a few paces. “There’s not much more I can do. You must rest and let the treatment set in. I have extra beds upstairs for patients to rest. You may stay the night.”

“We’re going to have to pay for this, aren’t we?” Ray directed at the healer. Then she turned to Chance. “Do you have anything we can offer her?”

“I-I… Well, th-that depends… on what you’ll take as payment,” Chance stumbled over his words. There was a small chuckle from Xoqan.

For a moment, Ayza silently stared at them, as if lost in thought. “Your payment need not be immediate. I will think about this.”

“Of course,” Chance said as Haze got down from the table with a stagger.

“I guess we’ll need to repair our wagon too,” Ray thought aloud.

“Well, sounds like a job for you,” Chance pointed out. “I’m sure you could think of some solution.”

“I could look around for parts,” Ray considered, her mind wandering.

As Haze walked through the room, she dipped her head to the healer. “Thank you, Ayza. I’m feeling better already.” But not better enough, she omitted.

“Certainly. I could show you to a bed, you may rest,” Ayza responded. After a few steps, she paused to place a hoof on Xoqan’s shoulder. “I’m sure you can help these ponies get accustomed to Quagga.”

“Of course,” Xoqan smirked.

Ayza’s striped tail disappeared past the doorway, but Haze hung back for one moment. “Ray, could you get my bags and bring them up?”

“Sure!” Ray smiled then dashed outside.

Now as Ayza led Haze up the stairs, it left only Chance and Xoqan in the treatment room. Chance shuffled his hooves awkwardly. “So… you like hanging out with ponies?”

“Probably a good idea to get comfortable with them so I can manage out in the world when I travel.”

“You travel?” Chance wondered.

“Well, not yet. But one day I will,” Xoqan claimed. “I’d love to go to other ponies cities and practice my healing skills.”

“So you’re a healer too, huh?” Chance asked, intrigued.

“Yeah. My ma taught me, but I taught myself some things as well,” the Zebra stallion boasted.

“That’s pretty cool,” was all he got out of Chance.

“Soo… what’s with the Pegasus? Why ain’t she up in the clouds?” Xoqan queried.

“Haze? She’s from a Stable; she’s not part of the Enclave. I mean, she is wearing a Stable suit,” Chance explained.

“Well, I ain’t ever seen one of those suits before, so it’s not like I knew,” Xoqan defended and shrugged.

Outside, OrchirdRays cantered towards their wooden wagon. Despite being sent in search of Haze’s belongings, she was distracted by the crevice in the wagon. The Hellhound had carved out a portion of the side and the floor of the wagon, a few hoof-lengths wide.

“Hmm… I could patch the hole over, or I can completely replace the boards,” Ray pondered out loud, tapping her chin with a hoof.

“Who are you talking to?”

“Eep!” Ray jolted and spun around. She saw an ice blue pony- no- Zebra?- standing in the middle of the stone street.

“Oh, I was just talking to myself,” Ray said then added bluntly, “You’re a weird looking Zebra.”

The stallion cringed a bit. “That’s because… well, I’m a Zony.” He had darker stripes on his coat, but none in his purple mane.

“What’s a Zony?”

“Well, my mom was a pony, and my dad a Zebra.”

“Whoa, really? That’s so cool! I didn’t even know that was possible! Ray exclaimed.

“Um… thanks, I guess. At least you think it’s cool… unlike a lot of the Zebras around here,” the Zony added, his pink eyes drifting away.

“I’ve never seen Zebras before. This place is weird.” Ray took a wide look over all of the buildings in front of her.

“So, I guess you’re not from here.” The Zony tilted his head so he could peer past Ray, at the wagon. “You’re traveling?”

“Yep! You wouldn’t happen to know where I could find supplies to fix this, would you?” Ray requested. “If I could buy them, or-or maybe salvage them. I need wood. Oh! And nails.”

“Well… I do know one place you could salvage some,” the Zony replied.

“Really? Can you show me?” Ray beamed.

The Zony blinked then shrugged. “I guess.”

“Awesome! I’m Ray, what’s your name?”

“Torrent,” the Zony stated as he began trotting down the road. Ray hurried after him and left the wagon behind.

Wearily, SwiftHaze laid in the second floor room. The bed under her was hard and small, but she didn’t want to refuse what she was offered. It seemed as if hours had passed since Ayza left the room, but in truth, it had only been ten minutes or so.

Haze sat up. Something’s not right.

Carefully, she placed her hooves on the floor, causing the planks to creak under her. She paced over to the window that overlooked the streets. She saw Zebras passing through and foals chasing each other with laughter. There was one Zebra conversing with a merchant at a small stall. Directly below her window was the roof of her team’s wagon. What she didn’t see was OrchidRays.

I thought she was bringing me my bags, Haze quibbled in her mind. She called out Chance’s name, and sure enough, he soon came running up the stairs.

“What’s up?”

“Where the fuck is Ray?” Haze demanded.

“Um, I saw her go out but she never came back in,” Chance said.

“Well, she’s not out there now.” Haze made an exaggerated action of looking out the window with wide eyes.

With a groan, Chance rubbed his temple with a forehoof. “She must have gone looking for parts to repair the wagon.”

Xoqan’s voice spoke from the open doorway. “A pony who doesn’t know the streets could get themselves in big trouble. The gangs don’t play around.”

Chance sighed. “I’ll go find her.”

“I better come with you. Since you don’t know the streets either,” Xoqan informed Chance.

“Before you go, can you get my stuff?” Haze begged.

“Fine. May as well bring in all of our stuff,” said Chance.

GleamingChance followed close behind Xoqan as they wandered the streets of Quagga. The many guards that patrolled the blocks told Chance that this was a secure town. Still, he felt vulnerable as foriegn Zebra eyes followed him as he passed.

“I hate when others look at me,” Chance muttered.

“Well, you are a pony,” Xoqan said. “You kind of stick out, so of course there’ll be Zebras watching you. They’re just curious,” he assured.

“But I thought the Zebras here were used to ponies living with them,” Chance recalled.

“Er- not too much. They’ve shoved all the ponies into a run-down neighborhood, so most of the time they don’t interact,” Xoqan explained. He gave a friendly nod to a Zebra as they passed by.

“Getting back at the ponies for what they did to the Zebras during the war,” Chance guessed, keeping his voice low so no Zebra could hear him.

“I suppose so, but I don’t see the point of doing that. When the world’s gone to shit, we should be working together.”

Chance nodded. He was right, of course. But generations of bigotry were not easily undone.

“Wait. Hold up.” Xoqan halted and backed up a few steps. He peered into an alleyway, where voices could be heard. He entered the alley while Chance was waiting out in the street. In the alley were two Zebras, a stallion and a mare, cornering an Earth Pony between some crates. The pony’s eyes were wide with distress as the Zebras kept pushing him into the crates.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t know it was yours!” The tan pony pleaded with his voice cracking.

“Bullshit. You knew it was and you were going to steal it anyway,” the Zebra stallion wearing green threatened. “You shouldn't even have been around these parts, let alone with a knife. My knife!”

“I said I’m sorry!”

“Hey!” Xoqan called out. All three contenders swerved their attention to him. “What the fuck is going on here?” He demanded. Chance crept a few hooflengths farther to get a better view of the conflict.

“This punk was stealing my knife!”

“Did he give it back?” Xoqan inquired, his voice low.

“Well, yes, but that-”

“Then leave him the fuck alone,” Xoqan commanded with confidence.

“These ponies don’t deserve special treatment. He’s a fucking thief and he’s going to pay for it!” The Zebra in green said.

“I said leave him alone!” Xoqan shouted and flicked his forehoof upward. Some abnormal, dark mist formed and swirled around it. Less then a second later, the same type of mist also enveloped the instigating Zebra’s hooves. Xoqan slowly raised his forehoof higher, and the Zebra lifted off the ground, his hooves wrangling in the black mist.

“Go,” Xoqan told the cowering pony.

Quickly, he darted out of the alley, saying thanks to Xoqan as he did.

“Okay! Okay!” The Zebra in green begged, still hovering in the air. His eyes were wide with fear as he had no control over his movements.

Xoqan held his position for a moment longer, then set his hoof down on the stony ground. The black mist dissipated under the stallion’s hooves, causing him to fall to the floor. He collapsed onto his belly, with all four hooves splayed out. In horror, the second Zebra stared at Xoqan.

“C’mon,” Xoqan whispered to Chance and turned around to exit the alley.

The Zebra mare called out, “fuck you too, Xoqan!”

But Chance was frozen, attempting to process what he just saw. With a start, he rushed out of the alley to catch up with Xoqan.

“What the hell was that?” Chance exclaimed.

“A pony being harassed for no good reason. These thugs knows what happens when they do that... I get pissed! They never learn,” the Zebra stallion grumbled.

“Yeah, but -Um-uh-I,” Chance was at a loss for words.

“Spit it out,” Xoqan insisted. “Or did a starspawn take your tongue?”

After a breath, Chance said, “I mean that’s great you stand up for others, but I was referring to what you did with that Zebra. How did you make him float?”

Xoqan stopped and fully faced the Unicorn. “Dark magic. I promise it’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s just one of the only forms of magic a Zebra can perform, besides enchantment. Well, I guess that’s the same case for anyone who isn’t a Unicorn.” For a second, Xoqan eyed Chance’s horn.

“Dark magic? I thought that was some kind of folklore. So it’s real, and you can use it?”

“Yep. Takes a lot of practice to unlock and get any good at it, though,” Xoqan explained.

“Huh,” Chance let out. Somehow, there were still things about the world he was learning about. What else was left out in the books he read?”

“Anyway, this is what I’m talking about when I said a pony can get in trouble. We’ve got to make sure your friend isn’t stepping into the wrong neighborhood. Do you have any idea what kind of place she’d be?” Xoqan asked.

“Hmm... probably somewhere she could find parts for our wagon,” Chance explained.

“We can check the marketplace,” Xoqan offered.

After nearly two hours, GleamingChance and Xoqan explored the marketplace and streets adjacent to it, but found no trace of OrchidRays. They needed a better plan. After the failure at the marketplace, Xoqan took them back to his home.

When they approached the building, Chance paused as he saw Ray standing right next to the wagon, as if she never left. She was hammering a piece of wood into the side of it. Her ear flicked, and she turned her head.

“Oh, hey!”

“R-Ray? Where the fuck did you go? We’ve been looking for you!” Chance snapped.

“Oh... I went looking for parts. I found some!” Ray said with a smile.

“Ugh, Ray! You were supposed to get Haze’s bags,” Chance pointed out.

“Oooooh. Yeah, I forgot about that, sorry.”

Chance rubbed the tip of his hoof between his eyes. “That... That’s not the issue Ray. You can’t just go wandering all on your own without telling any of us!”

“I’m sorry,” Ray squeaked and lowered her head with pushed back ears. “But you told me to find parts...”

“I didn’t mean just go search all on your own!” Chance quipped.

“But, I wasn’t alone! I had a nice Zony take me there, his name is Torrent. He showed me a great spot for scavenging junk and wood,” Ray assured.

“I know Torrent,” Xoqan commented. “He’s a nice guy.”

“Still. You can’t blindly trust people out here. You need to stay safe, and stick with us,” Chance said.

“Sorry,” Ray murmured with shame.

Chance sighed. “I’m just glad you're okay. I know you're new out here. You still have a lot to learn.” He walked past the Earth Pony and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Good job finding things to fix the wagon.”

That made Ray perk up a little bit, and she continued to work on the project as the two stallions made their way inside.

Author's Note

I wanna thank everyone who's gotten this far for reading! I promise I'm still writing this story, and I intend to finish it, but at the moment life has been busy so I haven't found much time to write. Updates will slow down, but I hope to share more soon!

Chapter 14: Behind Your Lies

While GleamingChance and Xoqan searched for OrchidRays, SwiftHaze sulked in her room. Apparently Ayza had a bedridden patient that couldn’t make it to her healing room, so she sought them out in their own home. That left Haze all alone in the house.

Halfway dropping off the bed, Haze scrolled through her PipBuck. Bored. There was nothing new, obviously, she just sought out distractions. She let her forehooves flop to the wooden floor. Her eyes followed up the direction of the planks to where Chance’s bags were laying.

Curiously, she tried to scrabble to her hooves, but ended up flopping downward, hitting her chin on the floor. She dragged the other half of her body off the bed and sat up on the floor. With a hoof, she reached for Chance’s saddle bag. In the main pouch were several photos of his mother rolled up, along with a map of Los Pegasus specifically. Besides that, the main pouch contained his blanket.

Haze’s hoof felt something hard against another pocket. She flipped it open and found a memory orb snugly perched inside of it, protected by extra cushioning. Wait, was this the one they had found in Umbra? Haze didn’t see a reason for Chance to keep it. If not, why would he carry a memory orb with him, especially if they are so fragile.

I wonder what it is, Haze thought. Should I view it? She couldn’t know how long this memory was prior to viewing it, so she was unsure if she could watch it before the boys returned. But Haze was desperate for stimulation and distraction from her pain.

Fuck it. She took the memory orb and sat it on the bed while she searched for her recollector. Once she had the object she bent forward and entered into the memory.

Something about this memory was different than the ones she had experienced before. The air was different, yet extremely familiar. The sky was ever cloudy and the buildings laid in a state of deterioration. It was obvious that this memory took place after the apocalypse, perhaps not so long ago. Besides that, this one felt… fuzzy. Haze wasn’t sure why that was.

Her host was sneaking through the downtown streets. But there were boards, sandbags and tripwires closely built together. It was more of an obstacle course then a street. Haze’s host popped out from behind a propped board, then returned behind it. Haze’s attention wasn’t quick enough to pick out what they had seen. A strange feeling emerged from their forehead. Magic? They were a Unicorn, who floated out a pipe pistol from a holster on their side. Quickly, they jolted out into the open and took aim. BLAM. They shot a board in the shape of a pony’s head, right between the eyes.

Quickly, they scurried to the next check point. With swift reflexes, they reached out with their magic to disarm a tripwire. Orange magic.

The next section of the course had pitching machines that pelted soft balls from both sides. They were quick to dash past the machines, a few balls smacking their legs.

The next target was a moving board, levitated by another Unicorn out of sight. Haze’s host reloaded, then unloaded a full clip into the moving wood pony. Half of the shots were successful. One in the neck, one in the head and the other in the chest.

With hooves scrambling to a halt, they arrived at the end of the course. The street beyond was more clear, although it still had overturned pieces of concrete exposing cracks in the aged roads. Haze could feel them taking in sharp breaths. They had much less lung capacity than what Haze was used to. With shaking legs, it was almost as if they were struggling to keep their stance.

As they stood, they watched a Unicorn mare trot out of the shadows of an alley. Immediately, Haze recognized the maree from the photos printed from Stable 47. Wisteria Snap. Chance’s mother. Haze had a strong idea who’s memory this was, and the first words out of the mare’s mouth confirmed it.

“Well done, Chance. You’re getting faster.”

Chance huffed. “I-I’m still... Not fast enough.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Wisteria told him.

As she drew nearer, Haze got a better look at her scarred face. It made her look a lot older than she actually was. Something struck Haze at that moment. She wondered if either of her parents knew Wisteria personally when they were the same age.

After another huff, Chance let out, “Thanks Mom.”

“You’ve grown so much. Honestly, I don’t know what else there is for me to teach you. You learn more when you experience the shit out here for yourself.”

“But the others don’t think I’ll make it,” Chance lamented.

“Fuck what they think. You’ll show them, just wait,” his mother said.

Chance’s vision followed Wisteria as she walked past him. She picked up one of the wood pony targets in her magic. With force, she snapped it in half with a forehoof. Chance flinched in surprise. Wisteria was quite muscular for a mare, Haze observed.

The mare then locked her eyes with her son. “Whatever you do, whatever you aim for, just don’t hold back. Do you understand?” Chance gave her a hesitant nod.

A voice rang out from above them. Chance craned his neck around to see a stallion standing atop one of the building’s roofs. “Wisteria! If you’re done playing your game, we could use your help!”

Wisteria groaned in annoyance. “I’ll be there in a minute, fuckhead!” Then, in a much softer voice, she spoke to Chance. “Good session.” With a dip of the dead, she strolled forward and returned to the darkness of the alley. After her black and plum colored tail disappeared, the memory began to fade.

As Haze regained her own reality, she was left in wonder of how Chance got the memory recorded. How long after memories could you get them recorded? Did Chance want it to remember his mom, or was this recorded before she vanished? So many questions, yet Haze couldn’t go about asking them without her friend being suspicious of her watching his memory without his permission.

After a few minutes of wandering her mind, Haze pricked her ears. The house was still silent. She set the recolector on the end of the bed and went to put the memory orb back. As she did, the orb fumbled out of her grasp, thudding loudly on the wood floor. It rolled under the bed on the opposite side of the room.

“Fuck!” Haze let out.

She hurried over to the other bed and knelt down to peek underneath it. Darkness made it too hard to make out where the orb had gone. She knelt farther and reached under the bed with a forehoof. A reflection of her PipBuck’s light shimmered off the orb. The stretching motion was putting more strain on her injured wing. It was throbbing by the time she flicked the memory orb back in her direction. It appeared to be unscathed, which is what Haze hoped for. She returned the orb back to its place in Chance’s bag and sealed the flap.

For a few minutes, Haze just sat on the floor, not feeling like putting the effort into standing up. Her eyes settled on her bag as she realized she was hungry. She dragged the bag over to her and began sifting through it to find something tasty. Magically preserved snack cakes. Ah yes, that sounded perfectly edible. Haze hated eating over a century old food, but that was just about all they had with them.

Haze was still sitting on the floor when she heard the sound of hoofsteps on the stairs approaching. The door opened and GleamingChance stepped in, Xoqan following.

“Did you find Ray?” Haze asked, raising her head to look at them.

“Yes, and no,” Chance said. “We couldn’t find her while we were out, but she was here when we came back.”

“Well, at least she’s back.”

Chance groaned and rubbed the bridge of his muzzle. “She needs to learn that she can’t just wander off. I swear, that girl is so oblivious.”

“She means well,” Haze offered.

“Yeah, but, I just don’t wanna see something happening to her.”

“She’ll learn,” Haze said.

Off topic, Chance wondered, “why are you on the floor?”

Haze took a glance at her bags and then looked back to Chance. “I didn’t feel like getting up,” she stated matter-of-factly.

“Oookay.”

Chance’s vision wandered around the room and settled on the bed next to him. Within a second, Haze realized what had caught his eye. Her recollector. Shit. Her heart began to race and her head became warm.

“Why is that out?” Chance inquired seriously.

“Um, I pulled it out of my bag so I could get to my food,” Haze fibbed.

“And you forgot to put it back?”

“Yes,” Haze replied quickly.

Chance squinted his eyes at her. “Did you watch a memory orb?”

“What? No! I don’t even have a memory orb. How could I have watched one?” Haze defended, panic rising in her chest.

Chance gave her a hard stare but said nothing. He stepped forward in the room and reached for his bags. Orange magic opened the pouch that held his memory orb.

“Did you view my memory?” Chance asked slowly.

“W-what? No! I didn’t even know it was in there!” Haze retorted a little too quickly.

Chance rounded on her, stomping a hoof. “Haze! Tell me the truth. Did you watch this?”

“I-no!” How would he even know I did, there’s no evidence.

“Tell me,” he uttered.

“Ugh, okay. I viewed it,” Haze admitted with annoyance.

“Haze!” Chance snapped. “Why the fuckwould you view my memory without my permission?”

“I didn’t know it was your memory!” she shot back.

“It was still in my bag. You have no right going through my bags,” Chance asserted.

“I’m sorry! I was bored,” Haze quipped.

“Being bored isn't an excuse to go through some pony’s personal belongings,” Chance said. “I thought I could trust you.”

Now that stung, the feeling pierced Haze’s racing heart. She knew she was in the wrong here, but almost had enough pride to deny it. “You can! I-I’m sorry, okay? I don’t get why it’s such a big deal. I didn’t see anything bad in the memory.”

Xoqan shifted in the doorway. “Um, should I go?” The two ponies continued to contend.

“It’s a big deal because it’s my memory. It’s personal to me,” Chance insisted, a hoof on his chest. “And you tried lying to me. You should have told me the truth to begin with.”

With a sigh, Haze gave in. Her head hung low. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” The fact that this was the angriest she had seen Chance only made the guilt more painful. He usually kept his cool and his patience. Even so, he still seemed to be holding back. Haze wished she had just a portion of that self control.

The Unicorn let out a breath, but kept his brows furrowed. Xoqan was still standing in the doorway awkwardly. He wore a frazzled expression, stiff from the argument. The room became cold with silence.

At last, Haze spoke up. “I don’t get it.”

“What?” Chance said. “I already told you why I’m-”

“No!” She cut him off. “I mean, why did you get that memory recorded?”

Chance looked bewildered as if that was a foalish question. “I- I wanted something to remember my mom by. That was the last training session we shared before she disappeared.”

Haze nodded, understanding. “Of course. And…. that’s why we’re out here. I’m sorry if I fucked up, but I do want to help you find your mom,” she said sincerely.

“Your mom?” Xoqan spoke up from behind them. “Is that why you’re all the way out here?”

“Our trail leads to Phoenix City,” Chance explained.

“Actually, my dad went that way a few weeks ago to trade. He hasn’t come back yet. I’m worried. Maybe I could join you all down that way,” Xoqan commented.

“I mean, I don’t have an issue with that,” Chance replied then pivoted his vision to Haze. “What do you think?”

“I guess,” Haze grumbled. “That’s just more weight to pull.”

Xoqan gave her a hard stare.

“I think it would be good. Xoqan has healing skills, and we could really use a medic,” Chance said.

“That’s true,” Haze considered. “It’s not like any of us really know how to treat things. We just shove potions down our throats.”

Chance perked up as he realized something. “Xoqan, you said you know every pony in this town. Do you remember the ones who pass through?”

“Well, it’s not like there’s a lot to pick from when it comes to passersby,” Xoqan said.

Orange magic opened the bag nearest to Chance’s hooves. He pulled out one of the photos of Wisteria and presented it to the Zebra. “Have you seen her before?”

Xoqan studied the photo for a few moments. His green eyes lit up, almost exaggeratedly. “I think I may have! But I can’t be sure when. May have been several years ago.”

“Seriously?” Chance’s face broke into a smile. “That’s great! Maybe there are other Zebras here who saw her! Do you think we could go ask around?”

“I- um, I guess?” Xoqan replied, taken aback. “If you’re ready to go out again.”

Haze threw her head into the air and groaned. “I want to go explore! This place is so interesting yet I have to stay here so I can heal.” She stuck her lip out in a pout.

“Well, I might be able to help with that,” Xoqan offered.

“What? Huh?”

“I mean I can heal you faster,” he spelled out.

“Really?” Haze cocked her head. “What can you do that your mom can’t?”

“Actually, quite a bit,” he claimed, raising a brow and giving a smirk.

“Oh?” Haze challenged, intrigued.

“Sit back up on the bed,” he instructed and Haze did so, although with a grunt of dissatisfaction. Xoqan stepped to completely face her. “I have learned some things my ma… does not really approve of. So you gotta make sure you do not tell her I did this, ya hear?”

“Alright,” Haze said, unsure what he was getting at.

The Zebra extended his hoof forward and a dark mist gathered around it calmly. Chance recognized the dark magic, but Haze jolted in alarm. The magic swirled around her injured wing and extended it. Haze yelped in pain. Soon enough, the dark mist completely covered her wound, and spun around her wing like a wheel. The pain was diminishing, unlike the potion Ayza had given her. Haze could tell this was actually healing her… whatever this was. Once Xoqan was finished, the gash was considerably smaller.

“Can’t give away that I healed it. Better cover it up so my ma don’t see it.”

“What was that?” Haze gaped in awe and aghast.

“Dark magic,” Xoqan answered. “Healing spell, specifically. Ma thinks it’s unnatural so she doesn’t approve of it. But it has so much potential.”

GleamingChance was staring at him with wide eyes, as if he was thoroughly impressed.

Suddenly, Xoqan winced and lowered his head.

“What’s wrong?” Chance asked urgently.

“Repercussion of healing with dark magic. You receive the pain-” Xoqan paused a moment to gather himself with a grimace. “The pain of the person you healed. Guess wing translates to back pain for me.”

“Are you okay?” Haze questioned, feeling guilty for transferring her pain to him.

“Yeah,” he assured. “It’ll go away after a couple days. Besides, painkillers ease it. But I uh… gotta get some first.”

“Then we can go out and get some and ask around about my mom,” Chance offered with eagerness.

Xoqan shrugged. “Alright.”

And just like that, they were gone down the stairs. Haze checked the time on her PipBuck to determine if there was enough time to explore.

She too cantered down the stairs, feeling refreshed. The two stallions had already left. Haze poked her head outside a window to see OrchidRays standing by their wagon.

“Oh hey!” Ray greeted her. “I fixed it!” She gestured to their vehicle.

“Awesome,” Haze replied. “Hey you wanna go explore the town with me?”

Ray’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Really? You want me to come? I’d love to explore with you!” She beamed.

“Great. Just make sure to stick with me.”

Dirty streets were lined with cracked cobblestones. Several wind chimes softly sung in the air. Above GleamingChance was a strange, arching bridge that connected the top floors of two parallel buildings. It was an odd design choice. Was this Zebra architecture? Several homes seemed to be connected to trees, as if the trucks provided protection.

“Hey, you coming or what?”

Chance jolted and dashed after Xoqan. The Zebra continued to show the way. Chance couldn’t tell if these Zebras were living better or worse than the ponies of Los Pegasus. He noted no murderous raider gangs, but that didn’t rule out the possibility of hostile creatures in the surrounding area.

“So... Do you know what- er, where to get your painkillers?” Chance asked.

“Oh yeah, I got a guy,” Xoqan said.

That made Chance chuckle a bit. “You got a guy?”

Xoqan smirked. “Yeah, sounds funny when I say it like that. But don’t worry, I ain’t into hard drugs, just need some Med-x.”

For the second time that day, the two stallions entered the marketplace. This too was foreign to Chance. Instead of store fronts behind glass windows, each shop was set up as a stall. Some were small and only allowed trade through a window. Others were larger, allowing bodies to browse the selections.

Xoqan stopped at one of the smaller stalls. He propped his foreleg on the counter, placing his weight against the structure. A Zebra stallion with deep brown eyes greeted him.

“Ah, Xoqan, what can I do for you?”

“You know my usual. I need some Med-X.”

The brown eyed Zebra grimaced at that. “Eh, well... you see, I am out of stock.”

Xoqan took his hoof off the counter and spoke in a serious tone. “Are you fucking kidding me? Then just go get more!”

“Not that easy.” The merchant shrugged. “Have to wait until the traders come back with a shipment.”

Xoqan groaned. “And that would be my dad’s group. Ugh, I can’t believe this!”

Now he sounds like Haze, Chance remarked to himself as he stood at a distance. He watched Xoqan angrily slammed his hoof against the side of the stall, causing it to shake.

“Perhaps I could interest you in other pain killers?” The Zebra offered with just a hint of anxiety on his face.

“You know that shit ain’t no good! I need Med-X! This is fucking bullshit!”

Xoqan spun around and stormed off. Quickly, Chance galloped to catch up with him. Eventually, he slowed to a normal gait while Chance took his place next to him.

“What are you going to do?” Chance asked.

“Gotta get back home,” Xoqan muttered. He seemed to have blown off most of his steam. “Can’t let Ma suspect anything.”

“B-but, I thought we were going to ask around about my mom,” Chance pointed out with disappointment.

“I’m sorry, Chase-”

“Chance.”

“Chance. Whatever. I can’t let ma know anything about using dark magic. Better get back before she finds out I even left in the first place. I’ll have to come up with an excuse for a back ache,” Xoqan muttered.

“Can’t you just lay low for a while?” Chance suggested.

Xoqan snapped, “No! It fucking hurts and I’m already sucking it up as much as I can. Listen, it’s already getting late. We can ask around tomorrow.”

“Alright,” Chance said, discouraged, and began following the Zebra again.

SwiftHaze was not used to being land-bound in the wasteland. Yes, SilverFlash had advised her not to fly, but she had already broken that rule many times already. Now, she was physically incapable of flight, even after Xoqan’s healing.

Multiples Haze had to call out to OrchidRays to insist she slow down and not run off too far without her. The two mares continued to follow a gravel path adjacent to a ditch that held a dirty stream. Garbage littered the bottom of the ditch, blocking the stream’s flow in some parts. On the opposite side were more buildings of Quagga. They passed two Zebras standing outside of a doorway. Both began to speak to each other in hushed tones as they observed the passing ponies. Haze felt a little irked, but wasn’t going to let it get to her.

The farther they followed the stream, the worse the condition of the houses became. They had passed the last populated house a few streets back. Wooden planks were nailed over windows and doors. This was at the edge of town, Haze noticed. The fence that encircled the city was just beyond the crumbling, abandoned homes.

“Oh, what’s that?!” Ray exclaimed and pointed. What looked like a watchtower rose behind the roofs of the buildings. “Can we go look?” Ray begged.

“If you can find a way over,” Haze said. She spotted a bridge ahead, but it was badly damaged, making it impossible to cross.

“I’m sure I can climb to the other side of the ditch,” Ray remarked.

“Uh, you sure? Those sides look pretty steep,” Haze commented on the smooth, slanted walls of the ditch.

Ray peered over the edge and slowly crawled forward. Suddenly, she dropped out of sight. A small lurch hit Haze’s chest. She peeked past the edge to see Ray had successfully slid down. She proceeded to jump over the trash in the water carefree, like a game of hopscotch. The first time she attempted to climb the opposite wall, she slid back to the bottom. Ray gave herself a running start and sprung for the top. Her forehooves latched to the edge as she pulled the rest of her body up by pushing her hind legs on the wall.

Although Haze was impressed, all she said was “um, I think I’m going to find another way. I ain’t trying that.”

Haze stepped onto the bridge she had seen and gazed at the nasty water below, the wood creating beneath her hooves. She analyzed the distance to the other half of the bride, assuming she could make it. Confidently, she ran and launched herself forward. In an instance, that confidence evaporated as she fell short. Her forehooves frantically scrambled to latch onto the other side, but she lost grasp. Splash. She fell belly first into the mud. A shockwave of pain surged through her body from the impact.

“Fuck!” She groaned as she pushed herself up.

OrchidRays came to the rescue and tossed over a wooden plank she had found. She set it so it was angled against the ditch wall. Carefully, Haze put one hoof in front of each other as she stepped on the plank.

“Thanks,” she mumbled as she reached the top. “Ugh, now my Stable suit is all dirty!”

“Are you okay?” Ray worried. “Do you wanna keep going?”

“Yeah,” Haze huffed. “Let’s go.”

Inside the watchtower, the mares were greeted by the presence of a skeleton on the floor. Just by was a chair and a lit terminal. At first Haze thought it was safe to assume it was a Zebra, but on second look, she saw there were bones of limbs extending from its back. A Pegasus.

“Who were they?” Ray wondered.

“Let’s find out,” Haze said as she approached the glowing terminal.

Locked. She attempted a few guesses at the password. Quagga? Zebra? Watchtower? Nope, none of those.

“Try ‘Equestria’,” Ray murmured into Haze’s ear.

With a few clicks, the terminal was unlocked. Haze glared at Ray. “Lucky guess.”

But Ray only shrugged and pointed to the pin board above them. There was a miniature Equestrian flag in almost perfect condition.

They found reports as well as personal journals. They were marked under the name “Blackout.” Haze opened a journal entry.

I can’t fucking believe I stuck here with these Zebras. Sis would hate me if she knew I hated them. She’s always accepted Zebras, but I know better. These people have ruined our country with their war. And now I’m stationed as a guard in a Zebra town! This is bullshit. I’m sorry Iri.

As Haze read, she thought oh gosh he was one of those ponies. Then she continued.

Sis has requested to come visit, but has been denied access. Nobody gets in or out of Quagga. We can’t risk Zebra spies passing under our muzzles. Besides, I don’t want sis to see me here like this. By Celestia, why did I tell her I was okay with Zebras? I didn’t want to upset her. But I’ve been living that facade for too many years now. That’s what got me this mess to begin with. I wish I could go fight instead of babysitting these striped bastards.

The more Haze read, the more she hated this Blackout. She looked at some status reports instead.

She found that there had been searches of every Zebra home. Even so, there was no evidence of spies. They were told to stay in Quagga for their own safety. At least, that’s what the government claimed. Specifically orders incoming from the Ministry of Morale. Apparently even shipments of food and medicine had been denied entrance to the town. The Zebras of the past were prisoners in their own home.

Back to the journals.

So Iri isn’t allowed in to visit, and I’m not allowed out either! this is bullshit. I’m a PONY, not a Zebra. Why would I be a spy? Luna dammit. I just want to see my sister. But at the same time, I’m afraid to. I’m afraid of her finding our the truth.

Haze despised this ‘Blackout’ but had to admit, he was a pony and still had a heart, somewhere deep inside of him. He had clearly cared deeply for his sister. Even enough to lie to her about his feelings in order not to hurt her.

“Can we stop reading? I don’t like these,” Ray asked in a small voice.

Haze turned to her. “Yeah. Let’s get the hell out of here. But, um... I don’t think I know the way back.” She gave an awkward grimacing smile.

“That’s okay! I made a custom location on my PipBuck,” Ray said.

“Smart,” Haze remarked. “Alright, show the way.”

“I got it!” Xoqan exclaimed as he wandered the yard outside of his home. Chance gave him a quizzical look from the doorway. “I’ll say I injured my back in a sparring session,” he explained.

“Sparring?”

“Yeah.”

Xoqan slowly walked over to the wall of the house that was under the eave. There propped up against the wall was a weapons rack which held spears. Xoqan’s dark magic picked up the smallest weapon, which looked to be more of a short stick than a weapon. His magic then revealed a spear head, opening like a switchblade. Next, at the end opposite of the spear, the stick extended out into three parts. Now it stood nearly as tall as Xoqan himself.

“Whoa,” Chance gaped. “That’s awesome.”

“Thanks! I made it,” Xoqan smirked, and then added, “well, with my dad’s help.”

“It’s genius,” Chance continued to marvel at the weapon. “Portable, and safe to carry.”

“That’s the idea!”

“I’ll just tell Ma I was showing you my spears, and you accidentally hit me on the back,” Xoqan decided.

“I mean... I wouldn’t mind an actual sparring session,” Chance said.

A chuckle came out of Xoqan. “Maybe when I’m not hurting, okay?” Chance nodded.

Then Xoqan looked at the rack of normal spears. “Eh, she wouldn’t believe me if there wasn’t a visible injury.” He held up his hoof and pulled another spear over to him with his dark magic. Twirling around, the spearhead faced Xoqan. The magic drew it across Xoqan’s back, and forcefully sliced it. Xoqan winced in the amplified pain.

Horrified, Chance uttered, “why did you do that?!”

“So it’s convincing! Erg- don’t worry, it really isn’t any worse,” Xoqan claimed.

Chance trailed behind Xoqan as he entered his home with the spear. He found a cloth and cleaned the blood off of the spear. It was passed over to Chance.

“Can you put this back?”

Chance agreed. Once he returned, he saw Xoqan stripped of his shirt. He was pressing the cloth against the slice on his back.

“You’re really going to lie to your mom about what happened?” Chance wondered.

“Hey, what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” Xoqan claimed. “It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve done that.”

It wasn’t long until Ayza finally arrived home. As she went to greet them, her eyes became wide at the sight of dried blood on her son.

“What happened?” she demanded.

“I asked Chance to spar with me and... he kinda hit his spear on my back,” Xoqan told her as if it was completely true. Chance only stood awkwardly. As Ayza turned her face to Chance, Xoqan spoke before she could condemn. “It’s my fault, really. I didn’t show him how to properly hold it. I’m fine... it just... hurts.”

With a shake of the head, Ayza muttered something Chance did not understand. Zebric? “Let me treat you properly. Do you have any of your painkillers?”

“Actually, no,” Xoqan let out. “I went looking for some a few days ago and they were all out.” Once again, he twisted the truth. “Said the traders need to come back. That means Dad.”

Ayza sighed. “It has been an unusually long amount of time since he had left.”

At that moment the sound of hoofsteps echoed from the other room. Ayza twirled around to see SwiftHaze walking in the door.

“What are you doing out?!” The Zebra mare exclaimed. “I told you to stay put. You need to heal!”

“Sorry,” Haze said through bared teeth as she got closer and let room for OrchidRays to step in. “I got bored. I wanted to explore.”

Ayza shook her head. “No, no, no! Go back up to the room now, I don’t want to see you back down here unless you truly need something.” She pointed her hoof to the staircase.

Haze just rolled her eyes and stomped through the room to get to the stairs. She gave a passing glance to Xoqan as she made her way.

Once Haze was gone, Ayza approached her son again. “Come, Xoqan,” she addressed. She motioned her hoof to gesture him to the front room where she did her healing.

After Ray stepped up next to Chance, the two of them watched the Zebras exit the room. The two ponies stood in awkward silence. That silence was broken by Ray taking in a gaping yawn.

“Yeah, I’m with you on that. Today’s been a long day,” Chance remarked.

“You’re with me with huh?” Ray said and cocked her head.

“Oh. You yawned. I was agreeing that I’m also tired,” Chance explained and blinked.

“Oh. Okay.”

Chance just sighed and shook his head. It really did feel like the events of an entire week had been crammed into one day.

Author's Note

Xoqan's name might be spelled as "Zo-can" but it's pronounced "Zho-quan", the X being like a mix between Z and J

Chapter 15: To Yearn for More

SwiftHaze awoke to the chattering of Zebra foals out on the streets. Ugh, it’s too early for this! Why are they up? Blinking, she opened her eyes to take in the dull light filtering through the room. Somehow, she wasn’t used to it being light when she awoke. For so long she had risen in the dark confinement of her Stable room.

Haze pushed herself up from her sleeping position on her belly. She brought her foreleg under her muzzle and looked at her PipBuck. 9:43 AM. It wasn’t as early as she had suspected. Had she really slept for that long?

She forced herself to get up so she could use the bathroom. Good Celestia, everything still ached! As she passed by downstairs, OrchidRays flagged her down with a wave.

“Mrs. Ayza is making breakfast. You wanna eat with us?”

“Yeah, that would be great,” Haze replied.

Everyone was gathered in a circle, sitting on cushions on the floor. In the center of them as a short, circular platform, only a hoof high. It served as a table as Ayza began setting dishes down. She gave them each a plate of their own.

“You eat on the floor?” Haze wondered quizzically.

“I know you ponies may not be accustomed to it,” Ayza said.

“No, I mean- it’s not wrong. I just find it interesting,” Haze clarified in case she had sounded offensive.

Ayza sat on her own cushion. She began to rotate the platform around with a hoof, moving the dishes around so everyone could reach whatever they fancied.

“Oh! It spins!” Ray marveled.

The dish that stopped in front of Haze was a sort of bright purple fruit cut into halves. She took a few pieces and placed them on her plate.

“What is this?” she questioned.

“Mutfruit,” Ayza said. As Haze’s brow rose, she continued. “They grow plentiful in the wasteland. Perfectly edible.”

There was a soft, slow click click from Haze’s PipBuck.

They’re slightly irradiated,” Haze grimaced.

“As is everything that grows in the wild,” Ayza told her. “That is the world we live in unfortunately. We have potions that can cleanse you of radiation.”

The mutfruit was slightly bitter, but it wasn’t the worst thing Haze had tasted since she left the Stable. She was grateful to know that it was at least edible.

“You’ve been very hospitable to us,” GleamingChance had brought up as they ate. “Thank you, we owe you.”

“I am still contemplating that,” Ayza replied. “But I do insist you stay for another night so your feathered friend can heal.”

“What?” Haze blurted out. “Why? I’m feeling better!”

“Well enough to fly?” Ayza challenged.

“Erm...”

“That is what I thought,” the Zebra mare concluded and kept eating.

“Ma, I wanted to ask you something,” Xoqan spoke next. Ayza gave her attention to her son as she enjoyed her meal. “I know I’m an adult and can decide things on my own... but I wanted to know what you think of me going with these ponies as they travel.” Ayza’s purple eyes widened. “They said they’re going to Phoenix city. That’s where Dad went. I want to look for him. I’d also like to practice my healing skills for real.”

Suspense filled the air as Xoqan waited for his mother to respond. Instead, she turned to the three ponies.

“If you can bring back my husband, that will be enough payment for my hospitality.”

“So... Is it okay if I go?” Xoqan reiterated.

“I do not like it, and it is dangerous, but I know I cannot keep you in this town forever. I understand you strive to learn, and I know you are strong and clever. I speak my own opinion, for you do control your own life,” Ayza explained, her words confusing Haze.

“Thank you,” Xoqan responded with gratitude. He bowed his head, accepting her strange answer. It must have been Zebra logic.

“But, what if we don’t find your husband?” Chance asked with uncertainty.

Ayza considered this. “ I suppose your assistance in searching for him will be enough. Someone has to do it.”

“I’d still feel bad without giving you some tangible payment,” Chance insisted. “I’d like to give you a couple dozen caps at least.”

“Very well,” Ayza said.

“But, after I make sure we have enough to buy supplies for the journey. We have to restock our supplies,” he reminded the girls.

“I’ve got my own stash of medical supplies if that helps,” Xoqan offered.

Chance nodded. “I’d still like to go out to the marketplace and purchase things.”

“I can show you what I got and you can figure out what else you need,” Xoqan said.

“Sounds good,” Chance agreed, his voice conveying relief.

A bit after breakfast, Chance was preparing to depart for the marketplace. He had requested Ray to accompany him, pleasing the young mare.

Begrudgingly, Haze watched them get ready. Of course she couldn’t go. Ayza firmly insisted that she stay in her room and rest. Haze took a few steps to approach Chance. They had barely spoken since the incident the day prior.

“Are you still mad at me?” Haze pried.

Chance looked at her with a straight face. “Yes.” Haze deflated a bit. “But that’s not going to stop me from continuing our mission. I’m allowed to be upset, but I won’t hold a grudge against you. I just want you to understand and learn from your mistakes.”

Haze gave him a somber nod. At least he didn’t speak to her in a demeaning tone. Haze couldn’t understand how he could still hold his feelings of outrage with a pony, yet speak to them as if it didn’t bother him at all. He truly was mature and had control over his temper. Those were things from him that Haze could learn.

She watched her two friends leave and then turned to amble to her room.

As the morning slowly crawled on, SwiftHaze silently brooded in her room. Boredom seemed to be her worst enemy. She understood she needed to heal, but there was no sense in staying put if it could still while she was up and about, as long as she didn’t use it.

With legs propped on the window sill, Haze placed her chin in them and watched the street below. An idea mischievously formed in her mind. She studied where her team’s wagon was parked right below the window. It wouldn’t hurt if I leave and come right back and Ayza never finds out, right? She proceeded to unlock the window and pull it open. She stuck half her body out and peered directly down at the wagon’s roof. With a quick hop, she landed on all four hooves. Once the wagon’s wavering stopped, she carefully jumped a second time to reach the solid street. She stood tall and proud of her small accomplishment.

“Sneaking out?”

“Ah!” Xoqan’s voice startled Haze as he came around the side of the house. He lifted his hoof to his mouth. “You’re not going to tell your mom, are you?” Haze whispered.

Xoqan shook his head.

“Thanks,” Haze breathed out. “I just wanna look around.”

“I could show you around,” Xoqan offered.

“Really? That would be awesome.” Probably a good idea to trust someone who knew these streets.

Xoqan tilted his head away from his house. “C’mon, before Ma finds out.”

Haze quickly scampered after the Zebra.

Xoqan’s striped tail guided SwiftHaze through his hometown. Now they were following along the stream Haze had followed the day before. At least the water flowed freely in this part of the city.

Up ahead, adjacent to the stream was a building made of marble. It had doorways and pillars surrounding it. Half of it seemed to be crumbling along the edge near the water. Marble stones piled in the ditch below.

“This used to be a bathhouse,” Xoqan was saying. “But obviously we don’t use it no more. That’d be a waste of pure water, even if we have a water talisman. Not like it’s easy finding water out here in the first place.”

Haze cocked her head. “How’d you guys get a water talisman?” She had remembered hearing of such an object in Stable 47. That was what provided the Stable with clean water.

“Used to be an old Stable here,” Xoqan explained. “The Zebras here are descendants of those that came out of the Stable. All Zebra Stable I believe.”

“Whoa, there’s a Stable here? Can you show me?” Haze asked eagerly.

“Can’t. Don’t know where it is. I think the city officials hide it from the public because they don’t want us getting into it.”

“Damn,” Haze mumbled and kept her pace. “Wait, why would they hide it from you?”

“Don’t know. Maybe it has secrets, or is dangerous. Or they want to stop gangs from claiming it as territory,” Xoqan guessed.

“Huh.” All valid reasons I suppose, Haze thought.

A few moments passed where the two of them were silent. Then Xoqan let out, “Fuck. Speaking of gangs.” Way down the road were two Zebras standing together. Haze wasn’t certain but they appeared to be eyeing Xoqan.

“C’mon. Let’s get out of here,” he said, taking a turn to the right onto a new path.

Soon they approached a large, wide building with many windows. There was a fence encircling a yard that extended from the side.

“This is the school,” Xoqan said. “We still use it. There’s probably foals in there now.”

Most likely nowhere near the amount of students it had once held. Haze was glad that at least the city valued education for their youth.

As Haze kept following Xoqan, she became very aware of all the Zebra eyes watching her. Was it because she was a pony? No, there were ponies who lived here. Because of her wings? Possibly. Haze nearly lost sight of Xoqan as she became fixated on the stares. She cantered forward to meet up with her guide.

They were passing a crossroad when a voice shouted out from the left.

“Xoqan, you cocksucker!”

Both Haze and Xoqan stopped in their tracks. The latter quickly wiped his head to face the source of the strange, exotic voice. It had been one of the Zebras they had spotted earlier. They were galloping to intercept them, one other Zebra trailing.

“What the fuck do you want?” Xoqan belted out. He gritted his teeth.

“You think you can get away with what you did yesterday?” The opposing Zebra spat as he stepped into the intersection, as if it was a battleground.

“I think I fucking can,” Xoqan sneered. “You need to get your asses off the ponies in this town. Harassing them isn’t going to get you anywhere, Mazi. If anything it will just fuck you over.”

“With those weak ass ponies, ha, yeah right,” Mazi sniffed. He shot a dirty look at Haze.

“You want a piece of me?” Haze taunted.

“Ah, so she has a bark, huh?” Mazi teased.

“No, he doesn’t. Keep out of this,” Xoqan shot at Haze. “And for you,” he looked to Mazi, “I know you don’t like me, I literally couldn’t care less. But you ain’t fucking with the ponies when they’ve done nothing to you.”

“And how are you going to stop me? What that frilly ass magic of yours?”

“Yeah.” Xoqan swiftly raised his forehoof up. Dark magic formed around Mazi’s neck, strangling him. Slowly, he rose into the air until his hooves dangled above the pavement. With a swipe of a hoof, Xoqan slammed him down onto the hard ground.

Mazi shook in pain. The Zebra mare that was standing behind him was gaping. “Why the fuck would you do that?”

“Because he just keeps asking for trouble. You want some too?” Xoqan jeered, his eyes squinting. The mare took a few steps back. “Yeah, that’s what I fucking thought.”

“Let’s go,” he said to Haze and stomped off.

Haze’s hooves got moving, but her eyes still watched Mazi struggle on the ground. Once they were a few blocks away, Haze approached Xoqan.

“What did you do to him? Is he going to be okay?”

“Nothing too bad. I’ve done worse. That was just a shove,” Xoqan assured. He sighed. “I don’t get why they keep coming back to me when they know they can’t win.”

Haze struggled to understand the conflict. She was out of context, of course, but she suspected it had something to do with Xoqan being friends with ponies. I’ve done worse. Those words made Haze shudder. What had Xoqan done in the past?

Ahead of them was a badly damaged building, the walls blackened from smoke. Haze pointed it out.

“That used to be a library,” Xoqan informed her. “Got burned down, not too long ago actually.”

“Why?”

“It was full of Equestria text, mostly propaganda, anti-Zebra shit. Not all of it, but a good portion. It was catered towards ponies, so the Zebras rejected it and burned it. Must have been two decades ago, but I don’t remember much about it.”

“All of the books were burned?” Haze frowned. She wasn’t much of a reader, words bored her, but she found herself sorrowful of the knowledge lost in that fire.

“I think some of the ponies here saved a good bunch of them. Oh, I could show you where the ponies live,” Xoqan offered.

“Sure.”

The tour found itself in a rundown neighborhood. Nearly everyone here was a pony, except for a few Zebra guards at the posts on street corners. Many of the buildings were boarded up or missing glass in the windows. Haze still saw ponies entering some of the houses that were without windows or shingles on their roofs. Ponies lived like this here?

“Why do ponies stay here if they’re forced to live like this?” Haze wondered.

“Not sure. Maybe Zebras just provide excellent protection,” Xoqan said, a small tint of pride in his response.

“Oh yeah, what’s with the guards?” Haze hadn’t noticed this many guards in any other neighborhood of the city.

“Peacekeepers. Tries to stop the crime caused by gangs. Both from ponies and Zebras. It’s worse down here.”

“Guess that’s why those fuckfaces were trying to fight you where the guards wouldn’t see,” Haze said.

“I guess,” Xoqan sighed.

As they passed, a foal sitting on a porch looked to Haze sadly. Were pony foals not allowed to participate in class with Zebra piers?

“Y’see, during the war, Equestria tried shoving all its Zebra citizens into confined areas, one of them being Quagga,” Xoqan explained. “They said it was for their own safety, but we all know it was a way to snoop out spies. Not like there really were that many.”

Haze was unsure what any of this had to do with the state of the city now.

“So, Quagga gave the same treatment to their pony residence and kept them in a corner of the town.”

“But all that shit happened so long ago, why punish ponies now?” Haze countered.

Xoqan shook his head then looked at Haze pensively. “The hell do I know. Why do you think I give them fair treatment? Guess that’s why some of my people are all on my ass.”

Almost incidentally, a voice rang out from behind them. “Xoqan wait!”

Haze tensed, ready for this to be another fight. But when she turned to look the tan pony coming their way wore no expression of malice. If anything, he appeared anxious. Xoqan turned to face him.

“I heard you’re looking for some Med-X.” The pony began rummaging through a pocket on his baggy shawl. His hoof pulled out a syringe of purple liquid.

Xoqan’s eyes lit up. “Seriously? Thank you.”

The tan pony dropped the syringe in Xoqan’s hoof. “No, it’s to thank you for what you did yesterday. I wish I could give you more, but that’s all I’ve got.”

“It’s still appreciated,” Xoqan assured and stored the syringe in a bag on his side.

The tan pony stepped away a few hoof lengths, his composure uncomfortable. “Um, okay then. Bye.” The Earth Pony swiveled then returned the way he came.

Xoqan smirked. “There’s some perks to helping others.”

Haze nodded. She too dreamed of being recognized for her good deeds. Sure, it felt good to know you helped someone, but it was extra better when others knew how stupendous you are. Maybe some see that as conceited, but it was a feeling that gave Haze vitality. It was a craving that pushed her to achieve even better accomplishments.

“So, are you going to use it?” Haze used her muzzle to point to the pouch where Xoqan held the Med-X.

“Huh? Oh, no. It’s only one dose, gotta save it for when I really need it. I’m on some other painkillers right now. They aren’t as strong, but I’m managing. I kinda wanna save the Med-X for the journey, y’know?”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” Haze agreed.

After a few minutes, Haze noticed that Xoqan wasn’t leading the trail like he had. His position was almost parallel to Haze’s as they walked. There was a distant gaze in his green eyes.

“You okay?” Haze asked.

Xoqan perked his ears and looked at her. “Oh, I was just thinking... While I really do want to travel, and I am excited, I was wondering... who’s going to protect the ponies while I’m gone?”

Somehow, that surprised Haze. “Don’t you have any friends who are also friends with ponies and are willing to help them?” she said.

“I mean, yeah. But they’ve always looked to me to do the heavy lifting. I guess I could let them know...”

“You shouldn’t worry too much about them- the ponies I mean. They have to learn to stand for themselves without you either way. And there are guards for a reason,” Haze reasoned.

“I guess you’re right. I suppose we’ll just have to wait and see how well they fare when we come back.”

The idea of Xoqan returning to his home saddened Haze. She felt as if he was someone she could really get along with. Couldn’t he become a part of her team? He was similar to Haze in many ways. She adored that despite him being self absorbed, he also cared about the safety of others and fought for justice.

On their way back to his house, Xoqan showed SwiftHaze the marketplace. She eyed around to see if could spot Chance and Ray, but her friends were never seen.

Haze was quite intrigued with how the market worked. Some trades were even made by exchanging goods instead of caps. She wanted to see what items were for sale, but knew she shouldn’t tarry too long.

“Thanks for the tour,” Haze said as she stood under the window she had escaped from. “You’re awesome.”

“I know,” Xoqan boasted. That made Haze chuckle a bit.

She craned her neck to look above the wagon. “Erm, how do I get back up there?” She wasn’t able to fly, and the wagon’s roof was too tall to climb.

“Here,” Xoqan said from behind her.

A surge of panic rippled through her coat as she felt something foreign grab her sides. Haze was gently lifted off the ground. She realized it was Xoqan’s dark magic placing her on top of the wagon. Somehow, this magic felt different then that of a Unicorn, yet Haze couldn’t put a hoof on how. Once Xoqan let her go, she climbed into the window on her own.

Ungracefully, she flopped chin-first onto the floor of the bedroom. She gathered the rest of herself and closed the window.

All was quiet for a while. Eventually Ayza did check in on Haze.

“Hi,” the Pegasus said casually when the Zebra entered her room.

Ayza’s eyes narrowed. “I am aware you sneaked out.”

“What are you talking about?” Haze replied quickly. “I’ve been here this whole time.”

“I am not stupid, pony. Do you think your friends would not have noticed your disappearance and tell me?”

“Shit,” Haze hissed. She didn’t think about her pony companions coming into the room when they returned from the marketplace.

“I am already accustomed to my son sneaking out. I should expect the same from an impatient pony like you.”

“Sorry,” Haze grimaced.

“You need to stay put and heal!” Ayza reprimanded.

“But it’s not like I was using my wing. I’m fine. I don’t get why I can’t just walk around,” Haze complained.

Ayza took a few steps forward. “You must rest your whole body for the healing to be the most efficient.” She extended her hoof towards Haze’s wing. “When is the last time you changed your bandages?”

Haze flinched as Ayza began unwrapping her wound. The bandages fell onto the bed which Haze was sitting on.

“Hmm, this is more healed than I had expected,” Ayza noted as she examined the now narrow gash.

Quickly, Haze thought up a false explanation. “I um... may have gone into the market and bought a healing potion.”

Groaning, Ayza rubbed between her eyes with a hoof. “Foolish pony, so impatient. Let me retrieve new bandages.”

As Ayza exited through the doorway, Haze could see OrchidRays step aside stiffly in the hallway. She walked into the room quietly.

“So... did you get the supplies we need?” Haze brought up abruptly before Ray could mention her disappearance

“Yeah, we got a lot,” Ray said, although not in her usual cheery tone. “Chance is going out with Xoqan now to ask about his mom.”

Haze nodded, then asked hesitantly, “Did... he say anything about me? Was he upset?”

“Chance? No, he seemed fine. He was focused on trading.” Ray scuffed the floor with her natural hoof.

“What’s wrong?”

“A Zebra said I’m weird,” Ray replied.

Haze raised one of her bushy brows. “They’re a Zebra,of course they’re going to think ponies are weird. They are different than us, so they’re going to see us differently. That doesn’t mean you’re weird,” Haze assured.

Ray shrugged. “I dunno. She didn’t like me touching things in her shop, and said I was nosy.”

“Hmm, maybe that’s not proper Zebra etiquette,” Haze conjured a guess. “Not like you would have known. Don’t let a random comment from a random Zebra get you down. I think you’re awesome.”

Ray gave her a little smile.

That evening, GleamingChance reported that all the Zebras he had encountered had not recognized the photo of his mother. Many Zebras outright ignored him, in which Xoqan had to persuade them to get an answer. While discouraged, Chance hadn't lost all hope. They still had another city to search.

The next morning, SwiftHaze drank another healing potion to ensure she would be prepared to travel. Ayza spoke her disapproval of the decision before she expressed concern over her son’s departure.

“I’m gonna be fine, ma,” Xoqan was saying. “If anything, I’d be looking after these all.” He tilted his head to the trio of ponies.

Ayza sighed. “I know you can take care of yourself. But if you cannot bring your father back, at least keep yourself safe. I want you home intact.”

“We’ll try our best to find Dad, y’know,” Xoqan assured.

“Thank you for taking care of us while we stayed here,” Chance spoke up. His magic passed over a small pouch to Ayza. It jangled with the sound of caps as it dropped in her hoof. “Especially Haze,” Chance added and glanced at the Pegasus. “Right?”

“Huh, oh, yeah!” Haze blurted out. “You’re awesome Ayza! Sorry for being so difficult.”

Clicking her tongue, Ayza just shook her head.

“Let’s not waste anymore time,” Xoqan announced. “Let’s get goin’. Love ya, Ma!”

“Hey, hey, who made you the boss?” Haze challenged Xoqan. “I call the shots around here.”

“Well, you better speak up, or I might just take charge of this mission while we search for my dad.”

Haze scrunched her nose, not liking the thought of that. She liked Xoqan, but didn’t want to compete with him to be the team’s lead. Hopefully this was just playful banter.

“Bye!” OrchidRays exclaimed and waved to Ayza.

Haze latched the wagon’s harness to her torso. She felt Chance’s magic reinforce the tightness of the strap.

Xoqan directed Haze which way to navigate through the city. Soon enough the east gate of Quagga approached them. With a few smooth words, Xoqan had the guards open the gates for them. The metal doors rattled as they slid apart.

The town of foreign eyes was now trailing behind Haze’s tail and their wagon. Beyond was a vast wasteland filled with the unknown.

Chapter 16: Traversing the Wasteland

“Ugh! I am so tired of flying!” SwiftHaze complained as she pulled the wagon through the desert. Ahead of her was only an empty, desolate road. There had been a few times they had passed abandoned, broken down vehicles left behind in the wake of the war.

“You’ve only been flying for like an hour,” GleamingChance told Haze.

“An hour and a half!” Haze retorted, as she was a PipBuck bearer.

“Still, we’ve barely gotten started. Are you actually tired, or just bored?” Chance questioned.

“Well, I am bored but my wing is still a little sore. Flapping your wings this much does get exhausting,” Haze claimed,over-exaggerating her condition.

Chance sighed while OrchidRays offered, “I could take over for a bit.”

“Fine,” Chance allowed. The two mares swapped places.

A few minutes after Ray began cantering, Haze groaned, “This whole traveling thing is so annoying! Why can’t we just like - teleport from one place to another?”

“Teleportation magic is extremely rare, and difficult to use,” Chance informed. “Even Unicorns who did have the ability mostly used it on themselves. Moving groups took too much energy, and wasn’t effective. It’s inconvenient when you teleport halfway to your location and end up in a sticky spot.”

Haze flipped her muzzle up. “Whatever!” she remarked at Chance’s fact dumping.

“How do you even know all this?” Xoqan wondered.

“I... read a lot,” Chance answered bashfully, his orange eyes drifting away.

“I mean that’s pretty obvious. You’ve had your muzzle buried in that book this whole trip,” Xoqan pointed out the text in Chance’s lap. He leaned closer to get a better look. “What even is it?”

Chance floated it away from him and answered, “It’s about Zebra etiquette and tradition. After Quagga, I decided I need to learn more about Zebras so I know how to interact with them. I don’t wanna come off as offensive, y'know?”

“Oh, really? That sounds cool,” Haze commented, actually intrigued now. She leaned closer “Could I look at that when you’re done?”

Before Chance could even open his mouth, Xoqan said, “Why d’you need that when you can learn all that shit from me? I mean, hello? I’m a Zebra!”

“Eh, you don’t seem to be the most traditional Zebra,” Chance replied.

“I know, I’m a lot cooler than most of the Zebras in my hometown,” Xoqan boasted, placing a hoof on his chest.

Both Chance and Haze smiled with amusement and exchanged looks. Haze rolled her eyes. Xoqan certainly was a character.

After twenty minutes or so, Ray’s cadence slowed to a walk. She had kept up her cantering pace for a lot longer than Haze had expected. By now her wing felt better, so she traded places with Ray.

While she was resting, Chance had given his book to her, but ultimately she ended up not reading it. There were too many small words that bored her. How could Chance ever keep his interest? Haze did want to learn more about Zebra culture, but she’d rather experience it instead of studying it on paper.

Haze continued to fly just above the road. Her body was left on auto-pilot as she pulled the wagon. She kept her mind busy by listening to audio recordings, songs, and occasionally tuning into the radio. The musical style of Sweetie Belle was much different than what Haze had listened to growing up in Stable 47. She wondered why that was.

Her mind was quickly turned back to her surroundings once the scenery changed. A long dark line appeared on the horizon, spreading in both directions. As they got closer Haze realized this must be a river. While they approached, she slowed her fight down and touched down on the ground. This was more water than she had ever seen! It calmly rumbled down its path to the south. The river’s width was nearly as wide as the canyon Umbra had sat in.

Both sides of the road had once been connected by a long bridge, which had collapsed in the middle.

“Ugh, what’s it with broken bridges?” Haze exclaimed.

Standing up, Chance took in the scene. “Hmm, this is a predicament.”

“Do you see any other way to cross on your map?” Ray asked.

Chance unfolded and floated his map up, submerging his muzzle in it. “There’s a road way to the south. Might make our trip longer.”

“Unless there’s something that could act as a bridge for the bridge,” Ray brought up imaginatively. She searched the desert filled with short, shrubby trees and the occasional taller palm tree.

“Yeah I doubt anything is going to fill that gap,” Haze muttered. “I wish we had an actual aerial vehicle.”

“I could try to float us over,” Xoqan said. “But I’ve never carried this much weight at once.”

“Where’s Flash when you need him?” Chance grumbled. Xoqan just looked at him quizzically.

“Can you carry us one at a time then the wagon?” Ray pondered the Zebra.

“The wagon itself is still more than I’ve ever carried. I ain’t sure about that.”

“I mean, the wagon is made of wood. It should float in water if you drop it, right?” Ray concluded.

Both Xoqan and Chance gave her a grimace.

As Haze impatiently waited for a verdict, she noticed lights appearing on her E.F.S. compass. Red lights. Ahead of them.

“Uh, guys, I don’t think finding any way to cross here is a good idea!”

“Why?” Ray inquired with disappointment.

While more hostile lights appeared, Haze began backing up. She felt her tail hit the wall of the wagon, unable to proficiently move it. Reptilian figures began emerging from the river bank. Haze thought she recognized the shapes of radigators, but these were covered in sickly pink boils. One of them looked straight at her, baring its razor sharp teeth.

In a burst of fluttering wings, Haze attempted to steer the left. Behind her, Chance shouted “Haze, go the other way! We need to go to the south!”

Growling with frustration, Haze swiveled around and yanked the wagon in the opposite direction. At the corner of her eye she could see several radigators charging towards them with sloppy thrashing of legs. No way they could outpace a Pegasus. Even more radigators from the water. Just how many were there?!

Suddenly Haze was jerked back. The harness clutched at her torso, holding her back. She kept flapping with yet the wagon wouldn’t budge. One of the wheels had sunk into a depression in the ground.

“What the fuck?!” Haze blurted out and continued to thrust forward.

“Are you shitting me?” Chance cursed as he stared over the side of the wagon which had tilted into the hole. His eyes caught sight of the radigators running towards them. Quickly he whipped out his pistol and took aim.

Xoqan hopped out of the wagon and faced the swarm of radigators head on. Dark magic swirled around his hoof as he held a determined stare.

Meanwhile, Haze struggled to release herself from the harness. If they were going to fight these beasts, she wanted in. At last she broke free of the buckle. She launched herself into the wagon and slipped into the corner where it had dipped. She crashed into Ray, on top of all of their supplies. Frantically she searched for a weapon. She found Blitzkrieg and propped it on the top of the wagon's wall.

Click. Nothing. What?! Ray prodded Haze and passed over some ammo for the sniper rifle. After loading the bullets, Haze aimed down the scope. Her aim shifted until she found an enemy.

BLAM. It’s forehead exploded into a bloody mess. Somehow, it was still able to press forward, although disabled. Haze took another shot which finally killed it.

Pulling back from the scope, she realized there too many of the creatures to pick off one by one. They needed to take them down quickly before they were overcome.

One of the over-sized reptiles was lifted off the ground by Xoqan. He slammed it down hard on the desert dirt, much more forceful then when he had dropped Mazi.

Chance’s pistol shots barely staggered the radigators as they neared. Ray covered her ears as Blitzkrieg thundered out another shot, taking down one more. The Earth pony seemed too frozen to aid in the fight.

As Xoqan threw dark magic on one radigator, another hobbled over to him. A wide jaw snapped at him, causing him to step back in surprise. Chance emptied an entire round into the radigator’s neck. It fell limp, its boil-ridden boy flinching.

“Xoqan!” Haze hollered. “Can you even out the wagon?”

Just as Xoqan turned to her, another maw sneaked up on him. The razor sharp teeth of the radigator clamped down on his flank. A scream of pain belted out of Xoqan. His dark magic attempted to pry open the jaw.

Haze shifted her rifle to face Xoqan’s attacker. BLAM. A bullet tore through the radigator’s eye. The maw went limp, flopping to the ground with a trail of Xoqan’s blood.

Haze was readying another bullet when suddenly she was jerked to the left. The entire wagon was turned over to its side. As it crashed down, a radigator, which must have overturned the wagon, placed its claws on the wooden planks. All of them spilled and scattered across the ground.

Abstaining from breathing in the kicked-up dust, Haze pushed through the pain to pull herself up. Her eyes opened just barely, the dust irritating them. Blitzkrieg had clattered out of her reach. Fuck. Another weapon? Where was her assault rifle?

Ray too was slowly rising, disoriented from the fall. Just behind her was Chance, who was aiming over her head. Promptly, he took down the gator which knocked them down.

There’s so many of them! Haze analyzed where she should strike next.

As Ray stood up, a radigator rounded on her. With quick reflexes she blocked the attack with her metal leg. The jaws of the beast refused to let go, clamping down. Ray flicked her other foreleg to draw out her switchblade. Then, she forcefully jabbed it into the lower jaw of the radigator, piercing through its mouth. The foe let go, but as it retreated, it swiped its claws against Ray’s exposed belly. As it attempted to scurry away, Ray struck it with a blow to the head.

Haze had retrieved her assault rifle and threw on S.A.T.S. She unloaded a burst of bullets into the head of Ray’s attacker, finishing it off.

Xoqan was still throwing radigators around as Chance held his ground. Several were dead, but many more were sill assaulting them. Still, the wagon remained knocked over.

“Throwing them in the water won’t do no good!” Xoqan called out. “They just swim back!”

“Ugh, dammit! I should have took us back down the road so they couldn’t chase us,” Haze grunted.

“You’re just realizing that now?” Chance exclaimed with annoyance.

Haze grumbled and took to the air. When she aimed down her sights, she saw a peculiar radigator. Well, all of them were weird, but this one had an extra foreleg growing out of its chest. It was obvious these pink creatures were horribly mutated.

Pulling the trigger, Haze ended the poor radigator.

“Xoqan!” She repeated.

The Zebra was still busy throwing gators around. He flipped his head to meet Haze’s eyes. “I can’t get to the wagon if they’re swarming around it!”

Below Haze, Chance dashed for the wagon. He searched between the roof and the seats where all of their luggage was scattered. With his magic, he began frantically digging through it.

“Chance, what the fuck are you doing? This is no time to- ah!”

Haze darted upward as a maw snapped for her back legs. Abruptly the radigator was tackled by Ray. As she stood over the creature, she swiped her switchblade over it’s face, cutting its eyes. Huh, she can fight, Haze remarked mentally. She aimed her rifle straight down and sent three bullets into the gator’s forehead.

Between the structure of the wagon, Chance was tweaking a landmine. He threw it into a burlap sack with unknown content. Lastly, he cut slits in the bag, as if to ventilate it. He emerged back on the battlefield, the bag wrapped in his magic.

“Hey you slimy motherfuckers!” Chance hollered at the top of his lungs. He tossed the bag several meters away.

All of the radigators jerked at his yell. They began scurrying towards the bag. Now they viciously climbed over each other, competing to reach the item.

“Ray, can I get a ‘nade?” Chance requested briskly.

Ray nodded and skipped over to the wagon wreckage to scavenge their bags. She retrieved her item much quicker than Chance had retrieved his.

“Everyone behind the wagon!” Chance called out. He and Xoqan promptly hid behind the wooden vehicle. Haze just rose farther into the air, staring confused.

Without instruction, Ray pulled the pin and hurtled the grenade at the squirming mass of radigators. She dashed for safety behind the wagon.

KRAPOW. When the grenade exploded, it set off the mine as well. A mass of blood and gore erupted around the area. Few radigators remained, striving to get away, although their bodies were crippled. The last of them wouldn’t be an issue for the team now.

Xoqan finally got to straighten out the wagon. Both him and Chance floated their scattered supplies back inside.

“That was pretty fucking awesome,” Xoqan commented on Chance’s work.

The other stallion shrugged. “I’m surprised that it even worked.”

Haze touched the ground and met with her crew. Still she was left bewildered.

“Chance, what the fuck was that?”

“Hey, it was the only thing I could think of,” Chance defended.

“No- I mean- what was in that bag? Why did they go after it?”

“Oh, um, jerky.”

“And that would be...?” Haze said, still lost.

“Dried meat. Radigators are carnivores. Of course they’d be attracted to the smell of meat.”

“W-what?” Haze gagged. “Chance! Why the fuck do you have meat with you? Do you... eat meat?” She just gaped, appalled.

“Hey, some meat is actually pretty good,” Xoqan butted in. Haze glared at him.

“Well, I was kinda introduced to it at a young age, you know, with the way I was raised and all,” Chance said. He must have been refer in to the raider life. “Food can be very scarce out here, so sometimes you have to take what you can get.”

“But ponies are vegetarians!” Haze griped.

“It’s a matter of survival, Haze. If everything out here wants to eat us, we may as well be allowed to eat them too.”

“But we’re civilized, not monsters!”

Chance groaned. “I just- erg. Can we get moving before more radigators show up?”

Grumbling, Haze just stomped off. She strapped herself in the harness and began flying once all three other were in the wagon.

They returned to the road they had came from and continued to travel until they found a fork to the south.

More than half of the time Haze’s mind was occupied on the thought of how anyone could even be willing to eat meat. Raiders did seem like the kind of savages that would. Perhaps that was just a small part of Chance’s origins that carried over to the pony he was now.

On the other hoof, it was Xoqan who had admitted to enjoying meat. As far as she could tell, Haze guessed heonly ate meat as a form of energy. She had never been worried about lack of food in Stable 47, but the world out here wasn’t as forgiving.

Behind Haze, OrchidRays was playing music from her PipBuck. Her belly wound had been treated by Xoqan as they resumed their journey. Xoqan too had patched his own injury. Still, he resisted using his Med-X, claiming this was not the right moment, no matter if it did sting.

As usual, Ray was playing Linkin Pony. Did she really not listen to anything else?

“All of these songs sound the same,” Xoqan commented bluntly. Haze snickered. Ray had been playing mostly what Stable 47 would refer to as ‘the classics.’

“What? No way!” Ray refuted.

“I thought Linkin Pony experimented with different styles,” Chance noted.

“I guess I can play a different kind...” Ray said, as though reluctant to switch the genre. No, Haze knew Ray loved all of Linkin Pony’s discography, but only had a preference for their heavier material. She pressed play.

So say goodbye and hit the road
Pack it up and disappear

Haze recognized the song from one of her favorite albums, One More Light. There were two stallions featured on the track that she did not recognize. While she didn’t dislike their parts, she thought their verses weren’t as strong as CharmingRhythm’s.

Once the song ended, Ray cheerfully asked, “how was that one?”

“Eh, it was alright. At least it sounded different,” Xoqan replied.

Ray furrowed her brows. “Is there any songs you like?”

“Eh, I don’t really care for music.”

“What? How can you not like music?!” Ray gaped, astonished.

“I mean, the radio only plays the same old songs over and over! It gets so annoying,” Xoqan said. “Music played in my town also got annoying. Just not my thing.”

“But music is one of the best things in life! It’s like- integral for living!” Ray responded, raising her hooves to the sky.

“Yeah, maybe for someone who can play music from her leg at any time.” Xoqan tilted his muzzle towards her PipBuck.

“Actually, what happened to your leg?” he pondered. “How’d you lose it?”

Blinking, Ray looked at him, bewildered. She took a glance at her metal leg. “I never had one,” she said in a small voice.

“You were born without one?” Xoqan asked.

Ray nodded quietly.

“Weird.”

Haze’s heart sank as she overheard. She knew how self conscious Ray was when it came to being called weird. While she knew Xoqan wasn’t calling Ray weird directly, and was referring to her uncommon birth, Haze knew how Ray would take it.

As expected, there was awkward silence. Ray didn’t even put on another song right away.

Nearly an hour had passed since they crossed the split in the road. The team was coming up on the river again. This time, there was a structure built near the river bank. An intact bridge laid just passed the building. Attached to the structure was a water turbine that dipped into the river. The wheel no longer moved due to grime and overgrowth clogging its blades.

“Huh, I wonder what this place is,” Ray said with curiosity.

Still hovering, Haze checked her PipBuck.

“Hippocampus sub-station 13,” she read the map marker aloud.

“Should we look inside?” Xoqan asked.

“Well, on one side, we might find more supplies. On the other side, there’s something horrible waiting for us in there,” Chance frowned.

Haze thought for a moment and landed. “Let’s go in.”

“Are you sure?” Chance cautioned.

“Yeah. You said there could be supplies. Free stuff!” Haze said.

“If anything in there tries to kill us, it’s on you,” Chance told her.

“Eh, I’ll take that.” She shrugged.

The door was unlocked. Carefully they crept into the main, small lobby. There were a couple skeletons on the floor, perhaps employees. The room had chairs worn down by time. Ahead of them was a front desk, and a door to the left of it.

Haze stepped up to the door and placed a hoof on the knob. Locked. But this one didn’t have a lock to pick. Next to the knob was a type of scanner on the wall.

“Looks like it opens with some sort of keycard. Where the hell would we get that?” Haze grumbled.

Behind her, Ray approached one of the skeletons. She rummaged through the pocket of one of their coats. There she found a metal card which stuck to her hoof magnetically.

“Something like this?” She pondered.

Haze glared. “Of course you’d find something.”

Ray placed the card on the scanner. There was a small beep as the door clicked open. Haze took the first few steps into the room. Big mistake. A turret dropped out of the ceiling down the hall and began raining down bullets. Frantically, Haze jumped back and closed the door. A few bullets pierced through it.

“Why the fuck would there be a turret guarding an employee entrance!” Haze exclaimed. “How would they get in?!”

“Maybe someone had programmed it after getting inside,” Chance suggested. “They may have been using this place as shelter.”

“Well that doesn’t help us get past it now?!” Haze yapped.

“We should just turn around,” Chance mumbled.

“No. I want to get past,” Haze said firmly.

“Fine,” Chance sighed.

He motioned Ray to open the door again. This time they all hid behind the wall as the door cracked open. Chance levitated his pistol out and took a peek to find his aim. The bullets began spraying again and Chance lurched back.

“I can’t take it out if I don’t have vision,” Chance growled. “But it’ll just lock on anything it senses.”

“It’s activated by movement?” Xoqan took note. “Maybe I could trick it with my dark magic.”

“That might work,” Haze replied.

Chance nodded. He held the door open with his magic. Xoqan concentrated on his dark magic which swirled around his hoof. Quickly he exposed himself to send out a dark mist to the turret. In that fraction of a second, a couple of bullets pierced through Xoqan’s foreleg. He grunted in pain, but held his stance. All around the turret was a blanket of dark magic. No more bullets rained down, as if it was confused.

“I still can’t see it,” Chance said bluntly.

“I got this.” Haze pushed the Unicorn away. She brought up S.A.T.S and was able to lock on the turret. It was as if the dark magic didn’t even exist to the spell. She fired her assault rifle, destroying the turret.

In just a few days, Xoqan had already proven his worth to their team.

They all entered through the hall. The second door on the right was labeled “manager’s office.” Haze peeked inside as Ray went to a different doorway.

in the small office was a terminal sitting on a desk. Curiously, Haze walked around to face it. It was still functional, and no password was needed. Haze began searching through the files.

From the journal of GreyWater:

My first month here and there’s already some shit news. I was just transferred from a shut down facility, and this one might be shut down too? Good Celestia, I hope the MAS knows what they’re doing. We can’t just shut down, we have to supply power to Baleford.

Haze wondered, What was the bad news? She backed out of the journals and found old incoming messages. One was sent directly from the Ministry of Arcane Sciences.

It is imperative that your staff is made aware about a magical byproduct leakage from the research center just north of your location. MAS personnel are actively working to clean the waste. So far all water level readings have been normal. We are not to believe the waste has entered the river. If it does so, we will contact you promptly. Your employees must refrain from interacting with the water. If the riveter does become contaminated, your facility may be shut down temporarily. We have sent a prerecorded message for ease of access for your employees.

“A video?” Haze wondered aloud. There was no file on this terminal that could be opened to watch. Actually, did any terminal have video capabilities?

“Maybe it’s that projector in the other room,” Ray suggested, her voice in Haze’s ear.

“Ah!” Haze jolted out of her focus as Ray appeared in the room again. “What?”

She followed Ray across the hall into what appeared to be a meeting room. However the table was pushed aside to make room for rows of metal chairs. Several of the chairs were knocked over. On the wall at the other end of the room was a white projection screen. A projector which paired with it was knocked over on the floor. Haze placed it back on its tripod. She wondered if it still worked.

Just then, Chance walked into the room. “What are you doing?”

“Trying to see if this still works,” Haze replied.

Chance met up with them at the tripod. He relieved a cord which had been unplugged from an outlet. Once it was plugged in, he began to fiddle with the projector. Miraculously it turned on, displaying a still image on the screen. Haze recognized the purple Unicorn mare from one of the memory orbs she saw. Twilight Sparkle. She was wearing formal attire, facing the camera.

“Looks like the end of the roll,” Chance commented. He was able to rewind the footage to the start.

“Hello. I am Twilight Sparkle, head of the Ministry of Arcane Sciences... but you probably already knew that,” the purple mare said sheepishly.

“I’m representing my ministry with a message. There has been a leakage of... magical byproduct from the MAS research facility just north of Baleford. Rest assured our ponies are diligently working to clean the leak and prevent it from spreading into the river. It is advised that all Hippocampus employees do not touch the river water. We are supplying you kits that will allow you to take water samples. If you are to find abnormal levels, please report to the MAS immediately. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Twilight may have spoken calmly but Haze could tell there was an edge behind her tone. She was suppressing anxiety. Her eyes were tired, as if from staying up too late researching, or perhaps from sleepless, worrisome nights.

The video stopped on the last frame, frozen on the screen once more.

“Is that why the radigators are pink?” Ray wondered.

Haze thought for a moment and looked at the condition of the room. “Looks like this happened only a few days before the megaspells went off. Which could mean that the Ministry couldn’t finish cleaning the leakage.”

“And it went into the river and affected the animals!” Ray concluded.

“Good evaluation,” Chance praised them. He lost his smirk. “Must have been taint.”

“Taint? What’s that?” Haze asked at the same time Ray said, “What’s taint?”

Chance chuckled a bit at their synchronism. “I don’t really know what it is, just that it’s a dangerous byproduct from some sort of MAS experiment. It’s harmful like radiation, but does strange things to both creatures and ponies.”

“Well, sounds like it was a good thing we didn’t touch the water,” Haze said.

“Where’s Xoqan?” Ray questioned irrelevantly, scanning the room.

They found the Zebra in what looked to be a locker room. He was hunched over a crate, shaking it around. He attempted to pry it open with his magic.

“What are you doing?” Ray asked.

“I found this medical case. It’s unopened, which means there should be supplies in it! But I can’t get it open!” Still he pulled at its edges. Chance rushed forward and placed a hoof on his shoulder.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Careful, you don’t want to break it. I can pick locks.”

Xoqan released the case and relaxed. “Oh,” he let out, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.

Chance pulled out his tools and began his process. Quickly, he opened the lock.

“That was an easy one,” he remarked.

Xoqan peered over his shoulder to look at the contents. “Oh, Med-X!”

Chance levitated out two syringes and passed them to Xoqan. “All yours.”

“Sweet!” Xoqan said. “Oh, and the rest of the items in here are great too. Portions, bandages... nice work.”

“Eh, you’re the one who found it,” Chance dismissed the praise.

As Chance was emptying the case’s contents, Xoqan injected one of the syringe’s into his foreleg. After a few moments, he proceeded to wrap his leg in dark magic. One at a time, he pulled out the bullets which had embedded in his leg. He gave a grunt at each pull, blood popping out with the lead.

Haze shuttered with disgust, a tingle passing through her leg as if she could feel the pain.

SwiftHaze decided there was nothing left worth checking out in the energy plant. She for one did not care to tour the factory floor.

A couple kilometers away they stumbled upon a small, abandoned village. This must have been Baleford, which the energy plant had supplied power to. True to its namesake, there were numerous bales of hay scattered around the town and the perimeter. What their purpose was, Haze couldn’t tell.

She decided that the party would stay among the westernmost row of buildings. While they still had daylight left, Chance had advised them not to camp at night, away from any considerable cover.

“We’ll get plenty of rest tonight, then we can set out at first light!” SwiftHaze declared.

“That rhymed,” Ray said in a small voice, which nobody took notice of.

“Eh, I’m not really an early morning kind of Zebra,” Xoqan commented.

“Well too bad!” Haze replied. “You can sleep in the wagon anyway.”

Xoqan just snorted and rolled his eyes.

Haze was so eager for the next day that she had difficulty falling asleep at first. If only I could fast forward time! Restlessly she shifted in her sleeping bag as the sky grew darker. At some point, she did manage to slip into sleep.

Chapter 17: Live What You’ve Learned

“Hey bud, I um… I was wondering if you’ve heard anything from Hyper. I know you were the last one in contact with him. I’m worried about him, I’m sure we all are. I know what you had to do was tough but… um… I think it was the right thing. If you need to talk about it, I’ll be here, okay? Hope we can get to see Hyper again soon.”

As she pulled the wagon, the words of FeatherTune filled SwiftHaze’s ears and inspired wonder in her mind. What had happened to HyperBlitz? What did CharmingRhythm do? Why did FeatherTune always send messages that were just vague enough for Rhythm to understand? She wondered if Rhythm ever sent messages back. If he did, they weren’t saved on his computer.

It was nearing midday when the rising skyline of Phoenix City appeared on the horizon. It had fewer towers than Los Pegasus, but they were held up in better condition. As they passed through the first streets, it was obvious the city was abandoned. There must have been a populous center somewhere within the city, much like South Gait.

“Any ideas where we’d find ponies?” Haze asked GleamingChance.

“Hey, I don’t know everything!”

“Just about,” Haze snorted.

“So we’re just supposed to wander around until we find civilization?” Xoqan said, displeased. “Don’t got any clues?”

“Will there be any monsters around?” OrchidRays feared.

“Most likely,” Chance replied. “So we better keep an eye out.”

An idea formed in Haze’s mind. “What if I scout the area? I could cover more ground- or well, air, if I flew. I may be able to find something faster and be safe from the creatures on the ground.”

“I guess you could try. But you could get shot out of the sky if ponies see you,” Chance warned.

“Hey, if I can get the attention of someone, that’ll easily lead us to where we need to go!” Haze proclaimed.

“And if it leads us to raiders...”

“Then I’ll fucking pummel them into the ground!” Xoqan exclaimed.

“Um, okay...” Chance reacted awkwardly. He looked back to Haze. “You can go search, but if you run into trouble, come right back here.”

“Like I need your permission,” Haze scoffed playfully. “Don’t worry, I’ll set a custom location on my map.”

Freedom. Finally the feeling Haze had yearned for had arrived. She soared far above the rooftops and scanned the streets below. Wind rushed past her ears and smoothly trailed over her fur. She could go anywhere, with nobody to tell her what to do. Of course, she had a mission, but wouldn’t let that stop her from enjoying the moment.

Phoenix City was set in a valley around rocky, barren land. Mountains and hills surrounded the city, unlike how Los Pegasus’s mountains only flanked half of its perimeter. But these mountains were far less steep, and wore a reddish tint to them.

A green glow caught SwiftHaze’s eye and her flight gravitated towards it. Meters below was an area of streets that encircled blocks filled with yellow grass. In the middle was a large indentation in the earth. It radiated a sickly, green glow. Green fire? Haze wondered why it hadn’t spread any more. Well, this surely wasn’t the place to find ponies. She flew onward.

Overhead she followed the widest road. As the road acceded, it crossed over several other paths. Beside the cluster of roads, a giant sign proudly advertised a now faded image. In big letters was “Sparkle-Cola” along with the image of a pink, curly maned mare with an exaggerated smile. As if that was going to encourage ponies to buy more.

As she passed over the roads, Haze noticed lights at the lower floors of some of the buildings. Yes! Ponies! She swooped down for a better look. Big mistake. Gunshots rang out. In a panic, Haze thrust upward. Whoever was down there was still shooting at her! She had the suspicions they were raiders.

Oookay. Let’s try this again.

She continued her search, the gunshots long behind her now. She neared the edge of the inner city and scanned the north side. Movement caught her eye. Something, or someone was flying around the top of a tower. A Pegasus? No, its shape varied from a pony.

A few windows in the tower emitted light. In the streets Haze could see specks of ponies moving about. The flying figure had landed on the roof of the tower and now was keeping watch.

This must be it! Haze thought triumphantly. She swirled around and followed her marker back to her friends.

With wings wide, she circled around in a descent until she could land near her friends.

“I think I found something! I saw ponies,” Haze huffed.

“That’s great!” Chance beamed.

“Now do you know how to get back? Xoqan questioned skeptically.

“I- erm.”

“Did you put a marker on it?” Ray asked.

“No! I needed to set one here so I knew how to find you guys!” Haze replied defensively.

Eyes widening, Chance stared past her. “Uh, I think you attracted company.”

Haze turned around to see a figure flying towards them. It was similar to the one she had seen at the tower. As it landed gracefully, she got a better look; a creature, a bit bigger than a pony. It had the face of an orange bird, but stood on four legs with a pair of wings. Their eyes narrowed.

“You think you can just get away?” they sneered. “What business do you have with Biltmare? Why are you scouting?”

“What?” Haze yapped. “We were looking for a settlement!” She took a glance at the wagon behind her, full of her friends.

Chance stood up. “Are you a Talon Griffon?”

“Who’s asking?” The Griffon challenged. “How do we know we can trust you? You’ve got a Pegasus with you.”

Haze rolled her eyes. “Ugh, not this again.”

“We aren’t looking for trouble,” Chance said.

“Yeah, we’re looking for someone!” Haze added.

“I believe she’s crossed paths with the Talons. I just want to ask some questions,” Chance clarified.

The Griffon’s eyes bounced between them. They took a more thorough look at Haze. For a moment, their gaze halted on her forelegs.

“I suppose I can take you back to our base. But you better believe we are not taking an eye off of you.”

“See, I don’t have to remember which way to go if we can get someone to take us back!” Haze exclaimed.

The Griffon gave her a perplexed stare.

“Oh, um. I’m really bad at directions,” she smiled awkwardly.

They followed the Griffon back to the neighborhood apparently named Biltmare. Ponies gave them passing glances. Haze could spot more Griffons guarding the streets and doorways. A few buildings emitted light from their windows.

One of the buildings’ walls had partially collapsed. It was propped up by beams as it lead up to an opening on a higher floor in the building next to it. It was a pathway for ponies navigating the buildings.

Tilting her head up, Haze stared at the sky where she had just been earlier. She could see the figure of a Griffon peering down from the top of one tower.

Their Griffon escort led them through the doors of one of the shorter buildings. Inside was a slight refurbished lobby. The space above the lobby stretched up for several floors, mezzanines wedged in between. It was impossible to tell what purpose this building had before the war.

“Wait here,” the Griffon told them as they stood in front of metal doors. The feathered creature flew up to one of the mezzanines three floors up. As they disappeared from sight, a ding sounded near the metal doors. A few moments later, they rolled open to reveal an elevator. Haze guessed it could only be accessed from the floor above, providing security for the Griffons. After all, the majority of the ponies found in the wasteland lacked wings.

As Haze’s group ascended, the wall in front of them changed to clear glass panels. They watched the mezzanines pass by, sinking below. Once again their vision was obscured as they passed the lobby’s ceiling.

Ding. The elevator stopped and opened. Haze and her friends stepped into a spacious office. Two Griffons were conversing. One had a white head, while the other had brown head feathers. She was casually sharpening a blade, then placed it down as she noticed the group of equines.

“Who are you?” she questioned as she got up off her chair.

The elevator dinged again behind them and their guide joined them in the room.

“Thorn, why have you brought these ponies here?” The female, brown headed Griffon demanded. Her green eyes narrowed.

“They wish to speak with us,” Thorn said.

The female Griffon raised a brow. “What do you want from us? I hope no favor, because favors come at a price.”

“We just needed to ask a few questions,” Haze responded. She looked to Chance, then motioned with her muzzle for him to step forward. Reluctantly, he took center stage.

“I am looking for my mother and I am to believe she has been in contact with you. You... you are Talon Griffons, right?”

The female Griffon chuckled. “Of course we are.”

“Are... you in charge?” Chance asked hesitantly.

“Yes I am. The name’s Julia,” the brown headed Griffon replied.

“Well, um, Julia, excuse my presumptions, but you seem pretty young to be in charge.”

“Just ‘cus I’m young don’t mean I can’t lead. I’ve learned from the best!” Julia boasted.

“Fair enough,” Chance said. He proceeded to levitate the portrait of his mother from his back. He unfolded it and showed it to Julia. “Do you recognize her?”

Julia scanned it and tapped her chin with a claw. She straightened out her posture. “Oh yeah. Her. I don’t remember when she was here, but she did do some business with us. That was before I took over. Heard she was real good at haggling for what she wanted.”

Chance’s eyes widened. “You mean you’ve seen her? Do you know where she went after she left here?”

“Hmm, I think she said something about New Equus, but I can’t be sure,” Julia said.

Chance lowered the photo and used a few movements to take that in. “New Equus? That does sound like her. She’d do anything to haggle for more money. But...” he replaced the photo with his map, which he brought up to his face. “New Equus is a longer journey from here than Los Pegasus is. We may as well go back and resupply then start a new journey. We’ll probably have to stop in Quagga again, anyway.”

“Alright,” Julia announced. “Are you ponies happy? All done?”

“No!” It was Xoqan who stepped forward to meet the Griffon’s face. “A Zebra caravan of traders came here a few weeks again. What do you know about them?” he demanded.

Julia was taken aback by Xoqan’s assertiveness. “Well, I do believe we did some trading with them.”

“Do you know where they went?” Xoqan inquired. “They never returned home.”

“Mmm, not that I can recall.”

For the first time, the other Griffon who had been sitting down spoke up. “I heard they got caught by slavers.”

“What?!” Xoqan shrieked. “How could you just let slavers take them?”

The Griffon held his claws up. “Hey, we don’t engage with these slavers. They stay away from us and we stay away from them.”

“But you traded with them! You should have helped!” Xoqan fumed.

“We already traded back with them,” Julia stated. “We were even, so there’s no sense in doing favors without benefits.”

SwiftHaze took a few steps forward. “Then let us do a favor for you, and then you can help us get them out. Is there anything you can make us do? A job?”

Julia considered that. She took a few moments to fully scrutinize the equines. She pointed a claw at Haze.

“Pegasus. I ain’t never seen one of you with Stable gear. Perhaps you could have stolen it, but I’d like to believe you didn’t. I need a... program that can only be archived on a PipBuck.”

Haze raised a brow. “You’re telling me you couldn’t find a PipBuck lying around off a dead body? There’s at least forty-six other Stables out there.”

“Listen missy. Stables aren’t exactly easy to find, they’re hidden on purpose. And like I said, people like to be stealing from them,” Julia retorted.

“Steel Rangers,” Chance muttered.

“Does that make them the Stealer Rangers?” Ray said. Chance just gave a huff of amusement.

“There is one other reason you need her,” added the male Griffon with the white head.

Julia nodded. “Not only a PipBuck, but this program can only be activated by a Pegasus.”

Skepticism rose in Haze. “What kind of fucking program is this?”

“None of your business. We just need you to retrieve it,” Julia spat.

“Yeah sure. But wouldn’t it be better if you told us what it was so we knew what we were looking for?” Haze sassed back.

Julia groaned. “Fine. It’s like a spell. It can detect movement through the clouds.”

“Why would you need something like that?” Haze wondered.

Julia stepped forward, her beak close to Haze’s muzzle. “Because we want to keep an eye on the Enclave. You think we wouldn’t want to protect our people from a surprise attack?” She spoke with an accusing tone.

Haze didn’t flinch. “’m tired of being associated with the Enclave. Fuck them guys.”

Julia backed up and smirked. “I like you. I think we’re going to get along.”

“So, do we have a deal?” Haze asserted.

After another look at the group, Julia said “Deal. You get us that program, and we’ll help your little Zebra friends out of slavery.” She motioned her claws in Xoqan’s direction.

“Now that’s what I’m talking about.”

“So, where are we going?” Chance asked SwiftHaze, who was truly leading them for the first time.

She checked the map marker which Julia had transferred to her Pip-Buck. “Stable-Tec University,” she read the marker aloud.

“Oh, I’ve heard of that place!” OrchidRays chimed in from her spot in the wagon.

“How?” Haze said.

“Back home I would listen to audio interviews. There was one where BlazingFlair mentioned he went to Stable-Tec University!” Ray explained.

“Went there how? As a student, or as a teacher?” Chance wondered.

“Um, I’m not sure. All he said was that he went there, and that it was an experience that didn’t last...”

“What the hell is a Stable-Tec University?” Haze blurted out, outstretching her forelegs as she flew. “What are you supposed to learn there?”

“I suppose we’ll find out,” Chance said.

Every few moments, Haze took a glance at her map. She kept note of her Eyes Forward Sparkle compass. The towers were behind them now as they passed through the outer part of the city. This was a suburb of fairly nice homes, although decayed by decades of waste.

At the end of the road, there was a long building with two wings on its side,almost equally as long. One top of the main structure was a grand bell tower. The building created a partially enclosed courtyard, and in the center of the courtyard was a marble statue of an Alicorn. Haze couldn’t tell which princess this was meant to be, but she was able to identify the place as their destination. Stable-Tec University. The words were even written in bold letters above the main entrance.

Haze parked their wagon on the side of the road and unbuckled herself from the harness.

Broken glass bottles and trash littered the courtyard. They crept inside. The large windows let in grey daylight. All of the lights were out safe for one, which flickered, ominously illuminating the hallway ahead.

“Looks like someone was already here,” Chance took note of the open lockers and overturned furniture.

“Must have been the Talons,” Haze said. “They had to know the program was here somehow.”

Haze checked the terminal at the front desk as Chance scooped out the hallway. All was silent.

“Why would Stable-Tec have a cloud X-ray spell anyway?” Ray pondered. “Isn’t that the opposite of what they do? Stables are underground.”

“I mean, you’re not wrong,” Haze commented.

The terminal supposedly had a schedule for ‘upcoming’ events, but all of the files were corrupted.

Instead, Haze met up with Ray who had found a pamphlet that rested on a magazine rack.

“Stable-Tec University: The future depends on you” it boasted. On the cover were three mares, yellow, white and orange.

Ray read the contents inside. “Oh, it says what they taught here. Different staff positions inside of Stables. Doctor, elementary teacher, head of security, Pip-Buck technician, and last, but certainly not least, Overseer training.”

“Overseer?” Haze poked her head into Ray’s space to check the pamphlet. “Do they mean overmare?”

“Maybe it’s a gender neutral term of overmare,” Ray suggested. “There could be overstallions.”

“I never considered that,” Haze said. She wondered what qualified someone to become an overmare- or well, overseer, to begin with.

Chance returned from the hallway. “Um, Xoqan?”

Haze turned to see the Zebra still standing in the entrance doorway.

“Sorry, I don’t do this,” he waved his hoof forward, “technology stuff.”

“C’mon. We’ll need you if something in here tries to kill us.”

Xoqan sighed. “Fine.”

“So any ideas where they’d keep a program like this?” Haze asked Chance as they all walked through the hallway. Her Pip-Buck’s lamp and Chance’s horn illuminated the way.

“What? No. I thought you’d have a guess. You grew up in one of Stable-Tec’s Stables.”

“Hmm.” Haze was stumped.

Ahead of them was a door on the left labeled “administrator office.”

“Maybe we could find out in here.”

Inside was a pretty standard office with a terminal on a desk. The only thing unique was a metal door behind the desk, secured with multiple locks. Haze searched the terminal to find any clues about the program. Immediately, Chance was drawn to the metal door.

“This is a highly secured door... maybe it’s in here,” he noted.

Haze was one password attempt away from the whole terminal system locking her out. Suddenly she remembered what Julia had equipped her with. On her PipBuck was an override code which should break through any security in the school’s system. She linked her PipBuck to the terminal.

It worked! But all she found on the terminal was once again, “upcoming” events as well as attendance lists of student names. There were many typed letters from students’ parents, and letters exchanged between teachers. “All facilities are prohibited from taking more than two days off this coming holiday season,” and “Exciting news! We have received a request by Apple Bloom, president of Stable-Tec, to come give a presentation to our students! In the coming days….” Yeah, that wasn’t it...

“What?” Chance blurted out as he pulled the door handle. “But I cracked all the locks.”

“Can you unlock it from the terminal?” Ray asked.

“Good idea.” Haze searched the terminal for lock control. She was able to find a “door lock control” option, but it asked yet again for another password. No password needed, she smirked inwardly as she just uploaded her override code.

Click. The door unlocked behind her. Chance opened it.

“Uh... maybe not.”

“Huh?” Haze peered in the room beside Chance. Among many, many shelves were a horde of shiny memory orbs, each sitting in their own cloth base. An exceeding amount of memory orbs.

“What the fuck?” Haze said. “Why are there so many? Whose are these?”

“Maybe they were from students,” Chance guessed.

“In alphabetical order!” Ray remarked, taking a peek at the shelves in the top left corner nearest to the door.

Haze was a bit confused at Ray’s statement at first, but took a closer look. “They have names?” There were dozens of unique names. Every so often, there would be duplicates of the same name. More than one memory recorded.

Ray gasped. “I found BlazingFlair!”

“Wait, really?” Swirling around, Haze’s tail swooped over one of the shelves.

Clink. Clink. Clink.

A few orbs fell to the floor and scattered.

“Fuck!”

“Eep!” Ray jumped at the sudden noise.

“Haze!” Chance hissed.

“Sorry! Not like anyone’s using these anymore.”

“Can we keep BlazingFlair’s?” Ray asked in a pleading tone, her eyes sparkly.

“I guess. Just wonder what it is. Is it actually his memory?” Haze saw where Ray was pointing. Below the orb was a small plaque with “BlazingFlair” written on it.

“Want me to view it first?” Chance offered.

“No! No viewing orbs until we find this program!” Haze yapped.

“Well, where exactly should we be looking?” Xoqan asked, annoyed.

They were all silent for a moment. The gears in Haze’s mind turned. Ray used the time to place the orb in her bag.

“I got it!” Haze declared as she realized it. “A movement detection spell would be in security! We have to go to the security sector of the school! Lucky for y’all, I’m an expert in Stable security!” Haze smirked.

“Is that so?” Chance challenged.

“Well, she did train as a security guard for several years,” Ray added.

The pamphlet they had found in the front lobby was guiding them through the halls. On the way to the security section, they passed an incredibly familiar sight. A stable door, opened, hidden on the other side of the wall where the metal arm would grasp it. A test Stable?

“Wonder what they did there,” Haze pondered. The sight of it drew her in, as if the familiarity of it called to her. She shook her head. They didn’t have time to dally around. Xoqan’s dad was in trouble.

The group was led to the eastern wing of the university. Haze noticed a sign above a door labeled “Security Presentations.” This was it!

The presentation hall was halfway full of rows of chairs. The other half was a raised platform with equipment for more hooves-on training.

Haze frowned. There were no terminals in here.

That’s when she noticed a door on the wall behind the platform, nearly obscured by an attack dummy. She climbed the stairs to check it out.

The door opened to a more typical classroom setting. There were clusters of tables, having 3 or 4 terminals atop each. A projection screen was rolled out on the north wall. To the left of it was a teacher’s desk.

“You know we could have taken the main entrance?” Xoqan stated bluntly, pointing to the door, which was wide open to the hallway.

“Sorry. I just went in the first room that was labeled ‘Security’,” Haze defended.

She knew this had to be the place. While the program was most likely on the professor’s terminal, she was curious what the student terminals held. She approached one.

Training is so boring. All you do is sit around and wait for stuff that never happens. The scenarios and written exams make this out to be a more exciting job than it really is.

Haze laughed inwardly. She couldn’t help but agree with this long gone pony. Being a security guard was boring! She searched another terminal.

I’m so glad I decided to turn down the overseer track. It’s a very small chance you’ll be chosen in the first place. Besides, I keep hearing how stressful the course is. Hazel told me she has an exam coming up that’s supposed to last weeks. That’s insane!

Hoofsteps on the hard floor alerted Haze. Chance met up with her.

“Well, I couldn’t find anything on the professor’s terminal. It wasn’t even password locked.”

“What?” Haze expressed with shock. She was so sure! “If it’s not in here, then where the hell is it?”

“You’d think the Griffons would tell us where to look,” Xoqan commented.

“Maybe it’s in the security wing of the test Stable?” Ray suggested.

Throwing her muzzle in the air, Haze groaned “Ugh!”

“So do we check it out?” Chance asked.

“Yeah, sure, whatever!” Haze said with annoyance.

They retraced their steps to the hallway which held the Stable door.

They entered the large opening into the test Stable. Haze glanced back at the massive door. No number. She led her team down the stairs which wound into a hallway. That hallway opened to a meager atrium. Haze could see a cafeteria area under the stairs that lead to the floor. In Stable 47, the cafeteria was a completely different room from the atrium. It was obvious this wasn’t meant to hold generations of ponies.

Chills ran across Haze’s shoulders and wings. Only partially because of the temperature. Being in the presence of another
Stable felt... wrong. So many familiar sights, yet this wasn’t home. The feeling amplified in Haze’s chest as she approached sprawled out pony skeletons on the floor.

“The fuck...” Haze muttered.

She peered upward to spot the overmare window overlooking the atrium. Underneath it was a doorway with a sign labeled “overseer.”

“I’ll be right back. You guys keep looking for the security section,” Haze told Chance.

While she cantered away, Xoqan asked, “What is she doing?”

“I dunno.” Chance shrugged. “This place must feel familiar to her.”

As she reached the top of the stairs, Haze found two more skeletons in the staircase right in front of the overseer’s door. Carefully she pulled her hooves over them and entered.

The chair behind the overseer’s terminal was covered by a blue outfit. Haze picked it up to examine it. A varsity jacket, in near perfect condition. On the chest was “ST.” Stable-Tec. This is pretty sweet. Haze decided she would take it. All she’d need to do is cut holes for her wings. She had been seeking a new outfit anyway, and this way, she could still be connected to her roots as a Stable dweller.

Next, she pushed the chair aside to get to the terminal. Already about to link her PipBuck to it to initiate her override code, she noticed it wasn’t even password locked. She found journals from the last pony to use this terminal. Whoever was playing as the overseer in the last test.

Exam Log, HazelHeart.

Finally getting a hooves-on experience at being an overmare. So far everything has run smoothly. I let every inhabitant know that if they have a problem, come to me.

Haze clicked on the next ones, and the entries following it.

The test run has been going fine. But I swear I just felt an earthquake. I tried to contact my superiors, but no response. I guess I’ll just wait until the door is set to open.

Ponies have been getting sick. Vomiting, diarrhea, exhaustion, hair loss. I’m not feeling too hot myself. I don’t know why this is.

Our science team was able to detect radiation leaking in through the walls. That means... oh no. We’re gonna be trapped in here! We still have 2 days left until the door opens, and I’ve already had ponies die. I don’t understand. Was this test Stable not built to withstand contamination like the real deal?

So all the ponies here died of radiation sickness. All they were doing was an exam for overmare training, but died in the process. They would have died no matter what, not being in a real Stable. Even if this test Stable was fit for survival, the door would open to radiation anyway.

Stepping away from the terminal, Haze looked upon the skeletons with new sadness. What a cruel way to go. Slowly dying as radiation sank into your flesh.

Wait. Why would they need a science team to detect radiation levels? Couldn’t PipBucks do that? Unless the test Stable was not issued any. How can you have a Stable without PipBucks?!

There were hoofsteps on the staircase to the right of Haze.

“I think we found something,” Chance let her know. She nodded and followed after.

Before SwiftHaze was a familiar looking security mainframe. Haze wondered why it was in here and not the security homeroom. How were students supposed to get accustomed to its hardware?

The mainframe had several monitors which would be used to watch security footage. All were black. Haze reached for the terminal-like monitor. She unlocked it with her override code.

Chance, Ray and Xoqan all stood at Haze’s side observing her moves.

“Um, do you have any idea how I can find anything on here?” Haze said, incompetently.
“If it’s like a normal terminal, there should be a search tool,” Chance told her. He nudged her to the side so he could type. “Hmm. Detection... clouds? Oh, is this it?”

Haze poked her muzzle in front of Chance’s to see what he clicked on. Skywatcher Spell.

“Sounds like a suitable name. Lemme see if I can download it to my PipBuck.” Haze pushed Chance to get back in front of the terminal. She attached her PipBuck to the mainframe via a cord.

Access Denied

Species Input Required
Level: Pegasus

That was a funny way to say only Pegasi could access the spell.

“How the fuck is it supposed to know I’m a Pegasus?” Haze exclaimed. Didn’t her PipBuck keep track of the status of all her limbs? Could the mainframe not access that information through her PipBuck? “What’s it need? My DNA? Want me to pluck and insert a feather?” She growled.

“What about that?” Ray pointed at what looked like a hoofprint scanner on the mainframe.

Haze tried to reach it with her right foreleg, but was limited by the cord attached to her PipBuck. “Ugh! Didn’t they consider right-hoof wearers?” Or at least give this terminal wireless capabilities, she added to herself.

“Want me to put it on my PipBuck?” Ray proposed.

“No!” Haze snapped. “I got this!”

She crossed her left foreleg over her right to reach the scanner. Her hoof slid into place as she stood awkwardly. There was a ding from the terminal.

Access Granted.

“That worked?” Haze gaped. “But how? How do you know who I am?”

“Maybe it detected the magic from your hoof,” Chance said.

“Huh?”

“Pegasi have special magic that allows them to stand on clouds. Just like we all have magic in our hooves,” Chance explained.

“What magic are you talking about?”

“The magic that helps you grab things... you’re telling me you didn’t learn this in school?”

“Ugh! Whatever! We got the program,” Haze yapped.

Haze opened the file. There was a description.

Skywatcher: Detects infrared movement through any cloud cover within a 3 kilometer radius.

That’s it! Now Haze easily transferred the program to her PipBuck.

It was Chance’s turn to read the monitor. “Wait, it says this program is a joint project between Stable-Tec and... The Ministry of Awesome? You’re telling me MoA actually did things?”

“Looks like it,” Haze smirked. “Guess we all learn something new everyday.”

“Can we get out of here?” Xoqan begged. “The beeping and humming is driving me crazy.”

“Fine, fine. So impatient.” Haze said and rolled her eyes.

“You’re one to talk.”

“I know,” Haze grinned back at the Zebra.

Xoqan just shook his head and started for the exit. The ponies soon followed after him.

SwiftHaze departed from the test Stable feeling empty. She had found what she was looking for, yet the fate of the Stable hung in the back of her mind.

Chapter 18: Heist By Night

Standing on the stone deck of Stable-Tec University's entrance, SwiftHaze overlooked the courtyard. Her friends decided to stop for a moment to eat before returning to the Griffons. Haze was now returning from the inside of the University to use the mare’s room. Her friends were done eating too.

Out in the courtyard, GleamingChance wandered around, his eyes glued to the ground. Was he... scavenging through the trashed yard? From the side, Xoqan watched him pace curiously.

Below her, OrchidRays was sitting on one of the stone steps. She waved a hoof at Haze. In the other hoof was a glass bottle of brown liquid.

“We saved you a Sparkle-Cola!”

Haze took a few steps down the stairs and perched next to Ray. The Earth Pony passed the bottle over to her.

“Where did you guys find this?” Haze was certain she didn’t see any of her companions pack this. Actually, she never had a Sparkle-Cola before.

“Chance found some in a vending machine,” Ray said.

“Huh.” Haze popped the cap off and placed it on the step, next to her recollector. She took a sip. “Carrots? And... something else?” The flavor was sweet, yet hard to pinpoint. Like carrot cake, with a touch of citrus.

“I think it’s carrots, vanilla and cinnamon. Chance says that’s cola flavor. Oh, and there he is!” Ray’s eyes peered past her Pegasus friend.

Haze turned around and saw the two stallions trotting towards them.

“You’re back! Great. We can get moving now,” Chance announced.

“Could I at least finish my drink?” Haze retorted.

“Fine,” Chance allowed.

After another swig, Haze said teasingly, “Are you digging through the trash?”

“What?” Chance croaked. “No. I-I’m scavenging. I’m looking for caps.”

“And have you found any yet?” Haze incited.

“I’ve found two so far,” Chance replied, defensively.

“He also picked up a few other pieces of trash,” Xoqan added with a smirk.

Chance became even more flustered. “I- I- they’re things I could find a purpose for. You have to make the most of what you find out here.” Was he blushing?

“Suure,” Xoqan said. “Totally not trash digging.”

Haze snorted with amusement then continued to drink her Sparkle-Cola.

“So you found it?” Julia remarked. “Nice work!” She proceeded to let SwiftHaze transfer the program to her terminal. “And you doubted they could get it, Augustus,” Julia spoke to the white headed Griffon. He just rolled his eyes.

“So, what about your end of the deal?” Xoqan asked as he approached the Griffon. “How are we getting my dad out?”

Julia sighed. “Yes, yes. I’ve been thinking about it. I believe we do not want to get too tangled up with those slavers. I'd like to refrain from attacking. Getting on their bad side might provoke them to come after us.

“So, is there some way we can sneak into the camp without being seen?” Xoqan pressed for answers.

“That’d be a risk. Not like the place ain’t guarded."

Xoqan growled. “Can’t y’all just like, fly in and fly the Zebras out?”

“What did I say about not wanting to be seen?” Julia spat.

“Then we may as well have Haze fly them out!”

“Um, what? How exactly am I supposed to find your dad? Just go around asking? Yeah, I didn’t think so,” Haze sassed.

She faced the Griffons now. “What about the other Zebras, or the other slaves for that matter? We need to break them out too.”

“We should just wipe out the slavers!” Xoqan exclaimed fiercely.

“Ain’t no way we can take all of them down. That’s too much killin’ I ain’t being paid for. That program may have been important, but it’s not that valuable,” Julia said.

Haze grumbled. “Oookaay. What type of work are these slaves doing anyway?”

“They mine for crystals and minerals,” Augustus answered. “Perhaps they can sneak in through the mine shafts.”

“Maybe we could-” OrchidRays attempted to speak up, but was drowned out by the others.

“I’m certain the slavers would have blocked off any unused exits to prevent the slaves from escaping,” Julia countered.

“Unless we can find an entrance and blow it open,” Chance put in.

“Even so, how are we supposed to find Xoqan’s dad? We obviously don’t want to be seen.” Haze said.

“Well, luckily night is falling. That may make it easier for you,” Augustus pointed out.

“Or we could use an invisibility spell,” Xoqan stated, almost too casually.

Silence. Everyone looked at him.

“Invisibility spell?” Haze echoed. “Is that even possible?”

“Yeah. I can do it with dark magic,” Xoqan replied. Haze just gaped. “Although it’s one of the hardest spells to do. Very difficult to keep it up while moving. I basically have to crawl to keep the spell stable.”

“Hmm, well, you did bring up a good point,” Julia said. She turned and walked towards her desk. She opened a drawer and began searching. In her claws, she brought out a box shaped item. She handed it over to Augustus, who finished passing it over to Haze.

“That is a StealthBuck. It gives its user invisibility for a limited duration. We never found a use for it, but perhaps you could,” Julia explained.

“Seriously?” Haze grinned as she took the device. “Looks like invisibility is the way to go!”

“Now hold on,” Julia cautioned. “The StealthBuck only has one charge and can only affect one user at a time. So use it wisely.”

“There’s always a catch,” Haze muttered.

“Yeah, and like I said, my spell is kinda difficult,” Xoqan restated. “But if we do this at night, a dark magic cover may be enough to obscure us. Only thing is that it obscures our vision too.”

“Hmm, I could use my compass and map... as best I could,” Haze considered.

“So, how are we doing this again?” Xoqan asked again, urgency in his voice. “Are we double teaming? How do we search the camp without getting caught?”

Wrapped in thought, Haze remained silent.

Ray added to the discussion successfully this time. “Maybe the Griffons can distract the slavers while you go in.”

“Don’t know how we’re supposed to distract them,” Julia noted. “Besides, they’re scattered all over the place. That’s how they keep an eye on the slaves.”

At last, Haze decided on the plan. She spoke up.

“Alright, here’s what we’re going to do. We gotta get in the camp, right? The Griffons are going to pass OrchidRays off as a slave and hopefully trade her for Xoqan’s dad- or, at least a Zebra. Then Ray can locate Xoqan’s dad or whoever in the camp.

“At night I’ll fly in there and fly Ray out; I can find her by her PipBuck’s signal. I’ll give the StealthBuck to the Zebra Ray finds. We can save at least two Zebras this way, without getting the Griffons involved in combat.”

“That’s... actually not a completely terrible plan,” Chance admitted.

“But, I don’t want to be a slave,” Ray fretted with genuine concern.

“You aren’t going to be,” Haze assured her friend. “You just gotta pretend you are in order to trick them.”

“I don’t like this plan,” Ray whined.

“But you’re really important to it. You’re the only one I can find in the camp by just using my compass.” Haze attempted to sound comforting. “That’s really useful in the dark. I promise I’ll come rescue you as soon as you find Xoqan’s dad, okay?”

Ray only gave a small whimper.

Julia approached Haze. “Sounds like a plan. We better get started if you’re looking to break them out tonight.”

Darkness slowly crept upon the city. Evening was closing in as SwiftHaze’s group traveled with the Griffons in their aerial vehicle. It was much larger and nicer than their wagon and was perfect for transporting rescued slaves quickly.

Now they headed for the hills north of the city. Most of the equines stayed near the sky chariot as the Griffons led OrchidRays into the valley below.

Ray nervously observed the Griffons escorting her. Julia had come along with Augustus, who was her younger brother. Two other Griffons accompanied them.

Hoof cuffs uncomfortably rubbed against Ray’s forelegs as she shuffled along. They were clasped higher on her legs due to her metal hoof.

The group of Talons approached the gate. A few slavers turned their heads to take a look at the visitors.

“Griffons? What the fuck do you want?” A grey mare spat. “You better not be working for those Enclave fuckers.”

“Oh hells no,” Julia said. “We’ve come to do business.” The grey mare raised a brow, allowing her to continue. “We’d like to trade a slave.”

Augustus used a wing to nudge Ray forward.

“A slave? Since when do Griffons use slaves?” the grey mare pondered.

“Yeah, where’d you get her?” a different slaver added, sneering.

“How we got her is none of your damn business,” Julia retorted.

“Bet it was one of those traveling slavers looking for sales,” another pony snickered.

“Shh!” the grey mare hissed. “I suppose we could do business,” she told Julia.

The Griffon grinned. “Great. We’d like to trade her for one of your Zebras.”

The grey slaver was taken aback. “What? How do you know we have Zebras?”

“You aren’t exactly the most subtle ponies,” Augustus put in matter-of-fact-ly. “I hear about everything that happens in this city.”

The mare glared at him for a moment before returning her attention to Julia. “Sorry. We don’t trade slaves for slaves. Best we can do is give you some caps for her.”

“What? But a slave is worth a slave,” Julia argued in outrage.

“Sorry, we aren’t willing to give up any labor, especially when we don’t even know her capabilities.” The slaver scrutinized OrchidRays, who averted her gaze. “Take the caps, or fuck off.”

Julia pushed her brother to the side and covered their beaks with a wing. “This wasn’t the deal. Do we still go through with this?”

“I think so,” Augustus whispered. “They can still act out the rest of their plan if we leave her here.”

They’re going to sell me! Ray’s heart began to pound.

“Alright. We’ll take the caps,” Julia announced.

“I don’t want to be a slave!” Ray wailed as the slavers ushered her into their camp.

“Too bad!” a slaver mocked. “This is how life goes. You shoulda put up a better fight when you were caught.”

Ray only whimpered.

Before she entered any further, they removed her shackles and replaced them with a single cuff on her right foreleg. A small light emitted from it.

They pushed her into what looked like an outdoor mess hall. An area with open sides and a roof. Under it were groups of slaves eating... something out of bowls. It must have been meal time.

The sky was too dark now for Ray to locate where her friends were hiding out. Rocky hills rose to the north and east of the camp.

Ray scanned the area for striped coats. When she spotted one Zebra, she approached them.

“Um, uh, hi?”

“What do you want?” grumbled the Zebra mare.

“Um, do you know Shenzi?” Ray asked, remembering the name Xoqan had told her.

The Zebra’s eyes widened. “How do you know that name, pony?”

“He’s my friend’s dad,” Ray replied. For a moment she wondered if she had known Xoqan long enough to call him her friend.

“Xoqan?”

Ray nodded. She glanced behind both shoulders then leaned close to the Zebra. “We’re getting you out of here,” she whispered.

The mare stared at her bewildered.

“But I have to find Shenzi for this plan to go correctly.”

The Zebra mare nodded. She pointed her hoof to the other side of the mess hall. “Shenzi might still be working in the lanes. Check there first.”

“Thank you,” Ray replied.

She quickly zigzagged her way through the crowded hall. A few ponies shouted at her with displeasure as she almost stepped on their hooves or bowls.

Outside, three ponies blocked Ray’s path. Two of different shades of green, and an orange one.

“Well look what we have here,” a large, buff stallion said. He flicked the black hair out of his face. “Heard the slavers talking to the Griffons. Brought you in, huh?”

“Where are you from?” Inquired the lighter green pony, a mare.

“Um... Los Pegasus,” Ray mumbled

“Los Pegasus! How’d you get here huh? Someone transport you?” The dark green stallion snickered.

“I- um... I’m sorry, can I get through?”

“No. We don’t let a newbie go free without an... inspection,” the orange pony said, a Unicorn stallion. There was a metal device clamped around his horn.

“Are you... slavers?” Ray asked.

The green stallion gave a hardy laugh. “You hear this dipshit? She thinks we’re the slavers!”

The insult made Ray shrink back.

“No, we’re the slaves,” the stallion growled. “But just because we’re both slaves doesn’t mean we’re equal, y’hear?”

Each of them stepped forward, beginning to surround Ray. She tried to back away. With two forelegs, the large stallion pushed Ray’s chest. She flopped to her haunches. Pleading in her eyes she begged them to get away. The orange Unicorn slammed a hoof into her shoulder.

“Please, stop!” She cried.

The light green mare began pulling at her mane. Pain rippled across her scalp, yet she still tried to pull her head away.

“Stop!” Tears began running down the young mare’s face.

The green mare jolted away as she pulled off Ray’s hair tie, letting her braid unravel.

A hoof smacked Ray across the face. “Stop crying, pussy!” The large stallion exclaimed.

“Ay, isn’t it late for tussling?” a strange voice said from beyond the huddle of ponies. All three of Ray’s bullies pivoted their heads to the source. A Zebra stallion trotted towards them. “Leave her alone.”

“Oh, this fucker again?” The green mare sneered.

“I thought we told you we run this place. We ain’t scared of no deadass Zebra,” the Unicorn slave added.

In an instance, the Zebra stallion twirled around. His hind hoof struck the Unicorn’s neck. The slave collapsed to the floor with a cry of pain. Shaking, he laid paralyzed on the dirt.

Both green ponies stared at the scene in horror. The Zebra took one step forward, and both of the ponies scattered. He carefully made his way around the parlayed body of the Unicorn.

Still crying, Ray peered up at the Zebra as if he was a hawk. When he did not advance on her, she asked, “why did you help me?”

“You needed help, no?” The Zebra said.

“I-I-I should’ve been able to fight them off! They... they...”

“There were three of them,” the Zebra stallion hushed her. “And they were bigger than you. There would be no way you could challenge them.”

Blinking away tears, Ray realized the stallion in front of her. “Are you Shenzi?”

The stallion’s eyes grew wide. “How do you know my name?” He hissed.

“Um, Xoqan told me,” Ray said.

“Xoqan?” Shenzi was taken aback.

He quickly glanced behind both of his shoulders. He extended a hoof to Ray and helped her up. Pain throbbed in her shoulder, chest and cheek. She followed him as he ushered her along, out of the middle of the path.

“How do you know Xoqan?” Shenzi whispered in his exotic accent.

“He’s my friend. We’re here to save you!” Ray replied at a similar volume.

“Save me? Who are you? Is Xoqan here?”

“He’s with my friends now. They’re coming to help. I just gotta signal them,” Ray gestured to her metal leg.

“Wait, now?” Shenzi struggled to keep up with the rapid-fire information.

“Yeah.” Ray nodded. She lifted up her prosthetic foreleg and turn her PipBuck’s radio beacon on.

“You didn’t get a Zebra?” SwiftHaze had been fueled with outrage when she heard about the Griffons trading her friend for caps.

“They wouldn’t give us one. Decided you could still go through with your plan,” Julia had defended.

Now Haze was ready to take to the air. She had just received the signal from Ray’s PipBuck. A voice shouted from behind her.

“Haze! Let me come with you!” Xoqan called.

“What? No, I’m fine. I can get in and out of there fast,” Haze argued.

“But you may need backup,” Xoqan reasoned. “What if you need to be obscured too? I could use my magic-”

“I don’t want to put anyone else at risk. I already let Ray...” Haze said without completing.

“Then let me come. I can help.”

“Ugh, fine, whatever. I have to go, we’re wasting time. Meet me there if you want to come,” Haze snapped. She spread her wings and launched into the sky.

“Wait!” Xoqan dashed after her. He kept eye on her PipBuck’s light as he followed, but he soon was trailing behind.

Ahead, SwiftHaze flew onward. At first she had urgently bounded away, but now slowed her pace to let Xoqan catch up.

The darkness around her was disorienting. There were very few lights from the camp to spot. She had to trust her compass and marker alone. She hoped the darkness too obscured her.

And suddenly her marker was behind her. Why can’t my E.F.S. have vertical indicators! She twirled in the air and flew a few meters back until her marker was precise. She descended in a circle, watching the marker spin around her compass. She could just make out the shape of two equines. What she noticed more was the soft green glow from Ray’s PipBuck, and two small, red dots near their hooves.

As Haze landed, Ray galloped towards her to give her a hug. “Haze!”

“Whoa, whoa. I’m here now,” Haze murmured. She noticed Ray’s untied hair. “What happened to you- never mind. We don’t have time.”

She looked at the other shadowy figure. “Shenzi, right? We’re getting you out of here. Hold on-” Haze searched her saddle bag. She brought out the StealthBuck and displayed it to Shenzi. “If you use this you will turn invisible, so you can sneak out.”

“No, I cannot,” Shenzi said firmly.

“What? Why?” Haze gaped.

“Well, I cannot just leave without my companions. Also, the slavers track us through these cuffs.” He lifted his hoof to show the metal cuff. “If we were to escape, the cuff would shock us. Paralyzing us.”

“Well fuck,” Haze blurted out. “Is there anyway to disarm the hoof cuffs?”

“I believe they are controlled by the warden’s terminal,” Shenzi replied.

“And how exactly am I supposed to get to it?” Haze grumbled.

“Maybe we could make a distraction and you can slip in his shack?” Ray suggested.

“Even if I do somehow get in, you can’t tell me the terminal won’t be locked. How do I get into it? It’s not like I know the password.”

“Maybe wait for him to unlock it... then we distract him and bring him out here,” Ray attempted to form a plan.

“I... don’t think that’s going to work. The best I can do is sneak in and guess the password,” Haze said regretfully. “Whatever it is, I can’t be seen...” Her eyes drifted to the StealthBuck in her hoof.

“Maybe I won’t be seen,” she grinned.

“Alright new plan: I use the StealthBuck to get in the warden’s quarters and try to hack his terminal. You guys wait here for Xoqan, he should be able to obscure you when you run away,” Haze announced.

“What about my companions?” Shenzi reiterated.

“Ugh, fine. When I’m hacking, go get them and meet back here. Ray, I can fly you back.

“Are you sure? I could just go with Xoqan,” Ray asked.

“If he can obscure that many pon- people,” Haze considered.

“The more bodies, the more dark magic I have to use,” Xoqan’s voice whispered out from the dark.

“Gah!” Haze jumped. “You ever fucking think to tell us your here before joining the conversation?” she hissed.

“Sorry,” Xoqan answered casually.

“Whatever.” Haze shook her head.

“You guys find the other Zebras, create a distraction, and I’ll sneak into the warden’s quarters.”

“How exactly are we supposed to do two things at once?” Xoqan criticized.

“Yes, and it is best we do not draw attention to ourselves,” Shenzi added.

“Ugh! Why do I have to do everything myself? Fine, I’ll draw him out while invisible. Ray, if the warden comes back, I’ll send a signal to your PipBuck. That will mean I need a backup distraction.”

“Okay,” Ray acknowledged.

Shenzi showed Haze the way to the warden’s shack. It was crudely built, with light pouring out of the window. Haze approached it and activated the StealthBuck.

She peeked into the cracked window. Inside was a brown stallion lounging in a hammock. He was busy reading a magazine.

“Oooh, I’m a spooky ghost!” Haze sang into the window. She tapped it with a hoof a few times.

“Huh?” The warden nearly fell out of his hammock. He stomped up to the window and slammed it open. “Who the fuck is that? Show yourself, fuckwad!”

He glanced left to right, then looked down, directly where Haze had slumped down. His muzzle retreated back inside when he saw nothing.

Now he marched out of his shack and came around to the side with the window. Frustrated, he peered around the empty space.

Hastily Haze dashed in the opposite direction. She fluttered close to the ground and stopped by the outdoor mess hall, which was empty all for two slaves. With any luck, the warden would interrogate them.

“Oooh!” Haze called out.

The brown stallion froze and stared in her direction. Growling, he cantered towards her. Haze leapt into the air and skimmed over his head.

She slipped into the shack. Inside, her hooves kicked up clumps of trash that littered the floor. The room smelled like... Haze wasn’t sure what the smell was but it wasn’t pleasant. On the back wall a poster of a Zebra with a cartoonishly large grin. “Mint-als!” The poster boasted with the text “Refresh your mind and you breath” at the bottom.

Haze headed towards the terminal. It was strange that she could see her own typing hooves, but had to trust the StealthBuck that she was invisible.

The password was hinted to be seven characters long. Haze hadn’t seen a terminal system like this before. Perhaps it was an older model? Giving away the length of the password seemed like a security flaw.

Hmm. Phoenix?

Access denied.

No. Too easy. Slavers?

Access denied.

Also too easy. Three more attempts were left. Haze forced her brain to focus on what this password could be.

Enclave? Could they be working for them somehow?

Access denied.

Ugh! Haze peered around the room for inspiration.

She noticed a small metal tin on the desk. “Mint-als” just like the poster on the wall. She flipped it open to see small white tablets inside. There were several empty versions of the tin in the waste bin next to the desk, a few missing the bin completely.

Haze recalled how classmates claimed they could recall information better while chewing gum or a mint. Worth a shot, right? Haze took one of the tablets.

It was quite a strong mint flavor. A few moments after eating it, Haze’s surroundings transformed. Everything she was was crisper, more saturated. She was more aware of sounds and smells. Her memories raced, bringing information into her mind, yet at the same time, she felt calm. The Mint-als were enhancing her perception.

That was useful when she could hear hoofsteps marching closer. The door swung open. With a gasp, Haze slumped down and crouched below the desk. She watched the legs of the brown stallion shuffle inside and halt.

“Fucking slaves. Think they’re so clever!” he mumbled. “Low life fuckwads.”

His front legs turned to face Haze. She held her breath, which sounded all too loud to her Mint-al enhanced senses. She kept her PipBuck ready, but was hesitant to send a signal to her friends.

“Who the fuck got into my Mint-als? Oh, they think they’re so smart, working together to steal my shit! If I find the fuckwad who did this, I’m gonna fucking rip them a new one.” Once again, the warden stormed out of his shack.

Releasing her breath, Haze poked her head out. She returned to her hacking position.

He says fuckwad a lot. She tried that word.

Access denied.

Erg! One attempt left. Haze furrowed her brows. Once again, her eyes drifted to the metal tin. Then, to the ones in the garbage. She noted the poster on the wall. Oh, Mint-als has seven characters without the dash.

Mintals.

Access granted.

Holy fucking sun of Celestia. Haze felt so dumb. That was the most obvious choice! She told herself.

She clicked through the terminal, sure not to waste any time meandering. What she found was “Incinerator system lock control.” She clicked “disengage.”

Disengage processing...

Disengage complete.

Awesome!

Haze rushed out of the shack, nearly colliding with the warden. The stallion stopped, perking his ears as he detected the sound of hooves skidding to a halt. Gingerly she walked around the warden as he peered around, confused.

SwiftHaze returned under the dead tree they had agreed on as their meetup spot. The group hadn’t arrived yet. A few agonizing minutes passed by. At least, Haze could make out movement, but not any shape she recognized. A dark black mass coiled around. Once released, the silhouettes of five equines were visible, OrchidRays being one of them.

“Haze?” She whispered gruffly.

“I’m here,” Haze returned.

“I can’t see you.”

“I must still be invisible. I... don’t know how to turn this off. Guess I just wait until the duration is over.”

“Did you disarm the cuffs?” Xoqan asked hastily.

“Yes. We can get outta here. You think you can hide everyone?” Haze said.

“I have for this long, haven’t I?” Xoqan quipped. “Not the easiest thing, but I can do it.”

“Do you want me to take Ray?” Haze suggested.

“No way. It’d be safer if she came with us. We don’t want the slavers end up seeing her. You fly outta here while your stealth is still up.”

“Hey! Who’s there? What the fuck is going on?”

Everyone froze as Haze recognized the voice of the warden. His silhouette was illuminated by a lamp farther in camp.

“Fuck!” Haze blurted out as her heart began to pound. “You guys go. I’ll hold him off.”

Xoqan nodded and wasted no time bringing his cloaking spell back up.

The warden dashed after them. While Haze took to the air, she readied her assault rifle which was carried on her side. Just like her, the warden had a gun strapped to him. He stood up on his back legs to fire the shotgun at the cloud of dark magic.

Haze found it difficult to center her aim as she floated through the air. Activating S.A.T.S., she aimed for the stallion’s legs. Pew pew pew. The shots missed, hitting the dirt. Seriously? S.A.T.S. can miss?

Instead, she hovered as still as she could and brought her sights up. She fired a few more bullets. Unfortunately, the warden had returned to all four hooves, only a single bullet striking his foreleg.

“Urg! Who’s there?” He gawked at the night sky but was unable to find the source of the gunfire. Haze sprayed a few more bullets just to occupy him.

No wonder this dipshit was obsessed with Mint-als. He was downright moronic!

Haze saw the figure of a pony running to investigate the commotion.

“What are you yelling about?” A female slaver chided the warden.

“The slaves, they’re getting away!”

“What? Where?” the mare asked with urgency.

“They went that way!” The stallion pointed to the south east. Haze knew her friends were going directly south.

“Don’t worry. They’ll be paralyzed by their sentry devices before they can even cross the barrier.”

“We need to find them so we can drag them back here!”

Haze didn’t want to hear anymore. She twirled around and flew on her way.

Through the darkness she could not locate where Ray and Zebras had gone. She hoped they knew how to get back to their meet-up location.

Gliding, Haze passed over the edge of the valley. It was then when she felt the effects of the Mint-al wearing off. Well, it was more like a stark contrast from one second to the next. Her hearing and the tingle of wind on her fur felt less in tune. If it was daytime, she was sure the colors around her would have been stolen away by some unknown force. Maybe it was a good thing it was nighttime.

Ahead was the lights of the Talon’s sky chariot, docked on the ground. GleamingChance acknowledged Haze as she landed.

“You’re back!”

“Huh, guess that means I’m visible now,” Haze said.

“What?”

“Oh, I had to use the StealthBuck,” Haze explained.

“But I thought you were going to give it to Shenzi,” Chance recalled.

“Yeah, the plan changed. Is anyone else back yet?” Haze peered around.

“Not yet,” Augustus told her. “But we’ll keep an eye out for them.”

That figures. She probably flew faster than they could have run. She and the others waited.

At last they could see the group of Zebras and Ray galloping in the distance, free of any dark magic mask. They all gathered around the sky chariot, panting.

Both Zebra mares were in bad condition. One lingered behind, limping while the other had a blackened eye. Shenzi himself was not in optimal condition, as his coat was stained with dirt and blood.

Haze noticed Ray was limping as well on her back left leg. She explained that the warden had managed to shoot her with his shotgun.

“Are... we really free?” one of the Zebra mares mumbled in an exotic accent.

“Yes,” Haze assured. “We better keep moving before the slavers find out you made it out of the work camp.”

“Please, we’ve wasted enough time out here,” Julia spoke up. “Everyone aboard.”

As the group stepped forward, Haze stopped near the female Griffon.

“Thank you for your help,” she said.

“Eh, we stayed a little longer on this mission than what we would have liked. But we got some caps out of it, so I was feeling generous,” Julia put forth.

“Don’t think I’m not still pissed at what you guys did,” Haze reprimanded.

“Feel anyway you want to. It was just business,” Julia replied. “Decided you could all go ahead with your plan. And, oh look, you did!”

Haze just growled with annoyance and followed the Griffon into her flying vehicle.

Chapter 19: Seeking Purpose

Steel beams creaked as wind blew through the skyscrapers. As one last favor, the Griffons were allowing the equines to shelter in the garage under their main tower.

“We’ve done enough already,” Julia had said. “We ain’t taking in a bunch of strays. You can handle yourselves. But I suppose I can offer you a roof.”

The wide door rattled as it was pulled open. Sluggishly, SwiftHaze led their group inside. Everyone was exhausted and in pain, and it was getting quite late in the night now. Haze knew the Griffons would want them to leave in the morning, but she so wished to sleep in.

Haze was irked by the Griffons’ lack of hospitality. Yet, at the same time, she had to respect their code. Favors were not free, and the band of mercenaries saw favors as work. This was their business.

They all settled on the cold concrete floor. At least one Griffon had come down to give them blankets. Now, the ponies and Zebras gathered around, waiting for their turn to be treated by Xoqan. Between the team and the edition of three Zebras, their supplies of medicine and food would go fast.

Haze wasn’t sure when she had fallen asleep, but she awoke to the surroundings of the garage. One dim light hung from the ceiling, wavering oh so slightly. Haze was almost certain the tower above them was swaying. That made her feel the opposite of safe.

Not to mention, she awoke with a pounding headache. Lack of sleep? Dehydration? It was like a hangover without the alcohol! She guzzled down as much water as she could along with some painkillers. She sat upright.

GleamingChance was already awake, sitting on his sleeping bag. Haze assumed he was reading by his position, but as she blinked the blurriness away, she noticed he was just staring at his hooves. She sat up.

“You good?”

“Huh?” Chance mumbled inattentively. “Oh. Yeah.”

Haze’s eyes wandered around the garage. Shenzi and Xoqan were both awake. Nobody spoke. Perhaps Shenzi was consumed by the loss of his ally. Yesterday, he had recalled what happened while imprisoned. There were four Zebras on their caravan, including himself. Another stallion was with them, and fell ill when they were brought into the work camp. Due to the conditions, and the slavers’ lack of care, he was overcome by the sickness, perishing.

The pounding in Haze’s head persisted. The rest of her body was feeling achy too. She needed more room to stretch properly. There was a long road ahead that required her wings.

So, she exited the garage, laying the door down as gently as possible. It still made a loud clang. She cringed, and then turned around.

Outside, the alley was cast in the tower’s shadow. However, the sky too was dark with an early dawn. Was it really that early? No way, because she had to have slept in a bit. Or perhaps the clouds hung with awaiting rain.

A flash of color caught Haze’s eye. There, far up in the sky were streaks of bright pink and green. She perked her ears, and thought she could make out gunfire. Among the dark clouds, someone was clashing.

Haze took to the air and scaled up the tower. She found a perch inside a vacant floor. Hoping the extra height would give her a better view, she poked her head out the broken window.

Dark, miniature figures swooped about the sky. Those bright streaks must have been from energy weapons.

Haze shrank back, startled by two wingspans that bounded into the sky, just above her. From the roof were griffons that flew into the battle. Suddenly, it made sense now. It was the Talons fighting Pegasi. The Enclave. The exact reason the Griffons wanted the Skywatcher program to begin with.

Dodging and diving, the Pegasi and Griffons continued on. Haze was able to discern the Enclave’s shots as the glowing streaks. Someone had mentioned once that the Enclave used magical energy weapons, right? Haze couldn’t recall who.

Nor did she have time too. Her attention was caught on a figure descending, just having been struck by a pink laser. A Talon, and they were falling fast. They must have been injured, or perhaps fatal wounded. The Griffon fell behind the skyline, lost to the city.

Anger burned inside of Haze. Those were the people she just helped. And now, her own kind were taking their lives. No wonder the Griffons wanted that program so badly.

The number of Enclave Pegasi began to dissolve. They had fled back above the clouds. The Griffons retreated back towards the city in defeat. Haze waited for them to land on the roof before taking any further action.

Haze wondered why the Enclave attacked the Talons. Well, the answer, so obvious, hit her at the same moment. They were the only true opposition to the Enclave. An aerial fighting force. The Enclave seemed to take the small victories, taking out their enemies one by one to dwindle their numbers.

What was the purpose of all this fighting? What did the Enclave intend to do that required the elimination of the Talons. Why even stay above the clouds, separated from the rest of the population? Haze was troubled by these questions, but couldn’t think where to even start looking for answers.

Just like the Griffons, she retreated below. She returned to the garage.

While her headache was beginning to dim, now her stomach ached with hunger. The night before, Haze was so tired she crashed before she could even consider eating. But the Zebras need to eat first. They need it more than us.

But of course, Haze didn’t want to have to wait that long. Who knew when the Zebra mares would awake. Haze just needed a little distraction...

That’s when she remembered the memory orb they had taken from Stable-Tec University. She was just about to reach for her bag when she realized it was Ray who had stored it. The Earth Pony was still asleep. Haze didn’t want to disturb her, but caught herself before searching through her friend’s bag. She had to prove that she had learned from her mistakes.

Haze gently nudged Ray. “Hey,” she whispered. Ray shifted and gave a peep of discontent. “Can I see that memory orb we found?”

Ray rolled over. She dug her hooves through her bag. Random supplies began to spill out. Tape, tools, bottles of clinking nails, a hairbrush, a wad of bandages, bottle caps...

“Don’t you use the inventory sorting spell on your PipBuck?” Haze asked.

Ray just blinked at her.

“Here.” Haze pulled Ray’s metal foreleg closer to her. She began searching through her PipBuck and showed her how to activate the spell. With it, they were able to locate the memory orb.

“Thanks! I’ll give it back when I’m done,” Haze said. Ray didn’t respond, only nodding.

Once equipped with her recollector, Haze dipped into the memory.

A hoof tapped on a sleek mahogany desk, out of sync with the clock that softly ticked. SwiftHaze’s host took a glance at a terminal screen, then back at the paper they were writing on. Despite its labeling, this was not BlazingFlair’s memory.

No, this pony was a Unicorn, who levitated a pen. Ahead of them was a nameplate with “Dean AgateClef” written on it.

A knock sounded from the door.

“Yes?” Haze felt her host say in a feminine voice.

The door opened to an older orange stallion. He had a ginger beard, but nearly all of his mane was grey and thinning.

“BlazingFlair, come in, come in,” the dean, Agate, greeted. You had concerns about your upcoming exam?”

“Um, yeah. I’m not sure I wanna take it,” BlazingFlair grimaced. He stepped forward, letting the door behind him close.

“Well, it’s required for this course,” the dean put simply. “Overseer training requires more assessments than all other tracks. I’m sure you’ll do just fine on your exam.”

Blazing frowned. “I’m starting to think this track isn’t the right fit.”

“Are you worried you won’t fit in with the younger students? We accept all ages here. And in all honesty, age just means more experience.”

“No, no it’s not that,” Blazing shook his head and held up a golden hoof. “I mean I don’t think I want to become an overstallion anymore.”

“Why? You’ve shown great traits necessary for an overstallion. You said you had a passion for helping others. What has changed?”

“Well for one, training has already taken so much time out of my schedule. I’d like to spend time with my family and my band. And I heard that the overmare for Stable 47 is already chosen. If I were to become and overstallion, I’d be appointed to a different Stable. 47 is the designated Stable for my friends and family. I wouldn’t be able to live with them.”

“I see. So, you seek to drop out? What a shame, I thought you had good potential,” the dean sighed.

“I’m still interested in helping Stable-Tec like I have for the past few years. I just don’t think this whole school thing is the right choice.”

“Well, I’m just a dean, so I can’t control what position you have within the company. But I can send a letter of endorsement.”

“Thank you, dean.” BlazingFlair turned to leave the office. Only halfway through the door, the dean called again.

“Wait!”

Blazing glanced back, giving a perplexed look.

“Perhaps there is something you could do around here. I think you’d make a fine mentor for the younger students. Even if you haven’t completed your training, there’s a lot they could learn from you. And this way, you wouldn’t be here all the time,” the dean explained.

Blazing’s emerald green eyes lit up with interest. “Yes, I think I’d like that. Besides, that gives me more excuses to come back here. Don’t get me wrong, I love Los Pegasus, but Phoenix City is pretty cool too.”

“Perfect. You can be on your way now. I’ll arrange all the details in the coming weeks.”
“Thank you, dean, for understanding,” Blazing smiled.

The dean only nodded her head. Then the memory dissolved.

So BlazingFlair had pursued becoming an overseer, but eventually decided it was not the right path. Haze wondered how this went into his role in Stable 47. Was he a more revered member of the population... besides the fact he was a musician? Did he have any say in the Stable’s affairs?

Haze found it intriguing that BlazingFlair had sought out another career path besides being a musician. Perhaps he wanted to aid society in more than one way, if and when the world did change. Not everyone had to be fixed to their main special talent, which often was adorn on their flanks or displayed in their namesakes.

Once again, Haze emerged to her reality. Everything seemed dimmer, less saturated than in the memory. It was as if she was withdrawing from the Mint-al all over again. The dreariness seemed to be worn on everyone in the room. Now everyone was awake.

To her right was OrchidRays who was stroking her orange hair with a hoof. She seemed to touch it more when it wasn’t braided. To Haze’s left was GleamingChance. He was still staring downward, but instead of his hooves, there was a plate of food on the ground. He noticed Haze moving again. He levitated the plate over to her.

“Here. The rest already got their share.”

“Aren’t you going to eat it?” Haze asked. “It looked like it was yours.”

“It was supposed to be but...” Chance sighed, sounding defeated. “I don’t feel like eating.”

How could he not feel like eating?! Haze was starving! “Well, thank you anyway.” The plate consisted of canned beets, which stained the plate pink, and a stiff croissant, straight from its plastic package.

Haze continued to watch Ray continuously stroke her mane. She let it sling over her left shoulder, where she would have had her braid.

“Do you want me to help you tie it?” Haze offered between bites.

“I can’t,” Ray frowned. “I don’t have a hair tie.”

“Why not use a rubber band?”

“No. I want a hair tie. I don’t like rubber bands,” Ray said.

“You didn’t bring any more with you?” Haze pointed out.

Ray shook her head. “I forgot.”

A few meters over, Shenzi stood up on all four hooves and faced the mares. “I remember passing by an abandoned cosmetic store in the city when we brought our caravan through. Perhaps there would be one there.”

“A cosmetics store does sound like something that wouldn’t already be looted. Oh, and doesn’t sound dangerous for once,” Haze considered.

“Can we go?” Ray begged.

“Sure. As long as Shenzi can show us where it is.”

“I am willing to,” Shenzi said. “But only once everyone is ready.”

Haze nodded and continued to eat.

Chance’s lethargy was beginning to worry her. “Are you sure you’re okay?” she asked him.

“Yeah,” Chance replied. “Just... still tired.”

Part of Haze was certain that wasn’t the case.

“I... we should get our things together if we wanna get moving.” Chance stood up.

Haze’s gaze moved with him, but then fell behind as she spotted Xoqan across the room. He was pressing a cloth to one of the Zebra mare’s forelegs. Haze wondered what he was doing with it. Was it medicine?

“Hey Xoqan,” she spoke up. “I was wondering... do you, or any Zebra, have a cutie mark?”

The young stallion looked at her quizzically. “No. We have glyph marks.”

“What’s that?” Ray said before Haze could.

“They’re in the place of where a pony’s cutie mark would be. But, they don’t exactly tell you what your purpose is. Mine looks like a rose. Not exactly sure what that symbolizes.” Xoqan shrugged. “I think it’s a good thing not to be bound by something that tells you what to do.”

“I don’t think cutie marks really work that way,” Haze brought up. “Sure they can tell you what you’re good at, but it doesn’t have to be your destiny. And... I think there are some ponies out there who get cutie marks like your glyph marks. They aren’t sure what they’re supposed to mean.”

“Are you... speaking from experience?”

Haze sighed. “Yes. I assume my cutie mark means I’m good at flying. Wow, how typical for a Pegasus.” She rolled her eyes, and then stared down at her currently bare flank. A wing, swirled like a mist. Dark like her hair, nearly appearing as a dried blood stain.

“So instead of being told you’re good at something special, you’re told you’re just like everyone else,” Xoqan deciphered what Haze was putting down.

“Yep.”

“That’s like me too,” Ray said. “My cutie mark is a flower. Does that mean I’m good at growing flowers? All Earth Ponies are good at growing flowers.” She looked down, disappointed.

“Huh, that... sucks.” Xoqan wasn’t sure how to respond. “Well, at least it’s not just a Zebra thing. Maybe we just haven’t figured out what our marks mean yet.” His green eyes drifted and rested on Chance. “What about you? What’s your cutie mark?”

“Huh?” Slowly, Chance reacted. “I- um. It’s a compass. I’m good at directions and reading maps, I guess.” He avoided eye contact with anyone.

Xoqan’s ears perked. “Actually that’s a pretty useful talent. I mean, do you know how bad it is to get lost out here?”

“Uh, thanks? I’m glad you think that at least. But really, it’s just another star. Another typical cutie mark for a Unicorn.”

“Hey, don’t sell yourself short,” Xoqan insisted.

Chance turned to face the garage door. He began pulling the chain to roll it open.

“Guess we should get our things together before the Griffons kick us out themselves.”

“But we haven’t even finished eating yet!” Haze threw her hooves into the air.

Chance ignored her and continued to walk outside. The door came rattling back down.

Haze huffed. “What’s up with him?”

Xoqan looked at her with sadness. “Depression. It’s quite a common occurrence out here.”

“But why is he depressed?” Haze asked.

“A lot of the time there isn’t a clear cause. It’s chronic like any physical illness. But unfortunately I cannot heal a mind the same way I can heal physical wounds,” Xoqan explained. His voice seemed to convey regret, as if this was a subject he was all too familiar with.

“Maybe we could cheer him up someway?” Ray said.

“Well, that was part of the reason I was trying to praise him, but the guy can never take a compliment.”

Haze contemplation Chance’s condition. Was there really no cure for his mental illness? All she knew was that she wanted to be there for her friend. Maybe she hadn’t known him for that long, but she did care.

With wheels squeaking through the streets. Pulling the wagon became more burdensome now that there were an added three Zebras, but it wasn’t anything SwiftHaze couldn’t handle. Shenzi had been directing her where to go. Now passed Biltmare, they strolled through the abandoned part of the city.

OrchidRays had been playing her ‘happy’ playlist of music, which surprisingly consisted of very few Linkin Pony songs. Well, I suppose they have songs with positive outcomes, but none that were really cheery and bright. Well... maybe except Battle Symphony. Haze did love that song. She was elated to hear it was on this playlist. She enjoyed the lyrics “If I fall, get knocked down, pick myself up off the ground.” While simple, they made her feel confident.

“Here,” Shenzi said, causing SwiftHaze to halt. To her right was a humble store front. Its wooden sign had fallen off its hinges, which had caused the front windows to crack as it fell. Haze unbuckled and Ray hopped out of the wagon.

“C’mon Chance! Let’s go inside!” Ray cheered.

“I don’t know,” the Unicorn mumbled. “You guys go ahead. There’s probably nothing in there for me.”

“Oh come on.” Haze rolled her eyes. “What if there’s a safe in there? You love cracking locks!”

Chance sighed. “Fine,” but he sounded reluctant. He slowly got out.

“I will stay here and guard our luggage,” Shenzi announced.

Haze nodded and continued to follow Ray into the shop. What she wasn’t expecting was Xoqan to fall in line after her.

“I suppose it would suck to return home without any supplies. I mean, we are bringing back the traders,” he explained when Haze gave him a perplexed look.

“But what are you going to find here?” She questioned.

“I don’t know! But it’s worth looking at.”

They stepped inside. The dust-covered shelves still held some items. It was obvious that nobody had been here for a long while.

Ray began browsing through the hair accessories. Dust that layered the shelves floated to Haze, causing her to sneeze.

“I found some hair ties,” Chance said.

“Oh!” Ray skipped over to where he was standing. “There’s so many colors! Maybe I should get a few.”

“Probably a good idea in case you lose them,” Haze commented.

Xoqan reappeared from the aisle behind them. Objects floated in his dark magic.

“Well, looks like most of the shampoos were already looted. I did find some bars of soap, though.”

“Soap?” Haze echoed.

“Hygienic products can be highly sought after,” Xoqan told her.

“Huh.” Well, perhaps not everyone in the wasteland wanted to be dirty. Although that thought definitely never crossed raiders’ minds.

“Not much else here. I’m gonna check the shops next door.”

Before Xoqan could leave, Chance spoke up. “You should look for perfumes and lotions as well.”

“Smart. Good call.” Xoqan returned behind the other row of shelves. That was able to produce a small, brief smile out of Chance.

Haze moved around her friends and headed for the front desk. She sneezed again as she passed by it. The register had already been broken into, but the terminal had remained untouched, still glowing. Haze approached it.

As she typed, her hooves kicked up dust from the keyboard. She had to turn her head to refrain from getting her sneeze spit on the monitor. Beyond her, Ray sat down and began playing with her mane. She separated it into three sections. Chance stepped up and watched her.

“Want me to help you braid it?” He asked.

“Oh. Okay.”

For a moment Haze wondered how Chance would know how to braid, but then again, she supposed he did have cornrow braids in his own mane. They just weren't as obvious as Ray's single large braid.

Haze couldn't get into the terminal. Too many attempts left her locked out. Of all the terminals she couldn’t get into, it was the cosmetic store clerk’s? Perhaps she was too hasty choosing her options.

She sneezed once more. “Okay, that’s it. I gotta get out of this shop. I’ll be waiting outside.” Haze headed for the door and waved a wing.

Outside, the post-apocalyptic air felt fresh for once. The tickle in her nostrils disappeared. The Zebra mares were still sitting in the wagon. Shenzi stood on the street, keeping a lookout. Something moving down the road caught Haze's eye; round, floating and silver. A sprite-bot? She wanted to investigate.

“I’m going to walk around,” Haze said to Shenzi.

The Zebra stallion dipped his head. “Very well, but be cautious.”

Haze broke into a canter to catch up to the sprite-bot. As expected, the music from the bot stopped abruptly.

“Hello, Haze. I see you have traveled,” the robotic voice greeted.

“Huh, so you remember I existed?” Haze answered. “Wait. I don’t remember telling you my name. How do you know it?”

“I overheard your friends speaking to you.”

“Um... okay. I thought you would have forgotten me by now.”

“That is far from the truth,” Watcher said, lacking emotion.

“Oh yeah? Cause, uh... I kinda forgot you existed myself- until just now.”

“That is fair. It has been getting increasingly harder to access sprite-bots in Los Pegasus.”

“Enclave, huh?”

“Yes, unfortunately.”

“I keep hearing about them, but how come I never see them?” Haze pointed out, skeptical.

“Because that is their goal. At least in the broad term. They do not want to be seen. With lack of surveillance I cannot say exactly what their objective in Los Pegasus is,” Watcher explained.

“Want me to go knock out all the sprite-bots?” Haze suggested, aggressively.

“No!” Watcher quickly shot her down and continued. “I need the sprite-bots so I can examine Los Pegasus. We will have to cut off their access to the bots another way.”

“Why are you so intent on watching ponies anyway?” Haze queried. “Oh, you chose that name on purpose, didn’t you?” She blinked, unamused.

“Did you really think Watcher was my real name?”

“That’s besides the point. Why have you been following me? Why are you looking to spy on others?” Haze pressed for answers.

“It is for a good cause, trust me. I am... searching for ponies to make the Equestrian wasteland a better place to live,” Watcher said.

“Well, luckily for you I’m already working to do that,” Haze claimed and smirked.

“How so?”

“By helping anyone in any way I can.”

“Seems broad. Why exactly are you looking to help others? What motivates you? What do you get out of it?” Watcher asked.

For once, Haze did not answer right away. She pondered those questions.

“I want to figure out my purpose. All my life I’ve never known what I’m meant to do. My cutie mark doesn’t tell me, my name doesn’t tell me. I thought maybe out here I could choose my own destiny. And maybe that’s helping others. Sure looks like they could use it.”

It too took a moment for Watcher to respond. “That’s very bold of you. I do wish there were more ponies like that out here. That is why I must keep searching.”

“And what exactly are you going to do once you find these ponies?” Haze inquired.

“That... I cannot tell. At least not here. We would need a more secure location to discuss that.”

“More secure? But there’s nobody out here!” Haze waved a hoof in the direction of the empty street.

“I’m sorry, we must find another time to speak,” Watcher said.

“But if you can’t access Los Pegasus, how are we going to talk?” Haze exclaimed.

A burst of static crackled from the sprite-bot’s speaker. It began to float away, boasting its oddly cheery music.

Haze grumbled. They do that on purpose, don’t they?

“Where are the others?” Haze asked Shenzi who was still standing by the wagon.

“They are still in there.” He tilted his head back towards the shop.

Haze trotted towards it. Geez, still in there? How long did it take to braid hair? They must have been browsing now!

As Haze entered through the door, the bell above it chimed. OrchidRays and GleamingChance were near the spot she had left them in. But this time it was Ray who was playing with Chance’s mane. His braids had been untied from each other, falling in his face. Each braid had one or two multicolored beads, completely covering his face.

“But you look pretty!” Ray was saying.

Haze snickered at the sight of Chance’s ridiculous hairstyle. “What the fuck,” she snorted.

Ray looked at her. “Chance did my hair, so I did his!”

“I appreciate it, Ray, but I don’t think I can wear this,” Chance said. “I can’t see, and that kind of gets in the way of fighting for my life.”

“Aww,” Ray pouted.

Chance, still sitting on the floor used a hoof to pull one side of his mane out of his face. He saw Ray’s puppy eyes.

He sighed. “Okay. I’ll keep one.”

“Yay!” Ray squeed.

Haze laughed again. “C’mon guys. Let’s get moving”

“Alright. Let me get these off first,” Chance said.

Haze returned outside before she could start another sneezing fit.

“I think we're ready,” she announced to the Zebras. Shenzi nodded to acknowledge her, then went to take his position in the wagon.

While claiming she was ready, Haze truly wasn’t prepared for the long trip ahead. There had to be a faster way to travel, right? Maybe if she wasn’t burdened by the weight of several ponies... of course literally. She wouldn’t want to travel anywhere without her friends. She would just have to brave through the unbearable boredom.

Author's Note

Woops forgot to upload for over half a year! This story still buzzes in my mind but I can't seem to get my hands to type it out! You're awesome if you're reading this message. Much love ~

Intro

Goddesses, save us everyone.

170 years ago, Equestria was engulfed in sickly green flames. Megaspell bombs were set off, and missiles struck. The war ended in a cataclysm that changed the world completely. Radiation poisoned the land, killing ponies, and mutating creatures that were unlucky enough to survive.

Some ponies were spared, through the work of Stable-tec, in their underground bunkers. One such is Stable 47, located in the heart of Los Pegasus. It held one of the largest Stable populations in Equestria. Many famous actors and musicians made it into the Stable. And to this day, their descendants still live there.

However, nearly a century ago, Stable 47 opened to the irradiated world. The ponies had no reason to leave their safe Stable life behind, but, as instructed by Stable-tec, it was set to open. The residents used this opportunity to explore and trade with the outside world, despite how risky it was.

Los Pegasus was hit by a megaspell all those years ago. While the fires have been put out, the radiation still remains. Raiders, vile creatures, and corrupt pony control now rule the ruins of a once great city. Yet, all of this wasn’t enough to deter some brave ponies.

“I hope one day the world can be like how it was when I grew up. I hope there are those brave enough to strive for change. I know the world is broken, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I might not live long enough to see this change, but I believe that future generations will. Hate brought us here. But love is stronger.”

~ HyperBlitz, lead singer of Linkin Pony

Author's Note

I’m here to make my characters’ stories come to life, and to explore what it’s like to be their heads. I can’t claim this will be a ‘complete’ story in the sense everything is tied together nicely. This story is solely for fun, and I hope some of you can find it fun to read. So please do not judge it too harshly.

To get some things straight, there are a few differences between my version of Equestria and the one in the show, as well as the one Kkat created. The locations might be different. Such as Los Pegasus being the pony equivalent to Los Angeles.

This serves as an alternate timeline to the Linkin Pony universe. The original Linkin Ponies lived during the time of the Mane six, therefore, pre-war and wartime era. This is in no way canon, and the descendants of the Linkin Ponies are purely fictional.

I've only ever read the original Fallout: Equestria. Any similarities to other side stories are completely coincidental.

Please note that due to rules on Fimfiction, I cannot use copyrighted lyrics as I intended to for this story. If interested, read the unedited story on Wattpad.

Prologue

Within the impenetrable walls of Stable 47, two ponies conversed inside the head-of-security office. A brown Earth Pony stallion sat behind a large wooden desk, eyes glued to paper on a clipboard. Across from him, a young lime green Pegasus mare stood, looking at him intently. She bounced impatiently on her hooves.

“You’ve passed your combat assessment with flying colors,” the brown stallion had been telling her.

“Well, I am a Pegasus,” the mare said with a sly smirk.

“SwiftHaze, would you let me finish?” the stallion muttered, raising a brow.

“Yes. Sorry, Buffer,” SwiftHaze replied sheepishly, but never lost her grin.

“As I was saying… you aced your combat assessment. You’ve gone through your confrontation training. And while you did pass it, I’d say you have some things to work on. You’ll need to refrain from using your attitude with the civilians.”

“Heh, yeah. Sorry, bad habit.” SwiftHaze shrugged.

“You have excellent agility, both on hooves and by flight. You have great endurance; sometimes I think you don’t know when to stop,” Buffer noted with a fond smirk. “That can be good, but not since you are such a klutz.”

“I can’t help it!” Haze defended.

Buffer shook his head. “Anyway, you passed your written exam as well. I think it’s time you officially became a security guard.”

“Yes!” Haze excitedly bounced on her hooves. She swirled around with halfway extended wings, then stopped to face Buffer again, only just catching herself before she tipped over.

“You can pick up your uniform later today. I’ll see you at graduation tomorrow,” Buffer announced happily.

“Thank you so much! You’ve been such a great mentor, Buffer!” Haze trotted around the desk and hugged the stallion in his chair.

“Alright, alright.” He patted her wing a few times with a hoof.

SwiftHaze dashed out of the office and down the hall. As a pony passed by, she slowed her pace as if not to make a scene. She never lost her grin, and gave a friendly nod to the passing resident.

Graduation is just the next step, Haze hoped internally. I’m so close to getting the hell out of here! She dreamed of flying past the Stable walls. Far away, where her life would truly begin.

As the doors to her living quarters slid open, all her positive spirits were drained instantly. Inside, a deep green mare stared intently at her, as if she’d been waiting all day for Haze to return. The doors closed behind Haze’s drooping tail.

“I thought you would be back by 5pm,” the older mare stated, eyes narrowed.

“Mom,” SwiftHaze groaned. She looked at the time on her PipBuck. “It’s 5:07.” She kept walking forward past her mother.

“So you’re not going to tell me how it went?” Haze’s mom questioned.

“I passed,” Haze spat. “I told you I would.”

“You’re going to be on time for your graduation?”

“Of course I am!”

“And what are you going to do after graduation?” Her mom turned and faced her. She spoke as if she meant her career, not just the night after the ceremony.

“Be a security guard,” Haze lied. She had bigger plans.

“Is that what you really want?”

“If it wasn’t, why would I go through all this training?” Haze pointed out, waving a hoof in front of her. The training was something she genuinely wanted to go through with, even if she intended to use it for other purposes.

“Are you sure there’s nothing else you’d rather do?” the mare continued to inquire. Haze knew what she was getting at.

“Mom, I don’t even know what my talent is! I got my cutie mark randomly, and I don’t know what it means! I want to help ponies, and I think this is the best way to do it!” Haze quipped, her patience running thin.

“Following your father’s example.” Her mother shook her head disapproving.

There it is, Haze moaned silently. She swiveled around, flicking her tail. “More than you realize,” she muttered and stomped off to her room.

She entered the small corner that was her room and closed the door. It was cramped, which she absolutely hated. She couldn’t even stretch her wings out completely in her room. Desperately she wished she could have her own living quarters, but knew due to the Stable’s large population, families were kept together to save space. Even if she could have her own living space, she couldn’t completely escape her mother in the Stable.

It was always like this. Her mother always harped her for every little thing she did or did not do. But not for long, SwiftHaze thought. I’m finding my way out of this Stable, no matter what it takes.

Chapter 10: Familial Ties

It only took a couple hours for SwiftHaze’s group to find their way to EchoBeat’s home. The sky had become the brightest it could be below the clouds. Haze thought she could see a bright spot in the sky where the sun was behind the clouds. She remembered how sunlight felt like in one of the memory orbs. Would she ever feel that for herself? She did have the advantage over her friends with the ability to fly above the clouds.

Echo greeted them at the door and let them in.

“Is Flash here yet?” Haze wondered.

“No. Why? Did he say he was coming?” Echo asked.

Haze nodded.

“Sierra's home is quite a bit away,” Chance explained. “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

“Do you think we can make it to Stable 47 and be out before dark?” Haze questioned.

“Hmm, hopefully,” Chance said.

“If not we can spend the night at the Stable!” Ray suggested.

“What?” Haze croaked. “No way! I don’t want my mom finding out I came back!”

“Fine, we won’t,” Chance assured defensively. “I guess we can always camp outside.”

They continued to walk forward into the room.

“In the meantime, is there anything I could get for you?” EchoBeat offered. “Food? Tea?”

“Some tea would be nice,” Ray said.

She began to follow him. Haze quickly trotted over to alert Echo.

“So, uh, did you look at any of those memory orbs?” She wondered.

“A couple, yes,” Echo replied. “One from HyperBlitz, and one from SweetHooves. I think they are safe for public viewing. Oh, as well as the one Chance viewed. You can find them on the coffee table over there. The ones I viewed are in the bottom right corner of their boxes.”

“Awesome! Thanks Echo!” Haze said with excitement.

She turned around and headed back into the living room. She stared at the orbs on the table, wondering which one she should view first. Initially, she thought of Hyper’s orb, but favored the idea of being able to actually see her ancestor. It was possible that Hyper was also in his wife SweetHooves' memory. Haze picked that one, and set it on the couch.

The first thing that stood out to Haze was the noise. So very loud clammer, which eventually shifted to familiar music as her senses became more keen. Haze’s host, SweetHooves supposedly, was standing on the side of a stage, out of the view of the public. Haze could feel the form of a recollector on SweetHooves’ head. To the left was a bustling crowd with hundreds, no, thousands of ponies. It was dark, but Haze could still make out the size of the crowd. It had to be several times larger than the population of Stable 47.

Ahead of SweetHooves on the stage was Linkin Pony, playing their instruments. Haze recognized EchoBeat, in his original, non-ghoul form. HyperBlitz was singing away at the microphone.

As the song ended, the crowd erupted into an adoring cheer. HyperBlitz’s gaze met SweetHooves’. He had a pleasant smile which was emphasised by his cute wrinkles. The grey in his hair indicated he was closer to being in his fifties. Haze felt SweetHooves smile back at the stallion with love.

Hyper turned to face the crowd again, and when he spoke on the mic, the crowd fell silent. Haze was amazed at just how much the crowd respected this stallion.

“You guys are fucking awesome, you know that? You’re fucking awesome,” Hyper told the crowd, which proceeded to give him a pleased cheer. He giggled into the mic. He had a sweet laugh.

“We’ve been doing this for years. Hell, we’re all fucking old now,” Hyper remarked with content in his tone. “But you all are the reason we keep going.” He extended his hoof out towards the crowd. “We love making music, and we love playing it for you.”

At that, the crowd cheered again. But Hyper wasn’t done, so he waited until they settled. For a second, he took a glance at SweetHooves, a smirk on his face, amused by the crowd’s ability to keep going.

“I want to take a moment to thank all of you for purchasing a ticket to aid our charity cause. We appreciate it, and the ponies at the Ministry of Peace appreciate it. I hope you all support our ideals of ending the war peacefully.”

The sea of ponies shouted in a tone of agreement.

“Alright. You guys ready for some more music?” Hyper asked and was replied with another roar. “Alright, let’s fucking rock.”

HyperBlitz grabbed the microphone in his hoof and turned around to face his band. The intro of “Burn it Down” started playing. Before Hyper could even start the first verse, the memory faded. SwiftHaze was sure she’d be hearing buzzing in her ears for hours.

She arose from the memory orb. For a moment she sat in astonishment at what she had seen. She wondered what it was like to be a pony that influential with thousands of ponies looking up to you.

Haze lifted her head up and saw OrchidRays sitting on the floor across the other side of the coffee table. She was tying duct tape to the stock of the shotgun they had found a few days ago.

“What are you doing?” Haze asked.

“I’m reinforcing the stock so it doesn’t fall apart the next time somebody uses it,” Ray explained.

“Huh.” Haze hadn’t realized until recently that Ray was an inventive type. Well, she had mentioned that she had made sculptures, but Haze didn’t think of a correlation to crafting and repair.

Haze’s eyes settled on the memory orb boxes on the table. Did she have enough time to view another one? Flash still wasn’t here, so she assumed so. She placed the first orb back and took one from the second box.

After the world around her faded, she slowly started to feel her hooves moving beneath her. Her host was walking through a hallway with another pony next to them. A red stallion with a grey streaked brown and red mane. He turned his head to reveal his nearly completely grey beard. EchoBeat. His brown eyes, hidden behind glasses, looked to Haze’s host.

“Now, Hyper, try not to curse around her. She doesn’t like it much.”

“Don’t worry,” Haze felt Hyper say with a smirk, “I’ll try not to. But how would you even know? You’ve been around her once before.”

“But I’ve heard my peers talk about her.”

“And it’s just easy to tell what kind of pony she is, honestly,” a new voice said. Hyper turned to face the source. Haze recognized CharmingRhythm.

“Yeah, yeah, you know everything,” Hyper teased. Rhythm just rolled his eyes.

“Well, I guess I gotta get all my ‘fucks’ out before we go in,” Hyper noted, and after a pause, just blurted out “fuck!” There was a snort of laughter from Rhythm. Echo shook his head with a smile.

The three of them continued down the hall until they reached a set of double doors. Echo pushed them open and led his friends inside. There was a large oval meeting table with at least a dozen stools around it. A pink mare looked at the approaching stallions.

“Ms. Fluttershy will be in shortly,” she told them. “You may take a seat.”

The stallions took their seats at the table next to each other. Hyper tapped his hooves impatiently on the table. Haze wondered how his flame tattoos stayed so vibrantly blue. CharmingRhythm tapped his own hoof on one of Hyper’s playfully. Hyper glared at him then batted a hoof back. They kept returning light slaps until EchoBeat gave them a disapproving stare. Hyper placed his hooves under the table and sat up straight.

The doors opened and a light yellow mare stepped inside. She raised her head to push her long pink mane out of her eyes. As she sat down, something white and fuzzy hopped onto the table. A little rabbit? It seemed to be giving Hyper a hard stare.

“Thank you for coming today,” the yellow mare said in a small, cute voice. Fluttershy? “You are aware my Ministry has requested a partnership with your charity foundation.”

“Yeah, I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Hyper remarked.

“I just need to know,” Rhythm now spoke, “will we still have control over Music for Relief?” He seemed concerned. It must have been an important project.

“Um… yes,” Fluttershy replied meekly.

The pink mare by her side added to the conversation, “you will still have control over the organization of your charity. But we know you use the funds for providing aid to ponies suffering from natural disasters. We would like to utilize that, as well as towns badly affected by the war.”

“Yes,” Fluttershy continued. “This is still your foundation, but we would like you to represent the Ministry of Peace. I know you have quite a large fanbase.”

“So, you want to use our exposure to promote your office?” Rhythm wondered with caution.

“And help ponies in peaceful ways, just as you already have,” the pink mare confirmed.

“I say it’s a good idea,” Hyper reaffirmed. “The war is affecting everyone now. We’ll be able to aid those suffering from it.”

“We aren’t prohibiting anything, we are extending our range,” Echo explained. “We’ll still be able to do what MFR was intended for, but expand it to the war effort.”

Rhythm nodded, taking that in. “Alright, we’ll do it. But we’ll have to organize the legal information as well as the displacement of workers.”

“We’ll work with that over time,” Fluttershy said.

Haze couldn’t comprehend any of the words after that as the memory was cut short. She re-emerged in EchoBeat’s living room to see SilverFlash standing in the corner staring at her. Ray was still sitting on the floor.

“Welcome back!” Ray acknowledged Haze with her hooves raised.

“Now, if you’re done leisuring, we have to get moving,” Flash told Haze promptly.

“Geez, you don’t have to rush me,” Haze groaned. “You can’t even say ‘hi’ to me?”

Flash glared for a moment and then said, “hello,” in a flat tone.

Haze rolled her eyes and pulled the recollector off her head. She stomped away into the kitchen where she would find the food rations Echo had provided for them.

“Why does he have to be so crabby,” Haze muttered.

Echo’s gaze followed her as she passed by. “Believe it or not, there was once a Flash that would have humored you.”

“Hmph, yeah,” Haze mumbled as something crossed her mind. She turned to Echo. “Actually, I saw him in a memory orb and he seemed so much different than he does now. But I also saw you in one and… you seemed similar to now.” Granted, she had only seen both stallions in one memory each. “Why is that? You bo-”

Before she could continue, Chance interrupted from behind Haze. “Um… sorry… wanted to know if you’re coming, Haze.”

Haze threw her muzzle up and groaned. “Ugh, would you guys stop rushing me!” She stomped a hoof. “I want to talk to EchoBeat!” She waved her wing at Chance. “You guys go on ahead. I’ll catch up with you. I can fly after all.”

“You sure you’ll know the way?” Chance asked cautiously.

Haze raised her foreleg up. “I’ve got a map on my PipBuck, don’t I?”

“Alright,” Chance said as he pulled away. “Meet you along the way.”

After he left, Haze turned her head back to Echo and huffed. She realized Echo had witnessed her bad attitude. “Sorry,” she grimaced with ears pressed back.

Echo shook his head. “I’m not the one you should be apologizing to.”

“You’re right,” Haze admitted regretfully. “I’ve got to get better at not snapping at ponies.”

“Everyone has something to work on. You are a pony like everyone else,” Echo assured. “You do remind me of HyperBlitz.”

Haze’s ears perked up. “Really?”

“Well, a young Hyper. When he let his emotions get the better of him. He learned to control them better as he aged. Your temperance may come with wisdom, and wisdom will come with time.”

Haze nodded at that. “You’re really wise yourself. But I guess you would be, since you’ve lived as long as you have…

“But that was a part of my point. Both you and Flash became ghouls. Why does he act so much different than he did before?”

Echo’s eyes widened a bit and he thought for a moment before speaking slowly. “Grief affects different ponies differently. Perhaps it affected Flash more than me because he was a much more outgoing type than I was. I was comfortable being alone for a time, while he often needed company. So, when the last day came, he was utterly alone. It crushed him.”

“But he has ponies around him now. It’s been many decades. Wouldn’t he have healed at all?” Haze wondered.

“The wasteland can harden you. He’s been traveling it far more than I have,” Echo sighed. “Perhaps he grew so regretful and cold that he became used to it, and letting go of that would feel wrong. Like he wasn’t himself. I would really like to see the old Flash return, even just a bit, but I feel that day will never come.”

“I’ll do anything I can to make that happen,” Haze assured resolutely.

“Then maybe start by catching up with your friends,” Echo replied with a soft smile.

“Right. Thanks for talking with me,” Haze smiled back.

She took her pack of food and bid the old ghoul farewell.

Soaring above the rooftops, SwiftHaze sought out her group of friends. She was unable to locate them while following her PipBuck’s map. She landed on the hillside below the large ‘Applewood’ sign and waited for them.

She placed one earbud in and searched her PipBuck for something to listen to. She was drawn to the recordings from CharmingRhythm’s computer. Many of them were from FeatherTune. He seemed like a funny and caring guy, always checking up on his friend.

At last Haze’s unoccupied ear flickered at the sound of a voice beyond.

“Look, it’s Haze!” OrchidRays exclaimed from the base of the hill. She climbed the slope with the two Unicorns. Haze fluttered down to meet them.

“Oh, good! We thought you got lost!” GleamingChance remarked goodnaturedly.

“What took you so long?” Haze countered.

“We don’t have wings like you,” Chance said matter-of-factly. “Also there was another pack of feral ghouls.”

Haze grimaced at that.

She turned to face the winding path that led to Stable 47’s cave. She began to climb on hoof with her friends. When she looked back, she noticed Flash remaining at the foot of the hill, watching.

“Why don’t you come with us?” Haze called down. “I’m sure if we can get Chance in we can-”

“No,” Flash replied firmly. “I’ve already explained this to Ray. They won’t let me in because I am a ghoul. Believe me, I’ve tried. My radiation could be hazardous to residents.”

“Oh.” Haze felt her wings droop.

“But I’ll be waiting here until you get back,” Flash assured.

“Right,” Haze nodded and continued forward.

The narrow portion of the cave was dark, but it soon gave way to a lit clearing. A lamp illuminated the large “47” on the massive steel door.

“So, how do we get in?” Chance’s eyes stayed glued to the door as he spoke, as if entranced.

“Erm, I think there’s a camera somewhere,” Haze responded. She extended her wings out and flailed them around, hoping for the hidden camera to capture motion.

With a crackle, a voice echoed through the cave, coming from an intercom.

“Stable 47 security. State your business.”

“Security, huh?” Haze remarked. “Y’know I worked with you, right? You know who I am. Let us in the Stable.”

“Geez, blunt much?” Chance muttered. Haze flicked a feather in his face.

“You’ll have to go through the overmare for that,” the stallion on the intercom said.

“Ugh. Then get her down here,” Haze groaned and rolled her eyes.

“Haze, we’re meant to get in the Stable. Don’t ruin this,” Chance hissed.

“Don’t worry, they’ll know who I am.”

After a moment of quiet, there was a new voice on the intercom.

“Hello, this is the overmare. It is great to see you fillies still alive. Are you coming home?” The overmare asked.

“Um, not exactly,” Haze said. “We do want to get back into the Stable, yes, but… we brought a friend. He needs help.” Haze looked to Chance.

“We are not accepting strays as part of our residence.”

“No, no. We just need to see some information,” Haze explained. “His mother was from the Stable. We want to see if there’s any information about her in your archives.”

“Is that so?” The overmare challenged.

“We brought supplies,” Ray spoke up.

“Yeah,” Haze added. “We’ll trade you what we brought for some information, then we’ll be on our way. We have weapons and a spark battery.”

“Hmm. Your friend, they aren’t radioactive, are they?” The overmare asked.

“Um, I don’t think so.” Haze looked at Chance quizzically. She even lifted her PipBuck to his chest as if to test for clicks. “If you’re asking if he’s a ghoul; no, he’s not.”

“Very well,” the overmare finally accepted. “You will be let in.”

A few moments later, the air compression of Stable 47’s door hissed as it slid inward. It rolled away with loud clangs. Hesitantly, Haze led her friends into the Stable she never thought she’d set hoof in again. She knew she probably would have dropped off supplies, but assumed she wasn’t reentering.

A pair of guards escorted them inside. One of them gave Haze a dirty look. She knew what it meant, for she was familiar with this pony. His look told her “you really left us hanging and ditched us, huh?”

They stepped into the atrium, unsure where to go next. A few ponies gave passing glances at the group.

“Wait here,” one of the guards said. “The Overmare wishes to speak with you.”

Haze felt a tap on her side. She turned to see Chance holding a small sack in his magic.

“Here,” he said, offering it to Haze. It made a jangling sound as he dropped it in her hoof. She just raised a brow. “Some caps. For the next ponies that venture outside,” he explained.

“Wow, that’s really nice of you, Chance,” Haze remarked. She remembered how protective he was of his stash of caps. Once again he had offered something of his to help others.

“Oh, and I’m sorry about sassing you back at Echo’s,” Haze noted.

“It’s alright,” Chance replied softly.

“No, it shouldn’t be,” she refused. “You're my friend. I should treat you like one.”

He gave her an appreciative look. Before anyone could say anything else, a light pink Unicorn stepped up to them. The overmare. She was eyeing Chance, wary of the outsider.

“So, what is it that you’d like to see?” The overmare asked.

“There’s got to be some information about his mother in the archives. We want to look at them,” Haze responded.

“How do we know this information won’t be used against us,” the overmare addressed.

“What?” Haze cocked her head. Who would do that? Maybe the Enclave… “No, Chance is good, I promise. We won’t look at anything else, only the records on his mother.”

The overmare sighed. “Very well. I’ll show you to the archives. But I’ll have a guard stand watch while you’re in there.

After handing over their goods to the overmare, the three younger ponies followed her out of the atrium and through the halls. When they stopped, the overmare floated out a keycard to gain access to a door. It slid open, and she let them inside. One guard stayed near the door which shut behind them.

At the end of the narrow room were two terminals, one lit up. Above them was a large blank screen with wires that ran down the wall to the terminals. Storage boxes on the walls lined the room. Haze stopped at the lit terminal. She clicked a few times through the menus, looking for a way to enter a specific search.

“Here, let me look,” Chance said. Haze almost denied him, but realized he was smart enough to figure out a terminal, even if he’d never been in a Stable.

As they switched places, Haze curiously examined the other terminal. At her touch, the screen lit with bright green words. This was another of the archives. It claimed to have images and videos while the other terminal held collections of data on ponies from over the generations.

“I wonder what’s in these boxes,” Ray commented, referring to the locked storage boxes on the wall.

“Nothing meant for you to see, probably,” Haze muttered.

She continued her search: “HyperBlitz.” Immediately many, many files appeared, including pictures and videos. She selected one. The terminal displayed a message: “Casting to screen.” The monitor above them illuminated and began playing a video. The volume was low, but there was definitely music.The image was of Celestial Hall, a wide shot of the stage and a portion of the crowd. While the image was grainy, it was evident that HyperBlitz was sitting on a stool on the stage, singing into a microphone. He was clearly much older than what Haze had seen in SweetHooves’ memory. Despite his age, he still had a fantastic voice. Haze didn’t recognize the song.

Ray stepped next to Haze to admire the video too. “Oh, look! It’s BlazingFlair!” She remarked, pointing to the screen. On the side of the stage was an orange stallion strumming an acoustic guitar. Haze couldn’t make out his face, which was hidden in the shadow of a hat.

As the song ended, the crowd gave a polite applause. Not as rowdy as the concert crowd. HyperBlitz spoke into the microphone. “Thank you. I’m glad we can still play music for others to enjoy.” He sighed. “I know it’s not the same as before the war.

I hope one day the world can be like how it was when I grew up. I hope there are those brave enough to strive for change. I know the world is broken, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I might not live long enough to see this change, but I believe that future generations will. Hate brought us here. But love is stronger.”

After another round of applause, BlazingFlair began strumming again. This time, Haze recognized the melody of “The Messenger.” It was fitting after the speech, which had left Haze in awe. She really did want to watch more, but knew they had a mission. She paused the video and heard Ray “aw” in protest.

“Did you find anything?” Haze asked Chance.

“Well, there’s archives on her, but nothing in her personal journals indicate anything about going outside or where she may have gone,” Chance sighed.

“What’s that?” Ray questioned, pointing to a star next to the name on the screen.

Chance hovered over it. “Significant ancestry,” he read aloud. He opened the tab. “Origin of Stable family tree is… CharmingRhythm and Heartfelt Tale.”

Ray took in a huge gasp. “Oh my goddesses! If your mom is related to them, that means you are, which means you and Flash are practically family!” She shook him a bit at the shoulders. “We gotta tell him!”

“Eh… but am I really? After that many generations there’s barely any genetic similarities.”

“Well, I still think it would be nice to tell Flash,” Ray said.

“Might be the best thing he’s heard in a long time,” Haze agreed.

“Not like it helps me find my mom,” Chance muttered.

“Maybe I can find something,” Haze offered. She leaned over to read the name on Chance’s terminal: Wisteria Snap. Haze then entered the name into her terminal of choice. She found a few results and clicked one. Once again it casted to the screen above. This time it was a still image of a violet Unicorn mare.

Chance’s eyes widened. “That’s her. Much younger of course… and less scars.” Haze pondered what she looked like now.

“Do you think we could have this image printed? It might be a good thing to have if we’re asking around for her,” Chance wondered.

Haze nodded. “I’m sure we can. I’ll ask the overmare.” She linked her PipBuck to the terminal so she could download the image file to it.

As they exited the archives room, Ray remarked, “Isn’t great knowing you’re related to Flash!”

“It’s… odd,” Chance admitted. “I’ve already looked up to him like a mentor for years.”

“I can tell you value his opinion highly,” Haze commented.

“Yeah,” Chance said, aloof.

Not long after they left the room, the overmare approached them. “Did you find what you were looking for?” she asked.

“Not exactly,” Chance mumbled.

“Actually, we were wondering if we can have an image printed,” Haze requested. “It’s on my PipBuck.”

“I suppose so,” the overmare responded. “Come. I’ll show you to our printers.”

“If we get this then maybe coming here wasn’t a complete waste,” Chance whispered hastily. He seemed troubled.

“Are you okay?” Haze questioned.

“Yeah. Just thinking of some things I read in there.”

Before he could elaborate any further, Ray alerted them. “Um, Haze, I think we have a problem!” She quickly darted behind the other side of the Pegasus.

Haze instantly identified what she was referring to. “Fuck,” Haze cursed as she saw the older green mare marching towards them.

“SwiftHaze!” her mom called out. “You really thought you could come back in here without me finding out?”

“Ugh, I only came back in here because I’m helping my friend!” Haze snapped.

There were ponies staring as they passed in the hallway. The overmare watched the scene quizzically.

“I know OrchidRays but who is this?” Emerald gestured to GleamingChance. “Don’t tell me he’s your boyfriend.”

“What?” Haze squawked while Chance gagged a bit at that statement. “How do you think I could get a date in that short of time?”

“I’m not sure. Seems I don’t know my daughter as well as I thought I did,” Emerald scorned.

“Good! That’s how it should be!” Haze retorted.

“No! I won’t let you go out again! You’re staying right here!” Emerald argued.

“Ha! No way! I’m my own mare - an adult! I don’t have to listen to you!” Haze sneered.

“Overmare! Tell her she can’t go back out again. It’s too dangerous!” Emerald pleaded.

The overmare blinked. “Well, it was her own decision to go out to begin with. I allowed her to. She doesn't have to stay here if she’s unhappy,” she reasoned. “Since she is old enough to be independent, you have no say over where she goes. I’m sorry, I cannot act on your behalf.”

“Are you kidding me?” Emerald spat.

“Security, please take this mare to her living quarters,” the overmare ordered, pointing at Emerald. One of the guards that had been escorting them began ushering the Pegasus mare along.

“What? You can’t do this!”

“Please cooperate and you will face no penance,” the overmare said.

EmeraldShowers just glared as she was escorted away. SwiftHaze was relieved that the overmare had seen things her way.

“Now, as we were. To the printers,” the overmare announced.

Once they had a few portraits printed, Haze thanked the overmare for her help. She guided them back to the atrium and to the entrance tunnel.

“Alright. Let’s leave for real this time,” Haze claimed as they were waiting for the door to be activated. “I’m really not stepping hoof back in this place after today.”

“Oh yeah?” Chance teased. “Want to bet on it?”

“I’m sure you’ll come back one day,” Ray commented hopefully.

Haze huffed. “We’ll see.”

A security guard activated the opening sequence. Haze relived the same sights and sounds she had a few days ago. Ray was even still on her right side. Except this time Chance was on her left. The door tumbled open and they proceeded to exit.