Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Seven

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Grizzly flipped through the paper a few times, taking a moment to wright a note here and there, along with glancing at Spell Circuit periodically. The silence was uncomfortable, so after a while I asked. "Is that good-"

"Good enough?" Grizzly cut me off, her face hidden behind the documents. "This is a mess. The ups are down, and the lefts are right! If I was not acquainted with how Onxy's family kept their stupid maps and notes, I'd be utterly lost." She then eyed Molo. "How the fuck did you manage reading this crap?"

Molo smiled, looking a bit embarrassed. "Well you know, us pillow mares were quite close with the big family's in Fillydelphia. So Onyx might possibly be my cousin from when my mother was a honey trap."

This time I looked at Molo in surprise. "What!"

Grizzly face hoofed. "Right, all of you bitches were one big honeypot trap."

Molo rolled her eyes. "Oh don't be high and mighty about that. I bet your Red Light mares do the same. No offense, Lottery."

Leaning back in her chair, Grizzly just looked annoyed. "One, no we do not, as it's a tactic that rarely works, and two, trying that will get my girls killed. Anyway, how many times has it worked for the pillow mares?"

"Sometimes we made caps from it… sometimes." Molo sounded less sure of herself now.

Grizzly then sighed. "Well honey pot traps aside, the documents are fortunately the real deal. With it we can plan a surgical strike on Tripwire, and demolish his plans. But I am concerned about one place, and that's this New Unity town."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "What's wrong with it?"

"The name, its a bad omen." She replied, then pulled out a cigarette for all of us to share. All of us but Spell took one. "If you know anything about what happened a few months back with the Stable Dweller, you would know of Unity."

"That's the whole thing with the goddess thing, right?" I answered.

Grizzly nodded. "Yes. I hope it's just a remnant of the cult of unity, but it can be worse. It's possible that there are artificial alicorns there trying to make their own unity… or it's possible they might be trying to make new alicorns."

"Wait, is that even possible?" Molo asked dismissively.

Again Grizzly's eyes fell onto Spell Circuit. "Redeye certainly thought so, and he had the time to study the process. Such information that unfortunately didn't die with him."

"Well there was an alicorn in Pleasantville working with Bandsaw." It was a flash, but I remember something. "The priest, he was a unicorn, but had wings… messed up wings, but I know I saw them."

"If my brother has done his own research, it wouldn't be impossible for him to recreate it." Spell Circuit added.

"And Angel too. That crazy bastard was obsessed with the goddess, and was even one of her head preachers." Molo also added.

Puffing on her cigarette Grizzly nodded. "Then this New Unity is our next target. From the documents, it's where all the noncombatants are taken. For what reason, we don't know. At the very least it's for slave labor, and at worse-"

"Magical flying murder horses," I finished.

"Well not how I would call them, but it's close enough." Grizzly then took a long drag of her cigarette, turning it to ash. "Right, well I'll need to go over this with my sponsors, but before that I want to talk privately with Lottery."

Molo let out a chuckle. "You sure you don't want alone time with me?"

That got a frown from Grizzly. "That was once, so fuck off."

"Love you too." Molo reply as she trotted off, followed by Spell Circuit.

"Spell!" Grizzly called out. "We need to talk later, so don't go teleportation off now."

He nodded before leaving through the door.

Alone with Grizzly, I finished off my cigarette and asked. "I thought you liked Molo?"

"Legs for days, skilled with her tounge, a fun drinker, but that mare is just too much." Grizzly said before sighing again. "Just glad theirs no good reason we have to interact outside of this mission."

"Oh… ya… none at all." I nervously said.

A flat and annoyed look fell onto me from Grizzly. "Tell me what you know!"

I gave a nervous chuckle. "Well… she kind of told me… you know those two foals of hers… well Spell Circuit might be… their father."

Grizzly this time double face hoofed. "Fucking pillow mares. I swear they are even more related to all the families then I am."

"Well at least your not related to them." I said, trying to brake the mood.

Grizzly's face hit the table, her mane seemingly deflating. "I got at least six family members born from whores in my emidate family, two of which were from pillow mares. One of those was Rattlebones bastared."

"Oh… sorry about that. So, what did you want to talk about?" I tried to change the subject, seeing how it distressed Grizzly.

Slowly she peeled her face from her desk and straightened herself out. "Right, it's not like her kids are going to be my problem. Their only Wiretap's cousins, not siblings." With a deep breath, she regained her composure. "Onto what I wanted to talk to you about. But first, how are you holding up, you did trot through a massive raiders dean?"

I scratched my elbow for a long moment before answering. "To be honest, not good, but I'll get better, I have too. But I rather not get into the details about it right now, you understand."

Grizzly slowly nodded. "I can only guess. Here, I'll schedule a private spa later, and for whoever you want to bring along. It's the least I can do after averting that disaster. Now back on the subject at hoof… well two things actually."

She then tapped the side of her head, the same spot as the mane ornament Bandsaw gave me. "To make a long list of questions short, why the fuck do you have a Bailfire Fiends totem in your mane?"

Taking the thing out, I placed the ornament on the table. "I… don't know. Bandsaw, the raider, gave it to me when she got me away from the MurderBallers, and to… more raiders. I guess I just haven't given it much thought, actually forgot it was there. But Bandsaw said to keep it on me so that others would know me."

"Just a shot in the dark, they're after the mesmetron, and have no interest in sharing the power?" Grizzly then asked.

I nodded.

"Typical." Grizzly said as she picked up the mane ornament, glaring at the thing with smoldering hatred. "Always putting their hooves where it does not belong, and trying to shape the wasteland in their image." She then tossed it back to me. "Keep it on you, it will be best to play along with their schemes, for now at least."

Grizzly then gritted her teeth and a cruel smile formed on her face. "Yes, for now."

"Are… you okay? Did they-" I began to ask, but froze when her eyes fell on me with a deep intensity.

"No… no I'll not be saying any more of this. Just keep that on you, play along, and never let them… help you. Their help is like a twisted wish you will regret."

I again nodded, not saying anything on the topic.

After a long, quiet moment, Grizzly took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, regaining her composure. "On the second thing… and it may be odd, but please consider it. But could you take Wiretap out I to the wasteland for a few days?"

The request caught me by surprise as I blurted out, "Wait, What! Why?" I asked.

The mare let herself relax, now seemingly smaller in her suit. "Now that she's not been hanging out with those ruffians, and we have been busy. She's been more of a pain in the ass, bothering everypony… and sneaking into the Red Light showroom."

I stiffened up. "Is she okay?"

"Shes fine, just stupid. Sparkling Delight has been keeping an eye out for her, so it's just been an annoyance." Grizzly explained. "So I was thinking she just needs to get out for a bit, stretch her leg. But the Talons are too busy at the moment, I'm always busy, and any pony else will lose her."

"Except for me." I said.

Grizzly gave me a knowing nod. "She looks up to you, so I doubt she will just run off with you around. I was thinking that maybe tomorrow you can go out with her, take her camping for a few days. Nothing crazy, just get some of that energy out of my girl, and get her out of the way. You can bring another pony with you too, and I have a pony who will be a guide as well, so it should be perfectly safe."

I thought about it for a long moment. It would be annoying, but then again I wasn't going to do much. Actually it would be nice to just be out in the wasteland without having to deal with its horrors. Just like Pa and I would do. "Alright, I can do that. But only for a few days."

"Thanks, Lottery." Grizzly said with a sigh. "Once this madness is all over, I'm definitely going to take a vacation. Maybe take Wiretap to the old pear orchard for some quiet time." She then looked at me with tired eyes, as though all her energy had just evaporated. "Go now, if you need anything, the reception desk can help you. Oh, and kick those two bitches out of your room, they have been a pain in everypony's neck."

"Alright, then I'll see you tomorrow." I then got out of my seat and trotted out of the room.

As I passed through the doorway, Grizzly then buzzed through the intercom. "Spell Circuit, It's time we finished that talk from years ago."

I looked at him and he shrugged. " guess better late than never."

"Well then go, it's not like you left her with a debt" I told him.

Entering the elevator, Molo joined me. "So what did she want to talk to you about?" She asked.

"Going camping with Wiretap, you want to come with?" I asked her.

"Ehhh… no." She replied.

We both then laughed as the elevator descended.

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Our suite was for the lack of a better word, trashed. Dust and Smoke were both lying on the couch having gorged themselves on food and looked rather hog like. When they saw me, both asked in unison, "did our dick survive?"

"Ya, he is alive." I answered.

"He didn't fuck any of you did he?" They both again asked in unison.

Molo then answered, "no, he was a good boy."

They both smiled, then passed out.

Looking at Molo, I then shrugged. "Let's do some cleaning as we wait for the others to show up. Then we can relax."

Molo let out a huff. "You know I'm used to living in filth, but that's normally my filth, not some other bitches. And other than the camping thing tomorrow, what should we do after everypony gets here?"

"A free spa trip, definitely get our mains done, and maybe go see the doctor." I told her.

She smiled. "Lets not forget drinking and gambaling."

A bit of uneasiness washed over me, "I… don't feel like doing that… not yet. You know how I get when I drink."

"Right, that might not be smart, best get some proper rest and not wake up with a stallion in your bed." Molo gratefully understood me.

As we got to cleaning, ponies began slowly trickling in, and fortunately the first was Cauterize, who gladly took his lovers to one of the rooms. Soon after Cold Trails, Plasma Cutter, Silver, Chain and Margaret then arrived. The robot got to work helping us as Plasma finally got to look at the power armor Chain Lighting had held onto. The ghouls Coriander, Mint, Basil and Aloe were next, who quickly got relaxed.

As the rest of the ponies and the robot maid show up, Grizzly had thankfully opened up an unused penthouse next door for the extra ponies, keeping things from getting cramped. I was quickly given a message that it would be only temporary, and they would need to find their own place, or I would have to pay for the room. It was a bit annoying, but in the end I didn't own this place, and Grizzly didn't need to bend over backwards for me.

Finally Spell Circuit came around, looking quite drained, and flopped down onto the couch. "Seems like I'll be busy for the next few days helping with strategies for this war." He said.

That caught me off guard. "What war?"

"With my brother." He answered, then explained, "we looked over the documents and they seemed to have been almost done with recruitment. Grizzly suspects he will get moving in a week or so, and we need to prepare."

"Need… any help?" I asked.

Spell let out a long sigh. "No need. It's going to be a lot of technical and logistics talk. You should relax while you can."

I didn't feel like arguing, and truthfully, not having to think about all this did sound like the better deal. Looking around, I then noticed some pony missing.

"Wait… where's Low Pressure?" I asked.

"He saw some stallion he liked on the ground floor." Cold Trails told me.

"That… sounds like him." I said with a huff.

Taking a seat at the bar, where Margret poured me some water. "Thanks." Taking a sip, I then turned around, finding the place a bit cramped now. "So… what are we going to do with everypony we brought with us? I mean everpony can't stay here."

"Oh, I already gave that some thought." Cold Trails said. "Fortunately most of the pegasus that came with us are well educated and hard working business ponies. I'm sure a place like this will have work for them."

"The wastelanders will be fine." Plasma spoke up. "Traumatized for sure, but after some rest and nourishment, they will be back on their hooves. Some have already talked about leaving to help the NCR, even if it's only for the free food and drink."

Coriander then raised his hoof. "First off, thanks for letting my kind say here, even if it's for a short time. I'm going to talk with the ponies here, see if there's a place for our kind, and in the meantime, see if I can do some good.

"We will stay with Master Spell, until he no longer needs us." Margaret said in a happy tone.

It was good to know everypony had a plan, even if it's a simple plan.

"I think I'll stick around." Mint said, the ghoul looking at me with a smile. "There's likely going to be more ponies needing medical and psychological help. I didn't spend over a hundred years studying to not put it to use."

"Same." Plasma Cutter spoke up. "This is exactly why the steel rangers exist. This… mezmetron is technology that must be kept out of the hooves of those who would abuse it."

I sighed as I wondered who else wanted to join me in this. "Okay, hooves up for those who want to join me in stopping the slavers?"

Then Mint and Plasma raised their hooves, along with Aloe, Cold Trails, Cauterize and Margret. Counting Low Pressure and Spell Circuit, that made nine ponies including me. "I guess it's a full team then."

"Ya, I still need to stop Flyright, both for my sister and for the others she hurt." Cold Trails explained.

"Same… but with my sister." Cauterize added.

"I can't leave Mint alone, she will be lonely." Aloe then hugged Mint, who patted her on the head.

"Sorry, but I only joined the Enclave military to gain access to medical school. Now that I'm away from that mess, I don't want to jump back into it. But I'll stick around here and see if my medical knowledge can help." Chain Lighting said.

"Same here." Coriander said as he adjusted his suit.

"No, I'm… going to… do something elsewhere." Spoke a nervous Silver Bristle Brush.

"Then all of you joining the fight can stay here, the rest I'll see to it you get decent rooms for as long as I can convince Grizzly to lend out." I told everypony.

As we all settled down, Coriander trotted over to me, a gentle smile on his face that was ruined by his hairless rough skin. "If it's not too much, could you take Basil and I down to the local doctor. It may be rushing it, but standing around not doing anything, It makes me feel like I'm… slipping again."

"Actually it's important for us ghouls to stay busy. Otherwise we go feral." Basile added.

"Wait, is that true?" I asked.

Coriander nodded. "We had two hundred years to observe and treat the condition. The first to go feral were those who gave up. It was chaotic then, and we didn't know what was going on with our bodies. But with each pony who went feral, we learned more. But there is only so much we can do while hiding in the shelter, and slowly almost everypony had turned. By the time we knew we could leave, I think we became too afraid of what was out there to go beyond the ruins of our homes. Now that we had no choice but to leave home, I guess now is better than ever to start helping.

Basil then giggled, though it sounded more sickly than cute. "When you showed up, we were just so shocked, it really rattled our almonds.."

"It was time to move on." Coriander continued. "I had already lost myself, and you helped me come back." He pulled out an old and burnt photo of a family. "I lost everything that day, but knew they would not want me to give up. It's one of the few things that keeps me going, and I nearly did. So again, I think you. "

"Ya, I would go mad too if I was stuck there for so long." I said sympathetically. "And you want to see Doctor Helga, I can take you to her. Anyway I should have her look me up."

"While you three do that, Molo will take Aloe and I shopping." Mint said as she looked at her ragged nurse uniform. "All of us ghouls haven't changed clothes for… too long. At least its been long enough that we don't smell as bad as we could have. Speaking of which, we should get a wash too."

It was a good idea, though I hope a bath would take off more of their skin. "Not sure it's a good thing for you, but I'll be going to a spa later, and can take whoever I want with me."

Mint shook her head, "best if we d-"

"Do! It has been ages since I had a spa trip. My wings seriously need pruning." To my anazment, Aloe stretched out two withered wings that had blended into her uniform. She was not an earth pony, but a pegasus this entry time!

Mint then shrugged. "Alright, not that it can do much for our complexion, or what's left of our mane."

Plasma then trotted over, an inquisitive look on her face. "What's a spa?"

Molo smiled as she got right up to Plasma. "Now you're in for a treat."

I then looked over at the others. "Any of you want to join."

Cauterize just laughed and trotted away as Cold Trails shook his head.

"You should come too!" Aloe said as she grabbed Silver.

The unicorn meekly said, "okay."

"I'll join." Chain Lighting said as she trotted over. "Also, I want to meet this Doctor Helga too."

A slight smile crept on my face, "I guess it's a mare's night out then."

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Seeking the doctor, and expecting the worst, I was then horrified that other than my scare that Spine Breaker gave me, I had been left with something else too. Those fucking raiders had tatooed a heart onto my lower adomin, which bleeded into my fur. If most of them weren't already dead, I would hunt them down for this alone. But it at least explained why it hurt there, and burned a bit.

Doctor Helga fortunately shood Quacksalver out of the room as she inspected me, looking quite displeased as she touched my new scar and tattoo. Both caused me to wince from the touch with how the bear skin being rather sensitive. "I got good news, bad news, and bad...er news."

"Good news?" I asked.

"You're fortunately healthy, and though you have early signs of addiction, it's easily reversible at this stage. Though any mental dependencies will require therapy not medicine." She explained. "As for the bad news, that scar of yours, it goes in deep, and shows the signs of having been treated with Venus root salve."

I raised an eyebrow "A what now?"

"Venus root. It is an adequate substitute for xander root in making healing powders and potions. It's also a stand-in for making a love potion, and other narcotic aphrodisiacs, even fertility potions. Commonly its mixed with mex-x or mentats to make a potent chem mainly used for doping a pony and raping them. There are few things that are illegal here in Ursa's Rest, and Venus root is one of them… along with ghouls bile wine, as you can understand."

It sounded concerning, but I didn't see why it's a problem for me now. "So… why was it used on me?"

"That is a good question, and one I'll have to read up on later. At best, it was just to stop the bleeding. At worst, to get you addicted to being forced upon." She gently caressed the scar, and I shivered as it felt good. "Since it has been healed with Venus root, the scar has become a point of pleasure, and will heighten your libido if messed with. Though not common, I heard of troubles down south of tribal doing this to their captives to turn them into sex addicted slaves."

I let out a gasp in shock. "Is.. is it curable!?"

Doctor Helga patted me on the head. "You'll be fine. The effects will fade over time since it was just the salve. It would take re-applying of the salve to keep the effects up. Anyways, you seem to have a strong resistance to addiction so I doubt you're in any real danger of becoming a nympho because of it. I'd advise just avoid from having any sex for the next few days, a month to be sure. Then do whatever."

She then ran her talon across the fucking tatoo, and I nearly jumped. "Thought so, the tattoo was also made with Venus root. Dark pink ink isn't very common, especially one that shimmers a bit. Unfortunately I don't know what that means, so I'll be consulting with the Pear Valley Tribes, and see if they know anything."

I gave a sigh of relief as she took her talon off me, but soon felt a dread creep in. "You said there was more bad news… worse you ment."

"Well you know how I told you that you have early signs of addiction, and a strong resistance to addiction." I nodded and Doctor Helga continued. "Well it's not going to matter if you get liver failure and die. I don't know what you took out there, but if you had taken more of it you would have been dead. So now listen carefully, because fortunately you're still okay. But you're on the edge, and any more heavy boozing, pill popping, or any other chem taking might kill you. This includes the contraceptives, they will impede your recovery if you keep taking them. That's why, as your doctor, I'm banning you from taking any more."

"What, but what if-" I tried to ask, but Doctor Helga cut me off.

"Just don't have sex… or at least vaginal sex. Your not a sex worker now, so just don't. I'd advise not drinking either, knowing your drunk habits and all.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Right, stay clean, sober, and no sex. I can do that."

"Good, otherwise you will either be dead, finding yourself back as a Red Light mare and pregnant. And personally, I rather not deal with the mood swings a mare like you will have."

Doctor Helga then cracked her neck and called out. "Doctor Coriander was it, you and the others can come in. I'm done here."

Coriander in, along with Basil. Chain Lighting was being chatted up by Quacksalver, who then shoved him away from her and joined the others in the doctor's office. I got out of the way, zipping up my jumpsuit.

"Thanks for seeing me Doctor Helga, I was a bit afraid we would be rejected for… well being undead and all."

Doctor Helga waved their fear off dismissively. "I started out as a Talon field medic. There are worse things than a ghoul to give medical aid. Anyways, I'm far more dangerous than a feral on a good day, just don't go playing any jokes here about going feral… I will kill you and ask questions later."

Coriander looked a bit nervous on her warning. "Yes, well I don't have plans to ever pretend to go feral… it's a great fear for us, so even I would not find it funny."

"Good." Doctor Helga said with a smile and then passed over some documents to Coriander. "Fortunately we are in need of extra medical staff. With so many ponies passing through, and the NCR taking what smart ponies they can get their hooves on, you and your nurse will be of great help in the days to come. But before that, you will need to wash that suit of yours. Unlike in most parts of the wasteland, we still remember germ theory."

Doctor Coriander smiled. "Oh yes, I'll get on that right away. Miss Basil, you should join Mint and Aloe. Relax as you wash up. It has been a long time."

Basil nervously nodded. "Y.. yes Doctor. I'll do just that."

"As for you miss Enclave mare, what's your medical experience?" Doctor Helga asked Chain.

She saluted the good Doctor. "Medical officer Chain Lighting, I have two years of medical school training, field medic training, and on hoof experience from the last few months.

The first time ever I saw Doctor Helga crack a smile. "Finally, other than those ghouls, every pony has just pretended to know the medical field. My own assistant included. I'll have you assist me to gauge your level of skill and knowledge. See how much those Enclave idiots fucked things up. At ease medic."

"Yes mam!" Chain Lighting shouted before relaxing.

Doctor Helga then looked at me with a stern gaze. "And Lottery, remember to keep yourself clean."

I smiled back at her. "Yes Ma!"

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Basil, Chain and I met up with Molo, Plama, Silver, and the other two ghouls as they were all finishing their shopping, not looking for anything that fancy today.

Plasm had picked up a baggy jumpsuit similar to mine, but it was rougher looking and olive green. Silver just picked up a simple dress, and Chain got a cute short skirt dress. As for the three ghouls, they all got dresses with hoods, pants and a mask. It was clear they were hiding their ghoul form with the clothes. They at least had different colored dresses, with Basil in Yellow, Aloe in pink, and Mint in a powder blue.

With the girls shopping done, we sent the clothes off to be washed, and headed to the spa.

I had been here once before, after a rather busy night with some rather rough clients, Low Pressure dragged me here to relax. From what was explained, this place was modeled after a Canterlot bath house, with heavy use of a pail purple marble, with dark purple sidings along the top of the walls, and accented with gold colored paint. White sheets were used to separate the different areas of the spa, giving a pony some privacy.

As we were greeted, the staff gave us some worried glances as they looked at our three ghoul friends.

"Is there a problem?" I asked.

A small and quite beautiful earth pony mare stepped up. "No, not at all. It's just that ghouls require more... information before they are allowed to use our facilities."

"Right, ghouls have a tendency to… leave parts behind." Molo said with a cringe.

The small mare nodded. "Our family had prided ourselves with having any creature leaving here satisfied, but unfortunately ghouls are more... difficult. No biased, as one of our founders, my ancestor to be exact, was ghoulified after the great war, and her sister stuck with her. And because of her we have learned how to properly care for a ghoul you see, but first they must take a questionnaire. This includes the type of ghoulification, the environment they have lived in, and potential triggers for a feral like state. Simple."

I raised an eyebrow. "Types of ghoulification and environment?"

She nodded. "Oh yes, very important. The environment is simply if they stayed were it is dry or not, as some ghouls can become waterlogged easily you see. As for types, though most ghouls are baelfire ghouls, made from Bailfire bombs and the radiation left behind, some were made by other kinds of megaspells. Canterlot ghouls, storm ghouls, gargoyles, drowned ghouls, even ghosts are a kind of ghoul. It's for both our safety to know this."

"Do you get all kinds of ghouls often?" Mint asked.

The mare shook her head. "No, but our family has spa's all around the wasteland, and we try to share notes when possible. The spa in Tenpony Tower has helped a lot in keeping us connected with each other through the radio system used by DJ Pon3."

I looked over at Mint, Aloe and Basil. "Well I guess you should go with the mare, we'll meet up later."

They nodded and were led away as the rest of us were taken to a washing area. Getting thoroughly scrubbed down was… odd feeling, both Plasma, Silver and I let out a yelp when the mares here got to cleaning our backside. Doctor Helga had been right and I was getting more sensitive there. It also meant that Plasma and Silver had been treated the same way, though both had far more scars.

After the wash, we were allowed to soak in a nice warm pool. Something about getting our bodies ready.

Looking at my companions, all out of armor or clothes, it made me realize that ponies wrapped up more out in the waste then the ponies in the old magazines. I could understand why, almost all of us had some sort of scar, and even then the weather out in the wasteland was almost always bad in some way. I was glad it wasn't raining all the time now, but now we had hot days every day.

The only pony not scared up in any way was Chain Lighting, who was actually quite beautiful. It almost made me jealous with how naturally beautiful she was, almost. If I had her looks, I would have more attention from clients then I would have liked when I was at the Red Light Showroom.

On the other hoof was Molo, beautiful, but in a wild way. She was cut up almost everywhere, both from fighting, getting set on fire, and scars similar to the ones the raiders tried to give me when I was being rape by them. But she still held her head high and could laugh it off. Maybe in time I could do the same.

My eyes then fell onto Plasma and Silver, both mares having very simulator scars, almost all focused on their flanks. Though Plasma had a scar across her muzzle. But shockingly, now that Silver was bathing, I could see a faint scar on her face, as though it was a forced smile going from cheek to ear on both sides, just like Pink Haze. Then I looked further down, and saw that both had the same kind of Tattoos on their abdomen as I did, but with a lot more work on them.

Both of them had suffered so much, and yet she still pushed on, and though I didn't want to burden them, I still had to ask. "Your scars, there like the one I got, sensitive I mean. If it's not too much trouble to answer, how are you two still sane?"

Plasma let herself sink a little, blowing bubbles before straightening up and answering. "It's okay, I can talk about it… maybe it was luck, or… I don't know. There were other mares with us who got it almost as bad as we did, and well, they made a nympho raider out of them. Can't say I'm as sane as I used to be, truthfully I'm not the same pony as I was. Naive and sheltered. I was actually scared of the outside, it was so big that I felt that one day I would fall into the sky. I was a scribe not because I liked to learn, but becauseI was too cowardly and indecisive to become a knight."

Silver then added to the story with a nervous quiver. "I… don't now how I did, I don't remember anything before waking up in a slave pen in Fillydelphia. One of those with me said I had came from a batch of slaves that had been sent to the goddess, but then returned. We eventually managed to escape… somehow. My memory is still foggy, but I remember we hid, ran, and hid some more as we were chased. I think they later found us and took us to that raider den. Things they did were horrible, but it didn't feel like me, but some other pony. I think that's why I remained me, I think."

Letting her legs spread out, Plasma relaxed. "And because of that, we were able to lean on each other when the raiders were elsewhere. Now… I have bigger worries, and a lot of anger… maybe that's why they never made a whore out of me. Whatever lust I felt, it never overcame my hate for them."

I nodded, "ya… I can understand that."

"Oh ya, I can tell you that the angry ponies are the hardest to break." Molo chimed in. "When I was a raider, I saw and did some fucked up shit as you know." Plasma furrowed her brow at Molo, and Molo rolled her eyes back at her. "Well you know now. Anyways there were always some new pony coming in and joining a crew. Those who joined to have fun, and be free, they crashed hard and fast. Many offing themselves and becoming chem fiends. But now and then we get some sad and angry bitch, like myself at the time, who joined up because we wanted to make another pony hurt. When a pony has a goal of fucking over the life of another, you be amazed how much shit they will survive to do it."

Plama nodded. "Ya, I guess you're right. Even when I was filled with chems and used. I never forgot how much I hated them, and the ponies who threw me out so easily. It feels pathetic, but when I had thought I lost everything, I still had my hate and sorrow."

"But now you're free." Mint said as she and the other two ghouls trotted over. They were rather clean, and seemed to be covered in some sort of clear oil. "And you can now channel those emotions to something more positive."

They got into the pool with us and let themselves soak.

Aloe let out a satisfied sigh. "I had forgotten how this feels."

Basil just stayed quiet as she relaxed.

"And how would I… channel these emotions?" Plasma asked with suspension in her voice.

Mint took a moment relaxing before answering. "Little by little I'm afraid. The ministry of peace had tried to do anything and everything to help cure a pony from Wartime Stress Disorder, but nothing ever quite worked. Other than slow and steady therapy. But that also required the pony to be away from the source of their trauma, and a lot of time." Mint then let herself sink more into the water, and gave Plasm and I a knowing smile. "Just trust that things will get better, and trust that we'll give you the help you need. All of you."

Well they have had over two hundred years to get good at helping ponies, and I had already agreed to let them stick with me. I then sniffed the air, smelling something like… fruit. "What's that smell?"

Aloe smiled as she rubbed her bare foreleg. "The oil the ponies gave us, they say it to protect our exposed skin and mussels. Make sure they stay with us while we're here."

"It's similar to what we would give to burn victims, but with a better smell. Though probably still flammable." Mint commented.

"Good thing you're in the water then." Molo said with a chuckle.

After that, any tension we still felt melted away, and I began to feel relaxed again. I was still angry, still hurt, and certainly damaged. But right now, I feel a bit… better.

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