Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale

by Dice Warwick

Rating: mature
Tags: Suicide / Self Harm, Horror, Profanity, Non-consensual, Adventure, Violence, Sex, Death, Fallout, Narcotics, Gore, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark, Alternate Universe, Original Character
Length: 474495

In the wake of the Lightbringer heroic deeds, the young mare Lottery, leaves home to go on an adventure, expecting the worst of the dangers to be gone. Though not wrong, the wasteland is no less dangerous, or cruel.

Having long dreamt of adventure and romance, Lottery longed to leave her family's homestead. It so far away from anything that not even the most mad raider would try to find them. When news of the great deeds of the Lightbringer reach her through their one and only radio, the bringing about the fall of Redeye and other evils, Lottery sees it as an opportunity to finally leave. Seeing that the world is safer now, and they can finally go out into the wasteland without worry. But when her parents say no, that it is still too dangerous, she decides to go out with or without them.

With a head full of hopes and dreams, Lottery sneaks away to meet her destiny. But the wasteland is a cruel and uncaring place, and she is but an ignorant and innocent young mare. The adventure and romance she seeks, the destiny she wishes to meet, it will not be what she expected. Entering a world of of sex, drugs and violence, Lottery finds herself well over her head. Will she be consumed by the wasteland and become just another tale of tragedy, or rise above and be the adventurer she wishes to be. 

(Content warning, this story is not for the faint of heart, it’s including graphic and dark tones such as suiside, rape, drug abuse, prostiution, and lots of violence.)

BTW, here is Lottery
[img] https://derpicdn.net/img/2021/6/21/2640120/large.jpg [/img]

Published 2022-01-07 15:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2023-02-24 14:51:38 UTC

Chapter Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Two

_______________________________________________________

My excitement faded after passing the same looking brown hills on the second day, and boredom had started setting in on the third. The barren landscape was almost disorienting, and if I didn’t know how to orientate myself east, I would likely have been wandering aimlessly out here.

I knew my family lived in the middle of nowhere, but I never truly understood how far nowhere was from anywhere until now. Pa and I had traveled a day away from home before, so I thought I'd only have to go a little further out to find the rest of the world. Now I found myself questioning if anypony is even out here, and if I should turn back.

No, I still had enough food and water to go further out.

My delirium aside, a few things did help break the monotony of walking. Critters getting too close for comfort, an old wreck with skeletons still inside, and I even saw what looked to be some attempt to make a settlement, left long abandoned. It was mostly a few rotting huts, nothing of interest inside, and nothing that would be useful to me with them made out of mud.

So other than scaring the critters off, burying the dead, and some light exploration, I hadn't stopped trotting much.

Though the wasteland was barren, there were always patches of edible plants to be found here and there. If a pony knew where to look. Pa made sure I knew how to survive, drilled it into me whenever we did leave home for salvaging. So it was nice to actually put what I knew into practice.

Scanning the land, I noticed an animal trail, and trotted over to take a closer look. There were some impressions I didn’t quite recognize, but I did see the sign of some larger than normal rodents. Rats were always a pain back home, trying to get in the bunker to eat our food. It was always a good day when Pa would find their nests, and we had a hearty stew for dinner that night.

They were also a good way to find a water source, or possibly shelter, so I began following the trail. If I could refill my water supplies, I'd feel a lot safer.

It took well over an hour to find out where the rat trail led to, and as I trotted over a hill, I found the ruins of a town. Unlike the one back near my home, this one was a bit bigger, and looked a little more well preserved. At least some of the houses were still standing.

My boredom subsided as excitement grew. Looking at the town, I could see a few stone buildings, including a larger one near the center of town, and a lot of rusty broken down motor wagons. The scrap metal alone was a treasure trove, not to mention any wood that might still be usable. Pa also said that a metal called copper was really valuable to ponies who lived in larger settlements, and it could be found as wires and pipes in the walls of buildings.

There was also the possibility that some oldworled stuff might still be around, possibly in okay condition. Dresses, shoes, drinks, food, tools, and maybe even a proper gun. All I would have to do is find them.

Trotting down into the dead town, it’s scale was like, big. If I had to guess, maybe like a hundred ponies might have lived here. It was hard to imagine, as it had only ever been Ma, Pa, my brothers and little sister. So I only ever had stories and the radio to go off on.

Whistling loudly, the sound echoed, mixing in the lonely wind of the wasteland and the creaking and squeaking of the town. My hooves touching the road, its cracked and uneven surface was sturdy under my hooves as I made a clop noise. It had mostly just been dirt or metal back home, so it felt a bit weird having something so solid outside, making me imagine how they even made this in the first place. Did they just carve the large slabs and place them down here, but then what kind of stone is it even?

Putting the mysteries of the old world to the side, as there were too many to ponder, I trotted over to the closest still standing house. Looking through a broken window, the place was a wreck, and was likely to join the other collapsed houses sometime soon. Mold and dust was everywhere, and the walls were all ripped open, with nothing inside. There were cabinets and drawers, all open and all empty. Even the rotting sofa had been cut open, the discolored stuffing thrown about.

I was no expert on oldworled homes, or what the ponies from back then did, but it looked like whoever once lived here left with everything they could, and later some critters must have moved in and nested. That and how the house looked ready to fall over, I felt it was best to move on.

Finding one of the stone buildings, bricks as it turns out to be, was missing a wall. That wall had fallen over into a pile of red brick, of which most of them had turned into a red lump, having been whittled away by rain and wind for what must have been a long time. If I had time and a cart, I would salvage the remaining bricks, they would be useful for expanding the wall, or making a better fire pit for burning trash.

The inside was worse than the last building, though it didn’t look like it would fall over, it was completely weathered. Moss and mold covered nearly everything, to the point that if there was anything useful inside, I didn't want to touch it.

Turning my attention to the biggest building in town, it was unlike anything I had ever seen. Surrounding the large building was a wide expanse of that same solid stone ground, decorated by the remnants of painted lines that must have once had meaning. What once must have been an impressive solid mass, now was covered in cracks, of which small shrubs had burst out, almost like a small forest.

Surrounding the expanse were lines of barren trees, which unlike the shrubbery, had died despite being in actual dirt. If anything, the trees would make good firewood for boiling water, once I found some.

Closer to the large building was a mass of the rusty motor wagons. They were haphazardly packed together, almost blocking any path to the building. This too would be worth dragging back home, if possible, with just one of them making a new solid segment of the wall. If all of them could be moved, I could imagine a new wall being made and my home being expanded.

Trotting around the motor wagons, I came to the front of the building, where the entrance had a massive sign above it. B A R N Y A R D, and B A R G A I N S. I furrowed my brow as I tried to sound out the two words several times, but found it annoyingly difficult. "Bar-yard bar-gans?" I finally said.

Sighing I shrugged, unable to get the meaning from the sign. If I had to guess what this place was, it must have been an important gathering place, maybe where the old military trained or where their leaders lived. Who else would use such a massive building.

As I trotted to the entrance I saw that there were several barricades made from interlocked cages, which had wheels on the top, likely for better transportation… or for holding things… maybe. It was too small to properly hold anything big, and the wheels looked too small and rigid to be pushed over any kind of bump or obstruction. Likely its use was for exactly what it was currently being used as, an easy to move barricade for just this building. I could even see that a lot of them had the same sign on them as the big one above the door.

My mind then moved to how I could use them back home. The metal wires they were made from could be useful in upgrading the chicken coop, or patching up weak points in our wall. I could also use them to make new cage traps, in case more critters came for our chickens or crops.

Leaving the barricades behind, I trotted into the large building. It was a bit dark, but fortunately it had a hole in the roof at the center. The hole looked purposely made from the lack of rubble and a lot of broken glass. Oddly there were shelves everywhere, along with discarded oldworled stuff. Mostly trash, but useful trash. Cans, bottles, things that can be dismantled for parts, and things that can just be scrapped. The metal shelves alone were a fantastic find. Like the other stuff, they could be added to the wall.

It wasn't the adventure I was expecting, but it was a find, a big find. Maybe if I come home with some of this, and convince Pa to help me salvage the rest, then maybe they will be more willing to let me go further out.

I still wanted to see more of the wasteland first, so I'll just have to swing by here whenever I decide to go home.

Wandering around the building, and being careful where my hooves were when I trotted, I started to hear a strange sound. It was like metal on metal, with a slight buzz and clang. Pulling out my gun, I peeked around a corner, seeing a silhouette of a pony clad in armor.

It was the first pony I had ever seen other than my family, and it made my heart pound with excitement.

Spitting my gun into my hooves, I called out, "hello, I'm a friendly pony, are you too?"

The pony turned to me, and something seemed off. It's movement was clunky, making so much noise when it stepped. Its armor also didn’t look big enough to fit a pony, same for the face.

"Warning, unidentified pony spotted." It spoke in a flat, emotionless and harsh tone that sounded a lot like how my brothers thought a robot would sound like.

It took a step forward, and I could see through its face, gears and wires visible behind glass.

*click*

"Now put the gun down nice and slow missy, then raise your hooves up in the air." A smoother voice spoke, deeper than my brothers, but not as deep as my Pa's.

Putting the flare gun to the ground, I slowly raised my hooves as I sat down. "I'm not here to cause any trouble, just exploring, honest."

"Shut up if you know what's good for you!" He said as a metal object was pressed into my back. "Bucket, keep an eye on the dame while I check her for any other weapons." the pony said to the robot.

"Security protocol active, unknown pony will be shot if pony makes sudden movements." The robot replied as a pink light on its chest started to glow.

My tire iron axe was then tossed out, along with the rest of my supplies. "Hay. I need those!" I complained.

There was a pause for a moment before he spoke again. "Do you not understand the meaning of shut up? And why are you this far out with only… that, for protection?"

I was a bit confused by his questions. "I… understand what you meant, but you shouldn't just throw food on the ground like that, Celestia willing. And what do you mean by that? I made them myself, mostly, and they're quite good at killing bugs."

Somehow I could feel a disappointing gaze on me before whatever was on my back was pulled away. "Bucket, she's safe."

"Security protocol deactivated." The pink light on Bucket's chest dimmed.

The pony then trotted around, careful to not step on my food and holding a rusty looking rifle made from pipes. He was… well a he! I had never seen another stallion other than my brothers and my Pa, and he was… odd looking. He was brown with a darker brown mane that stood straight up in a line. His muzzle was an even lighter brown, his ears were a bit longer and the hair on his tail started a bit further down then I thought normal.

"Are you… wait, a mutant?" I blurted out.

He cocked an eyebrow, looking a bit offended before sighing. "No, I'm a mule. My mom was a donkey, dad was a pony, no mutants in the family as far as I know."

"Ohhh…. What's a donkey?" I then asked.

He froze for a moment before face hoofing. "Okay, it's going to be one of those days. A donkey is like a pony, but they're not ponies, just like zebras and saddle arabians aren't ponies."

I didn't know what a saddle arabian was, but I had heard about zebras… "wait, zebras are like ponies? But then why did the old world go to war with them?"

He took a deep breath through his teeth, somthing Ma did a lot when we talked for longer than she liked. "I'm not a historian, so let's just move on to why you're here, out in the middle of nowhere?"

Shrugging, I didn't feel like pelting the first stallion I've met with a thousand questions was a lady-like thing to do. "Like I said, I'm exploring, and wanted to see if this place has any good salvage. So far it's like a treasure trove of stuff to expand the farm and other stuff." I explained.

"Farm? What settlement are you from?" He then asked.

Settlement? I didn't know why he was asking for where I came from, but I knew that Pa would be mightily pissed if some stranger came knocking on our gate. Worse, he would know it was my fault.

"Ahh you know, it's south of here, too dangerous to go anywhere but north from there. Well I mean with Redeye gone, it's safe to go north now. So I'm exploring." It was not completely a lie, so I didn't feel guilty about it.

He seemed to chew on that for a moment before nodding. "Ya, you and a lot of ponies in the wasteland have the same idea. Lot of ponies have come out of hiding now that the slave trade roads have collapsed, and are looking to trade with each other again."

I knew it, everything is better now.

"What about you, are you looking for salvage too? Oh I hope you're not a scavenger, Pa always complained about scavengers being all thieves. Wait, where's my manners, my name's Lottery." I held out my hoof to shake it in the way Pa said would be all friendly like.

He bumped his hoof on mine "My name is Daral, and that bucket of bolts is my protect-a-pony, Bucket. He carries the heavy loads for me. And… I'm not a scavenger…. I'm a… prospector, ya a prospector. I find useful stuff and sell it to traders, like what I'm doing here."

It sounded a lot like what Pa said what scavengers do, but maybe I was being paranoid about it. Anyways, he looked like a good pony… well a good mule. I mean bad ponies are supposed to look all scary with spikes, smell bad and have wicked smiles filled with malice. Daral on the other hoof was kind of handsome, so he couldn't be bad.

Gathering my things, I made sure to shake the dust off my food before putting them in my bags. It was a bit of a rocky first encounter, but not all that bad, and potentially a new friend too. Like DJ Pon3 says, we must fight the good fight by helping each other.

"So, is there a way I can help? I'm a bit new at this, first time away from home and all. So maybe we can help each other." I asked.

Daral scratched his chin for a moment and smiled. "Actually there is this one thing." He then pointed further back. "This place was cleared out by the original residents long ago, but I ran into some local animals further back. If you could help me draw them away, then I can split some of the salvage I find."

I wasn't sure, but if it was just roaches or rats, then that was no problem at all for me. "Alright, what do I do?"

"Just go over there, where all the desks are and make some noise, a lot of noise." He explained as he pointed in another direction. "If you can kill them, that would be fantastic, otherwise keep them busy."

Simple enough. "I'll get right on it."

Nodding at each other, we both trotted away in different directions, with the robot staying put.

As Daral described, a small section of this building had an outcove of desks, it a mess of papers and rusted over contraptions. Looking for a way to make some noise, I found a bunch of moldy plates, and cringed at my idea.

Picking up a plate, I tossed it, the ceramic shattering loudly. Then another, and another. It was a waste of perfectly good plates, but I needed to make some noise.

After the sixth plate, I heard something like a howl, dry and strained. This was followed by the sound of things getting knocked over and the creek of a hinge. Holding my breath, I waited for whatever it was to get closer.

The unrhythmic sound of hooves trotting set my hairs on end as I watched a pony come into view. But this pony looked wrong, very wrong. They were extremely thin, to the point I could see their skeleton, and it was completely furless too. The eyes were all white and its lips were missing, showing its yellow rotting jaggedly broken teeth.

Fear gripped me as I realized what it was, Pa had told me about them... a feral ghoul.

The monster saw me and let out a dry gravely roar, which was then followed by another roaring from behind it. The ghoul dashed at me into a full reckless gallop, snarling loudly.

I jumped behind one of the desks, desperately grabbing for my gun. Pulling it out, the thing slipped out of my hooves when the ghoul slammed into the desk, sending it sliding along the ground.

Crawling over to grab my gun, I was slammed to the ground as the ghoul jumped onto my back. A sharp pain of the presser squeezed my shoulder from the ghoul biting me, but not penetrating. Panicked, I bucked into the air, knocking the ghoul off me along with my tarp cloak.

Looking back, the ghouls mouth had become tangled in my clock, thrashing about to free itself. This gave me the opportunity to grab my gun, so I dashed over and scooped it up.

With the bit in my mouth, I turned to the ghoul and aimed. It had just finished ripping my cloak into two, the monster's eyes now focused on me again, filled with an empty hunger.

*BANG*

A thick cloud of smoke enveloped me as my ears rang from the blast. Slowly as my hearing returned and the cloud dissipated, the result of my gunshot was revealed. The ghoul had survived, but I managed to blow off a leg.

Its mouth snapped and snarled at me as it slowly dragged itself to me, not giving up.

Sighing, and a little freaked out, I opened my gun to load another shell inside. But as I grabbed a second shell, I was knocked over by a tackle. Again my gun when sliding off, along with all my shells as they spilled out from my saddlebag. Clattering next to me, my axe fell not far from me.

As I pushed myself up, I saw a second ghoul scrambling up, and immediately jumping into a charge at me. Thinking quickly, I pulled my hat down, shoving it into the ghouls mouth as it tacked me again. The jagged teeth of the ghoul toure into the hat, the strands of dry grass filling its mouth.

Using the moment I had, I jumped over and grabbed my axe, securely biting onto the grip. With a dry hacking choff, the ghoul spat my now ruined hat out and charged again at me. Swinging my neck, the axe collided with the ghouls muzzle, shattering its bare teeth, making an unbearable screeching sound.

The monster hit the ground with a thud, where I then quickly got on top of the monster, and arced my head back for another swing. Snapping at me as it flailed its legs, the ghouls lips had been further split by my axe, giving it what looked like a wide jagged tooth grin that sent a shiver up my spine.

Just like killing a big rat, I thought to myself, while trying to not panic.

With a swing of my axe I buried it into the ghouls skull, making a dry crack. But that didn't kill it, as it kept trying to bite me. So pulling the axe out, part of its skull came with it, along with the rotting gore of its skull that released a foul stench. The ghoul then went limp, finally dead.

The sound of snapping teeth then drew my attention to the first ghoul, it having gotten very close now. Taking a step back to catch my breath, I then trotted around the disabled ghoul, stepping on its back before executing it just like the other. Be it by adrenalin or shock, the second time was a lot easier to do.

With the ghouls dealt with, I regathered my things, leaving the ruined hat and cloak behind, having sacrificed their lives honorably. I had to count myself lucky that the ghoul had gotten the clothes first and not me, or that there were not more of them.

The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

Trotting back to Bucket, my legs began to shake like crazy and my heart pounded. It was my first real fight, and other than some brushes, I was fine. But the image of the wide jagged smile was stuck in my mind, and every sound I heard caused me to almost jump in fright. If I was to fight another ghoul again, it would be too soon.

It wasn't long before Daral returned, a bit of gore on him and a pack filled with whatever he found. He looked at me, a mix of shock and… relief on his face.

"Ghouls, feral ghouls!" I said, still trying to get one of my legs to stop shaking. "I almost got killed!"

"Ya…. I um… didn't know it was ghouls. Ya, that's… I mean all I knew was that something was back there. And I knew you could deal with it. I mean you look like a capable dame." Dale said, giving me a wink at the end.

It… sounded plausible, and what would he get out of it if I had gotten hurt. Maybe I was acting too much like Ma and assuming the worst. He was a prospector, not some scavenger after all.

"Alright, but that was still fucked up, they didn’t even have lips.” I said with a shiver.

Daral stopped to think for a moment, then put his bag down to dig inside. “Actually I have something that will help calm your nerves. Always helps me after shit like that.” pulling out a bottle, he then offered it to me. “Good old fashioned luna shine, just what the doctor ordered.”

Taking the bottle, I popped off the cork, and took a sniff, the smell causing me to gag. “What the fuck is this?”

He took the bottle back and tipped it back into his muzzle, drinking what looked like a gulp. Visibly cringing as he passed the bottle back to me, a smile on his face. “Trust me, it’s harsh, but good shit. Really takes the edge off in times like this.”

I wasn't sure, but he had at least drank some of it himself, so it had to be at least safe. I could feel that one of my legs were still shaking a little, and the image of the ghoul was still in the back of my mind, so I figured that if it helped, then why not. Placing the bottle in my mouth I knocked the bitter and harsh tasting medicine down, making sure not to taste too much of it as I drank.

My body wretched from it and I struggled to not spit it up as my stomach protested and a burning sensation climbed up my throat.

Daral clapped in amusement, a smile still on his face. “Most ponies just sip the drink for the first time, but you went all in, not bad.”

I passed him back the bottle, still trying to not throw up. “So what is it?”

“Just strong booze, that's all. I know a few ponies who make it, and trust them to not cut chems into the mix.” he explained.

“As in alcohol? It’s different from what Ma and Pa make.” I said as I began to feel… calmer.

Daral shrugged. “There's different kinds of booze all over, most of them not that good, and some that are fantastic. Some ponies will pay a lot of caps for the old world shit if you can find it.'' He then pulled out a lavish looking bottle with amber brown liquid inside. “I got to say, this trip might at least net me some caps. Thanks by the way, you did a good job.”

“Caps?… Oh, right. Pa said that other ponies like to trade with them.” I said as I thought out loud.

A nod came from Daral then he sipped the bottle before passing it back to me. “In most places yes, not sure why, but I knew a pony who said it was the chem trade that started it. Something about trading chems for unopened bottles of sparkle-cola, and along the way it just became caps that they traded with.”

This time I shrugged as I took a long sip, it was becoming easier to drink now. “Don’t know much about trading, I didn't do that back home, just did my chores. No pony to talk with but my family, and nothing to see but the wasteland. We do have a radio, so there is that.”

“Not any pony but your family?” Daral asked.

Things were feeling… a bit fuzzy now, in a good way. “Na, not a pony. Ma and Pa wanted to live as far away from all the bad ponies, never saying why, but I know they had a good reason. Now that Redeye is gone, I think it’s time they open up, but they're still like no, no, too dangerous. And when I finally got them to at least let me see the world, Pa took it as that I needed a husband.”

Daral chuckled. “Sounds like family to me, got a brother, my mother pesters about getting her some grandchildren.”

I took another sip and gave the bottle back. “Ya, Ma was like, most mares already have a foal at your age. Like fuck that was going to happen if we never see other ponies. Anyways, I want to see the world, you know, go on an adventure, not stay home pregnant. But no, the wasteland is too dangerous, they will kill you they said”

“Well the wasteland is dangerous, they are right about that.” Daral said as he put the bottle down. “But you seem to know how to handle yourself.”

I smiled wide at that. “I certainly do, even made my own weapons for… well like with what just happened.”

“So, other than exploring, what do you plan to do out here?” Daral then asked.

I thought about it for a moment, but found it hard to think, with how fuzzy I felt. “I’m… not sure. I know I want to help others, like how I helped you. Do some fun stuff, see some cool things, you know, live. And well, finding a coltfriend would be nice too, and not some stallion my Pa picks out. Oh, maybe join the NCR!”

Daral again chuckled as he leaned back, looking up through the hole in the building. "I get that, well most of it. You don’t do what I do if you don't like wandering around. Most ponies just stayed where they were born, digging in the mud most of their lives. Safer that way, normally. Also ponies generally fear the unknown, so there's that too."

He then looked at me and grinned. "You're quite brave just heading out into the unknown like that, and with just some junk weapons too. And I'm sure your dad kept you away from others due to you being such a pretty mare."

I blushed at the complement, though I was sure my cheeks were already flushed at the time. "Oh I'm not sure about that, like I'm probably nothing like mares from cities and such. I mean that Velvet mare from the radio sounded far prettier than I."

"I don't know myself, her voice is real pretty and all, but I have never seen the mare myself." Daral said as he scooted closer to me. "But I've been all around the place, and compared to other mares I've seen, you're easily above most."

His words were making me feel a bit embarrassed and my mind a bit flustered, or was that the drinks doing? "You must be exaggerating, a mare from the middle of nowhere like me?"

Daral got closer, both making me a bit uncomfortable by his presence and a little excited by his attention. "Oh trust me, the wasteland has not been kind to most ponies out here. Between starvation and the radiation, it's not uncommon for most ponies to look like they're half way to ghoulification. You on the other hoof are quite healthy, have good teeth, and clearly not crazy. A mare like you would be quite desirable in most parts of the wasteland, you can trust me on that."

"Ma and Pa had always said that we were lucky to live where we were, with food and clean water. No raider or slavers too." I commented, feeling more comfortable with him being close to me.

He actually started to rub my back, which surprised me at first, but I also found myself enjoying the touch. It was a bit like when Ma would brush my mane, but different. I don't know why, but I wanted him to touch me more.

"Sounds like a little slice of paradise. Just like you." He said, his muzzle now close to my ear, his breath making me quiver a little. "Say, since it's getting late, you might as well stay with me for the night. Keep each other warm."

"I'm not feeling all that cold… actually I'm more hot than anything." I said, feeling a bit confused, but liking his offer. Having to sleep alone in the wasteland had been harder than I thought it would be. So having a pony next to me for at least a night didn't sound so bad. "Okay, it might get colder later."

Daral seemed to like this a lot as he pulled me in close, then passed me more of the Luna Shine. "Just to ask, how much do you know about sex?"

I drank more of the bitter drink, a bit confused by the question. "You mean what Ma and Pa do that made my brothers and little sister. Saw them once and they got all flustered like, why are you asking?"

"Well you want to give it a try, best way to stay warm." Daral asked me as he looked into my eyes.

I furrowed my brow, and chuckled, feeling real concerned now. "But that's how you get pregnant."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm a mule, I can't get you pregnant. So it will be completely safe, and fun, I promise."

His words slushed around in my head as I was having a hard time keeping my thoughts straight. He had been such a nice stallion so far, so there was no reason to not trust him. Also I had always been curious about sex, but Ma and Pa wouldn't tell me about it other then it was where babies came from. But I knew there was more to it, or it wouldn't feel good when I rubbed myself.

It also helped that I was feeling good right now, like really good. If I had to fight those ghouls again, I was sure I could stop them out with my hooves.

"Well… Okay, lets do the sex!" I excitedly exclaimed.

The smile on Daral's face became a wide grin as he got up and sat in front of me, his back legs spread out and a… third back leg sticking up? No, now that I look at it, it was what my Pa and brothers had, but harder.

Pointing at the third leg, he then said to me, "let's start with a blow job. All you have to do is lick and suck on my dick, then we can move onto the real thing."

That sounded disgusting, but if it was how it's done, then it was how it's done. Leaning down, I held onto it as I gave the shaft a lick, it was a bit salty, but bearable. His thing twitched as I held it, my tongue glazing his dick with my saliva. The smell of it made me want to do it more, and made my nethers itch.

After a bit of licking, I moved onto taking the thing into my mouth. It was too big for it all, I think, so I only took in the tip. A little confused on what exactly I was doing, began sucking it, hoping that's what I was supposed to do. It twitched more and I then chewed on it a little, getting a wince from Daral.

"Please don't use your teeth." He told me as I gave a confused look back. He then sighed and pulled my head back. "Sorry, maybe not the best thing for you to do when you're drunk. Lets just move onto the fucking. Turn around and stick that cute flank of yours in the air."

Shrugging, I let go of his dick and wiped some fluid that came from him off my lips. turning around and doing as he had said, the next thing I knew something wet and warm rubbed up on my crotch, sending a shiver of pleasure up my spine. As he licked me, my forelegs gave out and I began to pant slowly. A moan escaped my mouth as a sensation I had never felt before enveloped me.

After a while he then stopped licking my crotch, and then climbed on top of me, his wait clearly more than my own as I was pushed down. What followed was his dick sliding into me, I was sure of it as it hurt at first, but quickly becoming pleasurable. Spreading my inside as he pushed himself into me. I began drooling from the feeling, unable to control myself as I let him in, my hips shaking.

With each thrust it caused me to moan with pleasure, panting and drooling for more as my mind became a haze. I felt something warm fill my insides, sending me to ecstasy, and making my legs twitch from it. But it was not over as he began again.

Everything became foggy as the night fell and we continued to fuck and drink. Letting Daral do as he wanted, filling me with warmth, all I could remember was wanting more.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up inside the building, my hips were sore, my ass hurt a bit, and I had the worst headache I had ever had in my life. “What did I do last night?” I grumbled as I got up.

My memory was fuzzy, but it was slowly coming back, and with it a deep feeling of dread. Bit and pieces at first, remembering letting that mule do one thing, then another, and with it… enjoyment.

I didn’t know what to think, and the headache didn’t help at all. On one hoof I had let some pony I just met stick his dick in me while shoving my head into the ground. One the other hoof… now that I was remembering, it was kind of fun.

I slapped myself in the face. “No Lottery, think strait. I want to be with a suave, dashing stallion who's a hero.” Stretching my sore legs, I called out. "Hay Daral, can we talk?" Maybe he was some pony with a dark history, trying to right a wrong, or stop some bad pony. I just needed to confirm with him, make sure I was not just some disreputable mare.

Nothing, I heard nothing but my own voice echoing in the empty building. Looking around I saw that I was alone, no signs of Daral or Bucket except for their hoof print leaving the building.

Scrambling up, I grabbed my saddlebag and found it lighter than it should be. Checking the insides, my gun and axe were there, along with my ammo and black powder. But everything else was gone. My food and water, along with anything I had picked up along the way was gone. It was supposed to last me another week and a few days. All gone!

"FUCK!" I shouted as I started to realize what had happened, leaving me confused. "He had said he was a prospector, not some thieving scavenger." I growled.

Taking a deep breath to calm down, I still had my weapons, so I was not entirely fucked.

I then stopped on the ground in frustration. "Fucker stole my virginity along with most of my stuff." I bemoaned, cursing my own stupidity.

Throwing on my saddlebag, I trotted outside, seeing that it was still somewhat early in the morning. Unfortunately I couldn't see any signs of Daral, or his robot, they likely had left hours ago. Even if I found their trail, I would need to stop to forage for food and water, where he didn't.

I already knew it was pointless to even try to catch him, but if I ever did see him again, "I'll fuck him right in the dick… buck him, buck him fucking damnit!"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Four

_______________________________________________________

When I had woken up I found myself worried if I had been robbed and abandoned once again, but my fears were quickly aleaved. Tripwire was tending to the fire, using it to boil some water in a pot.

"You sleep too soundly for a pony that lives out here," he said after seeing me get up.

I stretched out, making a few popping sounds in my back. I seriously missed having a bed, even if I had to share it with my brothers. "My Ma and Pa kept a few layers of walls between us and the wasteland, so I never became a light sleeper like they were."

Tripwire nodded. "Makes sense, but that will get you in trouble one day." He then lifted the pot off the fire and poured it into two mugs. "Drink up, I'd rather get to civilization before sundown."

My ears perked up at the word civilization, "you mean were that close to a city?"

He shook his head and explained. "Naw, just a distant settlement, more of a fort actually, but there's a road that goes directly to the local hubtown from there.

Though diminished, I was still interested in seeing this settlement. Then I remembered how dirty I was.

"Say, if possible, I'm going to need a wash along the way." I told him.

Tripwire sighed. "Ya, you and me both. Fortunately the settlement has a clean well we can pay to use, and a bed to rent."

Taking a sip from the mug, inside was just hot water, but the warmth was what I needed to fully wake up.

_______________________________________________________

Traveling with another pony was actually fun, though we didn't say too much for most of it. Through Tripwire I learned about playing some new card games and a few of the dangers of the wasteland I didn't know. Mostly about some of the mutants out there like giant ants.

I also learned a bit more about raiders. From what Tripwire told me, the stories I was told as a foal were just about what he called late stage raiders. That most raiders start out as desperate ponies surviving by preying on others, after a lot of chem abuse they go crazy and become the raiders I had been told about.

He even confirmed some of the stories about them. That they do become cannibals, and enjoy tormenting their captives. Truly despicable ponies.

The day went on and only a little bit of trouble got in our way. I had managed to avoid the worst of it, such as mole rat and radscorpion nests, along with the odd sinkhole. Some of which Tripwire said he had to fight through when he first passed through here.

When the sun was starting to get low and what looked like a wall of a settlement could be seen, and a thought crossed my mind. I could have gotten here in half the time, maybe. Tripwire was slower and needed to stop more than me, making me a bit disappointed. But I didn't complain, he was good looking after all, so I let his slower pace slide.

As we reached the settlement, I could see that the walls were made up of rusty motor wagons stacked on top of each other, lots of motor wagons. They extended along the sides of an old building and out from where the front was by a good distance. At each corner was a tower higher up, armored with lots of slits on the side and the floor that stuck out. Over the main gate hung a black and white checkered flag with a wheel at the center.

Overall, the place was a fortress, reminding me of the castles Ma would tell me about in her bedtime stories. Except this one was made of crushed motor wagons. Which was a bit disappointing, yet impressive.

Poking out from over the wall was a unicorn stallion with a helmet that I recognized as a motorbike helmet. I had seen it a few times in the old fashion magazines, though this one was a lot less stylish looking with its dents and crude repairs.

"Hay hay, who's this? Where the fuck did you two come from?" The stallion asked suspiciously.

Tripwire trotted up, "We just came out from the abandoned wastes, we seek shelter and." He stopped to sniff himself and gagged, "and a desperate need of a wash."

"Annnd how can we trust that you not here to fuck us over?" The pony again asked.

A sigh came from Tripwire. "I was just here a week ago, sharing drinks with your Duke."

The guard pony squinted at us, doubtful. "I doubt that, why would Duke Pharynx the fifth ever share drinks with an outsider?"

"Why indeed?" Tripwire asked back, sounding annoyed.

Another pony poked their head up, looking at us carefully before glaring at the guard and slapping them on the side of his head. "Open the gate you nitwit!"

As the gates opened a unicorn mare in a checkered dress waited on the other side to greet us. "Welcome back to the Dukedom of Chrysalis Motters, I Lady Harth am glad to see your safe return sir Tripwire. Though your companion seems to have changed."

Tripwire tipped his head at the mare. "Good to see you again, lady Harth. And yes, my last companion met with an unfortunate incident. Lady Lottery here is my current companion."

Harth nodded as she moved out of the way to let us in. "Well our doors are open to you, and if you have the caps, then our facilities are open as well."

This settlement was amazing, being much like my home, but just a lot bigger, and full of ponies. There was a farm on one side, growing several different fruits from little stout trees. Next to that were several buildings made of scrap two levels high. On the other side of the settlement was what looked like a workshop, where ponies seemed to be tinkering with scrap.

What was really catching my eyes were the ponies, they were all different shapes and colors. There were also foals in groups, chasing each other around. The black and white checkered clothes were common, with a bunch of them wearing armored biker helmets and jackets on top. The other ponies wore a mix of rags or thick looking cloths, with almost all of these ponies looking dirty.

So at least I don't stand out much.

Among them all, I ended up paying attention to several stallions working in the farm area, doing some sort of labor. All of them were bigger than the average pony, with noticeable muscles. As they dug into the dirt, sweat bedded off them, and I had an overwhelming sense to go over there and help wipe that sweat off for them.

"Miss Lottery." Tripwire spoke up and pointed over at the corner of the settlement. There I saw a water pump, with a few ponies standing next to it. "You can wash up over there, I'll go pay the admission fee."

"Oh... right… ya I'll get right to that." I said, feeling a bit embarrassed about where my mind was wandering off to.

Trotting over to a well, there were two sickly looking ponies scrubbing themselves off. A mare and a stallion. Their colors looked even plainer than my own, and their bodies looked like they worked most of their lives, yet were skinny as rails. My eyes then drifted to several scars on their bodies, finding them not too dissimilar to that of my parents.

"Oh, hello miss, what brings you this far from anything." The mare asked with a voice that sounded far younger than she looked.

The stallion eyed me with suspension as he asked. "Who are you?"

"Names Lottery, I'm actually from much further out there, further from anything like this place. May I ask, who are you?" I asked the two.

The mare looked at the stallion as though waiting for permission, of which he slowly nodded, still eyeing me.

"I'm Twenty, and he's my husband, Forty." She answered with a smile.

Forty then sighed. "Dear, your name is not twenty, it never was, you're Lilly, and I'm Brush."

Lilly looked confused for a moment, then she looked a little scared. "Right, I'm Lilly, not twenty. Oh I hope the master will not be upset by that."

Again Brush sighed. "The master is dead Lilly, we're free, please remember."

He then looked back at me, and I could see the years of a harsh life in his eyes. "Please be patient with Lilly, she's having trouble adjusting."

A wave or realization washed over me. "Oh, sorry, were… were you-"

"Slaves, yes." Bush answered. "Lilly and I were taken as foals, life was already harsh before, but then." He grimaced as though something vile was in his mouth. "They took a liking to Lilly, and she just stopped growing, mentally that is. But we're free of them, we have our lives back, so I'm hoping that by getting away from ponies like the masters, it will help her recover."

I nodded in understanding. "Well it's hard living out here, but if you keep at it, you'll be able to make your own paradise. My Ma and Pa did that, and made a right nice green farm too."

A slightly ever so hopeful look formed on Bush's face. "Truly, it would be wonderful if we could do that too. I know a lot about surviving, and got some tato seeds. We just need to find a place. You're from out there, any advice you could give us?"

I scratched my chin for a moment as I thought. "Well first off, and I just found the place, but there's this green place right west of here, a day's walk if you're slow. But don't drink or eat anything there, all radioactive, and is home to a crazy ghoul with armored feral ghoul pets. But there is a campsite near it you can rest at, and a gecko nest not far from it if you need meat."

Bush lessened to me intently as I spoke, so I kept on talking as I began scrubbing. I told them about the basics my Ma and Pa drilled into me, and a few other little things I learned over the years. Things such as making warning traps, and how to reuse rotten food as fertilizer.

By the time I had scrubbed myself clean, my throat felt dry from all the talking. Bush on the other hoof looked a bit refreshed. "You okay?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes… well, I mean we will be, thanks to your advice. I think you just saved us from making some terrible mistakes, thank you so much."

I scratched the back of my head feeling a bit embarrassed. "Oh well shucks, just being neighborly, that's all."

Not long after, the two went their own way, having rented a place for the night, and needed rest before they headed out into the unknown. Tripwire had then joined me, his suit now missing, giving me a better look at the stallion.

He had several scars, some were what I could only guess were from being shot. His body itself was thin, but not like the ex-slaves, more smooth and healthy thin, and lacking the muscles of a pony used to hard work like myself. Tripwire was no buff pony, but he certainly was not bad looking at all, having the type of body that was common in the old magazines.

"Keep on staring, I might think you're coming onto me." Tripwire said with a wink.

I looked away in embarrassment.

"S… sorry, I'm just not used to being around s… so many ponies." I stammered out.

He laughed as he scrubbed himself down. "Well best get used to it fast, the trade hub is far bigger and has far more ponies passing through it. I also got some… friends waiting for me there."

Tripwire seemed to take longer than he should have to say "friends" as though it was not the right word.

He then pointed over at the two story scrap built building along the wall. "I rented out space on a bed over there, one of the better ones they have. We will head out at sunrise, sooner the better if we are to avoid raiders."

"A bed?" I asked, feeling a bit worried. "You don't mean we're sharing one?"

He cocked an eyebrow. "Too expensive to rent more than one out here… ohh, you're worried about being close to a stallion, aren't you?"

I felt my face flush, memories of Daral flashing in my mind. "Well… I mean… it's just that-"

Tripwire stopped me by shoving a hoof over my muzzle. "Let me correct you. Those beds are for sleeping only, and where renting room on the beads, meaning other ponies will be in there. But if you can't keep your pussy in check, this place does have a brothel. Just use the caps I gave you to buy a stallion, and any other things you need." He pointed over to where the workshop was, now seeing that there was a store there. "They stay open late, so check them out, then meet me in front of the main building when you're done. Have an important pony to talk to, and they don't like my su… my employees to be wandering around without me."

I thought about it for a moment, not about the brothel, no way I'd go near that! But I did need a new barrel for the rifle I picked up.

Giving Tripwire a nod, I trotted off to the market.

Though the sun had dipped over the horizon, it hadn't quite gotten dark, so the artificial lights competed with the natural. It was kind of impressive how things were set up here, with some of the lights made to point at what they were selling, some of which being the brothel. Actually, most of the lights looked like it was trying to sell me sex.

But focusing on the normal shop; it sells mostly scrap and other junk, which was fine by me. The unicorn mare behind the desk was a dark ashy gray with a bright green mohawk mane and had red horned glasses on. She looked at me with broad looking eyes.

"Welcome to Chrysalis Motters gift shop, everything is for sale, even the employees." She said with mild enthusiasm.

"What! Even you?" I asked in surprise.

She nodded. "Ya, we take what we can get, and at least it be something to do." She lazily eyed me up and down. "Though I'd rather get rammed with a sausage than rub clams."

I felt a bit flustered and a little disgusted by her suggestion. "I… well… I mean I don't find the idea appealing either." I said honestly.

The mare smiled. "good, now what can I get you, do you want a big strong stallion, or some pony on the softer side?"

"N… no! I'm not here for that!" I protested.

She sighed. "Seriously, come here giving off emotions like that and not wanting to indulge, what a downer. I was hoping for a bit of a show... Well what else can I get you?"

I quickly got out the broken pipe rifle, showing her the bent barrel. "Do you have a .22 barrel by any chance?"

Again she sighed. "Yes, we have two rifles chambered for that caliber." She then rummaged behind her desk for a moment, pulling out two rather poor looking rifle's. Both had straight barrels, so that was all I cared about. Though the other parts might be useful.

Exchanging the two guns for my caps, I then spent the rest of my money on a heal potion, a canteen for water, some preserved foods, and a few tools. I had also got my hooves on what Pa would call Celestial blessing on pony kind, that being a strong fabric tape, and a spray that acts as lubricant and rust preventive. Both were must haves if I was going to fix up that rifle.

When I was done, the mare gave me a wink, "If you ever change your mind, and have the caps, come back any time. Trust me there is no better lay out in the wasteland."

"I'll… think about it." I told her before trotting over to the main building, where Tripwire was waiting for me. He was now back in his suit, it now cleaner than before.

He eyed me with an amused grin. "So did you order a stallion?"

Now irradiated, I shook my head. "No, I do have standards."

Again he laughed. "Those are some high standards then, the ponies here are known for being high quality, and a relatively cheap fuck. It's half the reason why traders come this far out. But I can understand that paying to have a partner just lacks the romance."

Finally, sompony who gets it. "Ya, if there's no romance, why bother."

He rolled his eyes. "I may say it lacks romance, but that's something very rare out here. Just don't get your hopes up trying to find something not there, and going crazy because of it."

Tripwire then motioned for me to follow. "This way." He said as he trotted into the building.

Following, the place was outstanding. Far cleaner than my home, and decorated with images of motor wagons of all kinds. The place had cracks everywhere in the walls and floors, but no trash or dust. There were even a few fully intact motor wagons, shining in the artificial light.

"Over here Tripwire!" A stallion called over from inside a rather stunning looking motter wagon. It was a shining deep dark green, with a boxy green frame that had fin-like sides at the front and back. The top was uncovered, where the inside of the motter wagon was like a super fancy couch, in which the stallion sat, waiting for us.

"Tripwire, my friend! Good to see that you're alive, and able to pay, which means good things." The stallion said joyfully as he patted at the seat for us to join him. He was a dark green, almost black in color, with a dark rust red mane he kept in a spiky mohawk. The stallion wore a black leather jacket that looked as though studded with gemstones, and had several golden chains around his neck.

Tripwire sat down across from him, laying back conforably. "Duke Pharynx the Fifth, you're as energetic as ever. Nothing ever seems to keep you down."

As I went to sit down, Pharynx pulled me over next to him. Unsure what to do, I just let him. Getting pulled in close with a hoof around my shoulder was uncomfortable, yet not enough for me to push him away.

A bellowing laugh came from Pharynx. "Too true. All thanks to my ancestors Pharynx the First. So long as we follow his rules, we will not just survive, but stay on top. Not even that upstart Redeye dared to mess with us."

"A statement I could share. Too bad your father thought differently. " Tripwire said as he pulled out one of his pieces of paper, sending it over to Duke Pharynx. "As promised, here's your reward for staying out of that mess."

A wide smile formed on Pharynx's face. "Pharynx the fourth was a fool, and it was sheer luck he had his… accident, before Redeye took power. And just as fortunate as the deal you brought to me so long ago. Though I could have taken that property whenever I like, having its ownership hoofed over like this is so much more satisfying. And all I had to do was do nothing at all. But that said, how can I be sure that you're not pulling a fast one on me?"

"Pharynx, would I ever be so stupid as to double cross you. That is a magical contract, already set for change in ownership, all you need to do is sign it. The mithril mine will be your, and your neutrality will continue. With hopes of a partnership in the future."

"Mithril?" I said inquisitively.

Pharynx laughed again as he held onto me. "Yes, mithril! A key component for any arcano tech worth its salt. Spark batteries and the like. Tripwire's family had been hoarding all the good mines for generations after the war. But now, well it is good to see that a Neighsay finally has the brain cells to rub together, and do something with those mines."

Tripwire Neighsay gives an exasperated sigh. "Father was always more concerned with holding onto the property than doing much with it. In the end it did save them from being found by Redeye, though imagine what we could have done with magicly active weapons."

"Imagine what that bastard could have done." Pharynx said sternly. "Redeye's cybernetics research was only hindered by the lack of resources. It's why most cybernetically enhanced ponies look like they came from the scrap yard, and can barely be called enhanced at that. Any good shit either came straight from a stable, or was scavenged from some wartime bunker."

"So with that mithril, you can use it to help ponies, and make the wasteland a better place." I said, injecting myself into the conversation.

Both Pharynx and Tripwire laughed.

"I like her." Pharynx said as he held onto me a bit too closely. It was starting to get a bit weird, as Pharynx was a really handsome stallion, and being this close was starting to give me mixed feelings.

"Found her out in the middle of nowhere, a real lifesaver." Tripwire said before dropping his smile. "And no, I'm already paying her to help me, so you can't recruit her."

Pharynx shrugged. "That's too bad, a cute mare like her would have fun as part of my harem. I know my sister would love to snatch her up for her brothel, teach her some tricks." He then held me closer and winked at me. "How about it, be mine for just this night?"

As he looked at me with a mischievous grin on his face, I quickly understood what he was suggesting. But I was too sober to be seduced this easily. Though now that I think about it, just one night wouldn't be such a bad idea.

No! No it would be bad, I'm not some mare who sleeps with any handsome stallion that looks my way!

With a sigh I gently pushed Pharynx away. "Sorry, but I'm not that interested."

Pharynx let me go, lifting his hooves up in a defeated motion. "That's a shame, but if you ever find yourself more interested, I'll be here. Just ask for me, and I promise that you will not be left... unsatisfied."

To be honest, I was that interested, and wondered what he could do to me. But I also wanted to have some standards. So maybe on my way back home I could stop by for a night… maybe.

He then turned to Tripwire, still grinning. "Well I'll tell you this, this mare is a lot better than the last one you came through with. You should treat her nicely, hard to find ones like her."

"Good to know." Tripwire said as he got out of the motor wagon. "Lets go Lottery, we have an early start tomorrow."

I climbed out myself, then felt a hard slap on my flank, followed by a loud whistle. "Sorry, had to at least get a touch, most mares out here are too thin in the flank."

The slap both made me disgusted, and a little excited, which confused me a bit. Not sure what to do, I turned to glare at him, but ended up with a smirk on my face. Again trying to look tough, I motions my hoof from my eyes to his, and back again. "Next time you do that, I'll… crush your balls!"

He laughed. "Is that a promise, because I'll be looking forward to it?"

A wave of disgust washed over me, which Pharynx seemed to enjoy seeing. Turning and making my exit, once I was far enough away from Pharynx, I whispered out loud to Tripwire. "What was that about?"

"Pharynx is good at reading ponies, and can tell if a pony is genuine or not." He answered.

"And that other stuff, wanting to… well… sleep with me… I think?" I asked, now feeling embarrassed by it. "And that slap, and him wanting me to… why?"

Tripwire sighed before answering me. "Best to just take it as a compliment, the ponies here are oddly hyper sexual, and on the masochistic side. So that behavior is normal for them. But he doesn't fuck anypony that comes through, just the ones of some worth in his eyes."

I just didn't know how to feel about that, but I knew one thing. "Can we just stop talking about sex, it starting to get… frustrating. Don't ponies out here have anything better to do?"

Another chuckle came from Tripwire. "Fair enough. But to answer your question with a question; from where you came from, what did you do with your free time?"

Memories of literally banging rocks together out of boredom rushed to the surface of my mind. "Oh, right."

Tripwire nodded. "For most ponies out here, if they're not working, there's not much happening. The bigger places have some entertainment, and chems are never hard to find, but most times there's just a lot of nothing. "

"But why sex?" I asked, trying to hide my growing understanding of why within myself.

He wiggled his eyebrows. "It's cheap and easy to do. Also, if you have a mildly interested friend, then it's free… so long as you're careful. Lots of foals out there are born because two ponies were just bored."

"Or because of getting drunk." I mumbled.

Tripwire then looked over at the gift shop. "Anyways, just be sure you're ready to go before turning in for the night. We are heading out as soon as the daylight starts."

"Already restocked on what I need for any journey." I told him.

"Good, I'll turn in, the room is on the second floor on the right. Go do whatever, just don't take too long. And wash yourself if you do decide to relieve that frustration." Tripwire said before trotting off.

Taking out one of my pipe guns, I knew exactly what I was going to do. I also needed to get my head more clear, and fixing up the rifle was going to help.

There was a workbench next to the gift shop, so I trotted over and got to work. Dismantling the three guns was easy enough, but I was not sure what was best for what, though I did know what parts had gone bad, putting anything covered in rust aside.

The parts were all over the place in design, and I was sure I must have made a mistake buying the two rifles. The feeding mechanism was different for all three, and I was sure one had to have been a shotgun once, if my memory of what shotguns were supposed to look like was correct.

When I was done slapping it together, I had a bolt action, tube fed rifle, with a wooden stock and grip made from all three guns, which went all the way up the barrel. Needing to reinforce the barrel at the end, I ended up adding the binding for my axe around the wood, along with the rest of my fabric tape to be sure it all stays where I want it. While I was at it, and feeling it would be a waste to not have the axe be usable, I attached the blade to the end of the rifle, which insdental helped even out the clamps. Even the butt stock had several metal plates and tape to reinforce it. All and all it looked like a piece of junk, but it was an intimidating looking piece of junk that should hold up.

I wanted to test it out, but felt that it would be a bad idea to do here, and at night. So I loaded it from the tube, finding that it held sixteen bullets, which was nice, as it was a pain to load. Then I made sure it and the axe blade was securely wrapped up in cloth. The rifle was a bit front heavy, but axes were meant to be that way, so I was okay with what I had.

Finally with my own rifle, it was time to go to bed. With the light of day now completely gone, the artificial lights from the gift shop were at full display. They almost looked like they were dancing around, luring my eyes all over. I didn't need to be able to read to know what most said, the images of pony flanks and arrows at them spoke loudly enough. There were also several lights in the shape of dicks, which seemed too on the nose to me.

My ear then twitched at the sound of a… moan?

Feeling curious, I trotted to the gift shop, and peeked into the back room. There I saw the clerk, along with two other stallions. The mare was choking down a cock as the other stallion violently thrusted into her backside. All of them grunting and moaning as the smell of musk drifted through the air.

I quivered as I watched, transfixed. As the clerk pulled back from sucking the stallion off, white stuff erupting from his dick and falling on her face. She spotted me watching and winked as she motioned for me to come over. I was all too much, and the trance I was in broke. Noticing that I had been rubbing myself this whole time sent a wave of embarrassment washing over me.

Quickly retreating, I galloped to where the rooms were, stopping to wipe myself off with a rag I had. My attempt to clear my head was ruined, and what that mare had been doing was now running rampant in my mind. Never had I ever once thought that I could take two stallions!

Yet why was I so… transfixed on watching? It made no sense that I would do that.

Doing my best to calm down, I entered the room, finding that the bed was just a bunch of mattresses shoved together on the floor. Several ponies, including Tripwire, had found their own spot and curled up. Seeing them all there made the idea of sleeping next to a stallion a lot less embarrassing, and reminded me of home and how my brothers and I shared a bead.

Flopping down, the memory of home helped calm the chaos in my mind, and let me enjoy the better than hard dirt, mattress.

_______________________________________________________

Sleep had come quickly, and with it a vague and hazy dream. In it, from what I could remember, I was in a fancy dress, where two dashing stallions fought for my attention through dance. I think. The fight had become pushing and pulling on me, but I was in the same position as the gift shop clerk.

When I woke up, Tripwire looked at me with amusement before trotting off, leaving me confused.

Following, we double checked our gear, where I made sure that my new rifle was ready for action. Both sharpening the axe blade, and then giving it a test fire once we were out of the settlement.

"What is that duct tape covered monstrosity?" Tripwire asked with an eyebrow raised high.

I smiled as I presented my weapon. "This, it's my rifle." I then looked at the tape that helped hold it together, "so it's called duck tape."

He now looked doubtful as he asked. "And why is there a crude axe blade on the front end?"

"Because I used parts from my axe to jury rig this rifle together. Anyways-" I then gave the gun-axe a swing, the leverage helping of the longer rifle helping get some umph in the swing. "It's actually easier to use like us."

"Well it's got to be better than that flare gun." Tripwire said as he shrugged and then began to trot to the gate out.

"My single shot is a great gun!" I said with a huff as I followed him down the road.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Five

_______________________________________________________

The ruined remains of the old world had become a lot more prevalent the further west we trotted. Buildings, billboards, and more roads made from what Tripwire told me was called concrete. Some of these roads were high above the ground, if they had not crumbled down yet. There were also signs of attempted settlements all over, and all empty except for the odd squatter, who paid us no mind.

Avoiding the more aggressive wildlife had also become harder, with the ruins giving them more hiding places and nesting spots. It was mostly just large bugs, bigger than back home and twicers as mean. It at least gave me an excuse to use my new gun, helping me get rid of a bug here and there before they became a problem.

Going near any body of water was also a bad idea, with colonies of hostile giant shrimp hiding in the mud. Furthermore, the threat of radiation was ever present, sometimes being easy to spot. Other times, it was nearly impossible to see, and only known due to some good pony having left a warning sign. Tragically, sometimes the warning sign was a dead body covered in dried boilies.

Fortunately our destination was only half a day's trot away. Unfortunately, we had to cross a bridge that was being blocked by a large group of ponies.

Looking at the crude wall, the ponies here had hung a mannequin by the neck. Disturbingly, the mannequin was painted blue, with a wide smile and a long railway spike through its head.

Tripwire sighed in frustration. "Had to be the Brain Nails."

"The, what now?" I asked.

He pointed at the mannequin. "That's one of their… totems. A fair sized raider gang, not as crazy as some of the others, but still just as vicious. Worse yet, they're mostly organized."

Cocking an eyebrow, I then asked, "mostly… organized?"

"I mean they don't go out raiding in random groups, in random directions. Most of the time at least. They mostly pull shit like this, blocking off roads and intimidating ponies into giving them shit." Tripwire explained before groaning. "Lately they got a new boss who is… peculiar… and is good at extortion. You'll understand when we see him."

He then pointed at a sign on the wall that depicts several crude symbols. One symbol was clearly a bunch of caps, another looked like the stuff Ma and Pa kept in the medical box back home, and a third was simply a drawing of a dick.

"Fortunately we got caps, so we don't have to consider the other form of payment. Though getting through will still be annoying." Tripwire said with a frustrated tone.

"I'm guessing one payment is chems, but what does the other mean?" I asked, hoping it was not something that actually involved a dick.

Sighing, Tripwire explained. "To put it in the most tastefully way possible, they accept prostitution as payment. If you need to get through and have nothing to trade, you can let them have their way with you. Something I'd never recommend, as raiders aren't known to be fair or gentle."

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I quickly understood what he was getting at. At least we had caps, so it was not a huge worry.

But I still had mixed feelings about this. On one hoof I was relieved that my first run in with raiders was not them screaming and shooting guns. On the other hoof, I did want to fight the raiders to rid Equestria of this menace, but Tripwire didn't seem interested in that idea.

"Would it be better if we just, you know, get rid of them. We do have guns?" I asked.

He motions his head to the side, where I then looked over at a nearby overhead road, it having a structure built on top. A glint of light hit my eyes as I looked up, a sigh of glass being moved around.

"Like I said, the raiders that are still around are mostly the smarter ones. Well, smart for raiders I mean." Tripwire further explained. "If we start shit, there is at least one sniper ready to brain us. And trust me when I say this, not all raiders are wasteful quick shots, and not all their guns are garbage pipe rifles."

I nodded, trusting that Tripwire knew what he was talking about. "So, do we go around?"

He shook his head. "That will add a day to our travel, unless you want to go swimming in an irradiated river infested with murk-lurkers."

This time I shook my head.

"Good, now just follow me and say nothing. Though the Brain Nails can be reasoned with, they are still raiders. They need little reason to get violent." Tripwire told me.

"Oh so fucking true!" Spoke a mare with a somewhat deep sounding voice. Throttling from behind the wall was the most intimidating pony I had seen in my life. The gray blue mare was covered in scars, had a scrap metal peg leg in the back, and an eyepatch that covered what looked like a burn on her face. Her mane and tail were black and bright yellow, both in spikes. She had armor made of leather, and rusty metal, that was covered in spikes.

She looked at Tripwire, seemingly unimpressed, then looked at me and smiled. "Oh, now you're a cute and healthy cunt. Why don't you drop this faggot and join me."

The raider then reached out to touch my face, and I slapped it away. "I'm no Celestia damned raider!"

She rolled her eyes at me. "Sure, say that now, but trust me, if the wasteland doesn't kill you, it will make a raider out of you." She then eyed Tripwire and smiled. "I'll give you less than a month before this male abandons you." Her eyes then fell back at me, and a cold chill ran down my spine as I could feel her madness. "Though he doesn't look the rape kind. More likely to watch it happen. Then crawl back to me, and join me to get your revenge."

I stumbled back a little, not knowing what I should do with this mad mare.

Fortunately Tripwire stepped in, which clearly pissed off the raider as he interrupted. "Though I would like to make an argument over your assumptions of me, Bandsaw, I also loth to be around the likes of you any more than necessary. If you would move aside, we would like to cross."

Bandsaw huffed at us, then smiled. "Alright, if you're going to be a bitch about it, Tripwire, then follow me." She then looked at me again. "So what's your name?"

"L… Lottery." I stupidly told her.

The raider laughed as she trotted onto the bridge. "Sounds like a fucking bandits name. Bet one of your parents were one of those too good for spikes faggots."

I felt it would be smart to not say any more as Tripwire and I followed her.

The other raiders were much like how the radio described them: dirty with a lot of spikes. But all the stallions wore something close to a uniform, consisting of blue short shorts and tightly fitting crop top jackets under the spiked armor plates. The few mares here were more like Bandsaw, though not quite as intimidating as she was, and seem to have better gear then the stallion.

At the center of the bridge were several raiders standing guard in front of what looked like a motor wagon on top of a bigger motor wagon with a sofa on top of that. As we came closer, one of the raiders on the motor wagon bent over to the sofa, clearly talking to a pony on it, our view of them blocked by the back of that sofa.

We then heard the clapping of hooves, and the guards backed up, grabbing some poles attached to the motor wagon, and began rotating it. Next thing I knew, I heard what sounded like the most overly feminine attempt of a voice a stallion could do, yet fail at. "Tripwire! Darling! So happy to see you again, have you finally changed your mind and come to understand my love?"

Sitting, well lounging on a sun bleached sofa was a teal blue Pegasus stallion, dressed in what looked like a toga, and adorned with a heavy amount of tarnished jewelry and even heavier amount of makeup. His dark turquoise blue mane was surprisingly well cared for and had tight featherily curls. Flanking him were two of the most ripped stallions I had ever seen in my life, both having a collar and chain which the Pegasus held.

"With all do respect, Low Pressure, I'm not gay, not even a bit bi. I also find you so insufferable that I wished the enclave never fell and you stayed up there in the clouds." Tripwire said flatly.

Low Pressure pouted. "Oh, you're so mean... I do like that about you." He then made a little growl as he playfully swiped his hoof in a claw like motion before shifting to a more serious look on his face. "But you know the rules. If you want to pass, pay the toll. It's caps, chems, or your ass. And the last time we met, you were light on caps and had no chems to speak of." He formed a wide smile on his face that creeped me out.

Tripwire tossed out a tin of caps to Bandsaw, the thing rattling in her hooves. "Here's your caps, now let us pass."

Bandsaw opened the tin and sighed. "Looks like there's enough for two ponies... this time. I guess you're not getting your stallion again, boss."

Low Pressure sighed in disappointment, still eyeing Tripwire. "You know back when the Enclave was, well, not fucked, I had stallions lining up to date me. Also had a good job and got to shower regularly. I was seen as a real catch by all the handsome stallions, a pony none could resist. Something you mud tredders would never understand, such a travesty."

"A travesty indeed." Tripwire said before motioning for me to follow him. Trotting around Low Pressure's setup, I could see that some attempt had been made to make his space look nicer. But to me it felt more ominous and hollow, then clean and impressive.

As I passed the raider stallions, I got a closer look at them. If I was crazy enough to have any interest in them, it would have crashed and burned right there. Under the armor and tightly fitting suits. They were sickly looking, covered in lesions and scars, with many of them having yellowed eyes and yellow pointed teeth. Their smell was also indescribably horrendous, making what I must have smelled like the other day as something pleasant.

One whistled at me as I passed, saying. "A shame, would have loved making ya scream as fucked ya raw."

Another sneered, his eyes twitching a little as he talked to another raider, "No chems again, fuck, how long has it been."

Others just looked at me with predatory eyes, some licking their lips. It all made me glad I was with Tripwire, as I had a feeling that they would be less interested in caps, and more interested in keeping me around. The thought of it sent a cold shiver down my spine.

A sharp whilst caught my attention, and I saw Bandsaw standing over Low Pressure, waving at me. "Lottery! If you ever want to let fucking loose and be truly free, I'll be there, waiting." She then blew me a kiss and dipped down out of sight.

It sent another cold shiver down my spine, and I turned to ignore the foreboding feeling she gave me.

As we got to the other side of the bridge, I saw another one of the mannequins, this one a lot more detailed and real-life like. Passing it by, the swarm of flies clued me into that it was not in fact a mannequin, but a real pony. A railway spike was driven into the poor pony's skull, its muzzle forced into a wide grin, and a sign forcibly tied to its hooves.

A bit of my breakfast came up, forcing me to swallow it back down. "What does…. D… does it say?" I stammered out.

"Pay up and live, or fight and die." Tripwire said flatly. "Looks like this fool chose to fight, and from the injuries, the raiders had their way with him before doing this."

I dared not ask or look, what I already saw and knew was bad enough.

Then Tripwire said something that I didn't quite understand. "This is why I hate raiders, always wasting valuable pony resources."

"Ya, raiders are the worst." I said in agreement, wondering what pony resources were. He was clearly talking about that unfortunate pony, so why did he phrase it like that?

Shaking off the odd feeling and being glad that I didn't fight those raiders, I refocused on helping Tripwire get to his destination with as few stops as possible.

_______________________________________________________

With high noon starting to pass and the shadows stretching again, we arrived at the trade hub Tripwire had told me about. I actually saw it long before we even got close, as at the center of the town was a huge monster standing tall. The monster bore a resemblance to a yao guai, but was fatter, and had a star on its head.

"Here we are, Ursa's Rest!" Tripwire exclaimed as we trotted down the main road to the town. "It's the biggest little trade hub between Fillydelphia and Friendship city. As you can see, it's hard to miss for miles around."

"I can see." I said as I looked up at the gigantic bear, then asked. "How did they even make that?"

"It's actually part of a building, you'll see once we get closer. But if my memory is correct, the outer layer is made from the same materials as the roads, with a steel mesh inside." He explained as we trotted to the front gates.

Unlike Chrysalis Motters, or my own home, this place didn't have much in the way of walls. They did have wire fencing, but nothing sturdier than that. There were also several guard towers with a few ponies overlooking the land. The gate was similarly under guarded, as the one pony that did stand guard looked uninterested in stopping anypony passing by.

"Hey, why is this place so unprotected?" I had to ask.

Tripwire smirked. "It's far from unprotected. Several communities around here use this place as neutral ground for business. So they make sure not to cause trouble, and pay a tax that goes to housing a Talon branch for security. Not even raiders are dumb enough to piss of so many talons.

I could only trust Tripwire at his word, so I chose to believe that this place was safe, despite how not safe it looked.

It was a mix of old world buildings that were held up by scrap wood, and buildings made from scrap itself. Some looked ready to fall over at any time, only held together by a neighboring scrap building leaning on them. There were a few merchant stalls selling all sorts of stuff, and a pen for what had to be brahmin. The furless two headed cows were covered in cancerous growth and just stood around, either staring off at nothing, or grazing on moldy oats. Mostly it was both at the same time.

The amount of ponies here was crazy to me, far more than Chrysalis Motter's had, making me a bit nervous. There were so many ponies that I had to watch out where I trotted, or risk bumping into somepony. It made me feel small and lost just having them all around me.

Among the ponies were ones covered in weapons and armor, those in stylish outfits, some in rags that looked lost, and a few trotted around with big signs on them. Everypony seemed to be going somewhere, or doing something. There were even several couples, ponies who were practically hanging off each other, oblivious to the world around them.

As we got to the center of town, the massive Ursa had only gotten bigger, making me feel even smaller. But Tripwire was right, a building stuck out from the back and the front of the bear had a grand entrance under its legs. A mare stood in front of the entrance, waving at ponies to get their attention, all while dressed in some sort of bear outfit.

The outfit consisted of a tight dark purple, almost black crop top hoodie, with pink and purple highlights, along with white stars decorating the outfit. Four socks that went thigh-high over her legs and had what looked like slippers over the hoof in the shape of paws. Over her flank was short shorts that seemed barely fit her, with what looked like lingerie under it.

It was equal parts cute and provocative, as the outfit drew my eyes to her legs and flank, but when I did look at her face, it was hard to not see the teddy bear ears on her hoodie, which was super cute. Though I knew I would never wear anything like that, it was just to… much.

"Welcome to the Ursa's Den!" The mare said with a cheery voice and a big smile as we trotted over. "We have everything you could want, so come on in and have some fun!"

"Well that was friendly" I said as we trotted past the mare and inside the building.

Then I stopped, utterly stunned at what I saw.

The inside was a cascade of colors and sounds as ponies trotted all over the place. The dark wall had a heavy use of purple and pink accents, along with stars decorating everything. Many of the ponies were at the tables playing card games or in front of a contraption pulling levers causing three panels to rotate inside. Another area had ponies sitting at tables drinking and eating, all while the ponies in the skimpy bear suits trotted everywhere with plates of said food and drinks.

"Don't let yourself get too distracted." Tripwire told before trotting over to where ponies ate and drank.

Taking a table in the corner, one of the costume ponies came over, offering us what he had. Tripwire slid several caps and the pony gave us a plate of food and a full drink glass each, then trotted away. Looking at the stallion as he left, I saw that the suit was just as tight on him as the mares were. I could see the outline of what had to be his groin.

"You're staring again." Tripwire said before sipping on his drink and scrunching up his muzzle. "Right, this is the cheap shit."

Feeling embarrassed again, I turned my attention to what was in front of me, I was unsure of what it was. The food was a brown wedge that had a crunchy outer layer, and a soft inner layer. If it was not for all the salt, it would have been considerably bland. As for the drink, it had the unmistakable smell of alcohol, but not as strong as the luna shine I had before. Tasting it, I found it rather unappealing, but far easier to drink.

"What is this?" I ask.

Tripwire took a bite of a wedge first before answering. "Deep fried tato wedges and watered down distilled booze. Not the best, but rather cheap to make. Likely unhealthy to eat, but if you're low on caps, it's what they got." He then sipped the drink, washing down the tato wedge. "They have better stuff, but it costs a lot more. If it's available, I suggest mutefrute wine. It's likely from one of the old plantations before Executioner Red burnt it down. A shame really, that plantation owner was a good friend of mine."

I raised an eyebrow "Who's Executioner Red?"

A frustrated sigh came from Tripwire. "It's a long story, but she was one of Redeyes more vicious bounty hunters. I mean the bastard chose to never bring an escaped slave back alive, just killed them and scalped their cutie-marks. Well one day she went crazy and rampage through the wasteland, killed a lot of hard working ponies before vanishing. Rumor was that she was half raider to begin with, so it was bound to happen one day."

"That's horrible!" I said, shocked by the story. "I do hope somepony has brought her to justice."

Tripwire shrugged. "No clue, and I would rather not go looking for her. Others have tried, none were ever seen from again."

Taking a gulp of the drink, finding it a bit fascinating. "I guess I can understand that, you'd need somepony like the Stable Dweller to take on a villain like that."

Going in for another wedge, I found that it, and my drink were gone, having already eaten it all. They weren't all that good, but they were not that bad either.

Tripwire then pulled out a tin, and pushed it to me. "Here's your pay for helping me get back here. I have to say, you're really good at getting around all the wildlife. More than likely I'd have run out of ammo before getting back here, not to mention being unable to recover my family's contracts. The money as well"

The image of Tripwire together with that oddly feminine raider stallion crossed my mind. It was both disgusting to imagine, but also intriguing nonetheless.

"Oh, I'm sure you would have been fine." I told him. "I mean, you live out here."

Slowly, Tripwire said, "that is true." Then took a sip of his drink before adding. "But I'm not built for traversing the wild wasteland. I'm more of a leader and a thinker, I can even cast a few spells. But that doesn't stop a bullet, or prevent a mole rat from grabbing me from under the ground. The trip up there alone had been a fight of endurance, but coming back here was almost pleasant, and rather quick."

He then waved for one of the workers to come back over. "Trust me, you have already proven yourself worth the caps. So at least let me buy you a proper drink." When a bear suit mare had trotted over, Tripwire pulled out several more caps. "Can you bring something more fitting for a young mare like her, something from the top shelf."

"Are… are you sure?" I stammered out.

Tripwire smiled. "Yes, we are not going to be leaving until tomorrow, so enjoy yourself. Have a few drinks, buy some new clothes, and play a few games. You deserve it."

When the mare returned, she placed a rather nice looking glass with a purple like liquid inside that smelled of booze and something sweet. Tasting it, my tongue tingled wildly from how sweet it was, causing me to let out a slight moan from the flavor of it. "This… this is really good! Like, super good!"

"It better be." A mare spoke up. Looking over I saw the most gorgeous pony in my life, almost as if she came out of the old fashion magazines. She was a dark, almost black, ashy gray mare with long bright platinum pink mane and tail that had a slight waviness and curls at the end. On her was a red dress that shimmered in the light and left one leg and hip exposed. Strangely, her mane nearly covered half her face, and when she moved, for a brief moment I could see an eyepatch with a scar under it.

"Good to see you again." Tripwire said as he made room for her to sit down. "Miss Lottery, this is a close friend of mine, Onyx Heart, Miss Onyx, this is our new scout, Lottery."

Onyx looked at me as though sizing me up. "I'm assuming that the last mare didn't make it?" She asked.

"Got done in by geckos unfortunately." He answered.

She then got closer to Tripwire, practically hugging him. "Told you she wasn't good enough, too sure of herself. Now you owe me a drink. So, about the documents you recovered."

I don't know why, but I didn't like this mare getting so close to Tripwire. It just made me a bit… angry?

Tripwire levetated several sheets of paper and Onyx snached them, excitement in her eye.

"Oh yes, when you sent that message over, I could hardly believe it. But after all these years, all our suffering, we can finally start rebuilding." She eyed Tripwire with a gaze of hunger, licking her lips. "How soon should I get started?"

"Not until after we recover my family's heirloom. That artifact is the key for us seeing everything returned to us in our own lifetime." Tripwire explained, pushing her back a little. "Even then, there's still the issue of gear. It's even more pointless if we don't have the tools to keep any asshole from just taking from us again."

Onyx sighed. "Right, but that little stash you father hid is going to be as much of a pain in the ass to get to as everything else out there." She then looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Unless you think this mare can do it?"

I sipped on my wonderful drink, listening as Tripwire explained. "She's good at what she does, far better then any of us if we head out there. She is also very trustworthy, the kind of pony I like best."

I felt some heat rise to my face in embarrassment at his complement. Or was it the alcohol?

Giving me a sneer-like smile, Onyx then added. "I can see that she is quite… simple."

She then sighed. "Well if we're going to talk more about this, let's do it in private. Just you and me. I also need some time to look over the documents, see if I can locate where that stash is."

Again the anger-like feeling came up.

Tripwire then nodded. "Right, never know who is spying in on us. Lottery, I'll have a motel room rented outside, just look for the smaller Ursa, and ask the owner where my room is, she will know you're coming."

"Ahh… okay." I said, now feeling nervous.

They then left as I finished off my drink, now feeling very much alone. Not knowing what to do, I waved one of the employees over to me, the stallion with tight fitting shorts.

Nervously, I asked. "Say… I'm kind of new here, c… can you show me around?"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Six

_______________________________________________________

After my third drink I was feeling a lot more relaxed, and when the stallion they sent me started to show me around, I was more than happy to follow him. His suit looked even tighter then the last stallion, but that might have been my imagination. He was a lot friendly though, which was nice.

"Here we have our casino floor, where ponies can gamble to their heart's content." The stallion, Cornbread, explained to me. "As you can see, when this place was built by the Ministry of Morale, they chose the colors of dark purple and bright pink over the traditional red and black. For ponies who want new things that are also old things, was the reason given."

Indeed this part of the Ursa Den was a wash with those colors, and not just painted, but also in light. Crazier were the black lights along the ground that made ponies seemingly light up, with the white and other bright colors glowing. Amazingly the employees lit up the most under the black lights, with star patterns on their outfits that were almost invisible before now glowed brightly. It was awesome!

"On the floor above we have our theaters. There you can watch one of several classic movies, or sit in on a performance by one of our more talented members." Cornbread explained to me as he pointed at some stairs going to the next floor. He then got closer to me, his side brushing up next to mine. But if you're more interested in something more simulating, we do have our Red Light Showroom."

"Red Light Showroom?" I asked.

Cornbread whispered into my ear. "Exotic dancers, and other adult performances. If you really like a pony there, you can request a private show, and get to know them intimately.

I blushed profusely, and chuckled nervously.

"Maybe a normal show would be a good idea." I thought out loud.

Cornbread smiled. "Then let me show you the way."

The theater was packed with ponies who looked ready for a fight. Many were armed with blades, guns, and similarly looking crude armor that must have meant they were all part of the same group. On stage a drunk looking red stallion in the same armor had taken over, annoyed dancers standing behind him as he addressed the other ponies watching.

"Today is a good day!" The red stallion spoke, eliciting a cheer from the others. "We made quick work of that slaver camp, those fuckers didn't know what hit them!" Again the crowd cheered. "So celebrate, soon we will continue our march to Fillydelphia!"

My ears had perked up at hearing all that. "Wow, more ponies fighting the good fight." I said out loud.

Cornbread nodded, but then said with a flat tone, "But I wish those vigilantes would stop jumping on the stage. A lot of us get paid by commission here, so it's hurting our pay."

A bigger pony then the red one then stormed onto the stage, in the barely fitting Ursa outfit, and began pushing the red pony off. All while the crowd cheered, for who, I didn't know.

Once the stage was clear, music began to play, and the employees on stage began dancing, kicking their frill covered legs up into the air. Mares dancing on stage didn't interest me much, so I returned my attention to Cornbread, the stallion already having a drink ready for me.

"We have several different performers working here, from the dancers you see here to comedians, and even a singer. Just check the schedule board to see when they will be performing." Cornbread explained as he pointed at a board on the wall above the door.

I just nodded, not even attempting to read what was up there. Seriously, why was everything labeled with writing, it was just so inconvenient.

Wanting to change the subject, I fluttered my eyes at Cornbread and sipped my drink before asking him. "How about you, what shows do you put on?"

The stallion smiled, a few of his teeth were missing and they had a yellowish glow from the black light. I was unsure if that was normal or not, as my Ma and Pa teeth were in a similar same way, though my brothers and I had a full set of white teeth.

"Well that's not part of my job, miss. But I can introduce you to a pony who works as part of the Red Light. They are far better at private performance." He suggested.

I was feeling more curious now, though a bit disappointed that he couldn't intertwin me himself. "You mentioned the Red Light before. What exactly is it, other than another dancing place like this?"

"Well not exactly like this." He answered a bit nervously before explaining. "It's for exotic dancing, like I had said before, but also a brothel. Probably the best brothel on the east coast actually. All the ponies there are clean, thanks to our preventive care and medicine, and they're well trained for the job. Also, they cater to almost any desire you could have, so long as you pay. It's all thanks to Mistress Sparkling Delight's management. Some even say she might be a changeling with how good she is at it, though never say that around the Boss, Grizzly Deal."

Again heat rushed to my face as I thought about it, all while I sipped on the drink. I don't know why, but I wasn't all that opposed to the idea of taking the caps I had and getting a stallion for an hour. Ever since I passed through Chrysalis Motors I've had sex on my mind, maybe even before that because of my short time with the mule Daral. Tripwire might have been right, and I just needed to do it to get it out of my system. But just buying it, that still felt wrong.

Shaking the thoughts from my head I decided to change the topic, if only a little. "Who's Sparkling Delight and Grizzly Deal?"

"Oh sorry, I'll explain. Grizzly Deal is the owner of this casino, and is effectively the mayor, and Sparkling Delight is her sister. They took over during Redeye's rule, and have been phasing out slavery in the region over the past few years. I don't know the details, but they used to have been his allies but had a falling out long before the Lightbringer showed up. Actually, in the last month or so, thanks to them the slave trade has been all but banned in this region." He explained.

"That sounds awesome!" I exclaimed.

With a loud flop, the red stallion from the stage put himself between me and Cornbread. He had a big grin underneath his well trimmed beard as he looked at me up and down. "I know I am, cutie. Say your parents must be damn good farmers, because you're like a damn fine head of lettuce." His eyebrows wiggled as the smell of booze creeped from his breath.

I was a bit confused about what he was saying, but I liked how he somehow knew that Ma and Pa were good farmers by just looking at me. "Thanks, Ma and Pa did their best at the farm. Said that there's nothing better than good old fashioned pony power."

The red stallion laughed. "Too true. So you're a farmer pony, same here, my family had a farm a ways south of here. If not for that bastard Redeye, we'd still be there. But we're taking it all back, and then some. With Daisy Chain pulling us along and my colts applying the pressure, we're going to knock down everything Redeye built."

"That is amazing, I actually left home to help too." I told him. "Names Lottery."

"Dynamite." He said, reaching out with his hoof, and I met him with my own, shaking it.

"Say, you want to join us, we could always have more hooves in the fight. Not sure what those… NCR ponies are doing, but once we join up with them, those slavers are doomed. What do you say, I'll even give you a private ride on my tank, Daisy Chain is its name." Again Dynamite wiggled his eyebrows.

This was exactly what I wanted, to go out and do some real good, join with other good ponies like the Stable Dweller's NCR. But then I remembered that I was already helping somepony that will help the wasteland. "I'm sorry, but I'm already in the middle of something. But I'd love to join you once it's over."

"You can at least join me for the night, feel the wind as we ride over the hills." He said as he placed a hoof on mine, intentions became clear.

I looked past him for a moment, seeing that Cornbread had already left, off helping another employee, so I returned my attention to Dynamite. Not that I didn't like the attention, but Dynamite was quite a bit older than me from what I could see, likely as old as my Pa. If I was going to be courted by a stallion, I would rather it had been Cornbread.

"Thanks, but I'd rather pass." I told Dynamite.

He didn't let go. "Oh come now my fresh little carrot, not every day you get to spend time with a pony who leads a professional militia."

A snort of laughter came from behind Dynamite, and we both looked over to see a mare holding a pitcher of an foamy amber liquid, of which she was drinking out of. She was rather rough looking, yet beautiful, her multicolored mane was short and stylishly wavy, but she also had a burn scar along the side of her neck. Overall she looked wild, dangerous, and strangely beautiful. "Sorry, but trust me, your ragged band of militants are far from professional."

Dynamite looked indignant at what the mare said. "And what does a…" he then huffed, "a raider knows about being professional?"

Looking closer, her armor indeed looked similar to the Brain Nail raiders I had passed by earlier in the day. It was made from what I could guess was road signs and motor wagon tires that were crudely tied together and decorated with a few spikes. Topping it off was a mix of bright colors and a few skulls painted on. But most intimidating of all were all the explosives and bottles with rags sticking out of them that smelled of oil.

She took a long swig from the pitcher, leaving some of the foam on her muzzle when she was done, then smacked her lips in satisfaction. "Shatter Hoof raider to be accurate, you know, the raiders taken over by Gwadina Grimfeathers."

My ears really perked up at that. "Wait, ain't that the group the Stable Dweller help out or something."

The raider chuckled. "Fuck ya, and I'd tell you, that day was fucking nuts! We got a show from that Velvet Remedy dame, then the boss's head blew up. Oh and then the fucking dragon showed up! Now that made sure nopony dared to fuck with the Stable Dweller. After that we all fell in line under Gwad's command."

"If that's true, then why aren't you at Fillydelphia, isn't she leading the siege there?" I asked.

Dynamite laughed. "Probably because this raider cowardly ran away."

The raider slammed her pitcher down, sending some of the beer flying. "FUCK YOU! I got my own fucking reasons, so piss off, ya dig."

She then looked past Dynamite and over at me. "Oy dame, why don't you come with me and have some real fun. And unlike the fucking assholes here, I'm not going to try and fuck ya raw when you pass out. Not into that kind of shit unless you pay me too."

Dynamite scoffed. "And why would a delicate mare like her want to go with a savage like you?"

"Like I said, I ain't gunna try to rape her ya creepy old fuck." She said sternly.

I was feeling a little more sober, and what the mare said rang a bit true to me. So far almost all the stallions had been trying to get uncomfortably close to me. Then there was Daral. I had yet to make a mare friend out here.

But then again she was a raider, but one who worked with the hero Gwad, and likely took part in the fight against the Enclave. So she couldn't be all that bad.

Finishing my drink, I got up and trotted over to the raider mare. "Alright, I'm kinda new to all this."

She smiled, showing surprisingly clean and flat, if a bit yellow teeth. "They call me Molotov, Molo for short. Now why don't we get you something nice to wear. I was already planning to stop by the shops myself."

_______________________________________________________

As it turns out, this place made their own clothes, and they were more than happy to take the hides I had on me as part of my payment. The real problem was figuring out what to wear, as almost everything they sold had a bear theme to it, and everything was in the same color pattern.

"Try this on!" Molo said as she pushed what looked like a few scraps of cloth at me.

"No." I told her, this being the fourth odd clothing she tried to put on me.

I was grateful that she didn't want to fuck me, and it did help stop me from thinking about it, but now I felt like a dress up doll. Except I was a pony, not some stuffed rags in the shape of a pony.

"Is there something that's cute, yet practical?" I asked.

Molo sighed. "Sure doll, I know exactly what you want."

After a moment she pulled out a relatively normal looking dress, not too long or short, but it did have the Ursa Den paint job, including the stars that showed up in the black light. This I was fine with, as it was cute, and reminded me a little bit of the old world fashion.

After that I got myself some boots and a cute puffy hat that didn't have the little bear ears on it.

"That's fucking adorable!" Molo commented. She had gotten a new outfit on, having put her armor away. It was surprisingly feminine, being a frilly short skirt dress that covered one side of her flank, and stockings that went up most of her back legs. A large floppy hat topped her look off, though she still had her bombs on her.

She had turned out far less raider like than I thought she'd be, though vulgar in the way she talked, Molo was actually quite friendly. I had been planning to duck out away from her when I got the chance, but later felt that it would be rude with how nice she was. Molo also smelled down right pleasant compared to the Brain Nail raiders. If it was not for the spiky armor she had, I would never have thought she was a raider.

Leaving for the casino, I had to ask her, "why are you doing this, I'm a stranger after all."

"To be honest, it's because you're clearly not from around these parts, and not some stuck up merchant or an asshole militant." She said as she nudged me. "Also us mares got to look after each other. That and ya scream easy target to every dick and cunt out there. Trust me, lots of assholes are out here who will booze a mare up for an easy fuck and run."

I instinctively averted my gaze at that last part.

"Oh, looks like I was too late, you poor thing!" She then got closer. "Tell me about it."

I felt uncomfortable talking about Deral, but at the same time it bothered me that there was nopony to talk to about it. About a lot of things.

So I told her. About my first time having sex, and my frustrations up until recently. She was a stranger, but I needed somepony to listen to me.

When I was done, I was startled by Molo hugging me. "Ya poor thing" she said as she let me go. "I mean it happens to the best of us, but like that is really unfair. Those fucking scavengers really do steal anything they can get their hooves on."

Molo then jabbed my shoulder. "Now this Tripwire fella, sounds like you got a crush."

My face flush as I felt surprised and embarrassed by her accusation.

"Oh don't be like that, he sounds like a swanky fella, and rich too. You'd be blind to not take a liking to him. Though his name sounds familiar, I just can't quite place it." She said before shrugging. "Well whatever, let's have some fun and then help ya out with ya's love life."

"What?" I said in confusion.

Molo laughed. "Oh come on, it's not that hard to read it on you. You're thirsty for a stallion, and want it to be that Tripwire fella. Seen lots of mares like ya, all interested but holding back. I'll get ya all pretty up later, then you can take that stallion."

She then trotted off to the casino as I processed what she just said. "Wait! Molo, what do you mean by that? Molo!"

_______________________________________________________

I was introduced to the game of poker, where I proceeded to lose most of my caps over the next two hours. It was a learning experience, mostly because I found that I'm terrible at the game and should never play it again.

Still, it was a bit fun.

Fortunately, Molo had managed to win some chips before we quit. After that she took me to a shooting range, on my request, as I wanted to property test my rifle. The sights were still a bit off, and I never got the chance to adjust it.

*Bang!* My rifle went, the shot drifting a bit to the left. It was better than last time, and now I was sure it was the barrel that was the problem.

"So you really jury-rigged that shit yourself?" Molo asked, sounding impressed.

Aiming down the range again, I fired. The bullet hit much closer to the target, so I moved the sight a tad more, leaving it a bit at an awkward angle.

"Ya, my Pa showed me how to put things together." I told her as I pulled out my single shot flare gun.

She whistled in surprise. "This… it's a bona fide piece of shit. Still, impressive that you're able to make your own guns with whatever crap you have lying around. If ya been a raider like me, you'd be really popular, with how most of our guns broke all the damn time."

I liked the compliment, but not the raider part of it. "Thanks… I guess."

Molo then pulled out what looked like a pipe with a smaller pipe sticking out of the front and a long rectangle box out the bottom. She then pointed it down range and let it roar. The thing firing out a deafening amount of bullets.

After a moment of watching her grin like a mad mare, my hearing finally returned. "The fuck is that?"

"It's a Fillydelphia street cleaner." She said before pulling out a second one. "Took them during the first raid on Fillydelphia, they may be made from scrap and junk, but those factory griffins knew what the fuck they were doing when making these guns."

"You were actually there, what happened?" I asked

The happy look on her face just stopped for several seconds as she just stared off at nothing. "Not enough." She grumbled before aiming her second street sweeper down range and fired.

This time I covered my ears, saving me from going temporarily deaf again.

The happy look on Molo's face had returned as she put her guns away. "You know what, let's stop fucking around here and get to making ya all pretty up. Trust me, that stallion will find you irresistible."

Again I found myself following her, feeling very concerned as she led me to what was called a mane salon. Here several mares sat about as other ponies trimmed and styled their manes and tails, along with cleaning their hooves and fur.

A rather fancy looking pinkish white Pegasus stallion trotted over, he having a thin mustache and a pinker mane that looked like it was made of feathers. "Molo! Darling! Back so soon? And who is this cutie?" His accent reminded me a lot of Low Pressure, but more natural, and less annoying.

"Sunset you dashing fella!" Molo said as she gave the Pegasus a light hug as though they were long time friends. "This here is my new friend, Lottery, and she needs to get all pretty up."

"Let me guess, for a stallion?" Sunset said as he looked at me with a pouty face. "Oh yes, there's a lot I can do, but first a lot that needs to be removed."

I then grabbed my mane protectively. "This took forever to grow, I'm not letting anypony cut it!"

Sunset gave a hoity laugh. "Please, I'm not some wasteland butcher, I'm an artist! I've quaffed the mane of the rich and famous from all over the Enclave. Now I quaff the mane of ponies who so desperately need it the most."

Molo did a mane flip, showing off how it bounced and sparkled. "Trust me Lottery, it's like magic what he does."

With a sigh, I let go of my mane. "Alright, but please keep it long."

Smiling, Sunset pointed to an open chair. "Simple enough, just take a seat and I'll get started."

I was unsure what to expect, only ever had Ma touch my mane, but Sunset was rather gentle, first spraying it with water before brushing it. Then came the trimmers, and I cringed as I heard the sound of my mane being cut.

Trying to distract myself, I began talking. "Are all Pegasus like, you know, you?"

He chuckled. "Oh by Celestial no, so few are as fabulously handsome as I. But why you ask, I can't be the first Pegasus you met."

"No you're not. Earlier today I came across another, a raider boss… I think. His name was-"

"-Low Pressure." Sunset said with a sigh. "I'm so sorry that was your first experience with my kind."

"You know him?" I asked.

He huffed. "Know him, I used to date him."

Somehow, I could imagine it. "So what happened?"

"What didn't happen!" He again huffed. "Well you see, Low is, well, was the son of the jurisdiction governor. Who were a long standing political family dating back to the founding of the enclave. So you can imagine the power and influence they had. With the territory was arrogance in nepotism, but that was nothing new in the Enclave."

Sunset brushed my mane some more before returning to trimming. "Not saying it was all bad. Low was a good lover and remarkably beautiful, like the Pegasus from ancient history, as though he was cut from the clouds itself. Unfortunately he was an unabashed narcissistic, and nothing could compare to his love of himself."

"Then how did he become a raider?" I then asked.

He sighed, not slowing down as he continued to trim my mane. "That's a mystery to me. When the clouds fell, we all tried to stay together, to keep to the idea of democracy. Their first act was to have a vote, which incidentally was to exile Low Pressure from our little Enclave. Turns out proclaiming that you're better than everypony makes you more enemies than allies. Also no mummy and daddy to threaten everypony to play nice."

A comb smoothly brushed through my mane as Sunset began adding something that smelled of flowers into it. "After that it became a purity spiral and I got out while the getting was good. Fortunately Ursa's Rest needed a mane dresser and I am the best. As for Low Pressure, he was always good with his tongue, in many ways. I'm sure he sweet talked and fucked his way into power, it's what he's good at."

I was a little taken aback by the story, but having seen the stallion, I was willing to believe it. "Well I guess he should be reasonable if I ever come across him again. Tripwire was able to pay him to let us pass."

"Ehhhh" came from Molo, "Trust me, if a group has gone raider like them, it's just a matter of which side of the bed they woke up on if they're really crazy or not. Would never stay around crazy ponies like them, way too dangerous. "

"But you're a raider too, right?" I asked Molo.

Molo shrugged. "Technically the Shatter Hoof Raiders are, but we mainly harassed Redeye caravans. Most of our ranks were from freed slaves and ruined merchants. So raiding was a step up for us, not a step down. Still violence and shit was common, lots of angry and bad ponies in the ranks, but the local Talons kept them in check most of the time. Out here, it's full of chem brain rotted raiders. Survival of the most vicious and cunning. You can tell by how twitchy they are, or by the smell. Evan at its worse, I at least still bathed and didn't take the hard chems."

Sunset washed out whatever he put in my mane before adding something else. It strangely felt nice, really nice.

Molo continued. "If some pretty stallion Pegasus got in charge of a raider band, it must have been by luck. I bet the bastard is in constant panic while acting all big and mean. It's rare, but not unheard of. Never ends well for bosses like that."

After spraying some more water on my mane, Sunset then again washed out what was in it as he added to the conversation. "Maybe. Low might have been a bastard, but he couldn't even fight his way out of a cloud. I do worry about that beautiful bastard, he never was malicious, just arrogant and dumb."

A mirror was then placed in front of me, held by Sunsets wing, with another mirror in his other wing, giving me a view of both sides of my mane. "What do you think, got rid of all those split ends and all the oil out." He said with pride.

I was speechless, my mane shined, and didn't have strands poking out of it. It was like a mane from the fashion magazines, though unstyled. I never thought it could ever look this good before.

Molo chuckled. "I'd suggest giving it some curls, but with a mane that long, I'm already stretching my caps."

Looking at her, I couldn't help but feel grateful, as we were still strangers. "Why?"

She rolled her eyes. "Like I said, we mares gotta stick together. And maybe you remind me a bit of my sisters and aunts back in Fillydelphia, though a lot more innocent. I guess I'm just feeling nostalgic, that's all."

Sunset then clapped his hooves to get our attention. "Alright ladies, sorry to interrupt, but I need to work on Miss Lottery's tail. I never leave a job half done."

Turning around, Sunset started his work on my tail, all while the three of us chatted. The conversation had moved onto our daily lives, nothing too gloomy, though Molo was more tight lipped. It was all rather pleasant, making me wonder if this is what it was like having friends, that it was just having somepony to talk to.

_______________________________________________________

The day had grown late and the sky dark, though Ursa's Rest remained active, just with a lot less ponies about. Molo had gone her own way, meeting up with some ponies she knew, wishing me luck at getting my stallion.

It was a bit embarrassing, finding that more ponies were watching me. The attention was now making me uncomfortable. So I quickly trotted over to the motel Tripwire told me about, planning to get some needed sleep.

What I didn't expect was to bump into Onyx Heart at the reception desk.

"Oh there you are, Lottery, was it? I needed to speak with you." Onyx addressed me before cocking an eyebrow. "Well look at that, the dirty wastelander cleaned herself up…" she sniffed the air. "And got rid of that stench too. Let me guess, you visited that salon."

I was unsure whether to be mad or not, she was right after all. "Ya, a pony introduced me. It feels really nice, and got rid of that itchy feeling in my scalp."

"Won't the wonders of proper mane care never cease to amaze." She said with a sigh before clearing her throat. "That aside, since you're helping Tripwire reclaim our property, I'll let you know that you'll need better gear then what you have there. So I hope you saved your caps. It's location just so happens to be in a conflicted hot zone, raiders and more. A real shit show."

I physically gulped.

Onyx sighed. "Thought so. I've already scheduled a meeting with the Ursa's Den boss, she's a bitch, but an understanding bitch. You can get a loan from her and get yourself some good gear. Tripwire will be doing the same, as a precaution."

She then trotted up to me, whispering in my ear. "Oh, and don't try to stare at his flank too hard, his dicks mine in the end. If you try anything, I will know, and I will make you suffer." Her voice filled with a malice that bordered on madness.

With a soft chuckle, Onyx trotted away, leaving me frozen in fear.

After a minute, I slowly regained my composure, turn my attention to the disinterested mare behind the reception desk.

Retiring to the motel room I found it hard to get to sleep as I layed in the dark empty room. The bed was better than anything I had been in before, and the room was quite pleasant. But it felt too big and too empty.

So when Tripwire entered, I couldn't help perk up and greet him. A slight hope he would notice how much better I look tingled within me. "Hay, how was your day? Mine was fun."

He sighed. "Just dealing with a few assholes, and will deal with more tomorrow. Now why are you still awake?"

"I was… waiting for you." I lied, a little. What Molo had told me was still running through my head, and Onyx's warning was still following me.

Eying me carefully, Tripwire then raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You cleaned up real well, and… that's a nice outfit. Don't tell me you're trying to seduce me."

My face flushed with surprise and embarrassment at his dead on accusation. "What! No. I mean… maybe…"

I then puffed up my chest and fluttered my eyes. "What If I was?"

Tripwire relaxed, looking amused. "First off, you're doing a bad job of it. Second, I'm not sure you understand what you're asking for."

I let my ears droop at the failure. "Right, you're with that Onyx mare. Sorry, I asked something I should've. "

He then laughed. "Me and Onyx! Trust me, we are not that close. That mare is a bit possessive, and needy, but nothing close to a serious relationship."

I don't know why, but I breathed a sigh of relief.

Tripwire then trotted over, sitting next to me on the bed. "She's beautiful, that's for sure, but not really my type. Plots too much, thinks she is smarter then she is. Unlike you."

This time I raised an eyebrow. "Unlike me?"

He nodded, then reached over to place his hoof under my chin. "Too many ponies think too much, and don't focus on what needs to be done. Unlike them, your head is clear of those useless thought, and in its place, purpose. I find that a beautiful thing."

I found myself frozen, focusing on him calling me beautiful.

"You think… I'm beautiful?" I asked as I played with my mane.

Tripwire paused for a moment, then smiled. "How can I not think that?"

That was all I needed to hear, and pushed him over. Since before meeting Tripwire I couldn't get what Daral and I did out of my mind, and it was driving me nuts. The ponies offered themselves at Chrysalis Motors, even that older red stallion! Why dose everpony want to fuck, and why do I want to as well!

I felt a hoof gently caressing my thigh. "Miss Lottery." Tripwire said calmly with a chuckle. "This is why I suggested you get it out of your system back at the Duchy." I then felt something hard press up against my backside and he sighed. "Then again, I'm guilty of that too."

"But I'm not some mare who sleeps with anypony… I only want to be with stallions I like." I said with a pout. Then raising myself up, I guided his now hard dick to me and slowly into myself, taking it all.

I groaned and moaned as my hips were gyrating and trusting, beardly focusing on anything but the pleasure. After a wonderfully long moment, he then came inside me, and the exhaustion of today hit me at that moment. Collapsing on his chest, I was panting, but I felt good.

Tripwire let me stay there for a moment, patting my head. "If this is how you want things, then be warned, I'm not easily satisfied."

I nodded and we kissed. After a short rest, we then started again, not stopping until both of us were out of energy.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seven

_______________________________________________________

Again my dreams were energetic and hard to understand; many eyes were on me, following me as I chased after Tripwire, all while a voice called to me, telling me to stop. Many hooved then grabbed at me, pulling me down as Tripwire watched it, uncaring.

Waking up, I found myself next to Tripwire, held in his embrace. It caused my heart to flutter. That night was wonderful, and having him still be here was even better. It was like everything I wanted; an adventure with a stylish stallion, and actually fighting the good fight.

So I cuddled into his chest, staying there until he stirred.

Once Tripwire woke up, we both quickly got cleaned up and dressed. It was good to be able to wash myself after waking up this time. Last thing I needed was to again have to trot around for days unwashed.

"Alright, we have a meeting with Grizzly Deal about a loan. Unfortunately all the caps I had, they needed to go elsewhere. So we're going to have to borrow a bunch to resupply ourselves before heading elsewhere" Tripwire told me as he straightened his tie.

Now that the sun was out, I decided to put on my outfit for Tripwire to see, doing a little pose. "What do you think?"

Tripwire raised an eyebrow at me as he looked at my new clothes. "I see you didn't waste all your caps on just frivalice things. This should make the meeting a lot easier."

This begged a question. "Aren't I just, what you called, a scout? Why do I need to go?"

Tripwire opened the door, looking a bit annoyed and tired. "Grizzly and I have a history, a poor one. For the last month Onyx has been softening her up for me, but unfortunately, Onyx has other business to attend to. If I meet her alone, it may become a problem. But if I bring another pony, a mare to be expected, she will at least no get too personal."

I gave Tripwire a concerned and confused smile. "Soo…"

A sigh came from Tripwire. "Just try not to talk too much unless addressed. You will understand when we meet her."

As we trotted out into Ursa's Rest I found it to be far more subdued in the morning. Though not lacking in activities, it was still clearly too early for most ponies as they prepared for the day. Some were sweeping trash away from their stalls, others were crowding around a vendor selling some dark looking hot drink.

There were also several beggars being pushed out of the street, they being incredibly thin and sickly looking.

Entering the Ursa's Den was no different, with only one card table open, and several board looking employees standing around.

Following Tripwire, we went up a flight of stairs and to a set of metal doors. Standing guard were two big ponies in armored ursa suits. They had what I had been told were battle saddles. It allowed them to fire their guns using a bit-trigger while the guns were strapped to their sides. It was an exchange of ease of firing over accuracy I think. Of which, they both had two guns each that were the same as Molo had. So I guessed that accuracy was not their strategy. They both also had clawed gauntlets on their front and back hooves, which looked incredibly well cared for and didn't match the authenticity of the casino. But they did add to the ponie's intimidating stacher. Actually, anything not covered by the bear suit didn't match the aesthetic, feeling more wild and dangerous than whimsical and alluring.

"Here to see Miss Grizzly." Tripwire said as he pulled out a card, levitating it to one of the guards.

They moved out of the way as another pressed a button. As we stood there, I heard a ding and a clunk, then the two metal doors opened to reveal a small metal room. This left me confused, as why such a small room filled with nothing was so heavily guarded.

Tripwire trotted inside the room, then seeing my hesitation, motion for me to follow. Slowly I entered the room too, finding that it was more of a box. Once inside the doors closed, trapping us inside, where I couldn't see any way to escape. Then it moved!

"BY CELESTIAL, IT'S FUCKING MOVING!" I grabbed onto Tripwire as I shouted.

"It's called an elevator, perfectly safe." Tripwire said, letting me hold onto him.

It didn't reassure me, rooms were not supposed to move, not at all.

Fortunately, the ride was relatively short, and with a clunk, it had stopped and the doors opened. Quickly jumping out of the moving coffin box, I found myself in an extraordinarily beautiful room, where several female guards stood or sat around.

Unlike the rest of the den so far, this part of the building wasn't decorated with a mess of colors, though the palat was still the same, just that it was less chaotic. Pink squares on top of purple outline, it all felt less energetic and more down to business fancy.

The all earth pony guards were strangely dressed, covered in straps of leather armor that were decorated with animal bones. Their bodys were decorated with paint, some of which looked like strangely shaped fruit. Their weapons were also odd, aside from a rifle and pistol, they had decorated spears, clubs, and even those clawed gauntlets the guards below had. They reminded me a bit of a comic book my family had back home, Stronghoof the barbarian, it was called. Though in that book the pony was a rather ripped stallion then a group of rather scarry mares.

The intimating mares eyed us, but did not move to stop us as Tripwire trotted to some really nice looking doors, which opened for us on their own.

Inside was a larger room that had a large heart shaped bed at the end, where two mares layed. At the center of the room was a massive desk. Weapons decorating the walls, and beautiful statues of ponies along the edges. The statues were incredibly detailed and beautiful, almost lifelike.

At the large desk sat an earth pony mare, who was dark brown with a multi-colored purple mane, and dressed in a suit that was the same colors as the other employees. The mare was rather large, slightly plump, but clearly muscular in build. She also eyed me with a predatory gaze which unnerved me.

Grizzly then addressed Tripwire. "Ah, it hasn't been long enough since the last time I've seen you, Tripwire. And I see you have a new mare with you, a shame, I was hoping to see Onyx again." Her eyes drifted back to me, "Now may I know your name?"

Tripwire spoke up, but was immediately cut off by Grizzly. "I was asking her."

I cleared my throat, feeling considerably nervous now. "L… Lottery, my name's Lottery" I stammered out.

She licked her lips as she continued to look at me. "As you might already know, I'm Grizzly Deal, and have you ever thought about working here? For me. "

"Sorry, no… I mean, I already have a job." I quickly told her.

Grizzly sighed as she leaned back in her big puffy chair, returning her gaze to Tripwire. "Have I ever told you that, if I knew you were going to be such a mare magnet, I would have killed you when we were foals."

"All the time Grizzly." Tripwire said flatly. "Now if we can skip the pleasantries, I'm here, as you know, for business."

"What, here I thought you wanted to see how Wiretap was doing." Grizzly said flatly.

Tripwire didn't say anything, causing Grizzly to sigh.

"Ahh yes, the loan." Grizzly said with a scowl. "I assume you have appropriate collateral. I may be in the gambaling business, but I don't gamble with my business. Give me the appropriate holdings, and you will get your damn loan. When you pay it off, and you better pay it off, maybe you can attend to other responsibilities if you're going to stick around."

Tripwire levitated most of the papers he had recently recovered, placing them on the table. "This should do until I return."

Grizzly looked over the papers, annoyance in her eyes as she nodded, flipping through them. "You unicorns and your magic... everything" she huffed as she put them down. "But this is clearly something you will want back, and also something I can't simply forged, unfortunately. This will do, and your property will be returned upon repayment, along with interest of fifteen percent."

Tripwire furrowed his brow. "Oh come on Grizzly, fifteen percent interest, that's highway robbery!"

"I can go higher, and will, Tripwire, so think of it as a secret keeping fee. We both know there's a big bad pussy-cock in Fillydelphia who would love to get her talons on these documents. If you are starting a new business like Onyx said you are, then I would gladly fund it. But I need assurance that if things go tits up, I won't be dragged down with you." Grizzly then pulled out several sheets of paper from under her desk. "Now with that out of the way, I have our standard loan contracts, I'm sure I don't need to explain how this works."

Two sheets were placed in front of Tripwire, and two more in front of me.

Cocking an eyebrow at Grizzly, I then asked. "Why me?"

Grizzly sighed. "Because all parties involved must hold responsibility, otherwise it opens my business up for loophole exploitation. Trust me, we've had a long history of loan runners, contract breakers, and ponies who didn't think our rules applied to them. Making sure that all parties involved have fur in the game makes sure none have any funny ideas, and since you're clearly an independent, you have your own contract."

I… had a hard time following, and looking down at the paper, even less of an Idea what it said.

Seeing my plight, Tripwire leaned over and pointed at the paper with his hoof. "It basically says that you promise to repay Ursa's Den the caps they lent out to you, with an extra fee for the time left unpaid. Caps are expected, but other forms of payments are accepted, including labor that Ursa's Den sees fit." He then tapped a blank line at the bottom. "Just sign your name here."

I grimaced, and attempted to write my name with my mouth, only managing a mess of scribbles. Fortunately, Grizzly pulled out an ink pad, which we both tapped our hooves on and then on the documents.

Satisfied, Grizzly took one document from each of us, leaving us with one each. She then pulled out what I recognized as poker chips, twenty of them, each worth a hundred caps. "Alright, with the collateral and the contract, I'm lending you these chips, use them as you see fit, just don't forget that it's Ursa's Den's money you're using."

Tripwire took the chips, passing me ten of them. "I know how a loan works. So long as things go well, you will get your money back, and with your damn interest. I'm not some short-term thinking fool like everypony else out here."

Grizzly let out a huff of a laugh. "Like how smart you were thirteen years ago." The mare then turned her gaze onto me. "And you, if you ever come to regret working for this pony, my door's always open."

"Ahh… thanks…" I said nervously,

With our business over with, Tripwire quickly took our chips and left and I followed. With dread in my stomach, I clung onto Tripwire, finding that going down on an elevator far more terrifying than going up. Once I was free of that death trap, and out of Ursa's Den, I finally felt free to ask a simple question.

"So what exactly happened to your money?" I asked him as I looked at a chip. The thing was made from several materials, of which I could only guess one was gold, or something like gold.

"Yes, the caps." Tripwire said calmly as he levitated a chip. "It's all gone to paying off ponies I owed, or needed favors from. It's been a long ten years for me, and I have a lot of ponies I've made promises to. Once I recover that cache, I'll be able to pay off all my debts, and move onto rebuilding."

He then put the chip away and sighed, now having a more serious look on his face. "Onto the task at hoof, unfortunately from what Onyx has told me, where I need to go next is a conflict hotspot. Just getting around a few monster nests will not be enough, so better to be safe than sorry."

"Ya, she said something like that" I said as I nodded. "Something to do with raiders."

"Just follow, I'll explain as we get geared up for this expedition." He told me.

We quickly arrived near the shooting range that I had been at yesterday with Molo. The building next to it selling guns and armor. An armored ponytron robot trotting around the front as a guard. Behind a cage, where the guns and gear was, sat a less than happy looking griffon, cleaning a rifle. I had to admit that he was quite striking looking, a bit old, maybe around my Pa’s age, but clearly a griffon that had the body of a hard worker. His red and black tipped feathers gave him a dangerous feeling that excited me a little.

I had to hold back from embarrassing myself with a squeal, as it was my first time seeing a griffin. What I knew of them, other than being half bird and half cat, was that they were the greatest fighters in the wasteland. Most famous was the Talon mercenaries, who were supposedly all over the wasteland, and could be hired to protect you so long as you had the caps.

Tripwire trotted up to the cage, showing several of his chips. "We're heading north to route 7, Dead Pony Pass, and need gear for it."

The griffin huffed as he put his rifle down and eyed us both. "If your plan is to go straight down into that clusterfuck, then fuck off, I don't have armor thick enough to absorb that much led. Or stupidity."

Glancing at me for a moment, Tripwire smiled as he addressed the griffin. "Fortunately I have quite a good scout, a pony who can take me around the back roads, so we only require strong but lighter armor. Also guns, good guns, Gunrunner guns if possible."

The griffin eyed us for several seconds before sighing. "Fine, still your funeral. I take no responsibility if you die out there. It's practicly suicide right now to go to Dead Pony Pass. Also, Gunrunner guns are likely too pricey for ponies like you, but I have something that's good enough."

He then trotted off to the back for a moment before returning with what looked like a bunch of rags and leather scraps. Tripwire levitated one out revealing it to be some sort of hooded burlap cloak with metal plates under and held together by matted leather. Its color was a mess of browns and grays, reminding me of the wasteland itself.

"Actual wasteland scout armor, this will do." Tripwire said as he put down his chips. "And the rest?"

What the griffin then grabbed was two sets of leather covered metal leg guards, and two scoped hunting rifles, with twenty rounds each. It cost us all but two of our chips, which likely meant that all this was expensive stuff.

The rifle's looked awesome, making my own look like a joke. Not that I was getting rid of mine, just that my jury rigged rifle could not compare to the real thing. Though as awesome as the rifle was, it was clearly old, real old. Holding the barrel and cracked stock together were several rusty rings, and the scope itself looked like its glass had been replaced by the reshaped base of sparkle-cola bottles. Still, it was definitely the most powerful thing I ever held in my hooves.

As I put on the scout armor, it was uncomfortable and itchy, but I also felt safer with it on.

Now I felt it was damn time I was told about what the fuck I had gotten myself into. "So, what's going on in Dead Pony pass?"

Tripwire had the armor already on, it covering his nice suit. "Chaos to be frank. There's an old Equestria military base down there that Redeye was using as a supply depo for his army. Food, water, and guns. Well now with Redeye out of the picture, every wannabe warlord wants that depo, and not just for the supplies, but for its position. It's easy to defend, you see. Last reported, not just raiders have moved in, but the Enclave and the Steal Rangers, not to forget the remnants of Redeye's army still holding onto the depo."

That was a lot of bad ponies, all in one place. "Please don't tell me that we're heading to the depo!"

Fortunately Tripwire shook his head. "No, there's a mining tunnel a ways aways from there. Property of my family and probably where my father had hid most of our family's artifacts."

"And how do we safely bring them back?" I asked.

He smiled. "That's the best part, all we need to do is reach it. The instructions my father left behind told me that the cash has a teleportation device with it, a medallion to be exact. That's all, once we recover that medallion, I'll have access to the cache whenever I like."

My head spun a little, with the talk of teleportation straining my imagination. It sounded like something from the one power pony comic my family had, the other comic my brothers obsessed over. Again I decided to just trust Tripwire on this and nodded.

Holding his last chip, Tripwire answered my question before I could ask. "I'll use my last chip to get more food and water, you use yours for anything you might need."

Looking back at the griffin I then remembered that I had used my only axe to attach to my rifle, so a back up melee was needed.

"Excuse me, do you have any good close range weapons? Like an axe or a big knife, something that can be used as a tool maybe?" I asked the griffin.

"Something practical, ya I got a few things you can buy with one of those chips. Not the best, but far from the worst." He said before trotting off.

Several dangerous things were then dropped in front of me from the other side of the cage. The griffin had brought a crowbar, a short and sharpened shovel, a heavy looking wrench, a very heavy looking frying pan, a bat wrapped in barbed wire, a wooden board with some nains in it, a meshetie, and an oddly decorative axe with a spike. It all looked downright dangerous, though a few looked less practical than I asked. But sticking to what I knew, I pointed at the axe, "what's up with the axe"

The griffon picked up the axe, its blade painted a now dull yellow, and having what looked like a brass shield on either side of the flat. The handle had been clearly cut down, and wrapped in leather for a better grip.

"Probably not the best choice, little mare." He told me as he clawd the axe to me. "From what I know about Equestria history, this is a trophy fire axe, not made to be used as an actual axe, just as a wall decoration. Got it from some minotaur heifer that was pawning off her shit for chips, she said it was a good weapon, but with their big meaty arms, anything is a good weapon."

Studying it, I found that the axe was in stupidly good condition, not a bit of rust to be found. It's handle was just big enough for my mouth to get a good grip on it, with the leather wrap helping the hold. The only problem was that it was heavy for its size, but I was hoping that I only needed one good swing to take out anything that I needed to use it on.

"I'll take it." I told the griffin as I pushed the chip to him. He just shrugged and took the chip before grabbing the other weapons to put away.

“Oh, little mare.” The griffon then said to me. “Be careful around tipes like that stallion you're with, there's always something more about them that you may not like.”

“Tripwire's fine, he’s one of the good ponies.” I told the griffon as I finished putting on the leg armor. “We're going to help the wasteland.”

I then trotted out to find Tripwire, happily looking like a true wasteland adventure. All I needed now was a pair of sunglasses.

_______________________________________________________

Trotting to the exit of Ursa's Rest, I was then met with Tripwire levitating a jar to me. "Take one of these." He said as several little white pills rattled inside.

"Chems?" I asked.

He sighed. "Yes, but not what you think. It's the local contraception, made and sold by Ursa'sDen. Pricey too. But it should make sure you don't get pregnant."

I snached the jar from his magical hold, opened it and took one of the pills. It was extremely bitter and dry as it went down.

"Fuck, I forgot about that." I said, sighing in relief.

"Feeling mutual." Tripwire said with a smile. "I may like you, but I don't want to put a foal in you."

Placing the jar carefully into my saddlebag, the thought of having a child with Tripwire crossed my mind for a moment. It was… a calming thought.

"So, as long as I take theis, we can do it again, and I don't have to worry?" I asked him.

"That's how it works, yes." Tripwire said calmly. "But if we're going to be in such a relationship, let's try not to rely on those pills too much. They may work, but they are not perfect from what I've heard, and not good for your health."

I didn't like the sound of that last part, but I still like the idea of getting closer with Tripwire some more.

Trotting up to him, I brushed my flank against his, and wiggle my eyebrows. "Well I'm sure there's other ways we can do it."

We both then laughed, the absurdity of it all catching up with me.

"But in all seriousness, thanks, the last thing I need is to go home pregnant. Ma and Pa would be so pissed at me if I did." I explained.

"I understand that. My mother was very serious about picking proper mares for me. She was a controlling pony, but only with me, and not with my younger brother."

Now I was curious. "Your brother, what was he like?"

Tripwire looked a bit annoyed by the question, waiting a moment before answering. "Spell Circuit was… an underachiever, a bit dull, but always asked too many questions. A real pain in my ass, thinking he could become some talented spell caster if he just worked hard for it. Lost count how many times I had to clean up after his messess. The last straw was when he helped Redeye agents me."

I took a step back. "Oh… I'm so sorry."

"Don't be." Tripwire said with a sigh. "I already buried that part of my life in the ground ten years ago."

"Still, it must have been difficult." I added

He smiled. "Actually, it was quite easy to do." Tripwire then stretched his legs out, popping a few joints. "Well let's get going, the wasteland isn't going to stop being chaos on its own."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eight

_______________________________________________________

Content Warning: not for those faint of heart

This chapter had sensitive content, such as rape and suicide, some of which is in graphic detail. Readers have been warned.

_______________________________________________________

The journey to Dead Pony Pass took more than a day, which fortunately let me break in the armor. During that time Tripwire went over what strategies we were going to apply, and imagined certain scenarios.

Mostly he was making it clear that direct confrontation was a bad Idea. Something to do with the raiders being heavy chem addicts, and it making them pain resistant. I'd be lying to myself if I said that I was not a little scared, but I also felt that so long as Tripwire was with me, everything was going to just work out.

When the day grew late, and we found a safe spot to camp, I couldn't help but be a pest for some attention. The nights in the wasteland are cold, and having a partner is the best way to stay warm. I also liked the feeling of waking up in Tripwire's hooves, It was something I could really get used to.

When we finally got moving again, I made sure to stick a little closer to Tripwire. Even if he didn't show it, I knew he liked me, and that was all that mattered to me in the moment.

By the time we reached the pass, it was a few hours before noon, and already the place was filling me with dread. Blocked off by a chain linked fence and motor wagons, the entrance was decorated by corpses impaled on spikes. Each corps had wires attached to them, forcing the dead into poses as though they were dancing.

Seeing it made me wretched, of which I was thankful that Tripwire had us skip breakfast. He had an inkling that something like this would happen, suggesting that we eat after we get around the raiders.

"Onyx was right on the money, it's the fucking Corps Dancers." Tripwire said in annoyance.

"Should I even ask?" I asked.

He gave a long sigh before telling me, "Let's just say that they're exactly like the raiders your parents warned you about. Now let's find another way around, the fuckers are likely watching this end of the pass."

In full agreement, we trotted away from the entrance, looking for an altrant route. It didn't take long, but I also quickly found that some other ponies had also taken this route. They had left large and deep hoof prints.

"Definitely steal rangers by the looks of it. No normal pony can make hoofprints like that" Tripwire pointed out. "At least they will kill us quickly, unlike the raiders. But let's find another route, just in case. "

I nodded and moved on.

It took over an hour, but we found our way around to an unused path, well not one used by other ponies. The animal trail was hidden enough, and had soft spots that left our hoofprints, but none from any other pony. This made me sure it was safe. Unfortunately it was a long winding path, taking longer to traverse through and into the valley.

By the time we were in, the sun was already high over our heads, and oppressively bearing down on us with its heat. Looking over at what was Dead Pony Pass, I began to understand why they were fighting over this place.

From what I could guess, it was a long trainyard with several warehouses, and other small buildings. The other structures that peppered this place were towering spires of metal with cables dangling from them, and watchtowers made from scrap, some with a red flag depicting an eye. Through the scope of my hunting rifle, I could see that there was one larger building in the distance, it was fortified and had many ponies on guard.

"As you can see, this place is a fortress." Tripwire told me, "Fortunately we don't have to go into the heart of that mess, just do our best to scurt along the outside."

I nodded as I scanned the valley again, looking for trouble and then making sure my mane and tail stayed hidden under my cloak. From a distance we blended into the ground, so I didn’t want any bright colors to tip anypony off to where we were.

As we slowly trotted along the edge of Dead Pony Pass, the distant sound of gunfire was a constant reminder that this was a dangerous place. Sometimes it was the Daka Daka of some heavy gun, other times a loud boom of an explosion. All fortunately far away.

"Lottery, get down!" Tripwire whispered.

Making myself smaller inside my cloak, I saw three shadows pass overhead. The Enclave, I thought to myself as I looked up to watch three Pegasus fly into the valley. For a moment I felt jealous of their ability to fly, having a freedom of movement I'll never know.

"Must not be their best soldiers, or some sacrificial lambs." Tripwire commented.

Confused, I asked. "What do you mean?"

"Flying into the valley like that, even I know it's a stupid maneuver." Tripwire explained as he then pointed down at one of the towers. "Remember what I said about the raiders, that some of them are crack shots."

A loud snap went through the air, and I watched as a pegasus then fell out of the sky, a trail of feathers following them. The other two dived down after the first, one firing a rifle that shot pink beams.

"That's about what I expected, a pegasus is a much bigger target than a bird." He then pointed up, where I saw a few clouds above us. "I've worked with a few griffins, and the standard tactics for fighting from the air is to either be too fast to hit, too high up to hit, or use a low drifting cloud to hide in. Unless you have some way to stop bullets, low flying like that just makes you an easy target."

I couldn't argue with that logic, as there was no cover in the air.

Looking down into the valley again, the three Pegasus were lost among the buildings of rusting metal. I did catch movement going on, flashes of brightly colored and very spiky ponies running between the structures. It left me conflicted, as both the Raiders and the Enclave were bad ponies, but seeing what those raiders had done to the ponies at the entrance, I hoped the three Pegasus would get out alright.

We moved on, having to go further down into the valley as staying higher up would have left us without a way down to the mine's entrance. There was also the need for some cover, as once the sun starts going down, our shadows may give our position away to the Enclave, if they are watching from above.

The gunfire only grew more intense as we got closer, making me more aware of how loud my hoof steps could be. Creeping up to one of the buildings, Tripwire and I had to duck down behind some trash as two raiders trotted around a corner.

Their armor looked just like the one Molotov had, but far dirtier, rustier, and with even more spikes. The ponies themselves were just as dirty, with brightly colored rigid spiky manes, and a heavy amount of piercings on their face. One even had a skull painted on their face, and when they opened their mouth, I saw two rows of pointy yellow teeth.

"Not the best time to take a piss, ain't we hunting those bird brains." A raider mare groaned in frustration.

The raider stallion growled out, "fuck you, why'd we have to do work, fucking pricks, ordering us around. Anyway, I got ta take a piss really bad!"

Unfortunately my need to observe them got me the view of raider dong, of which I horrifyingly saw that his member had several spiked piercings, and had red scabby splotches over it.

He then winced as though in pain as he pissed. "Fuck, it's like fire!"

The raider mare then laughed vindictively. "Told ya that bitch had bailfire crotch." She then pulled out a strange rainbow colored cylinder and put it to her mouth. The thing made a "pss" sound as she breathed in and sighed. "Ahh, that's the shit.

"Oy, give me some!" The male raider demanded.

She took a step back, laughing again. "Get your own dash, ya bitch faggot!" Then like a frolicking foal, the mare skipped away.

"Get back here you fucking cunt!" The stallion raider demanded, chasing after her.

Waiting for several seconds until we felt it was safe to move, I then went ahead, ensuring the path was safe.

Making our way further in, we then came across a rather troublesome roadblock. The riders had set up several pillars, of which had ropes with bundles of tin cans attached, strung up between the pillars. Under the rope were thick disks, which had a red light on top.

"What are those?" I asked.

"Landmines." Tripwire answered. "Standard issued Equestria Military proximity landmines to be exact. Not very powerful as explosives go, but enough to fuck up your leg, or even kill you. Fortunately, if you're fast enough, there's a switch on them you can flip to turn them off."

"Odd," I said, thinking for a moment before saying. "So, as long as I'm fast enough, I can turn them off."

He nodded, but then said. "Though you can do that, I really would not advise it. You see that cone over there." Tripwire pointed at a tall orange cone near one of the land mines. "Likely there's another mine under it. So while you're busy turning off the first mine, the one under the cone will trigger and go off."

"Fuck that sounds bad." I said in realization.

"Can be worse. If you survive the blast, you will likely be too hurt to run away. Meaning that you will be an easy target for the raiders, and they will likely use you like a toy until you pass on."

I shivered at the thought.

"So… what do we do?" I asked.

Tripwire sighed. "Since we can't just go through or around it, and certainly not over it. We need to find the raider's path through, and sneak around them. Which means we need to go further in."

"Are you sure?" I asked, hoping there was a better way.

He nodded. "I'm sure. Just as sure that they set up some sort of death trap around here, like a maze or gauntlet. But that can be avoided so long as they don't know we are here. We just need to locate their side entrance."

I cocked an eyebrow, "side entrance?"

Tripwire then explained. "Ya, raiders like their shortcuts, so there's likely at least one side entrance near the main entrance to whatever deathtrap they made. If you can find it, I should be able to open it. Look for a door decorated in more profanity than any other and you likely found their side entrance. Come get me when you do."

"Wait, you're not coming?" I asked in surprise.

Another sigh came from him. "I'm not as light on my hooves as you are. Best if I stay here where I can hide, then risk getting caught while searching for a way through." He then pulled out what I had come to know as his pocket watch. "And you should hurry, the later it gets, the harder it will become. Last I heard, some of the raiders have been abusing the chem Cat's Eyes, so they'll be able to see us in the dark, where we will be blind."

I didn't like it, but if there was no other way, then I just had to do it. "Alright, I'll be back as soon as I find it."

_______________________________________________________

Making myself as small as possible, a raider trotted by me, unaware that the burlap sack was actually a pony. Downwind of them, the stench of the raider was horrendous, it was like somepony had died and rotted, then the raider had rolled in their entrails.

Once the raider had passed by, I got back up and continued my search. In the short time I left Tripwire, I had seen a few things I wished I hadn't; mutilated ponies used as decorations, cruel implements of tourchure, and dicks drawn on everything.

My ears twitched at the sound of a crash and the crack of wood braking, followed by laughter. I knew I probably shouldn't go look, but so far I hadn't found this side entrance door.

As I got closer, another sound became a lot more apparent, that of a muffled sobbing and loud grunting.

Peeking around a corner, I saw a few more raiders."

You really think the boss isn't going to know?" A bald raider asked a raider mare.

It was the mare I saw before, and again laughing vindictively. "The fucking boss is too… haa... high on dash and buck right now to even care. Just d…. Drag the dead bird brain to him and he will go to town on th…. Ahhh the corps. Not like a pony would live after that anyways." She then let out a loud moan before relaxing.

The mare was sitting on a pony, a Pegasus, blood pooling under him.

The bald raider looked annoyed as he watched the mare. "Speaking of dead, I think you killed that fucker as you were riding him."

She snickered as she began thrusting her hips again, a white fluid leaking from her crotch. "So that's why he suddenly got real stiff, best I enjoy this wh… while it's still warm."

I had to hold back from gagging as the raider continued to fuck the corps.

The bald then snorted. "Fucking whatever, just tell that asshole to finish up, I want my second go before seeming the boss."

She laughed again. "He's been having tr… trouble shooting his little gun lately. It m… may be a while. Just g… go see the boss, the bitch will be here w…. When you get back.

Again the bald raider snorted. "Ya I'm sure she will be. Just as sure that if she's still alive, the rest of the crew will be lining up for their turn."

"Just fucking g… go!" The mare growled. "And watch the traps, j...just reset them!"

I then watched as the bald raider grumbled and trotted over to a corner, where he pulled at a tarp, revealing another Pegasus. The poor thing was clearly dead, with one of its wings mutilated and several bullet holes in their torso. Dragging the dead pony away, he trotted to the decorated door before opening it and passing through.

With now only two raiders here, I sneaked in closer to get a better look. If one of the Pegasus were alive, I wanted to help them. But what I saw was almost too much. It almost made me gasp in horror.

A poor mare was tied down to a short wooden bench with her legs forced open by a bar between them. Her wings were bleeding from being crudely wrapped in barbed wire. The mare's face was battered and bruised, with some dirty rag shoved in her mouth and a rope tied to her head to keep the gag in place.

Sickening me the most was the stallion with the mohawk mounting the mare, violently thrusting into her with blood dripping from where he was raping her. He seemed to be in a trance as the mare's eyes looked dead, tears flowing from them.

I knew I needed to stay hidden, or what was being done to this mare would happen to me next… but I couldn't just ignore this!

Creeping along the wall, the raider mare too busy fucking the dead stallion to see me, I first needed to make sure I was in a good position before doing anything.

*snap!*

Pain shot up through my back left leg as something had clamped down on it hard, causing me to muffle a scream.

"Fuck was that?!" The raider said as she stopped thrusting her hips and looked behind her.

I quickly ducked down, making sure my cloak covered me in hopes that it kept me hidden. Looking down I saw that I had stepped on a bear trap, with one side of the jaw bending my leg armor a little and the other jaw deep into my flesh. When I attempted to move my leg, I had to bite onto my own hoof to further suppress a cry of pain. I was sure of it, the trap had hit bone.

"Was that sack always there?" The mare questioned as I held my breath. The sound of her taking a hit of dash was followed by a chuckle. "Stupid sack, interrupting my good lay."

Clenching my teeth, I slowly pulled out my hunting rifle from its holster. The sound of hoofsteps in front of me and a rancid smell was all I needed to know that she was now standing over me.

Something then poked into my shoulder, piercing my flesh like a needle. "Who left this shit here, fucking lazy slobs." She grumbled.

Pulling the rifle up, I shoved the barrel into her mouth as I raised my head. Looking into the yellowed and bloodshot pinprick eyes of the raider. The mare seemingly did not even see me as she smiled with her jagged teeth. Placing my hoof into the trigger guard, I then pressed down onto the gun's long trigger?

*BANG*

A split second later, the raider mare's head exploded, sending blood, brain, bone, and flesh flying. Much of it splattering across to the other raider.

The raider stallion let off a loud moan, then a satisfied sigh. "Fuck was that… if it didn't help get me off, I'd fuck you up right now." He grumbled.

Pulling out of the mare, blood and cum sloshed out of her, splattering onto the ground. Turning to look at me, he then snarled. "Oh fucking cores." He growled, but then grinned as he looked down. "Got ya leg all trapped I see. All the better for me."

A cold shiver ran up my spine as I aimed my rifle.

*Click*

Fuck, I forgot to cycle the bolt!

As I lowered the rifle to cycle the bolt, the raider rushed me, picking up a plank of wood from the ground and swinging it at me.

Hitting low, the plank smashed into my chest armor, shattering the plank into splinters and knocking me back. The hunting rifle flying from my hooves.

All I could do was raise my hooves up as he swung the broken plank again, this time shattering on my leg guards and further knocking me on my back. The pain from my left back leg only intensified as the raider stepped onto the bear trap, making a loud snap sound and causing me to scream.

"Oh fucking yes! I'm going to have fun with you." The raider said, practically salivating.

Looking up at him only filled me with horror as his dick was erect, covered in blood and semen, along with the spiked piercings. Scrambling for anything that could help me, I somehow managed to grab my flare gun, shoving it in my mouth.

The raider only had a second to register what was pointed at him before I fired, enveloping us both in a thick cloud of smoke.

The pressure on my leg lessened. So I pulled myself up, trying my best to ignore the pain. Dropping my gun, I then bit onto my axe, rearing up to strike.

As the clouds dissipated, the raider stood before me, bleeding from the holes that peppered his body, but still standing. He charged forward, colliding with my axe and me, sending the both of us tumbling over.

This time instead of getting up, I just grabbed my junk rifle, and took aim. The raider got back up, now with a golden axe stuck into his shoulder, and still terrifying.

"The more you fight the harder I become!" He growled menacingly.

*bang click, bang click, bang click, bang click, bang click, bang click, bang click.*

The shots didn't have the power of my other guns, and didn't even slow the raider down as he trotted over to me. But as the raider loomed over me, he wobbled, then fell over lifelessly.

Taking a moment to catch my breath, I then pointed my rifle down to put one last shot into his skull.

*Bang!*

Breathing heavily, the pain in my leg then reminded me where I was. Quickly, I used my rifle to pry open the beartrap to free myself, blood oozing from my wound. Now free, I could see that the armor plate was even more bent, likely unusable.

Taking a deep breath, I removed the armored peace, causing me to let out a pain filled moan. My leg flopped free, it bening in an unnatural direction with the bone visible.

The pain was almost unbearable, but I knew I could not stay long. More raiders would be here soon.

Digging out a healing potion, I pushed my leg together as I guzzled the potion down. Watching as my leg patched itself together, I winced as needle-like pains shot up through the leg. It was painful enough to make me cry, but soon subsided as the healing came to an end.

With my leg whole again, I got up… then fell over. The same sharp pain shot up my leg, almost causing me to scream. Feeling my leg, I found that the bone felt wrong. It was bent oddly, with a point sticking out. Something had seriously gone wrong.

"Fuck!" I groaned as I got back up. It seemed that as long as I didn't apply too much pressure on the leg, I was going to be fine. Now limping, I quickly gather my things, including the broken leg armor, and that damn bear trap. After the trouble it caused me, I wanted to get something back from it.

Once I had everything, it was time to finish what I started.

Again ignoring the pain, I trotted over to the poor Pegasus mare, using my axe to cut her free. She let herself fall to the ground, sobbing as she curled up.

"It's okay, you're safe now, I'm going to get you out of here." I told her as I reached over, she flinched at my touch. "You need to get up, okay, there's going to be more of them if we don't move. Now what is your name?"

The mare froze for a moment before she then slowly stood up, shaking like a leaf. "I...I'm… recruit Chilly Skies… of the… Enclave."

Looking at her, she was young, likely younger than I was, and behind the bruises, she must have been beautiful. It broke my heart having seen what was done to her.

"Alright, recruit Chilly Skies, I'm Lotter, and I'm going to get you somewhere safe. So just follow me, you understand?" I told her softly.

Chill nodded before looking back at her wings, then shivered.

The sound of metal banging on metal drew my attention, and I saw the silhouette of more raiders coming our way. "Alright, let's go."

With my junk rifle read, I tugged on her to follow. Chilly stumbled at first, unable to walk right, it was clear that even moving was painful to her. But she managed to get moving, following me.

Getting away from that room and down a hallway I quickly rounded a corner and froze. I had come face to face with another raider mare, who was in the process of sticking a needle into her leg. She looked at me, and I looked at her for a long moment. She then bolted to a nearby apple shaped grenade, blood spurting from where the needle had just been in. But I stopped her short as the axe head of my rifle stuck into her other leg.

Horrifyingly, she didn't flinch, or scream as she pushed herself to the grenade. Blood splattered from her injury, bearly slowing her down, as though she felt no pain at all. As I took aim with my rifle, the mare grabbed the grenade before looking at me with pinprick eyes.

*Bang!*

A small hole appeared in her head as the raider looked at me with the same mad stare, then fell over. Her grenade fell to the ground and rolled off past me.

I was starting to understand why ponies feared raiders, the fuckers just didn't seem to feel pain or fear of death. I was sure now, sure that I had gotten lucky. One mistake, or being too slow, I would have been dead or worse.

Remembering how close that raider stallion had gotten to me sent a cold shiver down my spine.

Trotting over the raider, I strangely saw no exit wound from the gunshot. Maybe the bullet bounced around in her skull?

I looked back to check on Chilly. The mare was still shaking, and in her hooves was the grenade the raider tried to grab. To be fair, she should have something to protect herself, so I was not going to take it…

*ping*

Cilly pulled the pin on the apple grenade, tears flowing from her eyes as she smiled. All I could do was dive for cover.

*BOOM*

The poor mare turned into a cloud of red mist, feathers floating through the air as I was left in shock.

As my hearing returned, I could hear shouting that was quickly getting louder, so I wrapped myself up in my cloak, making myself as small as possible, doing my best to not make a sound.

"FUCKING FUCK!" A raider screamed. "The fucking Pegasus blew herself up!"

"Another one bights the dust." A second raider said, chucking.

"Shut up!" A third raider hissed. "This is why we take live captives to da boss, because this shit happens!"

"Always the grenades too." A fourth raider spoke up. "Last week we lost two of our fuckers because nitro wanted first dibs on that unicorn faggot."

"Oh I remember that, the explosion was fucking awesome" a fifth raider chimed in.

The first raider groaned loudly. "Well I ain't tellin da boss we fucked this up again. We don't even have enough of a body to string up!"

"Lets just string up the ones we do have" the fourth suggested, the snickered. "That spiky dick asshole had it coming for months now. Maybe have his dick up the bitches neck hole. One last rape in death."

"I fucking hate you, I hate you all. I'm taking their stash, and getting high to forget all this shit." The third rider grumbled.

As I stayed still, holding my breath, the raiders slowly left, one dragging the body of the raider I killed away. Once I was alone, I let myself relax, only to find that I was shaking just as much as Chilly was.

Looking down, one of her blood stained feathers laid at my hooves. Anger, sorrow, and terror all mixed together as I suppress a scream.

Why did she do that, she was free, all she needed to do was follow me. I had saved her, and she just killed herself with a smile on her face. It just didn't make sense to me, and it made me want to scream.

Defeated, I began limping my way back to Tripwire.

_______________________________________________________

Finding my way back to Tripwire, I let myself collapse onto the floor at his hooves. He looked down at me, and sighed. "How bad was it?" He asked.

I explained what had happened among the raiders, sparing some details, though I was sure he could fill in the details himself. Then I showed him my leg, in which he looked rather concerned.

He felt where my leg had been broken, causing me to filch from the jolt of pain.

"I see what happened." He said as he let my leg go. "You used a healing potion before correctly setting your leg. Those potions are miracle cures, but if you're not careful, they can do more harm than good. Like what you're dealing with right now."

I winced as I moved my damaged leg. "Can it be fixed?"

He grimaced. "Yes, but doctors charge a hoof or two for such operations. It requires them breaking your leg in the right spots, and resetting the bone. It's not guaranteed to be a complete fix, but it should get you trotting normally."

I felt numb from hearing that. Just because I didn't know to set my bone before drinking a healing potion, I could have a permanent limp. It was almost too much to imagine. But I know I would at least try to make the best of it, not simply give up.

My thoughts then drifted to Chilly.

Muttering "I'll… live. I must."

"Thinking about that enclave mare?" Tripwire asked.

I nodded, "why would she do that, she was free"

Tripwire took a deep breath. "Because the wasteland breaks ponies. For some they become like iron, but many others can't handle it. There are those who take the easy way out, like that mare. Why bother living in such a cruel world and the like. Others, they go raider."

"Go rider? Why would anypony want to become monsters like them?" I asked in confusion

"It's better to say they simply stop caring. Stop trying to be better ponies, and let their baser urges take over." Tripwire explained. "You saw them abusing chems, wildly modifying their bodies, the lack of any hinge at all, and the torment of other ponies. They are, in a sense, free."

"FREE! That's not being free!" I growled at him.

Tripwire rolled his eyes at me. "It's as free as a beast is. I'm not saying it's a good thing, just how it is. We ponies follow rules and laws, find our place and stick to it. That's how things should be, and what I'm working on to achieve. Raiders find their freedom by dragging the rest of us down to their level, where we all are miserable and mad."

He then helped me back up. "You and I are different, we know our place, and such ideals as freedom will only drag us down. You and I will help bring order to the wasteland, of which will be the cure for raiders. So what do you say, are you going to help me finish this?"

My back leg still hurt like fuck, but I could deal with it. "ya… ya I can. I'll take you to the side entrance."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Nine

_______________________________________________________

Making our way to the side entrance undetected by the raiders, seeing the spot caused the still fresh memories of what I had witnessed to flashed through my mind. The area where the rape had happened was void of bodies, but the blood and other body fluid stained the floor. Somehow I could still hear the pain muffled screams of Chilly, making me wish I could have done more.

Tripwire managed to get the door open, using magic to remove a bar that was keeping it closed on the other side. I took one last glance at this spot, gritting my teeth in disgust before trotting through. Then Tripwire placed the bar back on, and made sure to add some extra scrap to make sure the raider would have a harder time getting through from the other side.

On this side, I got to see what a raider gauntlet was without having to be in one. It was a series of rooms with traps, feral monsters or ghouls, and even an obstacle course with lots of sharp objects. There was evidence that some ponies had already been forced through it, and not survived.

As we trotted along, I did my best to not make a noise whenever I accidentally used my fucked up leg. Soon we came to what must have been the raiders resting area. It was some where house with several tables and beads scattered around, along with stairs to a second floor that had a few dead bodies decorating it. Sitting at one of the tables was the bald raider from before.

"Well the bitch was right, the boss is too chemed out to tell the pony was already dead. Saved my ass." The bald raider said with a laugh.

"So you're going to go get your second dibs on that mare you mentioned?" Another raider asked.

He groaned in annoyance. "Knowing that asshole, she's already too torn up to be any fun. I'll just wait until we get one of those tin can assholes."

I felt a hoof on my shoulder and looked back to see Tripwire shake his head. Then I looked down to see that I had been pulling out the hunting rifle unconsciously, my hoof shaking just like Chilly had been. Pushing the rifle back into its holster, I took a deep breath.

A third raider tossed an empty bottle across the room, nearly hitting four other raiders, who scowled at the third as he shouted. "FUCKING STEEL RANGERS!"

"Oh shut the fuck up." An eighth raider said as she trotted to the first three. "Ya I hear ya. If ta boss is right, those Redeye dipshits and tin can ass hats will weaken each other, then we can sweep in and take it all."

The second raider laughed. "Always love a good smash and grab. And have ya seen that paladin bitch with her helmet off, I have, and she's got the best dick sucking lips I've ever seen."

Another bottle went flying, this time hitting a raider. This then caused the now bleeding raider to attack the bottle thrower, drawing the attention of the rest of them.

Tripwire tapped my shoulder, and I made sure to quickly and quietly dash past the large open door, followed by Tripwire. When no shouting or gunfire was directed at us, we knew we were in the clear, so we made sure to put distance between us and the hoard of raiders.

There were, of course, more raiders ahead. Fortunately they were in a watch tower, busy watching the fortified building. Or getting high off chems. Probably both.

Once we had gotten ourselves back to the edge of the valley, still close to the buildings, but away from the raiders, we took a moment to rest.

"How many raiders are there?" I asked, mainly to myself.

"Generally, for groups like that, between twenty to thirty. But if there's any chem dens in the area, you could add another ten to fifteen of them." Tripwire informed me.

I couldn't wrap my head around it at all. "Okay, I get that some ponies go crazy, but how would they even work as a group?"

Tripwire first stopped to look at his watch for a moment, careful to keep its magical light hidden, before telling me. "You don't want to know, and we don't have the time to sit around and talk about it."

Truthfully, if it was an option, I would have rather gone back and killed them all. Such monsters in pony form needed to be exterminated. But we were just two ponies, and there were likely over twenty more of them. I had gotten lucky and Pa always told me to never rely on lady luck alone.

Lady luck was just as likely to slit your throat as she is to shower you with wealth. And where riches are temporary, death is permanent.

My leg throbs with pain from just thinking about what he would have done to me if I didn't have this armor on. Just remembering what he did to Chilly made my mouth dry in disgust and horror.

Tripwire pulled out a map and looked over at the Redeye controlled building, then to some old broken machine in the distance. "Right, we don't have far to go. The old mine is just past the train yard. So just stay low and with hope, nopony will be in our way."

Nodding, I then pulled my cloak hood over me again, and trotted in the direction Tripwire pointed me in.

As we passed the trainyard, the place was rather sparse. Train parts were all over the place, many looking like they had been cut apart and left in a pile. The trains that we're here and still whole, looked ready to be moved out. Some looked like cages, and others had what had to be armored plating covering them. Among them were several massive machines that looked like they went in the front of the others, with one that seemed ready to move out, along with several train carts connected behind it.

A chuckle escaped Tripwire's muzzle as we passed, saying softly. "Redeye never did get those arcano-tech trains working. Must have frustrated him to no end."

"Could they be made to work again?" I whispered out.

He shrugged "I'm not an arcano-tech engender, but if Redeye thought so, then I have to admit that it's possible. Though you would need a pony well versed in such technology, of which I doubt any still live."

Leaving the trainyard behind, we trotted to an old overgrown trail leading to what must be the mine. An old and very rusty chain link fence bearly blocked our way, with several signs hanging off it, and one section of the fence to the side utterly missing.

Tripwire studied the signs before nodding to himself. "Surmount Mining Unlimited, Iron mine, decommissioned. This is the place."

"Surmount… what?" I said in mild confusion.

He looked back at me, a small grin on his face. "It's a prewar corporation. From what my history books told me, supposably they were the ones that fed Equestrias industrial revolution. Well, until the coal ran out. You can find their mines all over Equestra, and supposably around the world."

"Okay, I get it, you know more than me." I huffed.

Trotting around the old fence and entering the mine, I was quite pleasantly surprised to find it quite cool inside. After so long in the heat and humidity, I had forgotten what it felt like to be cool.

A ball of light formed on Tripwire's horn, banishing the dark and lighting up our way. Again checking his map, I saw him grimaced. Looking at the map myself, I was shocked to see the lines move and flicker, with words scrolling down the side.

"Is that a… magical map?" I asked in surprise.

"Clearly." He said flatly before letting out a sigh. "Father loved his magical tricks, cared more for the study of magic than inheriting the family business. It's why my grandmother personally picked me as the successor, and would have too if Redeye hadn't shown up. Still, I can't completely fault my father for all the effort he put into studying magic, as it was the one thing Redeye had no true counter for."

The further we went into the mine tunnel, the colder it got, almost too cold. Worse, I was getting the feeling of being watched. Maybe it was some critters, but with one of my legs fucked up, I didn't want to get in any fights any time soon.

"Then what happened, didn't he fight Redeye with you?" I inquired, trying to keep my mind off what I couldn't see.

Tripwire shook his head. "He ran, hid the family deeds and artifacts, then vanished. Because of needing to be able to translate magickly coded script, it has taken me years to get this far. Along with staying under Redeye's radar."

As our hoof steps echoed through the mine, the feeling of being watched only continued, and I swear I could hear hoof steps not our own. But every time we slowed down, I could only hear our own echoes, or utter silence.

We then entered what was a large room, the air cool and still, but a subtly foul smell lingered, like something truly wrong was here.

"Here we are." Tripwire said as the ball of light on his horn drifted forward, growing brighter. As it illuminated the room, a cog shaped hole became visible that led to more darkness. Stranger yet, the hole had some sort of pink shimmer in it, like a wall, but translucent.

When Tripwire's ball of light touched the pink translucent wall, there was a loud snap as the ball flared brightly for a second before going out, leaving us in the dark again.

"A magical barrier, another one of fathers tricks." Tripwire said, then clicked his tongue in annoyance. "I don't know how to remove those, but I can get the two of us through it. I'll just need a bit of time."

The sound of several heavy hoof steps came up behind us, followed by a deep robotic voice. "Good, because we require something from within that stable."

Several lights then beamed onto us, blinding me for a long moment. Once my eyes adjusted, I saw three hulking armored ponies, utterly covered in steel and welding two massive guns each. The metal faces of these ponies resembled a very angry looking stallion, which made me feel even smaller.

"Ah, so that's where you Steal Rangers were." Tripwire said in a worrying tone.

_______________________________________________________

We had been escorted back outside and into the train that had been set up to move out. Despite not being able to go anywhere. The inside had many busy ponies, with some sitting at terminals, others conducting maintenance. All of them giving the two of us dirty looks.

We were then taken to a train cart where a mare sat at a desk, looking at papers. She was in power armor like some of the others, but her armor was different. It was much rounder and thicker looking than the other armor, with a far cleaner paint job. The mare herself was rather beautiful looking, despite how old she clearly was. She had a cherry pink mane with several silver streaks, with it braided up around the back of her head. Her light blue gray face was thin but not gaunt, with it almost naturally pout when at rest, giving her a feeling of regalia wisdom as she sat.

The rangers that brought us here then saluted "Paladin Shortcake, we have brought the wastelanders."

She took a moment to slowly put the papers down, then took another long moment to size us up. "Typical wastelanders, always getting into places you don't belong. Or that's what it seemed at first." Her eyes then locked onto Tripwire. "If you can get through that barrier, we have something we want you to do for us."

"I'm assuming you're not asking." Tripwire said flatly.

Shortcake smile, showing a pair of very striate, very white teeth. "Good, I do hate it when you savages get argumentative. For too long we've had nothing but your raiders as neighbors, almost forgot that some of you can mimic civilized ponies."

Just as I furrowed my brow at the bitch and opened my mouth to give her a piece of my mind, but Tripwire kicked me and spoke up before I could. "Well it takes some work to not cuss every other word, as the wasteland does not breed civility. If the wasteland is ever to be made to heal, it would require a firm hoof to guide us savage ponies. But I doubt you want to hear me prattle on, so what is it you want us to get for you?"

He then gave the train cart a quick glance before smiling. "I assume it's a particular arcano-teck key."

The smile on Shortcake's face dropped, and a more stern face formed. "Smart wastelanders like you are never a good thing, too smart for your own good as the saying goes. But you are correct, though we would love to say and purge your filth from the land and secure the artifacts inside that stable, we unfortunately have someplace to be."

She then took a deep breath, letting the air slowly exit her nose, likely a sign of her not liking what she was about to say next. "If what we overheard you say is true, and you can get inside… then we will spare your lives for that key."

"How generous of you." Tripwire said with a hint of snark.

Shortcake's smile returned, "oh I am very generous indeed. I even have a gift for the both of you, to ensure this task gets done."

"Really, that's very kind of you, miss Shortcake." I told the ranger paladin.

_______________________________________________________

The bomb collar around my neck was not the gift I had expected. It was too tightly put on, and the little beep sound it made now and then annoyingly reminded me that it was in fact a bomb. At least Tripwire and I matched, which was a little comforting, in a morbid sense.

Truthfully, I couldn't help but think that it could always be worse. At least the rangers didn't even want to touch us. The unarmored ones in the red robes, scribes they were called, took extra care as they put on the collars. The one non unicorn among them even vigorously washed their hooves afterwards.

When they were done making sure we could not run away or simply do anything, we were marched back to the stable door at gunpoint. Though unnecessary as it was.

It was a bit amazed to see that their power armor gave their guns a limited range of independent movement, like some sort of aim assist.

A click came from our collars, and the voice of Shortcake spoke from some speaker in them. "Alright, no funny business nor acting like some crazed savages. Already had to deal with too many of those in the last month. You are to recover the arcano tech train key and bring it back to us. Once it is confirmed to work, we will retrieve those collars and you can go free."

"And what about anything else in the stable?" Tripwire asked.

"Irrelevant to us right now." Shortcake said flatly, then continud in her high and mighty tone. "The scribes have already discovered what horrors hide in this stable from an outside terminal. We have no use in one of Stable-Tec's failed physiological experiments."

"Understandable." Tripwire said as he trotted to the Stables Entrance.

Following, I saw the chard corps of what must have been a raider on the other side of the barrier.

Reaching out with his hoof, Tripwire flicked the barrier, causing a spark. "Must be drawing the magical power from the stables generator, clever."

"How do we get to the other side?" I asked, hoping it was not just a leap of faith.

He smiled. "Quite simple really. Well, simple in concept, not execution."

Tripwire then levitated a chard pipe gun from the dead raider, pulling it to him. Other than a few little sparks, nothing happened. Then he tossed the gun back into the stable, the barrier making a loud cracking noise as the gun was assaulted with electrical arches, charring it even more.

"As you can see, it's a one way barrier, a spell my family knew well, though on a much smaller scale. It not only prevents physical entry, but magical entry as well. All I need to do is temporarily reverse the spell, then run in." He explained.

"Oh, okay. But how do we know if it's working?" I asked.

"Just throw something through." He answered.

Nodding, I rummaged through my saddlebag and pulled out the bear trap. My own blood was still on it.

Tripwire raised an eyebrow at me before rolling his eyes and looking at the barrel. An overglow enveloped his horn and the barrier sparked a little.

"Just give me a moment, and when I say so, throw that thing." He told me and I nodded back.

As I waited, a few sparks came off Tripwire's horn and the pink barrier rippled.

"Now!" Tripwire said, strain in his voice.

Tossing the bear trap, a few minor sparks zapped it but nothing more.

"Good, now you, I'll follow!" He then commanded.

Taking a deep breath, I charged through, trusting him. A tingly feeling covered my body, followed by a brief sense of numbness. By the time the numb feeling passed, I looked back to see Tripwire jumping through, almost falling over himself when he came to a stop.

"It worked!" I excitedly exclaimed.

"Clearly." Tripwire said in a less than energetic tone.

Trotting further in, I ducked down prone as several loud clicks and pops went off around me. The lights slowly turned on, with some spanking electricity before going out. The rest was a mix of steady bright lights and eerie flickering lights.

A fun marching band music began to play in the distance, slowly getting louder and louder from deeper within the stable. A slow and loud sound of metal bang on metal was with the music, sounding like hoof steps, but wrong.

As it got closer I could see a pinkish light getting brighter, illuminating its source. Trotting through the doorway was a pink ponytron with a big poufy pink wig, and a wide smile painted on its featureless face.

The robot then spoke with a cherry mechanical, and very feminine sounding voice. "Hello and welcome to the Ministry of Moral sponsored underground survival bunker! Built by the newly formed Company, Stable-Tec. Here you will be testing out how wonderful it can be to live underground, and as a result, help make Stable-Tec's dream the salvation of Equestria!"

I got up, unsure how to feel about this disturbingly cheerful ponytron. Looking back at Tripwire, he just sighed and trotted over.

"Pink One, I assume?" He asked the robot.

Several clicks came from the robot before it turned to Tripwire. "This unit designation is Pink Two, custodian and backup greeter for the Ministry of Moral underground bunker. Pink One is currently under maintenance due to malfunction. Wouldn't stop screaming. So this unit is here to begin the party!"

There was a loud clunk and a pop as dust then puffed out of several holes in the wall.

Pink Two gave a monotone laugh. "Ain't that fun! Though cleaning up all that confetti will be a pain. But that's Pink Two's problem, now if you follow me, we can begin the tour, then assign you your roles."

The robot then began to slowly turn around, and as we waited, I took the time to look around. This room must have been quite colorful once, with the walls covered in decayed and browning paper decorations hanging all over, which had long been overtaken by cobwebs. The ground was littered with confetti that was gray and moldy, with dust covering everything. But what still had color to it was several posters of a smiling pink pony with the same mane as the robot's wig, just with a gray streak through it. Her eyes almost looked like they were watching me, and had big bold letters below the face that I immediately gave up on reading, as it made my head hurt trying.

Looking back, I saw that there was a big gear shaped door far off on one side of the room, as though it came off its rails and rolled over there. On it was the M.o.M. in bold pink paint on it.

Tripwire was looking at his magical map for a moment, then looked over to me. "Let's follow Pink Two for now, from the notes here, what we want is in the over ponies office, which is likely at the end of the tour."

A click came from our collars, followed by Shortcake saying. "Please do, I do not advise unnecessary exploring."

Following the Pink Two, we came to a long tunnel with several large windows. The robot then stopped at the first, where lights inside the room turned on. Inside it showed a rusty robot wearing a ragged dress in what must have been a kitchen, yet it also had a bed.

Pink Two then spoke. "During your stay here, you will receive a room with everything you will ever need. Stocked with the current popular brand foods and drinks, made with state of the art preservatives. A radio to keep up with the goings on, even a delivery of the latest fashion of clothes."

The robot moved onto the next window, but when the lights turned on, the glass had been fouled up, preventing me from seeing inside. Some parts were more solid than others, with words written into the mess. "Where… who… am… you… I… me…" I read, but it clearly made no sense.

Tripwire raised an eyebrow at me. "You just read that, despite it being backwards and upside down?

"Weird…" I said.

"Here!" Pink Two loudly spoke up before pausing as something inside made a weird sound. "Is a standard work station, be it a terminal impute station, or bunker maintenance. While here, everypony will have a job. This is to ensure that you always have something to do, as well as troubleshooting the work performed in the bunker. And remember, a bussy pony is a happy pony."

Pink Two then moved on, the next room on display had a rather uncomfortable looking bed and another unmoving robot in a white coat standing over it. "Here we have our medical and psychological treatment office, where you will check in every day to ensure you are in the best of health. Remember, together we will insure the future of Equestria. That starts with you being honest. If there's something wrong, then you have something to say."

I don't know why, but looking at that office filled me with a sense of wrongness. It didn't help that there were even more posters of the pink pony inside.

There was one more window on this tour, and the lights inside sparked as they slowly turned on. Where it revealed to us a dried up corpse hanging from a rope by its neck. It looked considerably ancient and absolutely horrifying.

"Here we have the Stable-Tec jumpsuit you will be issued, designed to last, and look stylish. Taken from Shootaloo's Red Racer standard jumpsuit, with new materials developed by Applebloom, and redesigned by Sweetie Bell. Though this jumpsuit may change in the future, The CEO's of stable-tec are sure this is the style of the future." Pink Two said, not even seeing the dead body.

Doing my best to not look at the corpse myself, I saw the jumpsuit Pink Two was talking about. Unfortunately it had not withstood the test of time, and was mostly just rags.

At the end of the hallway we entered a large room, which once must have hosted many large parties. The amount of discarded booze bottles that littered the floor drove home my guess.

Pink Two then pointed over at a table on one side of the room where another pink robot stood. "Pink Three will now issue you your jumpsuit and a roll. You may stay here and mingle until you are called. HAVE FUN!"

We both shrugged and trotted over to Pink Three. Unlike the other robot, this one had a long and flat pink mane, and a depressed look drawn on its face.

Unlike Two, this robot had a very low energy voice, as though it was actually depressed "Hello… Pink Six is here to issue you your role, unfortunately other than Pink Two, the rest of my sisters have suffered from a catastrophic awakening to sentences, and then a mental breakdown. If you wish for a role, don't bother, it's all fake."

This was… odd. But then again I don't know anything about how robots work. Still I felt like asking, "so where are the other Pinks?"

The robot turned its head to me in a fluid motion. "I locked them in the memory extraction rooms, where they can't hurt themselves." Pink Six then pushed a sealed bag to me. "Here is the last jumpsuit, more have been ordered, but I doubt any are coming. Now please give your name and I'll give you a role to pretend to do."

I took the bag, feeling even more uneasy at hearing whatever a memory extraction room was. "L… Lottery."

Pink Six buzzed, clicked, then responded. "No Lottery listed as participants. Are you an observer?"

Tripwire then stepped in. "Yes, she is with me, Supervisor Agent Neighsay."

Again Pink Six buzzed and clicked, but this time a red light shined on Tripwire for a few seconds. "Error, inconsistencies in scan. Biometrics with a 90% match. Confirmed not zebra spie… Welcome back Overpony Pentagram Neighsay, would you like me to unlock your office for you?"

"Please do." Tripwire told the robot.

Our collars clicked again. "Well this explains a few things." Shortcake said, reminding us that she was listening.

Following Pink Six, we climbed several stairs and to a large door. With a hiss, the door opened, but only for there to be another magical barrier in the way, this one blue in color.

Tripwire flicked at it with his hoof, bouncing off it with a boing sound. He then sighed. "Should have known. I won't be able to go in, unfortunately."

"What do you mean?" I asked

"Lets just say that my father must have predicted a pony would figure out how to get in this far, and set up a barrier meant to stop a spell casters." An overgow enveloped his horn again, and Tripwire placed a hoof on the barrier. The blue barrier then broke up in several fragments, many stopping in front of his hoof. "To be exact, it requires a spell caster to hold the door open, meaning you must go in by yourself."

I took a step closer, feeling quite unsure of myself. "I… I don't even know what I'm looking for there?"

"Just look for a golden medallion, it should have a hoof shoe printed on it, and is connected to a red sash. Once you bring it to me I'll be able to enter." Tripwire explained to me.

Taking a deep breath, I nodded and trotted through, the blue barrier reforming behind me.

Unlike the rest of this stable this room was remarkably clean, almost sparkling unnaturally. There was a wall covered in large golden cups sitting on polished stone blocks and with ribbons hanging off them. They all looked important, radiating a sense of pride. There were also many pieces of paper that were framed in gold, hanging on the walls.

On the floor and pushed against the walls were many metal crates and smaller metal boxes. All of them stuck out with their faded green paint and signs of rust. Strangely, each one had the same marking on them: a swelling eye inside a collar. It gave me an ominous feeling looking at it.

Trotting over to a large desk that sat in front of a window, I took a quick look out to see the large room with the two Pink bots still there. Pink Two was bouncing around as Pink Six watched.

Turning to the deck, there were three framed photographs next to a terminal. The medallion I was looking for was sitting on the keyboard. As I trotted to it, I saw that in each photo there was a stallion with thick rimmed glasses and a short cut mane. He looked a lot like Tripwire, though clearly not as handsome.

In one photo he is next to an older stallion that looked just like him, but no glasses and with a goatee. They both beamed with pride as they held one of the framed papers. In the second, the stallion was a bit older, and next to a much younger unicorn mare with a tiara on her head and a beautiful dress, in her hooves she held a similar framed paper. Amazingly, what had to be Celestia was in the photo as well. Next to the princess was a very handsome stallion that had a strong jaw, a long golden mane and pure white coat. He looked a lot like a stallion in the fashion magazines, the name escaped me, but I remember Ma saying he was a prince. The last photo showed the stallion with three younger mares and the pink pony from all the creepy posters. They were clearly in this stable when the photo was taken. Strangely, the happy smile on the stallion was missing in this photo.

I attempted to then take the medallion, only to find that it was stuck. The screen of the terminal flickered at my attempt, text scrolling across the screen. I couldn't make heads or tails of it, but felt that maybe the medallion was locked, and I needed to press something to release it.

After hitting several buttons, well, all of them, three times, I finally got the text screen to move. Eventually I managed to change it to what must have been a menu screen. Hitting more buttons, I got some more text that made my head hurt to look at. Getting passed all the text and moving onto the next option, noise came from the terminal which then a slightly fuzzy sounding stallion's voice spoke.

"Log forty two of what's being now named, Project Stable. The pun is not lost on me. A breakthrough on reducing deviance among the volunteers has been reached, and the violence between the workers and guards has reduced by thirty percent. Turns out that the source of the behavior deviance came from outside media and no centralized authority figure to establish rules. Meaning this was half my fault. As for outside media, many of the ponies would use the movies they've watched as a reference to how they should act. Unfortunately that happened to be several prison movies, due to the similarity to the situation. Thus creating the atmosphere of a violent prison through mimicry. Providing better media for them to watch, and keeping a closer eye on the volunteers will keep the situation from degrading, but with damage already done I will move them to Project Memory, see if the psychological damage can be reversed."

Another audio log then started.

"Log one seventy four of Project Stable. It's good to know what I've done here will be implemented into the actual stables that Stable-Tec have built, and a place for me will be saved in Stable One, along with my father. Unfortunately my work must continue, and if it's successful, it may help fathers condition. If not, at least he will eventually forget about this terrible war, along with everything else. Until then, let's just hope I'll never need to cash that ticket. So with Project Stable officially concluded, all of my attention can now be focused on finishing Project Memory. The attempt to use talismans as a storage device for memories has provided mixed results, but further testing is showing promise, as some materials and shapes have a higher survival rate than others. With the funding and new volunteers being provided by the Ministry of Moral, I should have a working memory storage device within the year."

What I hoped was the last log then played.

"Looks like I should have cashed that ticket as it's too late now. Always one more test, one more experiment, and one more project. Fortunately I was with my family when the sirens went off, though I never imagined I would be using this proto stable as an actual stable, and not with the… volunteers still here. Fortunately they're being kept in the lower levels where they can't hurt anyone but each other, but the danger still exists. Fortunately now that our lives depend on it, the other researchers have found a reinvigorate drive to finish our projects, and with only a few years worth of supplies to sustain us, we must get to work. But some cutting must happen, so unfortunately the research into fixing the volunteers will need to be put on hold. The researchers will be transferred to project mesmerize, as it's the closest to finishing, and will be needed in case the volunteers break out. If we can't fix the volunteers, then we can at least make use of them... By Celestial, what have I become."

The recording finally ended, prompting me to hit a button.

The terminal flickered again and another wall of text appeared and I scrolled down. Just looking at all the text hurt my head, and made me drowsy, so I looked away while holding the down button. My headache subsided soon afterwards, and I felt less drowsy.

Eventually the text stopped, and the terminal waited for me to do something. Hitting the same button from before, the screen flickered and the medallion popped free. Finally free from this, I took the medallion and trotted back to Tripwire, happy with a job well done.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Ten

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Ten

_______________________________________________________

After having given Tripwire the medallion, he motioned for me to stay silent while I watched as he made a hole in the air magically opened up and then jumped through. On the other side of the blue barrier I saw Tripwire appear from another hole in the air.

It took me a bit of time to understand what a portal actually was, even after seeing it myself.

Returning through the portal, Tripwire held a crystal that was attached to a brass fitting. It had an odd glow about it, likely magical.

"This should do, let's just give the rangers their damn key and get these collars off or necks." Tripwire huffed.

Fortunately the trip out of this stable was rather quick, with both robots bussy brushing ancient confetti and dust around. I did my best to not look at the mummified pony along the way, and as we came to the entrance, I stopped.

"Dumb question, but did your family come from here?" I asked Tripwire.

He nodded. "I don't know the details, but I was told that my ancestors were talented spell casters and educators before the great war. They used what had been made here to help rebuild some of the surviving civilization in this area. Unfortunately, with the way the wasteland is, my family has had its ups and downs, including forgetting how our artifacts worked. My father wanted to return our family to our former glory, and raised my brother and I to be better than the average wastelander."

"Then Redeye came," I commented.

"Then Redeye came," he said in confirmation. "I was actually in the midst of studying some of my family's artifacts, learning how to use them before my father hid them all away."

Tripwire then trotted to the barrier. "We can continue this talk later, before a certain pony becomes impatient."

Following him, we both trotted through the barrier, and to the waiting Steal Rangers. Where they quickly escorted us away.

_______________________________________________________

When we arrived at Shortcake's office, she looked nether pleased nor displeased, just expecting. Taking the key, she examined it for a minute, carefully looking it over in detail.

"This certainly looks like it will fit in the ignition slot." She said, passing the key to a scribe. "Now to see if it works. If not, the little mare here loses her head, and this time I'll have one of my knights escort you though that stable."

I physically gulped at her comment. "Why me?"

Shortcake looked at me as though I was realy dumb. "Unlike Tripwire here, Miss Lottery, you are not necessary for getting into that stable. Thus utterly expendable, and a good example that those collars are not just a bluff."

"Oh." I said, again feeling very small and vulnerable.

Tripwire cleared his throat, getting Shortcake's attention. "I assure you, it will work. The real issue is if the train here can even work."

The power armored mare laughed. "That's not going to be an issue, the scribes here are quite talented engineers. If that key wasn't some rare arcano-tech artifact made from just as rare material, they would have made one themselves by now."

"It's a shame that your kind spends your time hoarding technology, and not using it for the greater good." Tripwire commented. "Those scribes of yours would be worth their weight in caps, if not more."

A look of disgust formed on Shortcake's face. "That may be so, but we all have sworn an oath to keep the artifacts of the old world out of the hooves of savages like you. As history has shown time and again, when you ponies gain the power of the old world, nothing but destruction and tragedy follow. Something my foolish brothers and sisters have forgotten with their formation of the Apple Jack Rangers. An endeavor they will come to regret."

"The road to Tartrates is pathed with good intentions, as the old saying goes." Tripwire said with a smile.

"Though I hate to admit it, I must agree." Shortcake said as her face relaxed. "But the damage they will do before they realize this, it may become catastrophic if nothing is done."

There was an electrical wine in the air before lights turned on all over the train, with the humming of long slumbering tech now waking up. Shortcake then smiled at me, "looks like you get to continue to live your pathetic life. So now be gone and go bang rocks together in the mud."

Before I could say anything, both Tripwire and I were grabbed from behind, and the pressure on my neck was released. A unicorn scribe held the bomb collars in their magic, quickly bringing a rag over to clean them off. Another power armored pony then opened the door and with a telekinetic pull, another scribe tossed us out.

With a face full of dirt, and pain screaming from my fucked up leg, I looked up to see Shortcake looking down on us. Her eyes were cold and filled with disgust. "Never say we Steal Rangers don't uphold a deal, even if we force you to make it. But be warned, whatever you've found down there, we may one day return to save it from the likes of savages like you. Best leave it where it lays, and let it be forgotten. Otherwise there will be no mercy from us."

A great roar came from the train and wheels made an ear piercing screeching of metal grinding on metal. Slowly, the train began to move, Shortcake slamming the door shut as dust and dirt was shot into the air, enveloping the two of us.

Tripwire and I stood there, the loud clunking of metal defining us to all, but as the dust cleared, we watched as the last train cart passed. Standing on the back of the train and waving at us were several foals of various ages, all in thick gray uniforms. Instinctively I waved back, now leaving me a bit conflicted.

They had been assholes from the start, putting bomb collars on us. But as I watched those foals grow smaller, I felt that they must have had their own reasons. And if Tripwire's father had sealed this place off from Redeye, then the Steel Rangers had to be justified in their views.

There were evil ponies out there who would abuse the things from the old world. Keeping such things out of the hooves of evil so others don't suffer was, to me, a noble cause. Still didn't stop me from never wanting to cross paths with them ever again.

They were still, without a doubt, assholes.

There was a loud crash in the distance as the train rammed into what had to be the raider gauntlet, sending columns of smoke into the air and starting fires. The train didn't stop, plowing through the makeshift buildings and disappearing into the wasteland. The cracks of gunfire and explosions that followed sounded pathetic from over here, as the raiders got a bit of what they deserved.

Though it would have been better for everypony if the Steel Rangers had stopped to wipe out those monsters. It would have at least improved my opinion of them.

Turning to Tripwire, I asked, "so, do we leave now?"

Tripwire scratched his chin for a moment. "No, we should give the raiders an hour to settle down. They're going to be too riled up after that."

He then pulled out the medallion and made a portal. "Let's take a break in the stable, eat something before we try to get past the raiders."

My stomach grumbled at that, reminding me that we haven't eaten anything all day.

_______________________________________________________

Back in the proto-stable's office, we finally took a break, and dug into our rations. It was just some dried meat and hard crackers, but my stomach was so grateful to have the hard tasteless food.

While we were here, Tripwire and I decided to look in the craters. Opening a smaller one, it revealed a lot of rings and bracelets. Each of them had a small carved and polished gemstone that seemed to glow. Despite how beautiful they were, looking at them made me feel uncomfortable, as though something was wrong with them.

"What are they?" I asked instinctively.

Tripwire raised an eyebrow at me before slowly closing the jewelry case. "Just some magical accessories. They have a… calming effect on those who wear them. Sell's for a high price to the right ponies. Though I plan to use most of them to help bring order to the wasteland, a few will be sold to pay off our debt."

After my run in with the Corps Dancers, I could use something to calm my nerves. "That's…. Well amazing. I'm sure those would help a lot of ponies out here, with all the pain and suffering that goes on I mean."

"It will be a far better alternative than turning to chems, that is true." He said as he trotted over to a far larger case.

Opening it, inside was some strange device that had a hoof trigger like a rifle, but instead of a barrel, it had a long empty cylinder on rails. Next to it in the case were six large eggs with the radiation symbol on them. Tripwire whistled loudly as he inspected the odd weapon. "Didn't expect a balefire egg launcher, though this one is a bit odd looking from the few I've seen before."

Cocking my head, I had to ask. "What is a… well any of that?"

"Right, you're not as knowledgeable on this stuff." Tripwire then levitated the balefire egg launcher to me, and I found that it fit nicely onto my back. It even had an odd scope that sat next to my face and could fold down for me to look through. But the wait of the weapon made it hard to stand as I tried to not put pressure on my bad leg. "First off, the balefire eggs and it's launcher are, from what I know, zebra weapons, many of which were captured by the Equestria Military. They're rare, but not so rare that you will never see them in the wasteland. The destructive threat of this weapon is enough to scare most ponies into choosing a more peaceful solution than fighting."

He then examined the basket, trotting around me. Then his eyes light up in realization. "Oh those dirty bastards, the ministry of Awesome made a balefire egg launching shotgun. Must be talisman enhanced too."

The waist of the weapon was then lifted off my back and put on top of its box. "Once we're done resting here, you want to test this baby out?" Tripwire asked me.

"On what?" I asked, then remembered what we had to pass through to get back to Ursa's Rest. "Oh… yes, a thousand times yes."

With gleeful hop in my step, which I made sure my bad leg was not used, we opened a few other crates. The ones nere the weapon were filled with more balefire eggs, ensuring that the launcher could be used a bunch of times. There were more cases with the off jewelry, and one that had a whole bunch of clubs with a wire frame around each one. Tripwire said that they were weapons made to be non-lethal, which sounded like a good thing to me.

Some of the cases had odd rifles and with them small syringes and grenade-like canisters. Tripwire explained that they were more non-lethal weapons. Something to knock out a pony without hurting them. I wanted to take some for myself, as knockout gas sounded useful, but Tripwire advised that I leave it for now.

The last batch of cases were the oddest, filled with nothing but orbs that had a slight glow to them. With them were folders filled with papers. Tripwire quickly looked through several of them, disinterested on his face before picking up one, in which a satisfied smile formed on his muzzle.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Knowledge." Tripwire said as he carefully put the papers back where he had taken them from. "Looks like my ancestor, Pentagram, made sure his knowledge was not so easily lost. From spell casting to arcano-tech, he had it stored here in these documents and memory orbs."

"Amazing!" I almost did not believe him, but so far he hadn't lied to me. If what he said is true, this knowledge could be given out, used to help ponies help others.

Looking at them, I then noticed that a batch of orbs and their folder were missing. "What about those?" I pointed out.

Tripwire frowned. "That would be the last artifact I'm looking for. It's the thing that helped my family's original rise to power. I already predicted that it would not be here, though I had hoped that documents of it would be. But I already have friends that have figured out where it could be. Once we return to Ursa's Rest, and pay our loans, we'll meet up with them."

"Does that include… Onyx?" I asked nervously.

"Yes, but don't worry too much about her, so long as you're with me, she won't touch you." Tripwire trotted up to me, nuzzling me and giving me a kiss.

I reciprocated, enjoying his touch. But I then stepped on my bad leg and the memory of Chilly flashed into my mind with its pain, causing me to push Tripwire back.

"S… sorry. I think I'm not in the mood right now." As I spoke, one of my front hooves was shaking, and I held it to make it stop.

Tripwire sighed and sat down, levitating a bottle of water over to himself as he pulled out his pocket watch. "Alright then, I'll be opening the portal in half an hour, so get some rest."

"Ya, I'll go take a short nap. It's been a real fucking day." I said as I curled up onto the floor, not minding the dust. Closing my eyes, I focused on home, on a place not filled with death and torment.

_______________________________________________________

As I pulled out my axe to strike the raider, he knocked it out of my mouth with his large chipped hoof, and with a second strike, knocked me to the ground.

A wait pressed down on my chest as the raider stepped on me. "Look bitch, you ain't cut out for this wasteland adventuring shit. But there is something you can do. For me."

His vile tongue licked me as I felt a collar around my neck, making it hard to breathe as it beeped. Then ropes tied around my legs, pulling them apart with the raider still over me. Looking down, I could see his mutilated spiked covered dick, it fully erect and pointed at me.

Cruel laughter erupted around me as I noticed that I was surrounded by raiders, all smiling with their pointed teeth. They looked at me like I was food with their yellow bloodshot eyes.

I pulled at the rops, trying to resist, but found no strength to free myself. I wanted to scream, but nothing came from my voice, not even a whimper as I felt the raider press agent me.

_______________________________________________________

I woke up with a jolt, not feeling either rested or calm. Grabbing my bottle of water, I guzzled what was left of it down, and got up. The pain that shot up my bad leg again reminded me of that horrid memory.

"Alright, let's do this!" I said with determination as I tried to keep my legs from shaking.

Tripwire checked his pocket watch, "it's only been twenty minutes, but alright."

Getting our gear ready, Tripwire loaded the balefire egg launcher and sat it on top of its box to be picked up a little later. Then he opened the portal and we hopped through.

Again outside in the dry hot air, the sun was starting to dip low, and our shadows were growing long. Adjusting our burlap scout cloaks to properly cover us, we trotted back the way we came, making sure not to get too close to the raider base.

Through the scope of my hunting rifle, I could see how much the raider base was in shambles. The train had rolled right through the middle of it, effectively destroying most of it. I was unsure if the few red smears were dead raiders or not, but I could see that the living raiders were trying to rebuild a barricade. There were at least fifteen of them throwing trash into a pile, making a rather shitty wall.

One raider caught my eye; bigger than the other with a painted brahmin skull on his head. This raider had to be the boss, as he did nothing but yell at the others.

Looking about a bit more, I caught sight of the raider snipers. Both in the same watchtower, both more interested in watching the other raiders work then keeping an eye out for danger.

Motioning for Tripwire's attention, I pointed at the watchtower. "Do I take out the snipers, or the raider boss first."

Looking through the scope of his rifle as well, he carefully assessed the situation. "I think the snipers can wait, anyways, if we take out most of the raiders in one go, the rest are more likely to run. So taking out their boss, with the others around him, is the better move right now. Strike while we're unseen as it were."

With the plan of attack set, we got a little closer, keeping under cover in case the sniper did decide to do their job. Once we were in a good position Tripwire opened his portal and jumped in to fetch the multi balefire egg launcher.

With it loaded, the weapon was even heavier than before, forcing me to use my bad leg to maintain balance. But as painful as it was, I wanted to hurt the raiders even more. Tripwire then helped adjust the launcher, turning dials and directing me how to stand. Eventually the high tech scope of the launcher was giving me a bunch of green dots, which I guessed meant good to fire.

"I'll keep an eye on the snipers, just fire when you think will do the most damage." Tripwire informed me as I focused on the raider boss.

They were a bit too spread out, so I waited for a moment, watching the monsters. How they hurt Chilly, how they hurt others like that, and how they could have hurt me. The thoughts ran through my head, making me angrier. They deserved worse than this, so much worse, but settling with keeping them from hurting any pony else again was fine with me.

The raider boss began yelling at the other raiders again, calling them over. What then happened was a public display of punishment as the boss began beating a raider as the others watched. This also meant they all were now closer to each other, close enough that I felt confident in firing.

With a loud clunk and thud, almost knocking me over, the balefire eggs were launched through the air. Soaring almost gracefully as they spread out. Then with a bright green flash, I was temporarily blinded.

Pushing the scope away from my eyes, it took several seconds for them to recover. But the wave of heat that hit me from so far away was all I needed to know if it had worked. When I could see again, I saw six mushroom looking clouds rising from where the raiders once were, slowly rising high into the air. Pulling the scope back down, there was nothing left of the raiders, only six craters surrounded by green fire. If there were bodies, they were indistinguishable from the rest of the flaming trash.

"Ya, that will do it." Tripwire said, lowering his rifle. "The blast actually knocked down their watchtower. And as soon as the snipers knew what just hit them, they ran with their tails between their legs. You likely killed several raiders from just shrapnel alone, with this, I think the Corps Dancers can officially be counted as a dead raider band now."

A sense of pride washed over me, knowing that I had helped eliminate one of the evils of the wasteland. Though I wished this happened sooner, and saved those poor ponies from the pain they suffered.

With its job done, Tripwire took the balefire egg launcher and returned it back to its case, keeping it safely away from any evil pony that might use it.

Then we began trotting again, skirting the edge of the valley to avoid any mad raider stragglers, and the radiation left behind by our attack. To my pleasant shock, the land mines that had obstructed our way before had all been detonated by the balefire egg blast, clearing the path for us. Deciding it was safe, along with wanting to save time, and with some consideration to my bad leg, we chose not to take the side way out and trotted down the railroad tracks.

Signs of the raiders that ran away were here, heavy hoofprints in the dirt clearly from panicked galloping. But oddly, some of the hoofprints just stopped, even though they were still in soft ground. An odd pile of ash near it was slowly getting blown away in the breeze.

As we got closer to the gate out of the valley, the sound of something high pitched caught our ears, and sent a cold shiver up my spine. The cold expression on Tripwire's face hinted to me that he knew what that was.

Sighing, he motioned for me to stay still and quiet. "Like before, I'll do the talking."

A light thud came from behind us, followed by two others. "Turn around slowly, any sudden movements and we will kill you dirt kickers."

Slowly turning around, I saw three Pegasus, two in some well kept gray cloth armor with a boxy like thing held in their muzzle. The third Pegasus was a mare in a very clean gray uniform and had a hat with an almost useless brim at the front with a big "E" emblazoned on it. Proudly embroidered on the shoulder of her sleeves was a strange "X" connected to a small circle in the middle, with three skulls in between the top and the side arms, then below it was embroidered letters selling "E.P.S."

Tripwire and I didn't say anything, which seemed to put a smile on the Pegasus mare's face, leading her to say. "Good, at least some of you dirt kicking pests know not to run your mouth. I'm so tired of being told that I fornicate with my mother. "

She then trotted up to us, and it became clear she was an older mare, though not as old as Shortcake, but several gray hairs were visible in her mane. "Now I'm to assume you have some knowledge as to what transpired here?"

Tripwire spoke up, his voice smooth and with a somewhat fancy accent to it. "A little mam. We saw the Steel Rangers ride off on that train, and as a guess, they left behind a present for the raiders." He then slowly levitates a card from under his armor, passing it to the Enclave mare. "Tripwire Neighsay, and who might you be mam?"

The mare grabbed the card with her wing, looking at it with disinterest before pocketing it. "Colonel Flyright, of the Grand Pegasus Enclave… well, of this remnant of it. Now answer me, why are you here and why should we not shoot you where you stand?"

Giving her a smile and a bow, Tripwire continued to speak in his fancy accent. "I was simply visiting my ancestor's home to recover an artifact and knowledge from the old world they once owned. They were scholars who survived the war, and up until recently, the path had been blocked by Redeye's forces, who wanted the knowledge for themselves."

"And what knowledge would that be?" One of Flyright's eyebrows cocked as she inquired.

"Spell and psychological studies. Things that take years to understand and more years to put into practice. But when you have ponies to lead, such knowledge is invaluable. Something a leader like yourself would understand. " He smiled at Flyright, holding his head high.

Flyright looked less than interested, but oddly attentive to his words. "I see, then I'm to assume you had no involvement with the loss of our scouting wing."

My leg slipped a little, drawing attention to myself.

Before too much attention could be brought to me, Tripwire spoke up, "Unfortunately my subordinate here saw the aftermath of what happened to your scouting party. What raiders do to their captives is rarely ever… pleasant."

A loud thump laned behind us and a Pegasus in intimidating black, insect-like, armor jumped into view. It's bladed tail swayed in the air threateningly, and had two larger boxy things on the stallion's sides. If I had to guess, they were guns, weird guns.

The armored stallion then got face to face with me. "Is that true, do you know what happened to my sis-"

"Major Cold Trails, please maintain your professionalism." Flyright spoke sternly.

The colonel then looked at Tripwire, asking him the question. "We have recovered two of our soldiers, but the third is still M.I.A. if you know any, I advise that you tell us."

Cold Trails growled at Flyright. "Soldiers! They were recruits, and beardly that. Chilly was just a fucking college student a month ago for crying out loud!"

Flyright's voice became even colder and with more authority. "Remember your rank, Major!"

Even through his armor I could see Cold Trails cowering back. "Yes Colonel."

"Good. Anyways, with how things are there are no civilians anymore, and we must work together to protect ourselves from…" she looked at us with cold eyes. "Them."

"Yes mam." Cold Trails said again.

Flyright then again addressed Tripwire. "Now if you would give us an answer."

"Most certainly." Tripwire said back before explaining. "This Chilly, as I am sure you're talking about, had survived her run in with the raiders by the time my subordinate found her. But unfortunately the raiders had surrounded her, and as a result, she had used a grenade to kill herself and them. I doubt you will find the remains, unfortunately."

The major grabbed Tripwire by his collar, holding him up. With pain in his voice, he said, "There's no fucking way my sister is-"

"Major!" Flyright again said coldly, but he didn't put Tripwire down.

Seeing how this armored Pegasus was so upset by Chilly's death, so hurt, it just broke what walls I was trying to hold up. Tears formed in my eyes as I did my best to hold back a sob.

"Lottery." Tripwire said, but it was too late.

"S-sorry…" I choked up. "I tried to save her… I thought I could… but… b-but If I had gotten there sooner, then m-maybe I could have." I couldn't say the rest, couldn't tell him how she had been brutally raped by the raiders. How even though she had been freed, she had given up and killed herself. It was just too cruel, too horrible. Even after killing the raiders, I didn't feel all that much better.

The raiders were gone, yes, but that mare would never come back. Cold would never get his sister back.

"No… I'm sorry." Cold Trails said as he let go of Tripwire and backed off. "She… she was just all I had left… and I acted out, it was unbecoming of me." He then turned to Flyright and I could feel the glare through his helmet as he growled. "This is not over Colonel. Once we send off our dead, the two of us will have a long talk about who is and is not a soldier."

With a powerful beat of his wings, sending dust into the air, Cold Trails flew off and over to the valley gate.

Flyright's face had not changed its disinterested look, she simply brushed some dust off her uniform before addressing Tripwire again. "Sorry for my own subordinate's outburst. Since the Enclave's fall, it has been stressful for everypony. Some are having a harder time adapting then others."

Tripwire sighed as he too brushed some dust off himself. "As it goes with changing times. But, those who can maintain order will survive, thrive even. It's a hard thing, being a leader and having to make the choice others can't make."

"Too true." Flyright said then took a step back. "You can go, and pray we never cross paths again."

"Prey that you will never need to." Tripwire bowed again at Flyright, then turned around. "Lets go Lottery, we have clearly overstayed our welcome here and the sooner we get back to Ursa's Rest the better."

Turning to follow, we trotted past the valley's front gate where we saw that the bodies had been taken down and thrown into a burning pile. All except two, which Cold Trails and several other Pegasus were standing around, with a few ponies sobbing over the bodies. It felt like I was peeking in on something very private, so I averted my gaze and focused on the horizon, letting them grieve among each other.

Once Dead Ponies Pass was far behind us, I broke a long silence and nervously asked, "s-so what's going to happen with them. I mean over the fight for that supply depo I mean."

Tripwire pondered the question for a moment. "Honestly, I'm still unsure. With the Steel Rangers and Raiders gone, the Enclave can fight with the Redeye slavers uninterrupted. My bet, the Enclave will win out in the end. Their leader looks the sort to know how to use her subordinates to their full effect, for better or worse."

"Like those three ponies the raiders raped and murdered!" I snapped.

He gave me a flat look and sighed. "Tragically as it is, such losses are to be expected, and sacrifices are necessary. Though I disagree with Flyright's methods; it is better to send the less capable out then risk your more capable solder. Otherwise you could find yourself unable to protect anypony."

I couldn't bring myself to agree with him or that. Tripwire and I managed to get around the raiders almost unseen, so why send three ponies out to be an easy target. Why to such monsters that would rape, murder and then display their corpses in such a grotesque manor. It just felt so wrong to me.

"I still don't like it." I grumbled.

"It's just how the wasteland is my dear Lottery." He said smoothly and calmly. "You either learn how to survive the easy and smart way by accepting that it's how things are. Or you can stubbornly fight the wasteland and have it personally teach you how brutal and savage it will be. Even then, we all get challenged by the wasteland, no expectations. Through it a pony may suffer and die, or be forged into something stronger. For better or worse."

His words filled me with anything but ease, likely because it felt that he was being honest, and that scared me.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eleven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eleven

_______________________________________________________

My heart thumped loudly as I sat around the corner, waiting, anticipating. With a loud snap, a scream and a thud, I smiled with satisfaction.

Turning the corner I saw the panicked raider hanging upside down by a bear trap, blood trickling from its wound. Pointing my rifle at him, it wrapped in burlap as camo, with an ax head poking out of the end, the raider's eyes opened wide.

"Hay, didn't mean it, ya know, it was nothing personal, just how things are." The raider stopped to spit some of the blood out of his mouth, it having trickled from his led to his face. "Say, just let me go, and I'll forget any of this happened."

With a swift swing of my rifle, the axe blade dug into his neck. He gurgled as he tried to scream and curse at me, but to no avail. He wasn't worth wasting a bullet on or my breath. They knew what they were doing, and deserved no mercy.

The sounds of hooting and hollering could be heard in the distance. More raiders, there were always more raiders.

Letting the dead raider go to recover my bear trap, I booby-trapped the corps with a landmine and slinked back. Raiders didn't deserve a fair fight, and I couldn't afford them cornering me.

The voices were muffled and distorted, and the sounds of a pony in pain were mixed in. It only caused my heart to pound more, my blood to boil, and a deep sense of dread. But as it grew louder, it became strange, like the sawing of wood going back and forth.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up in the bunker gave me a strong sense of nostalgia, though the snoring Tripwire next to me was new. We had taken shelter here for the night, thanks to the portal making medallion. Though not the most comfortable place to sleep, it was far safer than out in the wasteland.

I even felt safe enough to get closer with Tripwire. I think wiping out those raiders helped give me peace of mind, though my dreams were still strange. I also made sure to take the lead instead of letting Tripwire just do what he wanted, as I was worried about my leg. It oddly felt a lot more fun being in charge during sex.

Once we were out onto the road again, and making our way to Ursa's Rest, I felt that I could no longer complain about how slow Tripwire was. Having to limp my way down the long road proved to be considerably frustrating, and painful whenever I did apply any real pressure to the leg. So I appreciated the slower pace, along with the several stops.

When we finally got back to civilization, I could not be more overjoyed. Having to maneuver around other ponies was a pain with my bad leg, but I knew the solution to some of my problems could be found here.

Entering the bar of Ursa's Den, I took a seat, feeling like I had trotted for days, which I actually had now that I thought about it. When the cheap food and drinks came, I didn't hesitate consuming them, not caring about the taste.

Also I needed some alcohol in me after the shit I saw.

"Alright, Lottery, like I told you, I'll be going to see Grizzly on my own. Getting our loans paid, and selling a few pieces of that jewelry. Then you will get your pay. I'll also set you up with an appointment with the doctor." Tripwire explained to me before finishing his drink.

I was not looking forward to the doctor rebreaking my leg to set it right, but it was that or forever having a painful limp. Tripwire's explanation about it sounded horrifying. But if I ever wanted to trot normally, I would just have to bite the bullet and get it over with.

"Alright, I'll be right here." I told him and he got up and trotted away.

Sitting at the bar I couldn't help but rub my bad leg, feeling where the bone deformed, where several splinters of it poked into my muscle. There was no way for me to have known this would have happened. Not like there was a survival guide to the wasteland for me to read. Even if there was, I couldn't read it.

"Hey sugar, where have you been?" The stallion Cornbread trotted over to me. "You look a bit rough around the edges, anything I can get you." He looked just as good as the last time I saw him, still in that tight uniform the employees here wore.

I smiled, tapping on the empty cup. He got the message and delivered me another drink, sitting next to me. I knew what was going on, but didn't care, actually I enjoyed the friendly attention. Though Tripwire had been with me, he felt a bit distant, and a little cold.

"Just came back from a job, successful, but had a run in with... raiders…" I trailed off, finding myself with Chilly again, wondering if I had been more careful, maybe I could have kept her from killing herself.

Huffing out my frustration, I chugged the drink in one go.

"That bad hu." Cornbread said with a smile as he got up. "Maybe it's better to give you something of better quality, that stuff will burn a hole through your gut if you drink too much of it at once."

"Ya… thanks." I told him.

As he trotted off I let out a yawn, the long limp back here having taken its toll on me.

An almost glowing red drink had then appeared before me, delivered by a thin mare in a black suit. She was too thin for it to be normal, like a ghoul, yet her fur and mane were fully intact. Then she spoke, her voice cold and wispy, yet her mouth remained unmoving. "It's called a Red Light District, a personal favorite of mine. It turns a deep crimson if you add a drop of blood to it, which enhances the taste." She then chuckled to herself. "Don't worry, on blood in this one. Now give it a sip."

I was unsure, but also felt that I should do as I was told. Sipping the drink, it had a strangely pleasant vegetable taste to it, but also was considerably sweet.

"Thanks, it's really good." I said.

"Think nothing of it, the name's Lethe, I've been making drinks for a long time, longer than most can remember. So just think of me as a wandering bartender, offering the finest of forgotten drinks."

Taking another sip, it tasted better the second time, and helped me relax. Looking up at Lethe, she just didn't seem like she belonged, or had a good reason to be here.

"Why are you here?" I asked

"Oh, just delivering a message, I do this from time to time." Lethe said, still not quite moving her mouth.

I cocked an eyebrow as I took another sip. "A message?"

"Right, the mare you met. She wanted to apologize. After what you did for her, she only realized how selfish it was to pick that time to move on." Lethe spoke with a cold, yet comforting tone.

This only made it feel like there was a lump in my throat as I looked at her in confusion.

Lethe then looked right at me, and I couldn't see any eyes, just dark pits. "I'll tell you this, nopony just suddenly becomes suicidal, just like how nopony just goes raider, no. At some point there is a choice, a point they step over a line and cannot come back. Well in most cases there is no return. Even the dead can return so long as certain rules are followed, though that is even rarer than a god without a flaw."

She then reached out and tapped my drink, smiling at me with the cleanest white teeth I had ever seen. "What I'm saying is that in the end we all have a choice, even if it is hard. It's filled with thorny bramble, and leads to suffering. But we chose those paths. It is the only thing a pony truly owns, and when a pony is done with it all, they should have the choice to end it and rest."

Lethe then sat back, still smiling. I only now noticed that everything was quiet, still, and cold. "What… are… you?" I managed to ask, finding it hard to even say the words.

"Not important, this is after all, an act of whimsy. Now finish your drink, it is impolite to leave such things half done." She told me, pointing at what I now could see was a fine and beautify plane glass cup. The red liquid didn't just seem to glow, but it was, or something in it was, like a small flame that entranced me. Though the drink was red, the flame, it seemed blue, a beautiful blue. "Anyways, I added a little extra something special. For when things get cold and dark. It will make sure you stay a bit warm and a bit awake. The thing a pony needs when changing their fate, if you have the strength to march on that is."

Not understanding what the strange ghoul was saying, I took the red drink and tipped it up and down my throat. As the rest of the drink entered me, it made me feel oddly warm, and very comfortable.

"Miss Lottery, you alright?" Cornbread asked, suturing me awake.

The strangeness now made sense, it was a dream. It had to have been. Though it now seemed that strangely vivid dreams were going to be the norm, along with the nightmares.

"Ya, just been a long trot here, so I'm a little drained." I told Cornbread, who had placed down a pitcher of a foamy golden fluid and two old looking glass mugs.

"Why don't you tell me about it. This beer here is good for winding down, and we can just put it on a tab for when you're ready to pay." He told me as the stallion scooted up next to me.

As I reached for a mug, I accidentally knocked over another glass. It was not like the one used here. As it fell and shattered, for a moment I thought it looked a lot like the one Lethe had given me.

"Oh, sorry somepony must have left their glass here while you were resting. I'll get that cleaned up before somepony gets hurt. it will just be a minute." Cornbread explained as he quickly rushed off to get something to clean up the broken glass.

Feeling confused, I just poured myself some beer, and drank the amber liquid. It was bitter, yet refreshing, just what I needed to help me forget.

_______________________________________________________

Light beamed onto my face like the sun was angry at me as I sutured. My head pounded, my mouth was dry, and my stomach felt royally upset.

"Good, you're awake Lottery." Tripwire spoke up.

Slowly getting up, I was having a hard time remembering what exactly happened, but I was sure it was not much, other than drinking. "Please tell me I didn't do anything weird last night."

Trotting into view, Tripwire was in his clean and pressed suit, he himself was quite clean looking too. "Other than running up a tab, no, you were just drunk and flirting with the hosts that were with you."

My face flushed with heat as a wave of embarrassment crashed into me. "Oh I'm so sorry, I mean, I barely remember any of it. But that was-"

"Nothing." Tripwire interjected. "What you do in your free time is not my concern, just so long as it does not hinder my mission. Speaking of which, your appointment with the doctor is in…" he looked at his pocket watch. "A little over an hour. So you should get washed up."

I don't know why, but it made me a bit upset that he wasn't upset at me flirting with those stallions.

Taking a deep breath, I just left to go get washed up. At least it will feel good to be clean again.

The water pump behind the motel had a few mares standing around it. One with foals that she was giving them a wash. A second cleaning some clothes. And a third who was just there smoking.

"Ya, I even saw it." The smoker spoke loudly. "Two raider types got in a big old fight just outside of town, throwing guns and fire, both of them. Think the one with the flamer was one of them Forge raiders. Or was it gangers, hard to tell when they get all spiky and murderous. Well the other raider, some crazy mare, just let herself get set ablaze and shoved some fire bomb in his face. She then spent a minute kicking him, screaming about her dress."

The mother looked frightened as she said. "Why do we even let those types in? Even if they have the caps, we all know it's stolen money. Lately there's been toll stops all over the place, and they keep getting away before anypony can tear them down. We have so few safe roads as it is, and now it seems that every raider clan is being pushed through here."

"Not just the raiders, but the slavers too." The mare washing her clothes spoke up, sounding quite bitter. "I have to keep telling those assholes that their old connections don't work here no more. But they keep coming. With the whole anti-slaver uprising going on all over the wasteland, a pony would be an idiot to try and stay in that business. Hate to admit it, but Miss Grizzly really saved our asses by buying up all those slave contracts. Though I would love to know where she got all that money."

As I trotted over, the three mares eyed me suspiciously.

Blowing a cloud of smoke through her nose, the smoking mare addressed me. "Hay you, you look like you've been in the sticks. Seen any of the crazy shit going on?"

Filling up a bucket, I thought about some of the things I've seen so far. "Well, I did have to pass through one of those raider toll stops a while back."

The three gasped, and the smoker then asked. "Don't tell me ya had to pay the third option, you's don't look like ya got the money or chem, no offence."

Took me a moment to figure out what she was suggesting, sending a cold shiver down my spine. "Oh no, Celestia no. Fortunately I had a pony with me who could pay. Anyways, I'm quite sure I could easily take the long way around."

"That's good to know." Said the mare washing her clothes. "Those raiders are often diseased and mutated. Heard that ponies born from raider encounters come out wrong, like they inherited the raider nature."

"Could we not talk about... that." The mother said softly as she dried off her foal.

The smoker laughed. "Sorry love. Didn't your stallion run with some raiders?"

The mother huffed indignantly, "He was a ganger, not a raider. Tartarus Angles is what they're called, and they're far above some rabid raider."

The two mares laughed again before changing the topic, letting me wash up without too much interruption.

_______________________________________________________

Clean and now wearing the outfit I bought with Molo, I felt refreshed. I would also feel so much better if my head still didn't hurt, and my stomach didn't still upset with me. I had wanted to eat or drink something, but Tripwire told me I would regret it if I had. Something about the effect of chems.

The doctor's office itself was a rather clean looking place, for something entirely made from scrap metal.

Trotting in was a young light gray unicorn stallion with a well maintained black mane. Upon seeing me, he flashed me a wide and very friendly smile. "Oh you must be the patient we were told was coming. I'm Quacksalver, assistant to the doctor here, and you might be, miss?." He reached out his hoof

I couldn't help but smile back as I gave him my own hoof. "Lottery."

As Quacksalver kissed my hoof, Tripwire cleared his throat. "Though it is refreshing to see another pony of a more refined manner, I don't think it's appropriate to do that when she is going in for surgery. Germs and all that."

Was… was he jealous!

It felt bad that I liked that he was being jealous over me. Maybe his disinterest over last night was just a cover.

I had to do my best to suppress a gitty giggle.

"Are you bothering my patients again ya unless excuse for an assistant." The voice of an elderly mare squawked. What the trotted thought was an old griffin hen in an even older looking white coat, and her face sporting a few scars. She glared at Quacksalver as he shrunk back and retreated to another room.

With a sigh the griffin trotted over to us. "Sorry about him, got scammed into buying him off the market thinking he was some medical savant. Turns out he is just a smooth talker. But like the saying goes, if you have tato's, you might as well make some mash." She eyed me for a moment, looking like a predator looking down at prey. "Ya, you look the type to fuck up like that."

My ears folded back as I said in confusion, "What?"

"Just come into the operating room so I can get a better look at you. I'm Doctor Helga, but you can just call me doc." Helga said as she pointed to the room she came from.

"L-Lottery…" I stammered out as I trotted, well, limped to the room as she watched me.

Finding an uncomfortable looking table surrounded by knives, hammers and saws, I now felt that maybe… just maybe… living with a limp wasn't so bad. Turning to leave I heard Helga and Tripwire talking, though it was hard to hear then with how quiet they were.

I caught the words; caps, expenses, supplies, and payment. I was sure Tripwire said that the payment was settled, which had to mean he paid for this all. Feeling guilty, I trotted back to the nightmarish table. It was my mistake that I ended up like this, and now he was using his money to fix me. All when it could have gone to helping others.

After a long moment, Helga came into the room, the griffin looking a bit annoyed. Before addressing me she went to a cabinet and pulled out some documents, placing them on a clipboard and passing it to me. Two of the documents looked normal, just old paper, but the third reminded me of Tripwire's magical papers.

"Before I can begin, Miss Lottery, you need to sign three release forms. One abdicating this clinic from responsibility if the surgery goes wrong. It won't, trust me. The second, is a set agreement to payment and interest. The last is making Tripwire your warden in your finances, of which if payment is not met, he will be held responsible. Unless he dies, then such responsibilities will fall back to you, along with consequences."

I looked at the documents, unable to read them, and nodded before singing where she pointed. But she stopped me at the third document. "Now are you sure you want to sing that before reading it all?"

"I can't actually read it, and I trust Tripwire." I told her,

Helga sighed, telling me, "I see, then there's no use arguing with you."

Lifting her claws to let me sign the paper, I scribbled what I thought was my name. After a moment the signature began to glow, before it turned red.

"That's it." Helga said, pointing at the document. "So long as payment comes in on time, this contract won't be invoked."

I cocked an eyebrow. "What happens if it's involved?"

Helga scratched her beak. "Never seen it invoked during my time as a talon medic, but I've heard about it happening once. Where a Talon cheated a client, then found themselves unable to fly or sleep. After a week he crawled back to the client and paid the fine, begging for forgiveness."

This made me nervous, of which Helga quickly caught on, saying. "Oh, I wouldn't worry too much about that. That stallion of yours, so long as he lives, he is the one responsible."

I smiled at that. "And that's why I trust him.

Helga seemed to be annoyed by my response, then quickly gathered the documents, and put them in a safe. Afterwards she went and rang a bell, where Quacksalver trotted in, stopping in front of Helga and saluting her.

Helga pointed to another cabinet. "Prepare the surgery supplies as I examine the patient."

"Yes mam!" He said, trotting over to the cabinet, and opening it to reveal chems, bandages, and what looked like a sewing kit my Ma owned.

Turning her attention back to me, Helga pointed to the table. "Get on and I'll look at that leg."

Doing as I was told, I climbed onto, and layed down on the table. Feeling a bit nervous, I then asked her! "Earlier, what did you mean when you said I looked like the type?"

She lightly ran a talon down my bad leg, causing me to flinch when she hit one of the parts of bone trying to poke out. "Young and dumb mostly. The fact that you don't quite have the look of a proper wastelander also tells me you've unlikely had to live through any significant fighting. Unless you're educated in combat or medicine, improper use of healing potions and other chem is quite common. Most wastelanders actually learn by seeing others fuck up like this."

Gently, she moved my leg around, feeling where it bent and where it splintered. "Alright, do you feel this?" I winced as she tapped a spot on my leg, sending a needle like pain through the leg. "Okay, and what about here?" Again more pain and she nodded.

I then felt my skin tug, like something was pressing into it, but yet, I didn't feel the pressure. "Did you feel that?"

"Feel… yes, I think." I answered in confusion.

Helga clicked her tongue, sounding displeased.

"Looks like some of your nerves got moved around a bit when your leg broke. Not a major problem, normally, but when your leg healed wrong, they likely didn't go back where they were meant to be." She explained.

"What are nerves?" I had to ask.

"Simply put, it's what your brain uses to control your body, or feel shit." She further explained. "Since you have been able to trot around without too much trouble, it's safe to guess that the nerves for your motor functions are safe. Though there might be some permanent numbness in that leg."

I didn't quite understand, "but my leg hurts when I use it?"

Helga huffed. "Well ya, that fucked up leg is tugging at other nerves, and that's what's causing your pain."

She let me go, and picked up a strap that was attached to the table. "Before I apply the anesthesia I'm going to need to make sure you don't move. Unfortunately there isn't anything to put you to sleep properly, so this has to be done for your safety."

Looking at it, the memory of the raiders flashed in my mind, but forcing it back and I managed a nod.

As Helga began strapping me down, it felt wrong not being able to move freely, and it caused some pain in my bad leg. I had to take several deep breaths to keep myself calm, reminding myself that I was somewhere safe.

A slight sharp pain entered my bad leg, and it then became numb. "Alright, now I need you to remain quiet as I work, but let me know if you start feeling any real pain. There will be some, but it should be a dull pain, okay." Helga explained to me.

"O-okay." I said back, trying to not think about what was about to happen.

A buzzing sound caught me off guard, as I jolted a little, finding that, yes, I was considerably strapped down. As I tried to peek at what it was, Quacksalver draped a sheet over my head.

"She is just removing the fur where the operation will take place, but you really shouldn't try and look. Just try to relax, this will be over before you know it " He explained to me in a conforming tone.

That was easier said than done, but being unable to do or see anything at least helped a little.

After a while of her using a knife a loud buzzing again startled me, far louder than the last one. What followed was the sound of it cutting through something hard. Was it my bone, I wasn't sure, as my whole leg throbbed with a numbed pain. Still, imaging it didn't help, though there was nothing I could do.

Taking a deep breath, and understanding that this was out of my control, I finally found some calm. Just accepting that it was happening, and understanding that it would pass. Also I was betting a bit of the chem might have been helping calm me.

My ears twitched at the sound of something being put in some metal tray, and a tug on my leg, all still numb. Then a new loud buzzing came, it lasted a few seconds, coming and going four times. Once the buzzing was over, quite had returned.

Things remained quiet for a long time as the two moved around me. I kept my own calm until it was all over.

More time passed and without a warning, the cloth that covered my head was pulled off, and light assaulted my eyes. Taking a moment for my vision to adjust, I watched as Quacksalver was taking several frighteningly looking tools to a sink, all covered in splotches of blood.

The straps that held me down were loosened and Helga came into view, holding a small flashlight, shining it in my eyes. "Just making sure you're still fully awake. Now how do you feel, any pain"

Pulling my legs free, I first tested my bad leg, finding none of the pain from before. Though something felt odd. "No, none so far."

Helga backed away. "Good, now if you could get up and trot around the table for me. Tell me how it feels."

Giving her a nod, I did just that, finding no spikes of pain in the leg at all. Looking at it for a moment, there was a long patch on my leg where the fur was removed, as in its place was a thin line with stitching crossing over it. But as I trotted, something did feel off about the leg. Moving it, and testing it along with my other back leg, I was starting to feel it, or not feel it even. "It seems normal, and maybe it's the chem you used, but the leg still feels a little numb, like I know I should feel more when I trot. Also, it feels like something in my leg, I think."

"That sounds about right." Helga said as she picked up a thin metal rod from a nearby tray and then explained. "Unfortunately some of the bone was too deformed to be kept in, and it had killed a few nerves. Nothing severe fortunately, but enough that I had to install several titanium struts into your leg to hold the bone together. In time the missing bone will regrow, but the nerve damage will not. This means that your leg won't ever have full feeling in it again, though it shouldn't cause you all that much trouble. Just be careful when using that leg, as you can re-break it and not feel it if you brake in the wrong place."

It was a mixed bag of feelings for me. On one hoof I could trot normally again without pain. But on the other hoof I had permanent damage to it and some metal in my leg.

"Wait, can't I just take a healing potion to at least fully heal the bone? Why the metal?" I asked.

Helga looked at me with disappointment in her eyes. "Healing potion doesn't regrow bones, or regrow anything. It pulls it back together and effectively glues it in place. So long as everything is intact and in almost the right place, it will do miracles. I've even seen a severed leg be reattached successfully."

She then looked down at me with a stern gaze. "But I've seen what happens to those that abuse healing potions. Where their own bodies have lost its ability to heal itself, even wounds from years before opening up if they don't drink the stuff regularly. Understand?"

Nodding, I squeaked out, "yes mam."

She then somehow smiled. "Good, now suggest you refrain from drinking alcohol or using any chems for the next five hours. Also, avoid putting any heavy weight or pressure on that leg for a day. More time you give it to recover, the better. As for the titanium struts, it will take a few years before they can be removed without risking your leg braking again."

"Thanks a bunch." I said, flashing the old griffin a smile.

"One more thing." Helga said, her voice with a hint of concern in it. "Be careful out there. There are more ways you can be hurt that don't involve violence. The most cruel things that can be done to you are often not physical."

Again I didn't quite understand, but knew she was trying to be helpful. "I'll try." I told her before trotting out of her operating room, ignoring all the bloody rags in a sink as I passed them.

My leg still felt odd, like it was not all there, something I needed to get used to.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twelve

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twelve

_______________________________________________________

Trotting around it took some time to get used to the slight numbness in my leg. It caused me to be a bit clumsy as I moved around at first, but after a while I finally got my trot rhythm back in line. It was good to be able to move about normally again, no pain, no limping.

Finding Tripwire, he also seemed pleased that I was back to normal.

“Got metal in my leg now, but I can trot normally again!” I gleefully said, showing off the patched of shaved fur on my back leg.

“Good, and you will have the rest of the day off to recover fully as well. I'll need to talk with a few ponies before we can move out again. Their friends of mine. Care to join me?” Tripwire asked.

I couldn't help but say, "yes!"

Giving me a nod, Tripwire trotted back to the Ursa's Den, where I followed him to some backroom area. This part of the casino was much more dimly lit, with smoke from the different cigarettes, cigars, and other pip inhalants making a hazy fog. The glowing outline on the floor was the only real way to see where I was going, leading to several booths, each with a view of a stage.

To my surprise there was a zebra up on the stage, her stripes painted in neon paint and glowing in the black light. She skillfully wrapped herself around a pole and tempted several ponies nere the stage. Some of which would toss casino chips onto the stage to get her attention.

It was not just the mare on stage, but on the floor were mares and stallions who also had the neon paint on them like makeup trotting around. Their uniforms were a bit different too, not having shorts on, but an even smaller cloth that tightly hugged their hips and the backend that hung below the tail. It was so tight on them that as I passed an employee, I could see the outline of their privates. The mare herself strutted, the back cloth making her tail somewhat raised as it swished it, as though she wanted sompony to see it.

I made sure to get a look at one of the stallions, and they two trotted with a strut, with a package on display, bearly held in by the thin cloth.

Stopping at a booth, Tripwire and I took our seats. When one of the mares offered me a drink, I had to turn her down. "Just saw the doctor, got to wait a few hours before drinking mam."

She shrugged then hoofed Tripwire a drink and moved on.

"Um, Tripwire, what is this place? It's a bit… I don't know." I asked nervously.

He didn't look all that happy about being in this place as he answered. "This is the Red Light Showroom, basically a brothel but with more presentation. One of my… friends, prefers to meet here. It also has the advantage of making it incredibly hard to eavesdrop on others, so as loathed as I am to admit it, it's not a bad place for a business meeting."

It slowly clicked as I eyed one of the workers, with how they advertised themselves. This must have been what Cornbread had told me about. When one of the stallions passed by, I couldn't help but think that it would only cost some caps, and I could ride his pole.

"Oh there you are Tripwire." Spoke what sounded like a young colt as a hooded figure trotted to the booth. "By the Goddess, why must we come to such a filthy place. I doubt our prayers could even be heard over this horrid music."

My jaw went slack as I saw the pony, a much older and very thin unicorn stallion had taken a seat, he was pure white all over except for his deep sunken in red eyes. He seemed sickly, and his horn slightly bent and cracked. Yet despite how ragged he looked his voice sounded far too young and smooth.

It unnerved me deeply.

"Grinder's choice, and you know how hard it is to change his mind." Tripwire said before motioning his hooves over to me. "Angel, this is Lottery, my wasteland scout."

Angel smiled, his mouth filled with crooked and yellowed teeth. "The one who got you safely around all those dangers. If only we had a mare like her in my flock, for the foal's safety alone."

Though he sounded kind, the disconnect between his voice and the old stallion sitting near me was a bit too much. But I did my best to be polite.

"Thanks… my Pa taught me all about survival." I said, giving Angel a smile.

"How wonderful, so many foals are not properly taught such important things these days. So many fall to the horrors of sin that it breaks my heart. It's why we must follow the example of the great and powerful Goddess, even if she no longer has her physical form. Even now she speaks to me, wanting to help her children." Angel spoke with all sincerity.

"Oh, Ma and Pa would teach me and my siblings something similar. That even if Celestia and Luna aren't with us anymore, that doesn't mean they're not with us in spirit." I said, finding a bit of a connection with the creepy stallion.

"Oh yes, that goddess." The familiar voice of Onyx spoke up as the beautiful mare trotted to the booth, escorted by two rather beefy stallions. "Angel Dolly, faith is good and all, but it can't put food in your belly. So next time you require more money, go through me first, and not spend it on your vanity project."

"The chapel is not some vanity project, it is essential for the faithful to have a place of worship. The Goddess demands it so." Angel retorted.

Onyx just sighed and slid her way into the booth, scooting to Tripwire's other side and getting uncomfortable close to him. She even shot me a dirty glare.

"Well caps aren't infinite Angel Dolly, and I'm still working on a stable supply of them." Onyx spoke with an annoyed tone, rubbing her head on Tripwire's shoulder. "Just organizing those groups to not step on each other's hooves had been horrible for my completion. If it was not for Tripwire's support, there would be no caps at all right now."

"Wealth not shared is one of the heads of evil, that I am grateful to sir Tripwire for. But I still cannot neglect the needs of my flock, or the commands of the Goddess." Angel said with no hint of doubt or regret.

"It's fine." Tripwire spoke up, "I have a solution to our financial problems for now. It should carry us until we have a stable income. That said, Angel, at least pass it through Onyx if you need any additions to your chapel. I'm sure Onyx can provide what you need at a lower cost."

"The great and powerful Goddess deserves the best materials for her chapel, not discounted trash!" Angel protested.

"And you will get them, in time. But right now we must all work together, or we will all suffer together. Like we did under Redeye." Tripwire said calmly to the old stallion.

Angel slowly relaxed, and then took a deep breath. "That I remember, and how he allowed such a tragedy befall us all. I will endeavor to work with you, for the good of my flock."

"And for the good of our cap pouch." Onyx added.

She then looked at me, her nose turned up. "So why is she here?"

"She is here because she is needed. Unless you know how to trot through the wasteland and not attract every mutated beast miles around." Tripwire said in my defense, making me smile wide at the bitch.

Onyx just rolled her eyes. "Can't we just hire Talons, or some other mercenaries. I know we're budgeting our caps, but you gotta be able to do better than a wasteland nopony."

"This wasteland nopony wiped out the Corps Dancers Raiders, fuck you very much." I said back to her with pride.

She clucked her tongue at me. "Bitch, if you want to try me, I'll show you how we put whores like you in line back in Fill-"

"Onyx Heart, will you shut up!" Tripwire growled.

The bitchy mare clamped her muzzle shut, and her gaze lowered to the table.

With a sigh, Tripwire continued. "You, Angel, I, and even Grinder know that we are not in the most secure position right now. The less ponies know what we're doing, the easier it will be to get ourselves established. Anyways, not only has the cost of mercenaries tripled thanks to Gwadina, but they tend to get ideas if not under a binding contract. We need Lottery because she's not going to cause waves, she's not going to draw attention to us, and she's not going to have any funny ideas."

The praise sounded a little weird, but whatever.

A bellowing laugh then caught us by surprise as a hulking stallion came right up to our booth. The scars on his face and body stood out on his dull light blue cote, and made his short bright red mane seem even brighter. Then he smiled at me, showing two rows of polished metallic teeth. The sight of which sent a cold shiver of fear down my spine.

"So this is your new bitch, Tripwire?" The large stallion said with a considerably deep and intimidating voice.

"This is, Lottery, my scout." Tripwire addressed the stallion before motioning for him to take a seat. "Lottery, this is our last member, Grinder. He may be an intimidating pony, but so long as you're with me, you have nothing to fear from him."

His words were a little comforting, but it didn't stop me from feeling unsafe with Grinder looking at me.

"Ya… please to meet you… Grinder. What do you do… well what do any of you do?" I asked the group.

Still smiling, Grinder trotted over Angel and sat next to me, his size making me feel even smaller. "Well my little piece of meat, I'm what you can call a thoroughbred war pony. My family has been warriors and training warriors for generations. If you ever want a real stallion to fuck ya raw, that's me."

Tripwire cleared his throat as he gave Grinder a look that clearly said "shut up."

Tripwire then explained. "What Grinder's role in my bringing order to the wasteland is the training of a new security force. As you have seen, the wasteland is filled with all sorts of horrors. This means that if we are unable to even defend ourselves, we might as well be dead meat. He will help prevent that."

Grinder then snarled. "Ya, and this time ponies like Redeye won't be able to take us by surprise. Right Tripwire?"

"Certainly, this time there will be no way we will lose what is ours." Tripwire said calmly, then motioned to Onyx. "Miss Onyx is in charge of recruitment and establishing trade deals. Fortunately several of her family connections survived Redeye's purge. But it has taken time to repair what has been damaged."

Onyx snuggled Tripwire's leg. "It's been like herding cats as the old saying goes. But I've managed to work miracles."

Lastly, Tripwire motioned his hooves to the old albino stallion. "Angel here is our community organizer, and is leading a new settlement we are building. As times change, ponies are going to need a safe place to live, work, and raise their families."

Angel held his hooves together as he spoke. "All thanks to the mercy of the great and powerful Goddess that we have found each other. Together may we make a great and powerful future."

It all began to make sense as I rattled their words in my mind. "I get it now. Starting a new settlement and growing it into something bigger. Making the wasteland a safer place by building a new civilization, it's genius." I then paused, not seeing how I would fit into it. "I wish I could do more than just be a guide."

Tripwire then smiled at me. "Actually there is a role you can fill once things get started." My ears perked up at this. "Well two roles actually. One, we're going to need somepony to teach others how to farm. From what you've told me about yourself, you have quite a lot of knowledge about farming, and with how many mouths were expected to feed, we will need a lot of farms."

"And the other thing?" I asked, hoping it was something like being by his side.

He leaned in, looking me in the eyes. "You have a talent for getting to places other ponies can't easily go. Keeping unseen, and getting around dangers. I'm sure with some training, you can become an invaluable pony to our great plan, as an enforcer."

I felt a bit disappointed and a little confused. "An… enforcer?"

"Yes, an enforcer." Tripwire said with jubilation. "As we build and grow, there will be those who wish to tear us down. Where Grinder's forces are busy defending our walls or rooting out the obvious threats. You will be hunting down those who slip through the cracks. Imagine, you will become the next hero, like the Stable Dweller, but with a true goal in mind."

My heart thumped as I imagined it. Lottery, the defender of a new civilization, slayer of raiders and bringer of order. It was like a dream come true, a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I would truly be the dumbest mare in all the wasteland to not accept it.

Tripwire stretched out his hoof to me. "So, Lottery, are you on board?"

A fat smile formed on my face as I hugged him. "Oh yes, I'm fucking in!"

Letting him go, Tripwire levitated his drink over to himself, taking a long sip. "Then tomorrow we move out to get the final piece we need. After that, we make history."

I then grabbed his drink, finishing it off myself. "Tomorrow we become heroes!" I announced loudly.

A bellowing laugh came Grinder again as he called an employee over, demanding some drinks.

Sitting back I couldn't help but feel giddy. The memories of the raiders and the mare Chilly were still fresh in my mind, but now there was real hope to prevent that from happening again. I was going to help start a new age of peace, I just knew it. I'll be able to show Ma and Pa that it is safe to come back out into the wasteland, that all the bad ponies are truly gone.

_______________________________________________________

As the day went on, thankfully both Angel and Grinder had left, but Onyx insisted on staying. Even after we left the red light room, she didn't go away, clinging to Tripwire.

It pissed me off, but I don't want to cause a scene in front of Tripwire, and I was sure she knew it.

"Hit me!" Onyx said to the dealer, receiving a card. Then she huffed as she folded.

"Hit" I said, and the card I got put me at twenty two, over what I needed to win. So I folded as well.

Tripwire just held onto the hoof he had, and when it was time to show that hoof, he was one number above the dealer, winning the small pot.

Rubbing him with her elbow, Onyx chuckled. "Always the winner. Aren't you?"

"Victory favors the prepared and observant." He responded as he tossed one of the higher bet chips to the dealer, who quietly took it, dripping the chip into some unseen compartment. "Also it favors those who know when to call it a day."

Getting out of his seat, he pocketed the chips he won, all while eyeing some large stallion paying a lot of attention to our table. "It's also wise to never leave a place with too heavy of a pocket. Let me take the two of you out shopping, my treat."

I rubbed right up on him, finding it hard to suppress a smile. Both from joy, and probably the alcohol in my system. "Oh, can we go to the gift shop? I never did get to browse what they got."

"Not a bad idea, we will need a few odds and ends to restock." Onyx agreed.

Following Tripwire, we came to the old gift shop, it was more of a general store that sat across from the clothing shop that Molo and I had gone to. Here there was a bunch of fixed up and polished junk, preserved snack foods, raw materials I could use to fix up my gun or armor. There were also a lot of trinkets of multi-colored bears that looked similar to the employees.

My eyes fell onto a stuffed plush bear that looked absolutely adorable, it even had a big bow attached to the back of its neck.

"Interested in foal toys are you?" Onyx snickered at me.

"What… no. Just looking." I told her as I forced myself to move on.

She laughed again. "Oh good, and here I thought Tripwire was starting to have a thing for foals." She then presented me with a box filled with squares of glowing powder. I quickly understood it to be a makeup kit. "For an adult like you, you should have more adult-like things like this."

She was being a bit too friendly for my liking. Not long ago she was being outright bitchy to me over Tripwire, but now it was like we're friends. I didn't trust it, and knew she wanted me to do something stupid, but I decided to play along.

"What other adult-like stuff would you suggest?" I asked her.

Onyx smiled. "First off, that outfit of yours is so… two hundred years ago. And…" she flicked at my ears. "You're a bit too clean looking. You need to be more fierce."

I'd be lying if I had said I was not intrigued. "Alright, how do I get myself to look more… fierce?"

"Follow me." She said before waving at Tripwire. "Sugar stud, you can go on ahead of us. I'm going to make, Lottery all pretty."

"Just try and not spend too much and send me the bill when you're done." He responded.

Taking me to the clothing store Onyx went far back, where there was a manikin in a similar outfit as the red light ponies. "First off you're going to need this, this and…, ya this too."

Nothing she grabbed looked like real clothes, just pieces of cloth and string. "You sure, I might as well go out with nothing if I have this little on?"

"Where is the magic in that? It's not like you're like, Angel Doll." She said as she grabbed what looked like netting.

Cocking an eyebrow, I had to ask. "Isn't Angel's name just Angel?"

She paused for a moment, smiling as though she just thought of something amusing. "Yes, his name is just Angel."

"Then why the doll part?" I pressed.

"Because he is like a doll." Onyx responded.

I became more confused. "... like a doll?"

Onyx looked me in the eyes, an awkward smile on her face as though trying to hold in her amusement. "He has no dick and balls, they were removed after he was born. It's why his voice is so creepy, because he never had the balls to drop."

Horrors welled up in me at hearing that. "Who would do such a thing?"

She shrugged. "Clearly his family, you saw that he's an albino, it means he's a mutant. Where we're from, mutation was common and had to be culled. Otherwise we would have feral ponies all over the place, cannibalizing any normal pony they see."

"Still, to do that to a foal, and have to live with it." I lamented.

Onyx patted me on the head with a smile. "Oh you innocent little pony. Let's just change the topic and say that in the end, Angel came out on top... mostly. And we can at least be sure he's safe with children."

I was unsure if what she said was good or bad, but I already trusted her this much.

She then looked closely at me, and tugged at my ear. "Before we put all this on, let's get those pierced."

_______________________________________________________

I trotted out of a restroom after Onyx had finished applying my new case of makeup on, feeling weird about it. It just felt too much, but then again I knew next to nothing about the fashion out here.

Firstly it was hard to trot with heels on my back hooves, which forced me to move with a strut. I had almost fallen over just trotting out because of them. Then the socks, called fishnets, which were barely anything, were tightly dug into my legs, and held up by a thing called a garter belt.

Secondly the makeup was thickly applied and felt too… loud. Didn't help they glowed in the black light, neon pinks, greens, and blues. Then a pair of big hooped earrings, which felt wrong on my ears, but that probably was just me needing to get used to them.

Thirdly was the clothes themselves. The fishnet crop top and cropped jacket wasn't that bad, but the thick coaker with a tag hanging off it felt strange. When I asked what the tag said, Onyx told me it was a word for an empowered mare. Then covering my rear was the same thing that the red light ponies had, which I found that it naturally pushed up on my tail, forcing me to keep it lifted for comfort.

I didn't look like me at all, and I was unsure about trotting around like this. Worse, I could feel eyes on me, more than before, and a lot more intense.

"Lottery sugger, you are absolutely ravishing, utterly sexy!" Onyx said to me, sporting the same makeup, but not as thickly applied. "You know, I could never pull off a look like that, but you, only a mare like you can make it work. It fits you perfectly. "

I was a little flattered by that, and started to feel a bit more comfortable. Onyx was doing all this for me and I had been nothing but bitchy to her. Maybe I had been too hasty about her.

She then bumped my flank with hers. "Say, you want to take a trot around town before going to see Tripwire?"

"I'd rather just go see Tripwire… but if you say so." I said letting Onyx take the lead.

As we trotted out and into Ursa's Rest, I felt more eyes on me, making me uncomfortable. Onyx seemed to notice as she chuckled.

"Don't be shy, Lottery, they are just mesmerized by your beauty. I'm sure if you wanted a stallion, right now all you need to do is stand around and they will come to you." She tried to reassure me, but I didn't like the idea of a random stallion just trotting up to me like that.

Though I had to admit that I did feel "sexy" as I trotted around. All the eyes on me attest to that. But I couldn't bring myself to like this, it just didn't feel like me. I much rather have my puffy hat and dress than what could barely be called clothes.

A hard slap on my flank snapped me out of my own head as I turned to see three rather drunk looking stallions.

"Say babe, *hic* want to come with us, show you *hic* a good time?" The drunk pony slurred.

I felt a nudged from Onyx. "What do you say, if they're interested, then why not."

"Interested in what?" I asked, feeling both confused and really uncomfortable.

Onyx then leaned in and whispered. "To fuck, have a three way, I'll even join in."

Gently, I pushed her away. "No…. No, no, no. Not happening." I said to myself before turning to the stallions. "Sorry, but I already have a stallion, I don't need anypony else."

The stallion grimaced at me. "Then why you dressed like a-"

One of the two other stallions slapped the first upside the head before addressing me. "No problems mam, sorry for holding you up."

The three then moved on, quietly arguing with each other and then laughing.

"Oh too bad." Onyx said in disappointment.

"Not too bad, and I'm done… I want to see Tripwire." I huffed out before turning to make my way to the motel, almost tripping again as I trotted.

Once away from the crowd, I saw Tripwire with his suit hung up, he gently filling his hooves. Bounding to him, I almost buried my face into his chest, just remembering the makeup at the last moment.

"Who… oh, Lottery. You look... different." Tripwire said, his gaze slowly looking past me. "Your work, Onyx?"

From behind, Onyx practically hugged me, almost pushing my head in Tripwire's lap. "You know it. What do you think, it suits her, right?"

Tripwire raised an eyebrow as he said. "Onyx..."

"Oh don't give me that, you know it's true." She said as she pressed her head next to mine.

I then froze as I felt Onyx feeling me up. One of her hooves was in between my back legs, rubbing me. Her other hoof reached out to Tripwire and tapped his sheath.

"You did say she needs training, so why don't I teach her a few things." She said next to my ear as I began to squirm.

I was fine with Tripwire, and even that mule, but having a mare touch me like this felt wrong.

"Alright." Tripwire said, and I froze again, watching as his dick slowly grew in front of me.

A chuckle came from Onyx as she held me tight. "Alright, Lottery, I'm going to show you how to please a stallion."

This… didn't make me happy... but if Tripwire was okay with it, then I would try to like it.

_______________________________________________________

I must have passed out as I didn't remember stopping to take a rest, just waking up with Tripwire between me and Onyx. How long had we been going at it, I didn't know, just that I let Onyx do what she wanted.

Strangely I hurt all over, like I had taken a tumble down a hill. It felt wrong, nothing like the other times after sex.

Checking my own body, some of the clothes were still on me, some had been thrown about the room. As I tried to swallow some spit to find that my choker was way too tight, only now noticing it was hard to breathe. Sitting up to loosen it, my body twitched, feeling something rather solid in me where something shouldn't be.

It slowly came back to me, though hazy. Onyx had given me something, pills I think, then something that forced air into my mouth. Everything then started to spin as it felt like time had slowed down. My body had then become quite sensitive, which was both thrilling and terrifying. Then as I was riding Tripwire, feeling everything, she tightened my choker, making it hard to breathe. Fear and pressure had enthralled me all before I passed out.

It was fuzzy, but I think I remember waking up for a moment. Onyx was on me, doing something with me as her hoof razed. Then I think I heard Tripwire say "not her face." Before it went dark again.

It must have been another bad dream, I was sure of it.

Curling up next to Tripwire, I saw he was covered in lipstick marks. "Ya, you would never let that happen to me." I quietly whispered as I rested my head under his foreleg, and drifted back to sleep.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirteen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirteen

_______________________________________________________

I was getting a bit concerned with how vivid my dreams had been for the last few days, As I had woken up thinking something was wrong, but finding myself in good condition. No pain or nothing stuck in me, but a sense of embarrassment did linger, remembering what Onyx had done with me.

There was a point when I had passed out, so I must have exhausted myself. Likely I had too much to drink, as I did have a hangover when I woke up. But before that Onyx had seemed just as focused on me as I had been with Tripwire, and that left me feeling a bit… disgusted to tell the truth.

I could only guess that I was just not into other mares, even if I was with a stallion. It just didn't feel right to me, even if Onyx was rather good at it. At least, from what I could remember, I had learned a few things. Things I will never tell my family even on my deathbed.

With a sigh, I finished attaching my wasteland scout armor. The thing was still as uncomfortable as it was before, but I found myself more used to it now. It had the marks from the raider I fought; a dent on the chest, long scratched on the forelegs armor.

The bent and useless armor piece brought back bad memories. Even now with those raiders gone, I couldn't help but think of what could have happened if I had not gotten lucky, if I was too slow. Becoming the plaything of such vile ponies was a nightmare I almost lived. The thought of it caused my hoof to shake, though now not as much.

Putting the armor piece away, I resolved myself to be more careful. Next time I'm in such a situation, if I'm ever in an opportunity to back away, I will. That way I can come up with a better plan of action.

The bear trap was still with me, having kept it out of habit, but an idea was beginning to form in my head on how I can use it. That one dream I had with it was brutal, but not a bad idea. Just needed to figure out how to add a rope snare to a bear trap.

Shrugging, that was planning for another time.

Trotting out I saw Tripwire and Onyx Heart waiting for me. Tripwire was in his normal suit, not sporting the rifle and armor like he had before. He looked quite handsome with his revolver on his hip.

Onyx was in a new red dress, it was not as flashy as what she had before. Over and under the dress was some nice looking leather armor, it being as clean as she was. But catching me off guard was the massive rifle she had by her side. The thing had a matted tan paint job, with the things barrel and a scope being far bigger than that of my hunting rifle.

Trotting over to Onyx, my eyes on her rifle, "What is that?!"

She smiled as she lifted the thing that was as long as herself. "You mean my Desert Rose? It's a classic Equestria Military sniper rifle, made for warfare in dry, dusty, or sandy environments. Unlike it's normal sisters, this rifle requires far less maintenance to keep in good condition."

"Onyx here will be acting as our sniper, her sharp eye for detail has ended most engagements before they could even start." Tripwire explained as he trotted to me, lifting my face up with his hoof, as though checking for something.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

Lowering his hoof, he shook his head. "No, I was just making sure you're alright. You had a lot to drink last night and over exerted yourself, that's all, fortunately."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Ya, even had a minor nightmare too. Still can't quite remember everything though."

The feeling of Onyx rubbing her flank onto mine sent a cold shiver down my spine as she said to me. "Oh that's a shame. You made such lovely sounds as I played with you. Maybe we should try it again, see if I can jog your memory."

Taking a step away from her, I was finding it far better when she was being a bitch to me. "How about we not… I'm not into mares, that I'm sure of."

She frowned at me. "A shame."

"A damn shame." I said to her before quickly turning my attention to Tripwire. "So where exactly are we heading out to? You might have mentioned it before, but I'm having a hard time remembering."

Tripwire took in a deep breath, showing no signs of any irritation with me before he began explaining. "We're heading to a place known as Old Haven, one of the early settlements from right after the war, built-up from a temporary shelter. It was abandoned after a series of disasters, with almost nopony alive to remember its existence. Among the few who knew about it were distant relatives of mine, as well as my father. He would tell stories to me about it when I was a foal, mainly to scare me into being good."

"And that's where he hid your family artifact!" I guessed out loud.

A nod came from Tripwire as he continued. "Yes, and thanks to the documents you helped me recover, Onyx had been able to narrow down Old Haven's location."

"A bitch of a job to be sure, but I know this region like the back of my hoof." Onyx chimed in pridefully.

"Yes, and a wonderful job you did." Tripwire complemented her before turning his attention back to me. "Fortunately the place should be a void of ponies, so no raiders or any large group that can be trouble. Unfortunately, if my fathers old tales are true, the area around it is filled with dangers made from old magic. Mutated monsters and the dead that still trot around, hunting the living."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Wait, how is that any different from, well, the wasteland itself?"

"I asked my father that too, and he told me that the wasteland was made from new magic, chaotic magic. This magic that surrounds Old Haven is old magic, which very much has a purpose to its madness." Tripwire told me as he scratched his chin and added, "I guess we will find out when we get there. After all, my father was likely embellishing the story."

A familiar bellowing laughter caught our attention as we turned to see Grinder trot over, followed by Angel. Grinder was in some rather heavy looking armor with a just as heavy looking gun hanging off a battle saddle. The armor was made from thick quilted cloth under blackened metal plates that were held together with rivets, even riveted in places without the plates.

"That's why we're bringing Fifty Deuces, he will kill any monster, mutant or not." Grinder boasted as he showed off the big boxy rifle. "It is an Old Equestria military 50cal machine gun. This baby will reliably kill anything I point it at, and trust me, I've killed a lot with Fifty Deuces."

"That I have no doubt." Tripwire commented. "Grinder and some of his ponies will be dealing with any major threats on our way to Old Haven. Fortunately, between where we are going, and what we may be dealing with, it will be safe to go loud this time."

Grinder again laughed loudly. "Been too long since I had a good fight."

Looking past him I saw that Angel looked no different from before. Seeing my curiosity, Tripwire then explained to me. "Angel here knows how to project a protective barrier, along with two of his acolytes, he will be our defense in case we need it."

Angel smiled from under his hood. "The great and powerful Goddess had shared with me some of her secrets, all so that I may protect her flock and spread her word."

Tripwire then looked at me, pulling out from a small saddlebag two magazines of 308 rounds and passing them to me. "Your job is to be our spearhead and find a route to Old Haven once we enter its cursed lands. I have full confidence in your ability in this endeavor, and once we are victorious, things will become so much easier."

"We will be able to bring order to the wasteland and become heroes!" I said back to them.

"Legends even." He said, smiling at me.

With the meet and greet done, we trotted out of Ursa's Rest, and down the road for nearly an hour. There I saw a cart attached to two Brahmin, the large beasts grazing on what plant matter they could find. Next to it were six ponies, two in robes like Angel, and four in similar armor to what Grinder had.

It wasn't long before we then loaded up and headed out. Though the Brahmin weren't as fast as me, they were clearly faster then the others. It was also nice not to actually have to move around as much, letting some other creature move us around.

_______________________________________________________

It had taken over a week of travel to reach our destination, a trip that I found quite boring. Surprisingly, if I was not moving around, I found myself fidgeting a lot, or getting chatty. Unfortunately the other ponies didn't have all that much to say, mostly similar lives in the wasteland.

So to pass the time I would jump out and scout ahead, even do some hunting with my .22 rifle. Though Tripwire had made sure to stock up enough supplies for everypony, the added meat and wild veggies let everypony eat more hardily. And though the other ponies still didn't say much, they did seem a lot friendly to me.

One thing that had begun bothering me was the lack of privacy when I was with Tripwire. With other ponies so close all the time, it just killed any mood for more private activities. Worse, Onyx would taunt me when she could, insisting on teaching me more about pleasuring a stallion. So when Tripwire did go to the bunker through his portal, Onyx would always come with us as well.

Though I got some relief from it, I never enjoyed how Onyx touched me. Though it did feel good, it also felt wrong. But I wanted to be with Tripwire, so I endured it.

I also didn't like the looks I got from Grinder, or from his ponies. It reminded me of the eyes of predators, waiting for their opportunity to pounce. It only made me want to go to the bunker with Tripwire even more. Even if I had to let Onyx touch me.

Finally I heard the words I had been waiting for.

"We're here!" Tripwire exclaimed.

Here being a pass between two mountains, under a dark cloud cover that snow drifted down from. The place felt wrong, like the cold here was unnatural and… evil.

Tossed at my hooves were some thick looking furry clothes. Looking back I saw Tripwire plucking more out from his portal. "Put those on, I got them in case my father wasn't lying about the unending winter here." He told us.

Putting on the warm clothes over my armor, I couldn't help but be reminded of a story my Ma would tell my brothers and I. "It's like the old breezy tale of the long winter, a snow storm in summer that took many lives. Where the hero of hope slew the lord of the dead, saving every pony from freezing to death and joining his army of the dead."

"I remember that tale as well, though my father insisted that it very much happened. Said it was the cause for Old Haven to finally be abandoned." Tripwire said as he trotted over. "He said that by the time the undead relented their assault, the majority of Old Haven had joined them. Even now, they wander this cursed land, aimlessly, always hunting."

I honestly felt a shiver of true fear creep up my spine. "And we must go through here, there must be some secret passage or something?"

"If there is, but I don't know of it." Tripwire answered with a sigh.

"Oy, I see the damned place!" Onyx called out as she looked through her rifle's scope. "A bit hard to see, but it's there. Looks like some old manor, gives me some real creepy vibe."

She then frowned. "Also see the road up there, there's at least two landslides and a broken bridge. If there's a way around, It's going to be rough."

"I expected as much." Tripwire said knowingly as he looked up at where this manor was, concern on his face. "Though I was hoping it was not so."

Giving both of my rifles a quick maintenance check and making sure my gear was easily accessible I turned to Tripwire once more, doing my best to not show my nervousness. "So all I need to do is find a way around, it can't be all that hard. And I'm sure if there's anything dangerous still here, a .308 round can easily take it out."

Tripwire looked at me and sighed. "That I'm sure, but do try not to take any risks. I have a feeling that they'll be more than what we can see out there. Also taking these," from the cart, Tripwire levitated several sticks with a bulbus cylinder on top. " magical flares, I got this just in case. When you find a path around, plant them in the ground and pull the string, we will be able to follow them."

"Y… ya." I said as I took the flares and leaned in, wanting a kiss.

"If you ever get scared I'll comfort you all night!" Grinder shouted out, getting a laugh from the other armed ponies.

With the mood ruined, I took a step back and turned to the road ahead. "Alright Lottery, this is like the adventure I always wanted, so keep it together." I told myself.

_______________________________________________________

To say it was cold here was an understatement, I hadn't even gone that far up the path before I started shivering. Just breathing felt like my own life force was leaving me as I was taking in the cold air and letting out my own warmth. Even my surroundings gave off a feeling of death, all bone white, to the point it was almost blinding despite the cloud cover.

Using my scarf to cover my mouth, it helped a little to keep myself warm as I pushed ever onward into the unending white. Thankfully the flat path made it easy to follow, as without it I could have easily gotten lost out here. As I looked around there were no animal tracks, just the muted silence and with the crunching of my hooves the only thing I could hear.

As I had been warned, I came to the first roadblock, a large landslide of snow that formed a wall. Something caught my eye in the landslide, as I saw a sign sticking out of the snow, likely caught up in the landslide. Trotting over, I reached up and banged on it a few times to knock the ice and snow off. Only after seeing the badly damaged and illegible sign did I wonder what I expected to happen.

As I stood there, a ruffling sound came from within the landslide. Curiously I pulled out my .22 rifle and slowly extended it two whatever was that made the sound. Maybe there was life here, just underground. Maybe mole rats!

Though not ideal, mole rats did make nests big enough for a pony to fit in, and with several exits. So it could be used as a passageway through.

With a poke the snow slid off a section of the mound and I suppressed a scream. The skull of a pony looked back at me, half buried and frozen. With a skeletal hoof reaching out, it looked as if it had struggled to free itself before it had died.

When the moment passed, and I managed to calm down, the fear was replaced by pity. "Poor pony, how long have you been left here?"

I had seen dead like this before, but those skeletons felt reigned in their fate, in positions of relaxation. This pony looked like they had died in horror, its jaw wide open.

Then it's jaw slammed shut, the hollow clunk of the bone echoed around me. The skeletal hoof now flailed at me, causing me to stumble back in shock. I was unsure at what I was even looking at. More snow fell off in sheets, revealing more bones, more skulls, all clumped in the dirt, rock, and ice. All moving about wildly, making the clunking noise unending.

Crawling backwards, to my horror the mound of bones began moving, inching its way to me. The legs of long dead ponies scraping into the ground, kicking up dirt as the skulls snapped at me.

I aimed and fired my rifle, the .22 round managing to blow open a skull. One of what had to be twenty? Fifty? Maybe even more skeletons in that mound.

The mound retaliated as what looked like several spines connected together, whipped out at me. It landing next to me with a loud thud, kicking up even more snow.

Panicked, I turned to run, stumbling in the snow as I tried to get away from this abomination.

Another slam hit down next to me and the world then spun. Ground, then sky, then ground again, my face landing into the snow. It only just now registered that the spine whip had nearly got me, flipping me violently.

As I again stumbled up, the snow gave way in front of me, revealing the cliff I almost ran over.

Looking back, the mound was making its way to me, slowly, and with no way to stop it.

Then I looked from the cliff to the hill above, and a dumb idea formed. It's an idea nonetheless.

Seeing another whip strake come at me I jumped back, making sure I didn't go off the cliff, but stayed near the edge.

The closer the mound got, the further it crawled, the more it moved to the edge. As long as I kept an eye on it, I found that it was easy to read it's move, and I could avoid the whip.

Closer, and closer still. It eventually made its way to the cliff as planned. Pulling out my flare gun, I prayed and hoped, pointing it at the hill above. Then fired.

As the cloud of smoke dispersed, the bone whip hit me, cutting my cheek as I was launched back, the wind knocked out of me.

Brushing the snow from my face, I watched stunned as the mound continued its way to me. I couldn't move, though I wanted to, but my legs just wouldn't respond. Nothing would move as I watched the mound grow closer, not even my mouth would scream in horror.

Several loud bangs then echoed past me, the sound so loud it hurt my ears.

There was then a roar that drowned all sound, followed by a wave of white snow which slammed into the mound. For a brief moment everything was consumed in the purest white, like it had all been reduced to a colorless state.

Then as soon as it came, it had passed, and I was encased in darkness.

Regaining my wits, I pushed the snow out of my way. Before me was an old snow covered cracked road. The mound was gone along with most of the snow in the area with it.

Taking a long moment to catch my breath, I pulled out my hunting rifle to look down at the caravan through the scope. Looking back at me was Onyx, waving at me, her Desert Rose at the ready. Lowering my rifle, I waved back in thanks.

Moving on, I dare not look over the cliff edge, or even go near it. If there was a chance of getting dragged down, I didn't want to risk it.

But with the mound gone, and the road was clear, so yay… for now.

As I trotted up, my hoof stepped on something metal, and I saw a pony hole cover underhoof. Taking a mental note of it, I then moved on, wanting to get this journey over before more horrors appeared.

_______________________________________________________

The feeling of any hope faded as I looked over the ruined bridge, seeing no simple way across to the other side. But the road did continue past the bridge, and following the slight shadows with my eyes, I saw that it went down.

The road disappeared a few times into what looked like a mess of trees and snow. Where it eventually came out onto the other side, likely reconnecting to where we were going.

I didn't like it, but I had to go down.

Placing a flare at where the road began to dip down, bathing everything in an orange glow. The road was barely visible to the eye, so I hoped this would be enough to point the others in the right direction. Though I had a feeling I would need to do more the further down I went.

Things only felt colder as I reached the bottom, finding myself in what looked like a town. Though it appeared to be ancient, it lacked the aesthetics of the old world, feeling like a settlement, but more sophisticated. At least that's how it appeared to me.

Again placing a flare and lighting it, I trotted into the ancient settlement, the eerie silence setting my fur on its ends.

With my head on a swivel, looking for any movement, possible moving mounds or, well, anything. I took in my surroundings, only feeling a deep dread.

Though in ruins, this place truly had once been a home to ponies, with most of the buildings still standing. Where it was both figuratively, and literally frozen in time.

There was what had to be a shop, strange trinkets still on display, rotten and frozen. Nearby looked to be a bar, with tables turned over and cracked glass mugs littering the floor. I even saw what must be bottles of booze left untouched inside.

Not that I had any interest in touching, much less drinking anything in this place.

Homes were all over, with now ragged clothes hung by wire between the buildings, having never been collected. I could even see what looked like a young filly looking down at me…

No… it was a young filly, and she had no eyes. As we looked at each other, she slowly backed away and out of sight.

My heart thumped and I kicked up snow as I dashed away, needing to get to the other side of this place and fast. Galloping, I could hear the sounds of movement erupted all around me as things fell over and clattered from the homes. Yet as I moved, I seemed to go nowhere. This settlement was far bigger than it first appeared, or was I going in circles?

I could not see the end of this place, only more buildings.

A unicorn ghoul burst out from the snow, colliding with me as a small rusty scythe struck my leg armor. It made a screeching sound as it cut through the leather and grinded on the metal underneath.

Kicking it off me, I pulled my hunting rifle, aimed and fired. Managing to blast a hole through its head with a lucky shot. But the ghoul didn't go down, neither did its scythe, still levitating in the air. It took a step closer and racked another round and fire, and again, and again, and again.

The undying ghoul finally went down, but only because I blasted off its front legs. But the thing was still moving, swinging its scythe at me.

Looking back, more of the ghouls had gathered in the street, many with their own crude weapons, and each in a different state of frozen decay. With how much it took to just stop the one, I was not going to tangle with a settlement full of them.

Again galloping off, I almost fell over as I slid to a stop, seeing a new monster before me. A tall thin thing stood in my way, the smell of rot coming off it. It was as though its legs had outgrown its skin, causing the skin to tear off and flapping in the wind as it stood on brown skeleton legs. Its head was no different, with a fanged filled skeletal muzzle extended out of a stretched out mouth. On top of its head were two miss matched antlers with string woven between them. Tangled in the string looked like a rotting foal, yet it was very small, furless with translucent skin.

The more I looked at it, the more terrifying it became, yet I could not look away, I could not move. I could not escape.

Right there I puked, sending the warm bile over my chin and under my armor. The action freeing me from a frozen in horror state. Bolting down an alley, I heard the monster let out an unnatural roar, so loud it made my ears ring.

Bursting out from the alleyway, I found myself back near the bar and shop, somehow back where I started. Yet I could not see the way I had come from, just more of this place. It didn't feel right, this place was too big, and all so cold. Even running didn't warm me up.

A rusty axe landed near me, having been thrown by one of the undead monsters, with more of them trotting my way.

Picking any direction, I chose to go through the bar, hoping to lose them. Slamming into something hard and heavy, again I had to suppress a scream as the bar was filled with corpses hanging from rope by their neck. Pushing through them, I found a door in the back and smashed my way to the other side.

Again I was back where I had started, seeing my own hoof tracks leading into the bar. Emerging from the bar was the tall thin monster. just looking at it felt like I was being penetrated all over by cold tendrils.

Wanting to get away, I dashed to the shop, doing my best to not to look at what was inside. But as I scrambled through the trinket shop, knocking things over, I peeked. Everything was made from bones and flesh. Horrifyingly, I saw many cutie-marks stretched out inside hoops, hanging like decorations. All decorated with ominously glowing gemstones.

Hopelessly coming out the other side and back where I started, the tall thin monster was waiting for me. It somehow was bigger, thinner, longer. It reached out, it's leg impossibly long, placing a cracked hoof on my head.

Again I puked, sending out a red glowing bile. The monster recoiled, letting out a loud and unnatural roar that hurt as everything rumbled and blurred.

For a brief moment things became strangely clear. In front of me was a frozen skull with miss matched antlers and the small dead foal tangled between them.

The monster roared again, and reached out to grab me with its hooves. Its bones splintered, which dug into me painfully. But I just knew what I needed to do. Though it hurt, the pain much like when my leg broke, I ignored it, punning out my axe.

It tried to stop me, slamming its hooves down onto me hard, but I managed to rear back and swing down. The gold plated axe hitting something, causing the world to shake. Again I reared my head back as the monster impaled me with its splintering hoof, and again I brought it down.

With one more swing, everything became still, silent.

It hurt all over as I found myself sitting in front of some decrepit shrine. There it was, the skull of the monster, it having been smashed by my axe, and the unborn foal trapped by it was now free.

Again I puked, a line of sweet tasting glowing red liquid escaping from my mouth. Splattering onto the shrine, bubbling and evaporating. A blue flame then burst to life on the shrine, causing it to then crack and soon after the skull disintegrated.

The flame stuck around for a while, its soft blue light filling me with warmth, as though telling me that things will be okay in the end, that all I need is hope. Then the light simply faded, and with it gone, the cold returned.

Unsure what had just happened, I pulled my axe from the ruined shrine. A strange mist came off the axe, almost moving about like a tendril, making me worried about my own sanity. Quickly putting my axe away, I looked around.

I was still in the settlement, with a light layer of snow on me, and under me was a pile of frozen corpses. A sense of numb panic came over me as I scrambled to get off it, slipping and rolling off. My face stopped an inch from the ground. Hanging there for a few seconds, I slowly regained my wits.

Looking back, my armored leg was stuck in the mouth of a half rotten corpse, it trying to chew on me. After several kicks I managed to break the jaw to free myself, and crawl away.

Now with some distance I could see that it was a mound of dead, much like the one before, but far smaller. It reached out for me, but only caused itself to start breaking apart. Several jumbled up corpses then free themselves, clumsily moving around.

Backing away, I ran from the undead and through the very quiet and dead settlement. From the corner of my eye I could see more mangled corpses watching me, mouths agape and empty eyes.

To my relief I found the other side of the settlement, and ran up onto the road leading out of this place. Placing down and activating the magical flare, I took a moment to truly catch my breath, looking back into the settlement. There I saw many dead standing about, some just rotten corpses, others a mess of flesh and bone haphazard thrown together. Some had weapons, others not, and none moved towards me.

They just stared up at me. The sight filled me with both pity and horror.

Were they still alive, like some ghouls, or were they soulless abominations. This I didn't know. But I did know that I dreaded having to go through there again on my way back.

This was truly a cursed place.

_______________________________________________________

My body had become heavy, between the cold, the trot up the road, and all the brahmin shit that happened down below, I was drained. So when I saw the last roadblock up ahead, all I felt was dread.

It had to be another mound of the dead, I was sure of it. Worse was that there was no cliff it could fall off, or no snow above to hit it with. Both sides of the road were raised up, and the mound blocked any way through.

I considered just climbing around it, but the thick snow hid any danger that could lay beneath. I could also just wait for the others, but with how cold I was getting, that didn't appeal to me.

Thinking, I remembered the pony hole cover from before, and maybe it could be a solution to this problem.

Pulling out my .22 rifle, I got in what I thought was the center of the road. Trotted backwards as I dragged the axe head through the snow, I could only hope for this to work. After a while it made a clunk sound of metal on metal, and I knew I found it. Clearing the snow, there it was, a big scuffed up steel disk.

Again using my .22 rifle to pry open the pony hole cover, and with much effort, pull it to the side. The effort took more energy than I thought it would, and I had to take a break for a minute before looking down.

Darkness was all I really saw, like a black endless void.

Taking one of the flairs, I lit it and tossed it in, bathing it all in its orange light, revealing… concrete. No bodies, or anything that screamed horror, just cold concrete.

Lighting another flare and leaving it at the entrance to the pony hole, I then descended. Though still cold, I found it far more tolerable underground, and a bit humid. Just like above, there was no sound, other than my own echoing hooves.

Picking up the flare I had dropped down here, I made my way through the tunnel, making a mental guess where the mound was.

With each step I could swear my eyes saw something. My ears kept picking up hoofsteps other than my own. My nose twitched at odd smells for the briefest of moments. I think, no, I knew eyes were on me, watching me, gazing at me. The sound of my breath was not my own, my hooves weren't my own.

I had to run, to get away!

"Lottery, over here." My head snapped to the voice, the voice of Tripwire. He was standing at an exit, light behind him, shadowing him out.

"H...how did you get here?" I asked, only now noticing how raw my throat felt, as though I had been screaming at some point.

"Over here Lottery, come over here!" Tripwire called me.

Trotting his way, my heavy legs found the strength to pick up the speed. He cared enough to come help me, like I knew he would. It was just a little bit further now.

As I reached him, something grabbed me, held me down. Struggling, I hit something soft and I heard a yelp, which seemingly snapped me out of a daze.

"Stop struggling, I'm trying to help you, you dumb mare!" A stallion huffed out.

Slowly I did just that, noticing that the light I saw was gone. Illuminated by my flair was a sudden drop into murky water.

"Wh… what happened?" I asked.

The stallion got off me, taking a moment to catch his breath before giving me an answer. "A curse, unfortunately. It plays with your mind to get you to trot into that water and drown."

Taking a few steps back from the edge, I looked at the pony who saved me. Strangely he looked a bit like Tripwire, but with a longer messy mane that partially draped over his face and had a poorly maintained goatee. The unicorn wore a rather old but also nice looking brown suit jacket with thick patches where the legs bent, and topping it off was a pair of thick glasses on his muzzle.

He gave off the look of a smart pony, but not of a well organized one.

"Right, thank you for saving me… you are real, right?" I asked, hoping he was not just some ghost.

"Oh yes, alive, very much alive. Here, let me help you to the manor. Before some other necro cursed being comes sneaking up on us." He said, offering me his hoof.

Taking it, I saw that it was made of metal, not covered in metal, but actually made of it.

Seeing me stare at it, he reflexively hid it behind his other hoof. "Oh sorry about that, I'm not some cybernetics killer or anything, I promise."

"N… no, I shouldn't have started like that. Just never seen something like that, and the only pony I ever heard to have any was Redeye." I said.

The stallion grimaced at the name Redeye before turning around. "Less talking until we're out of here."

Picking up the flare, I then followed him down the tunnel, where not long after we came to a ladder with light beaming down. Climbing, the cold air returned, nipping at my nose as he helped me up and out. Now back on the road, I looked around and then dropped the flare in shock at what I saw.

Not far from it was a closed metal gate, and sticking through the bars were the skeleton legs of a mass of dead, dirt, and frost. Each leg moved, reaching out, grasping at the air.

"Horrendous isn't it." The unicorn stallion said, sounding dejected. "It's magic is beyond us, and truly nightmarish. Now let's not disturb the dead any longer, come this way."

Nodding I followed, finding it more bearable here, the sense of evil far less powerful now. Turning a bend, I then saw it, the manor. The place must have been three stories high, and half the size of Ursa's Den, maybe. It also looked absolutely ancient, like a place from a horror story.

Actually, after what I had been through, It was a place out of a horror story.

The stallion then stopped to look back at me. "Oh, my father will want to talk to you."

I gulped, "You're father, he doesn't want me for some experiment or something?"

It was hard to tell through his glasses and mane, but he seemed to look a bit confused. "What, by Celestial no, he's a good stallion, and wants to help ponies… Well, he wanted to help ponies. My father is just going to want to know how you got this far. His name is Arcane Fuse Neighsay, and this is our family home, Neighsay Manor."

"Neighsay!" I said in surprise. "And you are?"

"Oh, where are my manners!" He said in genuine apologetic shock before, giving me a bow. "My name is Spell Circuit Neighsay."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fourteen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fourteen

_______________________________________________________

The inside of the manor was grand, with beams of dark wood accented by brass fittings and walls decorated with floral wallpaper that were only slightly peeling. All over was exquisitely carved and polished to a shine, furnishings that look quite comfortable and old.

It was all old to be sure, far more ancient than anything I had ever seen, but not in any real state of decay. Nothing here felt like the ruins I grew up around, or like the other places I had seen.

On the wall were paintings everywhere; some of ponies, others of places. There was one large portrait hanging above two fancy stairways that connected together. The large portrait was of three unicorns; an adult stallion and mare, and one older colt. They had a similar appearance to both Tripwire and Spell Circuit.

The shaggy stallion, Spell Circuit, then stopped. "If you would please stay here, I'll go fetch Margaret and prepare the washroom for you."

"Margaret, washroom?" I said inquisitively, hoping it was not because I smelled.

"Yes, I'm sure you're going to want a change of clothes." He said as he motioned to his chest, indicating that I should look there. "The shock of trotting through the cursed land will likely fade soon, and… well."

Holding my breath, I looked down, seeing that the front of my clothes were covered in puke. Not just my front, but the back of my coat felt uncomfortably wet and my back legs were soggy. I knew what it was, but I did my best to suppress the thought.

"Yes, that would be nice! Really nice!" I blurted out.

Nodding, a silver over-glow covered Spell Circuit's horn and with a pop he vanished, leaving me alone in this grand entryway, soaked in my own filth.

As I stood there I could hear a humming, like when my Ma would hum as she worked. But it sounded odd, like it was unnatural. As it got louder, it was clearly a mare humming, yet the offness of her tone made me nervous and my mind wondered. Had I fallen into another monster's trap, was I still hallucinating?

Just as my mind was about to get the better of me, a silver sphere in an apron floated into the room. It had six thin limbs, with three on top with sphere-like eyes attached and three below that had what looked like pincers. As it looked at me, I just felt… calmer.

It then spoke to me with a soft, feminine, yet robotic voice. "Oh dear, you poor thing. The young master said we had a guest and she would need some help, but you look absolutely… well… not to be rude, but you're in a dreadful state. Come here, I'll get you washed up, then we can see to it that you get some warm tea and a hot meal."

As I was in desperate need to get clean, I just followed the strange floating robot.

Quickly ushered away, four more floating robots appeared, they having a frilly cap on one of their eye spars. Each one was busy cleaning a room, but had stopped to watch me as I passed, they even seemed to quietly whisper to each other.

The apron robot stopped for a moment to look at the other robots, who then scattered, returning to their work. "Sorry deary, the staff loves their gossip, and it's been so long since we had a guest, and a mare at that."

"Wh-what are you all… anyways?" I asked.

Somehow the robot smiled with her eye. "My designation is Margaret. We are the latest model of the Miss Nanny, made for the care of the young and old, along with their homes. We can perform any task that is required for our duty, with an adaptive virtual intelligence program that allows us to better care for our ward."

"Wow, Ma certainly could have used you when looking after my brothers when they were foals." I said to Margaret.

"Oh it's been too long since I last held a foal. Sadly my cold arms can never compare to a mothers embrace." Margaret actually sounded dejected, despite being a robot.

Stopping at a door, Margaret led me inside where there was a large tub of bubbly warm water. "Now miss, would you please remove your garments, I'll have the maids wash them for you."

Doing as she said, and then stepping into the tub, it felt… oh so good. Never in my life had I ever had a warm bath. Just sitting in it made me feel like I was melting. And somehow, even though Margaret had metal pincers, she gently scrubbed me down and washed my mane.

_______________________________________________________

Thoroughly washed and dried, I honestly never felt so clean before, and truthfully, I probably never had been this clean ever in my life. Even better, Margaret had a dress sent over for me as they washed my clothes. It was a beautiful pastel purple gown decorated with a few red bows. I had tried to protest, but Margaret insisted. Then she braided my mane and tail for me, adding more red bows to them.

I never felt so pretty in my life as I followed Margaret to the dining hall. For the briefest moment I had forgotten where I was, what I had just been through, and who I was with.

Taking a seat at the table, Spell Circuit was already sitting across from me, levitating two books as he wrote in a third. What Tripwire told me about his brother was that he had worked with Redeye, but also it sounded as though Tripwire had killed him too. It both made me worried and curious.

"So…" I spoke up nervously, unsure what to even talk about. Then I saw his mechanical hoof, and I got an idea. "That hoof, the cy...cyber...cybernetic you called it. How did you get it?"

Spell slowly took his eyes off his book, looking around before noticing me and then looking at his cybernetic hoof. Hiding it from view, he then addressed me. "Th-this, it was… a friend gave it to me… saved my life… well, what was left of him did."

Though his face was covered by the glasses and his mane, I could tell there was a sense of sadness on it and in his voice.

"What do you mean, what was left of him?" I asked.

He took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. "I… once knew a wonderful pony who opened my eyes. He saw potential in every creature he met, no prejudice in his mind, be it if they were an earth pony or unicorn, or if they were a pony or non pony."

A smile formed on his face as he continued. "Before I met him I ignorantly believed in my superiority over all others. Destined to rule my mother would say. But my friend showed me how flawed that mindset was, and that I was meant to help ponies work together, not lord over them. Only by working hoof in hoof could we change the wasteland for the better."

As I listened I could not believe he was talking about Redeye. Maybe Redeye came later, but how could he go from that to siding with the slaver lord Redeye? What could have happened.

The smile then faded from Spell's muzzle. "But the wasteland is cruel, and it takes everything, giving back nothing but spite. I watched my friend be whittled down day by day. Sometimes he lost a piece of himself, sometimes we lost a friend. I don't know when it happened, but at some point the friend I knew died, and he was born."

"He?" I said, feeling confused.

Spell rubbed his cybernetic hoof. "I dare not say his name, but he was everything my friend once was, but twisted. If he could not get ponies to hold each other up by hoof to hoof, then he would chain them down and force their hooves together. Where once he patiently talked to ponies, getting them to understand, now he preaches at them with a gun to their head."

That sounded familiar. "You… talking about Redeye, aren't you?"

Spell paused for a moment, looking at me.

"Yes… That's what they called him." Spell said with a sigh. "I tried to show him that he was on the wrong path, that I could convince even the most evil pony to change their ways. Just like how he showed me. But…"

He held up his cybernetic hoof, lifting his glasses. What I saw was two very dark bags under tired looking, regret filled eyes. To my shock, one eye was red, with a slight artificial light glowing from it.

"But I only proved him right in the end. The same fate that befell him, befell me." Spell then clenched his teeth. "But I was so much more stupid, so damn foolish, thinking, believing I had broken through to my brother. I knew if I could convince him to change his ways, then I could get my friend back."

My chest thumped as I held my breath, not wanting to believe what I was hearing.

"Worse, my brother knew what I was trying to do, and…" Spell let out a long sigh. "He said to me that even if he could not beat Redeye, that at least he would make sure that my hero would never return. Then shot me, left me for dead."

Unable to stop myself, I slammed my hooves onto the table, Shouting out. "There's no way Tripwire would do something like that!"

Forcing my own mouth shut with my hooves, I shrunk back into my seat as everything became deadly quiet.

As though sensing the tension, Margaret floated over, and placed a plate of food in front of Spell, and one in front of me. "Today we have a grilled vegetable salad, picked fresh from the greenhouse, seasoned with salt and pepper. A light, yet delectable meal."

Slowly, Spell lowered his glasses, not saying a word as he then began eating.

Looking down at the plate of food, it looked wonderful, but looking at it didn't shake the sense of dread I now felt.

After a long moment of doing nothing, I looked back up at Spell. "Aren't you going to… do something to me?"

He said nothing.

That sense of dread faded as anger bubbled up. "Hay! I know you worked for that monster, there's no way Redeye was ever a good pony. Now tell me the truth, there's no way Tripwire would do something like that. Talk to me!"

Placing down his fork gently, and using a napkin to pat his lips. Spell again sighed. "No, I'm not going to do anything to you. Actually I suspected that my older brother might be involved. No other pony would care to come this far. Also, all I have said is the truth."

"Brahmin shit!" I spat out. "Tripwire is trying to rebuild what Redeye destroyed, he's going to help everypony."

"How is Tripwire going to help anypony when he only cares about helping himself? What do you even know about him." Spell huffed at me.

"I know he has plans and connections. That he will bring order to the wasteland, which will help everypony." I said back.

"Order, how will he even do that?" He scoffed.

Smirking at him, I said, "that's why I'm here."

Spell cocked his head. "For what?"

"For… for… I don't know." I admitted, realizing Tripwire never explained what he was trying to get.

"He is here for our family's greatest shame." An old stallion spoke up. Having trotted in was a frail, yet stoic looking unicorn with a well trimmed mane and beard that was as white as snow.

"Father!" Spell Circuit said, shrinking back in his chair.

The old stallion looked at his son with a sense of pity on his face, sighing before turning his cold gaze to me. "Now before we continue, you should eat. You'll need the energy."

Looking back down at my plate, I nodded and took a bite. The carrot was crunchy and rather good tasting, same for some leaf green. It… reminded me of home.

A rather pretty cup with an image of a flower printed on it was placed in front of me by Margaret. "Here is some tea deary… oh, are you alright, you seem to be upset."

Noticing the tears falling from my face, I quickly wiped them off. "Oh no, I'm fine. I just was reminded of home with how fresh this carrot was."

Taking the drink and sipping it, I found it a bit odd and sweet. "What is this?"

"Royal leaf tea." The old stallion said as he drank from a similar cup. "My ancestors had the good foresight to grow their own, along with their favorite foods from back then. Thanks to Margaret and her staff, they have managed to keep the greenhouse alive for the last two hundred years."

The robot practically beamed with pride as she said, "No food is better than fresh healthy food, master."

"Too true." He said before addressing me again. "I am Arcane Fuse Naysayer, patriarch of this cursed family. The pony across from you is my second son Spell Circuit, and you seem to be well acquainted with my eldest son, Tripwire. May I know your name, young miss?"

"L-Lottery, just Lottery." I told Arcane Fuse.

He smiled, though his eyes didn't. "A lovely name. Though if we go by pony naming conventions, I wouldn't be surprised if you or your family were professional gamblers, or bandits. But let's save the discussion about family for later, and can you tell me how you got past the mound maker?"

My blood ran cold from his question. "The… mound maker?"

Arcane sighed. "The monster totem with the dear skull for a head. It was one of the curses left behind long ago, entrances trespassers and forces them to be part of a mound of the dead. I once attempted to destroy it myself, and if Margaret here had not saved me, I would have been added to the mound myself. The incident left my mane and tail a stark white, similar to you."

Confused, I checked my mane, only to find a streak of white through it. "H-how?"

"It's what evil magic does, destroys or corrupts. Always leaving its mark." Arcane said with a sigh. "And I'm ashamed to admit it was the doing of an ancestor of mine. Though what was passed down about it was that they were dead at the time. Reanimated by the same vile magic that swept over Equestria generations ago, and sent to claim the rest of the family along with their secrets. It was a curse made by my own blood all the same."

"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that." I couldn't help but wonder how much they suffered. If not for the dead trying to kill me, or how cold it was, this place would look rather nice.

"Don't be, but it is kind of you to say so." Arcane said to me. "Actually I should be thanking you. Though this land is still cursed, now with the mound maker gone, we may finally have a chance to restore this land to what it once was. That and to have the poor child to be finally at rest. So, how did you do it, how did you escape it's hold?"

A cold shiver ran down my spine as I tried to remember, but nothing came to mind. "I… don't know. I didn't even know what was happening, just that I needed to swing my axe. Sorry."

Arcane rubbed his beard for a moment before sighing and taking a sip of his tea. "Any insight Spell."

Spell Circuit levitated the two books he had been reading. "I just started re-reading the old tombs. But from what I can remember, curses are weaker on innocent or virtuous souls. Though there is always more than just that. Something like a catalyst; like an enchanted item, or a blessing. Though there's magic in her axe, I don't think it was the cause. Actually it seems that magic from the curse has moved into the metal."

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "My axe is… magical?"

Spell pointed at a spot next to me, and looking, there it was, my gold plated axe. Seeing it nearly caused me to jump out of my seat. "Was it always there?" I asked as I picked it up, finding it to be absolutely freezing to the touch.

"No, likely it is bound to you, for better or worse. I detected a malicious curse in it, dangerous to be sure, but it is also contained. I'd like to test it to see how dangerous it is, but it just vanished on me before I could do more, apparently to return to you as we can see." Spell explained.

I was unsure about having a cursed axe following me around. But if it meant that I would never be without a weapon, it couldn't be all that bad.

"So we have no answers then?" Arcane asked his son.

Spell nodded. "That is correct, father. I can only theorize that the curse had weakened over the years. Miss Lottery might just have been lucky enough, innocent or virtuous, maybe both, to resist the mound maker."

Again Arcane sighed. "Yet more magic doomed to be forgotten, evil as it may be, I had hoped some good could be made of it."

Spell huffed in annoyance. "Father, not every magic needs to be saved. Some magic is just evil, and it can never be made good. Just let it be forgotten, let our family move on."

The look of pity that Arcane gave his son was strong as ever. "Spoken like a coward. I will not let the sacrifices our family made go to waste. Not when they were so close to fixing what went wrong."

Spell returned his gaze to his books, mumbling something I could not understand.

Taking a deep breath, Arcane turned back to me, a slight smile on his face. "Speaking of family, how has my eldest son been doing? You do seem like you know him."

There was still tension in the room, but I was glad to be given a topic I could talk about. "I met him like… two, no three…. Over a month ago, I think. But we have been helping each other, and together we are going to help save the wasteland."

"Please explain, from the beginning." Arcane requested.

Taking a deep breath, I then started, "Well I had just left home and…"

Starting from the beginning, telling them my story, leaving out the embarrassing parts. Telling them how Tripwire kept me from wandering into a radiation hot spot, and how he got us around the raiders. I told them about the Corps Dancers, the Steal Rangers and the Enclave. How he paid for my leg to be fixed and his plans to bring order to the wasteland. I was still unsure about his friends, but they had their roles like I will.

The two of them just let me talk, waiting for me to finish before saying anything. Arcane being the one to speak up, judgment in his eyes as he looked at me. "You said you were in Pentagram's office, and had retrieved his medallion? Didn't you read my message on the terminal?"

I froze for a moment, remembering just scrolling through the messages. "I… Well, I can't… read."

Arcane's judgmental stare melted away as his two hooves came up and covered his face. "My trial, I thought I was so smart, and defeated by illiteracy." His quiet voice was stressed and pain filled.

Confused, I looked over at Spell, who was face hooding as he sighed. "Father left a spell in the text. A pony needed to be able to magickly counter it or get mesmerized. It would make sure any pony who could get past it would be able to understand how dangerous the artifacts inside are."

Arcane then lamented, "it would have made sure the reader would leave the proto stable in a daze, all before remembering where they were and what they learned. I thought it was perfect."

I somehow felt that I did something really bad. "What do you mean? Why did you make a spell like that, and how is some of that stuff dangerous?"

Arcane took a deep breath as he rubbed the side of his head. It reminded me of my Pa whenever he had to explain something several times to me or my little brothers. So I knew a simplified and to the point explanation was about to start.

Placing his hooves on the table and finishing his tea, Arcane began his explanation. "Alright Miss Lottery, since you've come this far. And it's clear my eldest son, at best, had deemed it not necessary to tell the whole truth. I will."

An overglow of magic enveloped Arcane's horn, and from it colored lights began dancing around, forming images. What I then saw was the image of a unicorn stallion standing in front of a group of much younger unicorns, he looked a lot like the stallion from the portrait. "Our family, before the great war, were dedicated scholars. Educating the young and molding the rules to how education should be done."

The image shifted to that of a building on a cliff, surrounded by a pink cloud. The same unicorn stallion standing in front of severe white sheets covering something. Other, angry ponies, stood around the unicorn, pointing their hooves at him. "The little horn massacre changed that. Well, that moment changed everything for everypony, all for the worse. The institution that was made to protect and educate the young had failed, and many innocents had died. There was no way to foresee such a tragedy, but ponies needed somepony to blame, they needed some pony to bear the responsibility."

Now I saw an image of a younger, similar unicorn stallion next to a bubbly pink mare and three excited young mares. "Blame had the unfortunate effect of being passed on from parent to child, so even the son was exiled from the intuition of education. There were many reasons, none were far. But the newly formed Ministry of Moral sought to at least right some wrongs done to my family, seeking Pentagram's help in magical research. He was also introduced to the founders of Stable-Tec. Where he would conduct social experiments to head off any problems that may come with shoving ponies in a cramped underground bunker."

Pentagram Naysayer stood in front of an orb, around him were several confused ponies. "This arrangement proved to be beneficial, and Pentagram managed to produce several new magics, among them the memory orb and memory extraction spell. Of which the ministries quickly put to use despite possible side effects. Unfortunately, like so many things, the field of psychology was still quite new, and the war made it so that there was no time to take it slowly."

In the next image Pentagram held a device as he stood in front of several ponies in anguish, each with the jewelry I saw in the bunker, each being held down by a pony in white. "My ancestor did try to fix the damage he caused in his experiments, but there was always more work, more demands from the war. So his solution was to combine his work with his need to help those hurt by him. But with each new arcano-tech he crafted to solve one problem, it would make another. Of which he would need new tech to fix."

A bright green flash then blinded me for a moment. When my eyes adjusted, I saw that Arcane had made a green mushroom-like cloud, just like the baifire eggs had made. Under the cloud was the jewelry that Tripwire had found in the bunker, along with an odd looking gun. "As you already know, there was not enough time, and the war came to its nightmarish conclusion. With no more new resources, and their time very much limited, Pentagram had to make a choice. With hope lost, he focused on perfecting what he had, as it was all there was left. So he finished the magic suppression rings, the mind clouding bracelets, and worse of all, the mezmetron."

I did not like the sound of that, but before I could ask, the image changed. Now it showed a depressed Pentagram standing over a large group of ponies, their eyes blank, and cutie marks all the same. Each worker having a simple zero on their flank. "All the ponies he wanted to save, the ones he had hurt, they were turned into mindless and obedient slaves. A necessary evil, as those ponies were too unstable to be let loose on the ruins of Equestria."

My eyes widened with shock! "You don't mean-"

Arcane sighed. "Yes, the Naysayer family became the first slavers." The image changed again, showing the settlement I had been in. Intermixed with normal ponies were the Zeros, doing menial labor. "We tried to stop the practice, but the wasteland made so many damaged ponies and there was always so much work to do. They had their justifications, and I'm ashamed to admit that I would do the same in their place. But because of what we were doing, slavery took hold in Equestria, as it was always far more pragmatic to enslave a criminal than to execute them. Worst, we were always in need of buying a new slave."

Waving his hoof, the image switched to a dark and dirty place filled with tall buildings. "At some point the family split, and those who left moved to Fillydelphia. Where our skills made us rich. Unfortunately, none knew how to make new arcano-tech, and what they had was limited. Over time that knowledge would fade, and we became nothing more than another slaver lord family."

That was a lie, it had to be. "But Tripwire said he fought Redeye!"

The image changed, it filled with fire and blood as ponies clashed. On one side stood Tripwire, the other side stood a red stallion in a blue cape, with one of his eyes having the same artificial red glow as Spell's. Looking over at Spell, he avoided looking at the image, a grimace on his face. "Yes Tripwire had fought Redeye, but it was no noble stand against a tyrant, no not at all that. Tripwire was simply trying to hold onto his own power, not willing to give up what our family spent generations to build."

The image switched to Tripwire's friends. "Same for the other three. Onyx Heart, her family made their caps on the slave road, finding and capturing new slaves to be sold. Angel, the unfortunate mutant twin. His family ran the auction house and the arena, where slaves were robbed of their identity, becoming nothing more than an object. Then there is Grinder, the worst of them all. His family trained war slaves, brutalized ponies until they were nothing more than mindless soldiers."

"Th-that can't be true!" I stammered out.

"But it is." Arcane said, casting a spell as the images faded. Appearing before him was the strange gun from the images. It was made from sleek chrome and had a glass screen. "And this is what Tripwire wants, the Mezmetron. With it, the knowledge of how to make more and how to amplify its effect. With it any pony can be made to yield, all without spilling blood."

Placing his hoof on the mezmetron, Acano sighed. "It's all my fault you see. My family had fallen so far from our roots, and I wanted to return to that noble past I was told about in my youth. I researched magic and our history, pieced together the past that had been buried so long ago. Found this cursed place, and the secret tunnel to the manor. Then I found the proto stable, and with it the truth. Ignorance was my flaw, and I took all I had learned and brought if home, showing it to my family."

His face became downcast, with a look of disgust in his eyes. "All my mother and my wife saw was a way to extend our power. Proof of our right to rule, my wife would say. Tripwire was still too young to see past his mother's short sightedness. I knew that while still under her influence, he would not be able to see it's full potential. It was just a tool to mind control others, to them."

The mezmetron then disappeared and Arcane's eye fell onto me. "So I took everything that gave my family any power and hid it away. Mainly, I hid it from my own son. Redeye's appearance at the same time was just a fortunate coincidence. It forced Tripwire's attention elsewhere as I covered my tracks…"

He then looked over to Spell Circuit with a look of sorrow. "Found my youngest son camped outside the cursed lands, the one child I had paid little attention to. Overshadowed by his brother in every way but what mattered. He was, in the end, the only one who had no obsession for power, but simply wanted to see a better future. And paid dearly for it."

Returning his attention to me, there was a brief pause before he asked. "Thank you for letting this old stallion ramble on about the past. So Miss Lottery, do you now understand? I do hope my eldest son has changed, become humble over the years? You don't have to answer now, or at all really, but I would like to know your opinion, your thoughts, when you're ready. Now do let Margaret know if you're still hungry or thirsty. If you're interested my son here can show you the garden. It is quite lovely. So now if you would excuse me, I need to rest"

"Wait!" I spoke up, getting the elderly stallion's attention. "What will you do if Tripwire gets here?"

Arcane smiled. "He is my son, I'll welcome him to my home, invite him for some tea." He told me before leaving.

It was so much to understand. So much magic, so much tragedy, and they said that Tripwire was a slaver. I just didn't know what to think about it, or even how to feel about it. I still didn't know if I could trust them.

Finishing my food and drink, I decided to take on Arcane's offer and see the garden.

_______________________________________________________

The manors garden proved to be considerably beautiful. It was a glass room with an artificial sun overhead, bathing me with warmth. The life filled color of this place was a stark contrast to the cold and gloomy outside.

Unfortunately, one gloomy looking stallion ruined the mood, reminding why I was here, and all that I had learned.

"That sun in here, it's actually one of the prototypes of the ones used in stables. Not powerful enough to grow an orchard, but good enough for a greenhouse." Spell Circuit explained as he trotted over to several dirt filled baskets. "We also have a stockpile of fertilizer, so everything here grows healthy. It was an idea adopted from a well known donkey family, though on a smaller scale. "

I frowned, finding his attempt to be friendly as annoying. He was, after all, one of Redeye's ponies. "Oh, a scollor on farming are you?"

He sighed. "No, I'm just… what is it called… right, making small talk."

"Well don't, you're ruining this place." I don't know why, but I felt a bit bad for saying that to him. I shouldn't feel bad, not for a pony who worked for Redeye.

"Alright, I'll give you some alone time." Spell said, sounding a bit hurt.

Again I felt bad, like I was being too harsh.

Taking a deep breath, I let out a sigh, myself. "No, wait, I'm sorry. I was being…" as I turned around, I saw that I was alone.

"Maybe this is for the better." I said to myself as I trotted to the glass wall.

Placing my hoof on the glass I could feel the cold outside, almost numbing the hoof. Out there it was all white, still, peaceful. But I also knew that monsters were out there, frightening monsters.

Playing with my own mane, the thin white streak was another casualty of my time in this wasteland. Even now, though still a bit numb, I could feel the titanium struts in my leg, and wondered what more the wasteland would take from me, or do to me.

A loud crack muffled its way through the glass, somehow passing through my hoof on the glass and into my ears. It was followed by more of what was clearly gunfire, persistent and powerful.

No doubt Tripwire will be here soon, and soon I will ask him myself. I knew in my heart that he was not the pony that Arcane and Spell had told me. He was a pony who sought to change Equestria for the better, to bring order to the wasteland. That he had changed.

I just needed to hear it myself, from his own lips.

Yet, my gut feeling was giving me nothing but dread.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifteen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifteen

_______________________________________________________

Content warning, this chapter contains sensitive subject such as rape, abuse, and death. The part will be labeled and can be skipped.

_______________________________________________________

As I wondered though the manor it really started to hit me how big this place was. Just one floor had at least ten rooms, and each room was almost as big as my home. I was also shocked by how beautiful each room was, and how well cared for they were. It felt like I was in another time, a more peaceful time, one so different from the world I had traveled through.

Despite the relative peace this place gave me, I could still see the scars of the wasteland. Some subtle, like a bit of mold and time worn wallpaper. Others more overt, such as some beautiful wooden furnisher covered in cuts, or a shattered vanity with the pieces put back together.

The emptiness of this place also made me feel uncomfortable.

Margaret then floated over to me, a ragged feather duster in her robotic clamp. "Oh lady Lottery, wasn't the young master, Spell, escorting you?"

"Oh… ahh, yes he was… but I needed some time to myself." I explained to the robot.

She somehow frowned, despite only having an eye to express herself. "Oh that is unfortunate, the first guest in forever, and left alone to wander. I was hoping that either of the masters would socialize, it is unhealthy to stay cooped up for so long. Did you know that this great manor once played host to the Equestria royal family!"

This piqued my interest. "Really, you mean like Celestia or Luna?"

Margaret bobbed in a nodding motion. "Yes, though it was only on rare occasions. But it was not uncommon for prince Blue Blood or his little sister, princess Majesty to visit. From what my old master told me, the Naysayer family had acted as tutors for the royal family for generations."

"That sounds… amazing. How were they, the royals I mean?" I curiously asked.

"Like any other pony actually." Margaret said cheerfully. "They mainly came here to get away from Canterlot. Blue Blood was the royal ambassador, and was tasked with keeping the other nobility in line for princess Luna. A stressful affair to be sure, so he would unwind by talking about better times. As for Majesty, well she was quite a lovely mare, though never talked much about what she was doing. A shame really, she did have such a lovely singing voice, as good as Sweetie Bell I say."

Looking closer at Margaret, I could see the age of long years on the well polished robot. Little dings here, a scratch there, and bits of rust in the cracks. "Do you miss how things were?"

She looked at me with a sense of confusion. "I'm not sure I understand what you're talking about Lady Lottery. Things have always been the way they are. Speaking of which, best if I get back to work, never know when another guest will show up." She then pointed down the hall. "The library is on the left, young master Spell Circuit is likely there"

She then floated off into a room, humming a song.

Following the robots instructions I soon found myself in a room with more books than I had ever seen in my life. It made me hope there were a few picture books here, just so I didn’t feel so out of place here. Maybe one with dresses in it.

At one end was what looked like a small fort of books, stacked high and all over the place. In the middle of the fort was Spell Circuit, again reading several books at once. He was so engrossed in them that he didn't even notice me as I trotted over. The books had some fancy writing on them, but that's all I could tell from them.

"You like to read, don't you?" I asked the obvious.

Spell flinched, clearly startled by me. "Oh! Miss Lottery, didn't see you there." He looked at the book for a moment, then back at me. "This, just looking up some old magic and the history from the time it was made. As it so happens, magic is quite influenced by the culture and values it was developed in. For example you can see how old ponish magic has a tendency to create frost as a side effect, where late Equestrian magic is a lot warmer and sparkles. Then there's the arcano-tech from the war which produces small bolts of harsh electricity, reflecting their lack of interest with side effects and the damage around them."

I gave the stallion a flat, and a bit confused look. "I know nothing about magic, or whatever you're talking about."

It took him a moment, but eventually Spell put the books down. "Sorry, it's become a habit. Margaret likes to listen to me ramble on… or that's what she was programmed to do. From Pentagram's journals, she was originally here as an elderly care robot, for his father Chancellor Naysayer. It seems that my ancestors suffered from a mental illness in their old age, causing them to forget things. It was something that Pentagram fell to as well, along with several others of my ancestors."

"Oh… I'm sorry to hear that." I then face hoofed. "And I'm sorry for, you know, acting like a bitch in the garden, and before that too."

Spell shrugged. "It's fine, I've had worse."

Right, the wasteland is filled with the worst.

Feeling curious again, I had to at least know something. "What was it like… working for Redeye."

He paused for a moment, eyes still hidden behind his mane and glasses. "I never worked for Redeye, I would never work for him. Redeye was the pony who killed my friend, my mentor. Burned off his cutie mark and made sure his name was forever lost."

I raised an eyebrow. "His… name?"

Spell frowned. "I don't know how it happened, if it was his doing, or just an accident, but I can't remember my friend's name. After Tripwire shot me and Redeye brought me back from the dead… I could no longer remember. Of course Redeye saw that as a good thing, and offered me a place with him, but I chose to leave. I had… I had truly failed my friend."

"Sorry." I said quietly, feeling honestly in his voice. It must have been horrible for him, seeing a pony he cared for become a monster.

"Thanks, but you don't need to. It's all in the past now." Spell said as he took one of the books and placed it on the pile. "So, have you given what my father said some thought?"

"I still don't know If I can trust what he said, myself. So I decided I'll ask Tripwire personally." I answered.

"I…" Spell said, pausing for a long moment before continuing. "I have a few things to ask him too."

"Such as?" I asked, but before Spell could reply, the sound of gunfire went off, still distant, but very much closer.

Spell got up, very much nervousness on his muzzle. "I guess you will find out soon."

_______________________________________________________

Pacing back and forth in the main hall, feeling nervous as I waited for Tripwire to arrive… if he would arrive. I dread to think about what could have happened to him down there, what could be happening.

"Settle down Miss Lottery." Arcane said to me. "I know what you're thinking and if I know my son, he is fine. He knows how to work around most problems."

The old stallion had taken a seat nearby, waiting for his son to arrive like I was. Spell on the other hoof had vanished, but I knew he had his reasons.

After several more minutes I could hear voices from outside, some deep, others more shrill. When the door then creaked open, Grinder and Onyx trotted through, both looking worse for where. They both paused when they saw me.

"Hello." I said as I Smiled and waved at them.

Grinder whistled. "Ya cleaned up well."

Onyx on the other hoof frowned. "Ya, too well. What gives?"

Before I could answer, the familiar voice of Tripwire spoke up behind them. "If this is what I think it is, you two better not touch anything!"

Pushing passed the two, Tripwire's eyes fell onto me, studding me for a few seconds before moving to Arcane. "I see. I had suspected, but didn't know for sure if you were alive, father."

Surprised expressions formed on both Grinder and Onyx's faces, with Onyx being the first to say, "Even as an old stallion, you still look dapper, Arcane."

Arcane sighed as he got up. "Flattery will only get you so far Onyx. Though it's good to know that Coal Heart's good looks hadn't gone completely to waste."

Onyx flipped her mane and smiled. "My mother couldn't tell what beauty was even if you beat it into her. That's why I used a bat."

More rustling came from behind as more ponies shuffled in. Among them was Angel, one of his followers, and only two of Grinder's ponies. All but Angel looked in rather poor shape.

Tripwire then took a step forward, but as he began to speak, Arcane interrupted him. "I know what you're here for, but before we get into that, let's have some tea, for old times sake. It's Royal Leaf, and fresh."

Scanning the room for a moment, Tripwire then nodded. "Alright father. I do have some questions I want to ask."

Onyx then lifted up a hoof. "Can I get a wash and a dress as well? Today has been just the worst."

"Go down the hall on your left, one of the robots will take you to a washroom." Arcane instructed them.

With Tripwire giving the others a nod, all but him left. Oddly, Tripwire still looked clean.

Trotting over to a small table in the room, Margaret floated out with some steaming cups. Once the robot had left, the two took a sip from their cups, Tripwire looking quite satisfied with his.

"You have questions, Tripwire." Arcane addressed his son.

"Several, father." Tripwire said calmly. "Starting with, why?"

Arcane scowled. "You know why! All that I discovered, it would have gone to waste in your mothers hooves."

"I could have stopped Redeye with the mezmetron, with it I wouldn't have had to… make hard choices." Tripwire said coldly.

"Like shooting your brother through the eye." Arcane retorted.

The room fell silent for a moment, Tripwire uncomfortably adjusting his tie before answering. "So you know, I guess you haven't been just hiding here for all these years."

Arcane sighed. "No, I was told about it by your brother."

Tripwire was silent for a moment, taking a sip from his tea. “Is that so… and where is he?”

“I’m here… Brother.” Spell said from above as he glared down at us. “Was it worth it? what you did back then.”

Tripwire sipped his tea and sighed. “You were working for that upstart, what did you expect would happen? If I had captured you, the others would have tortured you like the traitor you were. I at least spared you that kind of death, though your survival is… unexpected.”

With a huff, Spell Circuit trotted down the stairs to join us. The two brothers not looking at each other, or saying any more about that subject.

Acano then continued. "It's not like the mezmetron I had was like the one our ancestors made. It would have only simply hypnotized a pony long enough to get them to do simple tasks. Even if I could increase its effects, nothing would have changed. Anyways, it was not meant to be a mind control device, what good could you bring by using it like that.”

"It would be a tool to bring order." Tripwire interjected. "I read the notes, I know what it can do. Imagine, raiders being used for the greater good, no longer a blight on the world."

Though it sounded horrible to have a pony robbed of their individuality, though I couldn't help but not feel bad for raiders. After what I saw, they were more of a monster than a pony.

Arcane took a long sip of his tea, staying calm as he replied. "That's how it started, Tripwire, that's how it always starts. I want my family to free itself from being slavers, not to delve deeper."

With a short huff, Tripwire relaxed. "Stubborn as always father. This is why grandmother chose me over you to succeed her as family head. My second question, who betrayed us?"

Now Arcane smiled. "Who indeed?"

"Don't play coy with me father, who armed Redeye, who sold out our scouts, and who helped sneak his mercenaries into the city?" Tripwire said with a scowl. "I know you know."

Arcane had a look of disappointment on his face as he answered. "Maybe next time don't publicly shame your own fiancé In some inept attempt to prove your superiority. I'm surprised she even kept the foal after that disaster."

I looked at Tripwire in shock. He had a fiancé, and has a foal!

"Right, Grizzly, I should have known." He grumbled.

Now I was even more shocked! "Wait, I thought you said she only likes mares!" I blurted out.

"Political marriage." Arcane answered. "Grizzly Deal’s family ran the biggest slave market at the time, and were inter connected with almost every powerful family on the east cost. My wife wanted to add their power to ours."

"Irrelevant now. She rolled over for Redeye just as she is for Gwadina." Tripwire said dismissively as he pulled out his pocket watch. It again opened up to shine a light from inside. "Lastly, why the riddle?”

Spell slammed a hoof onto the table, looking at the watch before his head then slowly turning to their father.

Arcane's horn glowed with a pale light, taking the pocket watch and levitating it to himself. "It’s as it looks, I wanted to test you. If you could understand magic like I do, then I know you would come to see the right path. That's why I left you this magical riddle."

Spell Circuit looked angry as his lip trembled. "You deliberately left him clues, a way to find this place. After what he had done, after you said about wanting to fix our family's shame, you led him here. You know what he is like, so why, tell me father!"

"Because unlike you, he can actually finish what our ancestors started. He is the smartest of us all, he can figure out how to make the mezmetron fix a damaged mind." Arcane said sternly.

"That makes no sense, why would he ever do th…" Spell's anger quickly faded as he seemed to realize something. "You're afraid of the family mental degeneration, aren't you? That's why. This is still all about you, not about the good of the family."

Putting down the pocket watch, Arcane looked over at Spell with an annoyed look in his eyes. "This is for the good of the family, if he can finally complete the true mezmetron, then all the suffering and shame our family has been through will all be worth it."

Backing off from the table, I could see the disgust on Spell's face. "Worth it! That's why you refused to destroy that thing, crack the orbs and burn the documents. All so you can give it to him! It's all about what you get in the end, not how you get there… You're no better than Redeye…. No, you're worse. At least he thought about others, even if it was all twisted."

In a blink of an eye, and a flash, Spell Circuit teleported away.

Standing there, I felt confused.

Face hoofing, Acano then looked over at me. "Sorry about that, Spell has always let his ideas get in the way of reality."

I was still confused. "You mean preventing that thing from being misused, right?"

I received a nod from Arcane. "Spell didn't like that I had preserved it, calling the mezmetron and it's notes too dangerous. And yes he is right on some level. In lesser hooves it is no more than a way to subjugate the will of others. But in the right hooves, it could heal the damage the wasteland has caused. A puzzle I'm sure my elder son is capable of solving."

Tripwire looked amused, as though his father was telling a joke. It made me a bit uncomfortable knowing that I didn't quite get what was so funny.

Finishing his tea, Tripwire signaled for Margaret to poor him some more. "Robot, where did my brother retreat too?"

"Young master, Spell Circuit, favors the library, which is in the west wing of the manor. Would you like me to send him a message?" Margaret cheerfully said as she poured more tea.

"No, I'll be seeing him later, we still have unfinished business." He said and took another sip before agen turned his attention back to his father. "So that's what this scavenger hunt was all about. You wanted to wait until I was free from my grandmother's influence. Along with knowing enough about magic to actually understand how the mezmetron can truly work. That given time, I would see things from your point of view."

"What did happen to my wife and mother, If you mind humoring this old stallion?" Arcane added.

"They fared poorly under Redeye, our treacherous rivals made sure of that." From within his suit Tripwire pulled out his pistol. "Only thing left I have that was grandmothers, Redeye stole everything else."

Arcane looked rather displeased seeing the gun, scratching his beard as he said. "She threatened to kill me with that thing many times, and beat me with it many more. It's at least in better hooves now."

"Grandmother had always been an angry tyrant, impatient too. It's the one thing I do agree with you, if she had the records on how to use and make the mezmetron, she would have squandered it." Tripwire said. “Mother at least wanted to know what I would have done with it.”

A sigh came from Arcane, “That sounds like her, she was always more careful and willing to wait. Though I do feel some sorrow for the loss of you mother, though we never loved each other, I had at a time hoped we would”

The sound of hooves trotted into the main hall as Onyx appeared in a red dress. Her mane and tail was still a bit wet, and a self satisfied smirk on her face.

As she trotted over, she quickly latched onto Tripwire, saying nothing, just holding onto that smirk.

Returning his attention to Arcane, he then asked the question at hoof. "So father, where do you keep them? The mezmetrons, the memory orbs, and the documents."

Arcane's face became stern, showing how serous he was. "Do you promise to use it to better the pony kind, to help bring others from the brink of madness? Will you finish what I, and our ancestors failed to finish?"

"Of course father, through the relics of our ancestors I will change things for the better. That I promise you. I will unlock the full potential of the mezmetron and in the end, stand above all others."

The old stallion furrowed his brows for a moment, then sighed. "Old ways die hard, but so long as you stick to your promises, I'll be satisfied."

A pale silver like overglow wrapped around Arcane's horn and a medallion then appeared. It fell onto the small table, rolling in circles for a few seconds before coming to a rest in the middle.

"This will take you to a vault under the manor, that's where everything involving the mezmetron is kept." Arcane explained before teleporting one of the mezmetron on to the table. "I attempted to make my own as the original has degraded over the long years, but it's still a pale imitation."

Taking the medallion, Tripwire smiled as he asked. "Mind if I take a look."

Arcane nodded and Tripwire opened a portal with the new medallion. Taking a peek myself, I saw a rather large and nice looking room filled with crates and bags. At the far end I saw a table with more mezmetron's; some complete and others in pieces. There were maybe five or six of them, with parts for plenty more.

An annoying sounding whistle came from Grinder as he and the other ponies trotted in. They were holding several bags, including my own. "So that's it then?" He grunted out.

Closing the portal, Tripwire looked over at Grinder with satisfaction on his face. "Yes, the tools we need to rebuild everything, now in the frog of my hoof."

"And with it, no pony will dare challenge us." Onyx added.

Again Arcane sighed. "I do hope you will keep those two in line. Their families were always known to have more ambition than sense."

Tripwire looked down for a moment as he played with the medallion in his hoof, then looked his father in the eyes. "About that, Father."

A green bubble formed around us, causing me to jump back in surprise.

*Bang!*

Whipping my head around to the gunshot, I saw Tripwire holding his gun in his magic. At the other end of the pistol was his father, a look of shock on his face, blood seeping from a hole in his head.

"And to just make sure." Tripwire said as fired the gun into Arcane's head two more times.

Standing there in shock as I watched Arcane lifelessly fall, my mind was blank, not understanding what just happened.

Turning to Onyx, Tripwire tossed her one of the rings from the proto stable. "Unfortunately we have a loose end, my brother. He should be in the library."

Onyx rolled her eyes, "that traitor is still alive. Well at this point I'm not surprised." As she was about to turn around, she gave me a curious look. "And what about her?"

"Not your concern." He told her.

The green bubble fell and Onyx skipped away, a mischievous grin on her muzzle.

My own legs felt weak, causing me to fall back onto my rear. "Wh-why? Why did you do that, why did you kill your father."

"Because he was going to be in the way. The less ponies know what we have and how to get to it the better." Tripwire said as he put his gun away, slowly turning to me. "A necessary sacrifice for the greater good."

"The greater... good?" I repeated, finding the words to just feel wrong as I said them. "He was helping you, wanting you to do what you were planning to do. That… that was just… m-murder!"

"I was just putting a long thought dead pony to rest. Anyway, he still has some connections, even after all these years, which makes him dangerous to our goals." Tripwire said coldly.

I found strength in my legs as I got up, angry and confused. "But he was helping you! Your goals were the same, you even promised him. it's like you were lying to his face, like you're planning to abuse that power."

Tripwire seemed… disappointed, but not surprised at my accusation. "Lottery, I know you're a bit behind other ponies when it comes to understanding things, but please listen. There was no lie in my words. I need the mezmetron to build a new civilization, just like my ancestors had. My father wanted to waste such a power on trying to turn it into a bandage on a festering wound."

"W-what?" I stammered.

He levitated his father's mezmetron over to himself, holding it carefully. "Look, this thing has the ability to temporarily subdue a pony, get them to follow your instructions... for a time. My father thinks it can be used to remove trauma or madness from the mind, like getting a raider to stop being a raider."

"But that doesn't sound so bad? Maybe it can help their victim's too." I suggested, but fear began to creep into me as I looked at the mezmetron.

"Maybe… for a time. But such thinking is flawed, as ponies always turn back to their vices, traumas and hatreds." He told me as he adjusted his tie again. "Redeye thought he could change Fillydelphia, yet the slavers returned to power. No difference will happen with Gwadina either. No, you can't trust ponies to change, even with some magic to help. And you want to know why?"

I didn't like where this was going, but I hoped Tripwire had a reason, something I was not seeing. "Why"

Tripwire took a deep breath before answering. "Because ponies are stupid and prone wiled and irrational behaved. Redeye, Raiders, Steal Rangers and the Enclave. All of them have only continued to do the same thing for the last two hundred years. But I will make things better, and without resorting to the same brahmin shit as Redeye had. No, I will rebuild things from the ground up, with a loyal and unquestioning workforce and a fierce and fearless army. All with the help of the mezmetron."

I then remembered what Arcane had told me, about the Zeros, how those ponies were not helped but enslaved, losing their identity.

"Wait, but you don't mean… I mean, isn't that like slavery?" I asked, hoping it was not so.

He laughed. "In a sense, but they won't care once my plan is in motion. Though temporarily, the mezmetron does let a pony get into the target's head, to change a few things. All I need to do is use its full potential, break the pony down and rebuild them into the pony they are meant to be. None of my ancestors had the will to use it to its full potential, but I do."

I really didn't like the sound of that. "Th-that's… evil."

Tripwire frowned, and seemed to be becoming annoyed. “Lottery, since I like you, I'll give you two options; you can join me, or you can leave."

Now I was more confused. "Join you?"

He smiled, reminding me of his good side. "Yes, you know how to do things that we are sadly lacking. Not just that, but potential, just like I said back at Ursa's Den. With some training you could help us cut off the head of any threat before it gets to our gates. Ponies who don't share our vision, ponies who would covet our power. And at the end of the day you can return to me."

I… I hated to admit it, but his offer tempted me. Maybe if I was with him I could change him, get him to use that power for good. But my eyes fell onto Arcane's corps, and deep down I knew… I knew I was just a dumb young mare.

"And if I leave?" I asked.

"A disappointing option." Tripwire said flatly. "But, and only because I like you, I'll let you go. I don't care where you go, or what you do. So long as you don't interfere with me, you are free."

At this point there was no denying it, Tripwire was a slaver, always had been a slaver, and plans on continuing being a slaver. But now, because of me, he has the ability to brainwash others, rob them of their freedom completely. It made me sick, down to my core. This was as bad, if not worse than the raiders.

How many ponies will be hurt because of me?

"You don't plan on harming innocent ponies… Do you?" I asked, grasping for some hope, some way for me to say yes to him.

Tripwire now looked fully annoyed. "Trust me when I say this, Lottery, no pony is innocent. We are all born as stupid savage things, needing to be contained and controlled. This doesn't change even after we grow up."

That was it, that was all I needed to hear. Wanted to believe him, to follow him. My heart demanded to, or risk breaking. But every fiber in my body knew this was wrong, and knew we were responsible. I had just aided in the thing I wanted to fight against.

It just sent a creeping coldness up my spine the more I thought about it.

Glancing back at the door, could I just leave. Pretend like nothing happened. Maybe join the NCR, tell them what's happening. But then I'll have to tell them my involvement, and admit to helping them. Would they even believe me? Maybe I can just go home, pretend like nothing happened. Never go see the world ever again.

That too felt cold, but like an icy noose around my neck.

Looking at Tripwire, I knew that both options were too heavy, too much. It made me wish this adventure would have never come to an end. That I never knew the truth, that we could just be together, traveling from one place to the next.

But the truth was the truth, and knowing that truth was like ice in my veins.

Maybe if it all ended here, it would be romantic, all so romantic. But I had no weapon. I had… actually.

Feeling with my hooves, I felt it; cold and foreboding to the touch. Yet in this moment it felt right.

"I want to be with you!" I said smiling, with tears forming in my eyes. Strangely the tears felt icy cold, hurting my eyes.

"That is very smart of… you." Tripwire's voice trailed off as he saw me lift up my axe.

"Forever." I said, lunging at him with the axe.

Everything was a blur, not that I was thinking. I’d kill him, and then myself. That would fix everything, I knew it. It was how it should have always been, Tripwire and I, together in death.

Screams and yells, some more blood before I felt something heavy knocking into me. Sending me flying.

After a long moment I finally regained my senses, though I wish I hadn't. I had failed, again.

Tripwire held a hoof over his left eyes, blood trickling down from under the hoof. He also has several cuts, which were strangely frosted over, ruining his suit. Even Grinder had a frosted cut on him.

In his hooves Grinder held my axe, rage on his face. With just one hit, he broke the handle of the axe and tossed it aside. "See, Onyx was right. This whore should have never been given any options. As soon as, no, before even her job was done, you should have had me break her in."

Tripwire held up his other hoof, signaling for Grinder to shut up. "A… broke in mare... can't do the job she needed to do for us. I knew what I was doing, I always knew what I'm doing." He then snarled. "But where did that axe come from!"

"Magic, I can feel it." Angel spoke up with his creepy foal-like voice.

Grinder snorted. "Well it's broke now. I say we break her, right here."

"Wait." Tripwire said as he drank a healing potion, getting a glare from Grinder. "This is an opportunity, let's not waste it."

I got up, gritting my teeth. "I'll stop you, even if I have to kill you with my teeth." I growled as I eyed my saddlebag. I still had my guns, all I needed to do was get to them.

"Then try." Tripwire said as he motioned for Grinder to step back.

Rushing forward, I then dashed to the side and dove for my bag. Quickly I tugged out the hunting rifle and pointed it at Tripwire.

*click*

Racking the gun quickly, I again pulled the trigger.

*click*

Grinder burst out into laughter as I tossed the hunting rifle to the side and pulled out my junk .22 rifle.

*click* *click* *click*

Again I tossed the rifle to the side and pulled out my pistol, but then it's chamber and barrel slid off its hinge and rattled on the ground.

Looking in the bag, it was almost empty, other than a few random things like the bear trap and clothes, it was empty. No bullet, no food, and nothing to heal myself with.

Then it hit me, they never intended to let me leave. Not in a way I would easily survive.

Grabbing the bag I tossed it at Tripwire, it landing only a few hoofsteps from him. "You fucker! Why, why are you doing this?"

He looked back at me, cold and uncaring. "Because only I have the right to rule over all others. It doesn't matter how, all that matters is that I get where I belong."

Then Tripwire pointed the Mezmetron at me. "Grinder, I need you to test how well this thing works. Use her how you see fit, but don't break this device, and make sure to write notes."

Again, Grinder bellowed in laughter, and everything began to get… wobbly.

_______________________________________________________

(Content Warning, Rape and abuse, skip to the next part if you wish.)

_______________________________________________________

My mind, everything was a haze as I had been led away, led to a room. They told me I did it, I just did.

I was told to dance, I did.

I was told to strip, I did.

I was told to stand still, so when the mare slapped me, I did nothing, when she kicked me, I did nothing.

I was told to put my head down, so when she pushed objects into me, both vaginally and rectally, I just stood there.

When the stallion mounted me, when he penetrated me, I didn't protest.

I knew what was going on, I could feel it all, and it felt wrong, yet I did nothing. Not when the stallion came into me, not when the mare beat me, not when Grinder laughed at me.

I was then told to use my mouth on Grinder, so I did.

Then I gagged and sputtered, the haze on my mind lifting, and realization of what was going on finally hit me, along with control over my own mind. It hurt, but now I could understand the pain. React to it.

As panic took over, I tried to raise my head, but felt a heavy hoof hold me down. "Looks like the spell faded. So having fun, whore?" Grinder said as he pushed my head down, forcing his dick into my throat.

I wanted to scream, to bite him, to do anything, but I felt weak. Worse, I couldn't breathe. Then he thrusted, violently forcing his hilt into my face, followed by it pulsing as warm liquid shot into my throat.

Grinder finally pulled back before I passed out, but held my mouth shut as I began to puke. "No you don't, whore, swallow it all. I don't want my seed to go to waste. If you do, I'll hold back on using this thing on you." Grinder held up the mezmetron, and out of fear I swallowed. "Good whore. It was getting boring without the screams and tears."

A sharp whistle got his attention, and Onyx trotted in, sporting a black eye. "Tripwire told you to keep using the mezmetron, not indulge in your rape fetish." A dirty wad of cloth was then tossed onto the bead. "Make sure he can't hear her, you got an hour."

I quivered in fear as Grinder looked down at me with a grin on his face. "Alright, she's all mine for an hour. Hold her down for me."

His two hench ponies grabbed the back of my legs as Grinder shoved the vile tasting rag in my mouth and pushed me onto my back. The large stallion stood over me, his dick still erect. In that moment I remembered the raiders, remembered what happened to Chilly, and bit down hard onto the rag, fully knowing what was about to happen to me.

I should have just left, I shouldn't have tried to fight. Now I was going to become this vile stallion's plaything, all because the pony I had come to love let it happen.

In this moment horror and shame intermixed, and all I could do was cry as Grinder thrusted into me painfully.

Then everything started feeling weird. Slowing down and feeling more, hurting more. True horror filled me as time seemed to slow down, making me fully aware of every violent thrust Grinder pumped into me. I could not ignore it, I could not try to find an escape from what was happening. I felt everything, and it made me scream, scream as hard as I could.

“Look, the bitch is enjoying it.” Grinder's voice echoed as my body convulsed from his thrusting, no longer listening to me as. Even when his vile seed entered me, my body convulsed, as though it betrayed me.

I… lost track of time, whatever chem Onyx gave me faded when Grinder was done with me. I had no energy left, not to scream or struggle, not even to move. Anything Grinder could ruin, he did.

After that, his henchmen ponies used the mezmetron on me, and it all started again.

I was told to dance, I did.

I was told to suck cock, I did.

I was told to perform a trick, I did.

I was told to fuck, I did.

Everything hurt, and I did as I was told.

………..

_______________________________________________________

(Sensitive content is over)

_______________________________________________________

………

Cold air mixed with a soft light woke me up. I could see the moon as I was draped over a pony's back.

A unicorn stallion I think. Looks like Tripwire, but the mane was too messy.

Spell Circuit huffed as he spoke, his voice sounding rough. "It's… it's not over… not yet… Tripwire."

My vision began to fade again, the cool air only aggravating the bruises that covered my body, reminding me, mocking me.

I was no different from Chilly, right down to thinking that I would rather be dead. If I had a grenade… would I do the same as she did.

Merciful unconsciousness overtook me before I could answer.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixteen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixteen

_______________________________________________________

(Content warning; sensitive subjects such as heavy drug us, and rape come up. not to the level of the last chapter, but may still be disturbing to some readers)

_______________________________________________________

"Now be careful Lottery, you can't simply just pull on them, or the stem will snap. Then you will have to waste time digging it out." Ma instructed me as she pulled a carrot from the ground.

I still didn't quite get it. To me she was actually just pulling the carrot out. No special movement or trick. Yet when I tried, the stem would snap every time.

"Try again Lottery, but use your whole body. Not just your neck." Ma further instructed.

With an annoyed huff, I tried doing as she said. Not just pulling with my neck, but with my legs and back. The carrot then just popped out, and with it, all my frustration flowed away. Though I was still annoyed, as again, Ma was right.

Looking up at her… Ma was gone. The healthy carrot field I was in was now brown and dead.

"Ma! MA!" I Called out as my worry grew, but no pony replied.

The sound of static drew my attention to a half buried radio, flickering with unstable power.

Pa's voice then spoke through the radio, distant yet filled with authority. "What does that DJ know, safe in his tower? Redeye and the Goddess may be gone, but Equestria is no more safer than it ever was."

I took a step back, my heart pounding. Fear was welling up within me as I desperately tried to not remember. But it was of no use as I felt the memory, unable to forget.

Pa was right, he was always right. The wasteland was a cruel and vile place, where ponies like me were nothing more than prey of others.

I was an idiot. Didn't see it coming, just like a fool.

"Oh, is the little whore finally figuring it out." Onyx trotted out from nowhere. She had a long luxurious red dress that glistened in the light, and her main had spectacular shine to it, much like the ponies in the old magazines. "Look at you, already dressed like one."

Looking down at myself, I was in the outfit she had pushed me into before, heels and all.

It was humiliating, I realized it now. But at the time I was in denial, hoping we had actually become friends.

As she trotted over to me, Onyx left a red trail along the ground, and faint black smoke drifted off her. "Friends, why would I ever do that?" She then laughed as she got close to me, a hoof reaching in between my legs and caressing my private parts. "A play thing more like it. Also, those lessons will be useful to you, like rubbing dick, sucking dick, and taking dick. All things a defiled whore like you can only ever do right."

She laughed, black acrid smoke seeped out from her mouth, it smelling of rot and death. Now that she was closer, I saw that her dress was not some rhinestone outfit, but made of bloodied flesh.

Panicked, I pushed her away.

The laughing didn't stop, but now a new voice bellowed from Onyx. The mare's shoulder bloated and boiled, growing massively until it popped, revealing Grinder's head.

"Don't deny it, ya enjoyed getting dicked by me." Grinder said mockingly.

Glaring at him, I then recoiled in horror as I saw Onyx growing a dick. Massive, discolored, and covered with spikes. It dripped with a disgusting looking fluid that smells horrid.

"You may say no, but your body will eventually say yes." Grinder crooked.

"It's not like you're good for anything else." Onyx said and crackled.

Heart pounding with fear, so I ran away, not wanting to go through this again. Not again.

As I ran, the world faded, color drained, and warmth vanished.

I found myself in a gray place, cold and lifeless. It felt familiar, horribly familiar. As I took a step, my hooves pushed the grayness around, much like the snow.

As I realized where I must have been, an intense pain came from my stomach, causing me to buckle over. Looking down once again, my belly was larger than it should have been, stretching unnaturally. I could feel some inside me. It kicked and clawed from within me as I screamed in pain.

I didn't feel like me, my fur was the wrong color, and a horn on my head, painful throbbed. "Make it stop!" I pleaded.

A soft wispy voice made my blood run cold. "Oh, but I thought you wanted this. You have your unborn foal back, just as you asked Miss Naysayer."

A twisted looking unicorn stood over me, gaunt and with glowing green eyes. He seemed ancient and evil. His smile filled me with anything but joy.

"Now that I have done this for you, it's time you repay me in kind." The Necromancer said, fully knowing he had twisted the wish into a nightmare.

But why did I know this, as though this was a memory. But not my memory, then who?

The Necromancer pulled out a skull of a dear, antlers sharpened to points.

"ENOUGH!" A voice bellowed with authority, and the necromancer shattered.

Where the necromancer stood now was a pony of pure blackness, like a void that leaked black smoke. It then clicked it's none existent tongue and faded away.

Everything was now gone. The pain, the monster, and what had happened to me, all gone. As I got up, the calm I felt was strange, like I was not me.

"Because you weren't you." Lethe said as she trotted out from nowhere. It surprised me, yet I was still calm.

The ghoul then sighed. "My apology, your soul is too erratic and fractured right now, so I'm forcing it back together with my own magic. It makes it easier for me to do this."

A scythe then appeared out of the air, and she pointed it at me. "Step aside, I need to reclaim the lost soul."

Something then squeezed my leg. Looking down I saw the shadow of a foal, quivering in fear.

"Best not pay it any mind, Lottery, that thing is nothing more than an echo of the unborn. A product of evil that can neither create, and only corrupt." Lethe told me as she stepped closer, scythe ready to swing.

I don't know why, but as I looked at the living shadow, it filled me with… not pity… more a sense of unfairness. Like whatever this thing was, it deserved better, but I didn't know why, or how.

Crouching down, I gave the thing a hug, shielding it from Lethe. It was all I could do for it, I wasn't good for much else.

Lethe then sighed. "I'm fine taking you both. You weren't meant to survive the mound maker in the first place. And you are shortly due to trot with me to the river Styx."

As the scythe came close, it stopped as a light enveloped us. Looking up I saw a pony made of light standing in front of Lethe, warm like spring itself. She was beautiful, though not one part of her was visible to me, but I could see she was covered in vines and leaves. Whoever this mare was, she simply radiates beauty and awe.

"Don't interfere." Lethe snarled, displeasure on her face. "Yes I know… that's not of my concern.. no, that is true… you don't have that authority… yes, but… I know but… FINE!"

The being of light vanished, leaving the shadow and I with Lethe.

The ghoul then sighed, lowering her scythe. "It seems that destiny has not deemed you worthy to be free from its cruel clutches. Though I will admit fault in this turn of events. By using you to break that cursed monster, I had robbed you of your true death. And because of it, the eye of Strife is upon you."

Lethe then reached into her suit and pulled out a lantern with a small blue flame. "Take this Will-o-Wisp. The lost soul seems to already be attached to you after having been delivered to the mound maker. It won't fix the damage done, nor protect you from what is to come. But if you ever need a guide to lead the way, something to show you that hope is never lost. I assure you this little one will guide you true. Simply call upon it, and it will appear."

Opening the lantern, the small blue flame jumped from its cage and floated over to me. The little thing danced around me before vanishing from sight.

Lethe then smiled. "But if this destiny is ever too much, and you wish for it to be over, I'll be there. As for all those who choose to end their story on their own terms, I shall be there by their side."

The grim pony then vanished in a burst of cold blue fire. Now alone, I looked down at the shadow foal. I don't know how, but it felt less cold, less horrifyingly. It held onto me, still quivering, but not so tightly now.

"It's okay, you don't have to go with her just yet. You can stay with me until you're ready." I said, comforting the unborn and wronged foal.

_______________________________________________________

As my eyes opened I could see the embers of a dying fire, on the other side was Spell Circuit, sleeping.

Trying to move my body, I found that I hurt all over, both on the outside and on the inside. But the physical pain was only a reminder of how much I hurt deeper down. I didn't know who to blame, them for being such monsters, or me for being so stupid.

Probably both.

Sitting up, I winced in pain as my back end touched the ground, forcing me to sit on my hip. That hurt too. It was humiliating, horrifying, and filled me with shame. Grinder had made sure to not leave a part of me undamaged and undefiled. If it could be kicked, it was, if it could be raped… It was.

Tears began to fall from my eyes as I tightly held onto myself, quietly sobbing.

I don't know how long I was like that, but I must have fallen back asleep, only waking as daylight cracked over the horizon. Now with some light over the land, I could observe my surroundings.

It wasn't much, just more wasteland, though looking up and seeing a giant and damaged image of a pony did startle me. It was a yellow and pink Pegasus mare, with the same symbol as the medical boxes had seen before. With her was a big arrow.

"Ministry of Peace medical center, ten miles away." Spell Circuit said as he got up, also looking at the billboard. "We could see if there's any to scavenge there to help you."

"I…'' My throat was dry and sore, making it difficult to talk.

I didn't know what to actually say, or do. I just didn't want to be anywhere right now.

Spell got up and offered me a hoof. "Here, let me help you."

As his hoof came closer, I involuntarily flinched and lost balance, causing me to fall over.

Spell backed away. "S… sorry. I didn't mean to."

Taking a moment to calm myself down, I slowly and painfully got myself up.

"It's… fine." I said with a pained voice.

My saddlebag then floated over to me, held in Spell's magic. "Margaret managed to gather some of your things after… well…" He struggled to find the words, but gave up as my bag gently placed in front of me.

With a sigh, I looked through it, hoping everything was in there. Unfortunately my guns weren't there, or any ammo, but stupidly the bear trap was. So were some close that weren't mine, and the few that were. This included the outfit Onyx pushed onto me, which now I could now see for what it was, a whores uniform. It made my stomach churn looking at it, remembering my time with her, and how she was clearly training me to be a whore. I was just too blind to see.

Tossing the slut outfit into the smoldering fire, it quickly began to burn. A small bit of revenge, not even enough to even get me to smile.

I also fortunately found the contraceptive Tripwire gave me, which I quickly ate several pills. The idea of bearing the child of any of those ponies made me sick.

Something else was in the bag, a bottle and something wrapped in some old paper with writing and images on it. Unwrapping it, I found some kind of food.

"Oh, Margaret's pound cake, she must have been overjoyed by your visit and snuck it in your bag." Spell Circuit said in surprise, but quickly took on a dower look. "I hope she and the other robots are okay."

My stomach grumbled as I looked at it.

Splitting the cake in two, Spell and I devoured it, then shared the bottle of what turned out to be tea. It hurt to eat, but it made me feel better, if only a little.

After eating, a cold wind blew over us and I shivered as it brushed over my bruises. Though the wasteland was hot and dry, things still hadn't warmed up yet.

Rummaging through my bags again, I then found the packet I got from the proto stable, still unopened. Feeling that there was no use holding onto it, and at least it could help make some more heat in the fire, I popped it open.

What fell out was a blue jumpsuit with a red accent, and the image of a scooter on the back. The materials it was made out of were rather strong and a bit thick, along with having a lot of pockets.

"Is that a Red Racer mechanics jumpsuit?" Spell Circuit said as he looked down at what I had in my hooves. Giving him a bit of a confused look, he got the hint and explained. "Red Racer was a company from the war, they made foals toys, such as scooters and little red wagons. There was an old factory in Manehattan with a giant scooter on display. They also got into the motor wagon business. Making spare parts and offering repairs at stations."

Looking down at it, I only got more confused. "How is that related to Stable-Tec?"

Spell Circuit scratched his overgrown goatee before realization formed on his face. "Right, the founder of Red Racer was one of the co-founders of Stable-Tec. Scootaloo, If I remember correctly."

Strangely, the more I looked at it, the less sexy it felt. The last thing I wanted to feel was sexy. It also looked rather useful and protective. Taking a deep breath, I put the jumpsuit on, finding it surprisingly easy to fit in.

Zipping it up, the suit snugly wrapped around me… making me feel… somewhat secure. It also helped that it was padded in several places with some sort of strong but flexible material.

It oddly didn't feel like just some mechanics jumpsuit. Maybe it just needed some tools. With a sigh, I said to no pony in particular, "now I just need help finding one of those Red Racer places, see if I can complete the look."

Not sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me, but I was sure I saw a blue flame pass over my vision for a moment, then disappeared.

Shaking my head, I returned to the issue at hoof. And now feeling at least a bit safer, I felt ready to move. If I could at least get a healing potion, that would be the best.

_______________________________________________________

It was slow going, with every step uncomfortably painful. I did my best to not think about what happened to me, but it buzzed in the back of my head, mocking me. My only distraction was Spell Circuit, whose voice had become just muffled rambling to me, but it helped.

"And that's the theory behind teleportation, though casting the spell is a lot harder than reading about it. Dangerous too. How Ministry mare Twilight could perform such a spell constantly and safely, it's amazing to read about." Spell trailed off.

We had come to a relatively large building, likely the medical center. I guessed that because the same billboard from before was above us, but this time the arrow pointed down. It was like they had idiots like me in mind when directing ponies here.

Unfortunately under the arrow was a hanging mannequin with a nail through its head.

"I think we should turn back." I suggested, my voice having recovered during our trot, though it was still rather sore.

"But we haven't checked inside yet." Spell protested.

I pointed up at the mannequin. "Because that's a raider totem."

Spell clicked his tongue as he looked at the mannequin. "Damn, but why here? They can't be smart enough to know this might be chems inside."

Looking around, a glint hit my eyes from the billboard, and I froze. Above us was a raider sniper, parsley obstructed by the rising sun in my eyes. The what looked to be a mare waved at me and then motions for us to stay put. This sent a wave of dread through me as I wondered if I could actually run for it.

With how much I hurt, I knew I could not get far.

Then three raiders stumble out from the medical building, eyes bloodshot and in a daze. "Hay! Look, look! Visitors!" A raider said as he pointed at us.

A second raider slapped the first. "No ya, ya dummy, look at em. She's here to fix the toaster. I've been wanting tost."

A third raider kicked the second. "Oy, that their gits is recuts, just looks at em. They be fucked up more then we are."

Now the first raider jabbed the third. "Why are you talking like that?"

A shot rang out from the raider sniper as she climbed down. Seeing a spiked yellow and black mane on top of the head of a mare with an eyepatch sent a cold shiver of fear down my spine. As Bandsaw landed near me, she smiled with a wide yellow jagged tooth grin. "Well well look what the pussy dragged in. Two faggots, and one I recognize." She said with a husky voice.

Bandsaw then glared and growled at the three raider stallions, pointing her long pipe rifle at them. "Ya three retarded idiots go take over my fucking watch. I'm hours overdue for a fucking brake and I need my fucking fix before I fucking kill a fucking faggot!"

Without a word, the three stallions scrambled away, leaving us with the far more frightening mare. She then eyed us.

"Lottery, was it?" She asked and I nodded. "Ah, good, been a bit bad with names lately, just been calling everypony cunt or faggot." She then shrugged. "Ehh it works. Now what have you been up to cunt, and who's the new faggot?"

As she got closer, I retreated back, which caused her to chuckle.

"Ahh, I see. Fucker finally decided to pump and dump you, just like a faggot stallion. And what a dumping he did." She then grabbed me pulling me in closer, and all I could do was wince fear.

"Let her go!" Spell Circuit yelled and he attempted to get the raider off me.

"Fuck off faggot!" Bandsaw snarled, knocking Spell down with just one hit with the back of her hoof. Her spiked gauntlets gave him a few gashes. She then turned her attention back to me, checking my face. "Ya, I've seen this kind of shit before, let me guess, slavers."

I froze in shock, which only got a chuckle from the raider.

"Ya ain't the first bitch I've seen beaten like this. I've seen this damage when looking in the mirror myself." Slowly I looked at her, and the mad raider let me go. "Ya, been there, got fucked, bit off a dick before running to freedom. But don't think I'm going to let ya cry on my shoulder cunt, ain't my fucking shit, ya get."

Bandsaw then motions with her head over at the medical building. "I also got better shit to do, so you two come with me. The boss promised me extra chems if I bring him a fucking pony who doesn't look like some retarded faggot, and ya seemed like a capable faggot last I saw ya. Four eyes too, though if you come near me like that again, I will shove my rifle up your ass and use you as a silencer!"

Spell got up and dusted himself off. "Noted."

She then eyed me again. "And don't go thinking you're safe with me, say shit that pisses me off, do shit that pisses me off, and you will get to know what raider cunt tastes like." She then placed her hoof under my chin. "Though I am willing to be forgiven if ya promise to make me feel good. Whatcha say, use that tongue of yours?"

I backed away in disgust.

"Worth a shot." Bandsaw said with a laugh. "Not like I can't make ya do it if ya start to act like a cunt. Now get moving, I feel the shakes coming, and I'm mighty violent when I get the shakes. "

Giving her a quivering nod, Bandsaw then smiled and trotted inside.

Following her into the medical center, the smell was horrendous as we trotted by several passed out raiders. Bottles of booze and chem containers were all over the place. With some raiders hugging the containers. The wall were covered in crude drawing and weighting, most of which I didn't need to read to understand, with many depicturing of violence, sex or chem abuse. The few raiders not chemmed out were distracting themselves as with gambling or some other games, eyeing us as we passed, licking their lips.

"Got us another plaything, Bandsaw?" One raider called out.

Another raider whistled at us. "Hay new bitch, I've got this erection that's lasted over five hours, come fuck it better."

Bandsaw grinned at them, "you want to play with me too?" She asked the other raiders, and they all quickly returned to what they had been doing, as though afraid to continue this interaction. "Thought so."

Moving on, things didn't get any better as we had to slow down and stop to get around some junk. Waiting, my eyes drifted to a nearby room where I could hear grunts and pain filled moans. The room had several raiders in it, and one pony who was clearly not a raider. The poor mare was bound up in a painful looking position and being used by the raider, her coat covered in cuts and bruises. Worse, the raiders had carved tally marks into the mares flank, and I noticed that the raider fucking her had a spiked piercing on his dick, with blood staining it. Even her cutie-mark had been marred by the cuts, it of a strange wrench like tool with a beam of green light between the mouth. She also had a glassy, yet defiant expression in her eyes that made me want to save her.

"Don't think about it, cunt." Bandsaw said. "That steel ranger cunt getting what she deserves, and if ya take one step in there, you join her. I Gave her a good deal too, fuck the crew and she gets to pass through our toll stop, but the bitch said no, and now were breeding her."

I almost puked. "But, why?"

Bandsaw laughed. "Because she pissed me off, that's why. Thinking she's better than me, too good for my generous deal. But now I have a new pony to test my Venus root ink on, once more comes in." Again she laughed.

"Venus what now?" I asked as we moved on, and I did my best to ignore the pained moans of the poor mare, unable to do anything to stop it.

I truly was powerless.

"It's a rare plant with healing properties." Spell said with a nervous quiver, his eyes focused on the ground. "It's also a strong aphrodisiac chem that most settlements in the wasteland will kill you if they find you with it, do to it’s connections with rape."

"Ohh, you are smart." Bandsaw said in amusement. "If you stick around, I'll let you try some. Trust me, it makes everything feel wonderful and makes even the more stubborn pony into a drooling slut."

Spell shook his head causing Bandsaw to click her tongue, and then looked at me. How about you? Stick around and I can give you a tattoo that will make you twice as sensitive. With it even the most sloppy fuck can be fun?”

I also shook my head and Bandsaw rolled her eyes. “You two are no fun. Well if you ever change your mind, or fuck up around me, I’ll be sure to draw some cute little hearts on you.” She winked at me and then continued deeper into the building, the sound of a loud slap and a muffled cry of pain made me flinch. But all I could do was just look at the ground and follow.

Before long, we came to a room where two raider stallions lay strewn on the floor, and another raider mare sat on top of one of them. I quickly realized that she was not just sitting, but mounting him. The mare moaned with delight as slammed her flank down and arched her back.

Bandsaw growled out. "Celestia fucking Luna, Puncher, ain't you watching the fucking back door?"

The other mare just yawned as she turned around, still with the stallion in her. "On brake big sis, and I needed my chem fix. So who's the two new ponies? Can I play with the unicorn?"

Band Saw sighed. "The boss wanted some smart looking ponies, and I'm delivering. Now care to fucking explain why you're fucking the bosses fuck colts?"

"Trading. That's all. You can join in, they got chems to spare." Puncher offered.

"I'm getting my fix, but if their offering, fuck it. Just take it to another room, or the boss will start acting like a bitch again." Bandsaw told the other raider.

Puncher just laughed. "And head do what. The fucker doesn't even touch a mare if we don't make him. I'm starting to think your ability to pick good breeders has gone fucked. If the chems were not coming, I'd be messing up his pretty face. Might still mess it up."

"You want to go hunting a Pegasus, then don't mind me. Just remember that they still die if shot out of the sky." Said Band Saw as she stepped over a raider, then looked back at us. "Let's get going."

I then remembered what I'd seen with the Corps Dancers, and how those Enclave ponies suffered. How Chilly must have felt, I could now understand.

Nervously, I followed, careful to not touch the raider.

Close now, the raider was disturbingly thin, ripped with muscles, and covered in filth. The same spikes that adorned his armor, he also had poking out of his skin, along with tattoos and burn marks. On his two forelegs were missing patches of fur, covered in scabs along with visible and blackened blood veins.

It was amazingly terrifying that this raider was even alive.

The raider twitched and I quickly hopped over. His dick was very much still erect, and discolored. A metal ring around its base, too small for what he had. It made me want to wretch, but I managed to hold it in.

The room we entered was far cleaner, and less foul smelling than everything else, though only by a little. Sitting on a makeshift bed was Low Pressure, having clearly seen better days. He seemed thinner, and dirtier. His mane was greasy, and the toga he wore was now mostly brown with dirt.

"Ay boss, found some smart ass looking ponies, now pass over the fucking chems!" Bandsaw demand.

Looking at us, Low Pressure's eyes slowly moved up and down. Eventually, he pulled out a medical case and kicked it over to Band Saw. "Good job. Now don't use it all in one vein."

Taking the case, Bandsaw trotted out, looking quite pleased with herself.

There was a long pause as no pony did or said anything. The only thing breaking the silence was the occasional moan from Puncher from outside the door. The raiders clearly have not moved to another room.

Low Pressure then face hoofed, breaking the silence as he figuratively deflated. "She's doing that because she wants me to fuck her. The concept of gay means nothing to them."

Spell then cocked his head to the side. "You… don't look like a raider."

"Ya fucking think. No, I'm not a Celestia damned raider! I just fuck their boss and then he had a freak heart attack. Now I'm the new boss, and if I can't keep them happy, they're going to kill me." Low Pressure chattered out.

I couldn't help but remember what his ex-colt friend said, and how right he was.

"You can fly away, right?" Spell Circuit asked.

Low Pressure rolled his eyes. "I can try, and I can also get shot out of the sky. I don't know how much you know about raiders, but I've had the misfortune of watching them hunt crows for food. As in, they wait for the crows to come and eat a dead pony, and shoot them out of the sky. Those sharp shooters are no joke."

I watched as Low ruffled his wings, the feathers looking a bit of a mess. "Anyways, enough talk about getting out of here, you need to help me get out of here." He paused for a moment, then shrugged. "In a way that won't get me shot I mean."

Spell looked at me for a moment, then returned his attention to Low. "Alright, but my friend here needs a healing potion."

"Ya, ya, I got some to spare." Low Pressure said as he got up and trotted to a nearby terminal. "Just a healing potion? This place has a bunch of other stuff. Can't believe my luck too, this place used the same password as mine. Great minds think alike as smart ponies say."

He then began tipping in the password, saying it out loud. "One, two, three, four, five, and six."

A loud click came from a rather decorative looking bookshelf, which Low Pressure then pushed to the side. Behind it was a lot of boxes and bottles, of which I guessed were chems.

Grabbing a healing potion bottle, Low tossed it to Spell. "Here you go, now can you help me?"

Spell passed me the potion, and I drank it up, hoping no bone was out of place this time.

A wave of relief then washed over me, and felt less battered, but the pain still remained. "I.. still don't feel okay." I said, my throat no longer sore and scratchy. "But I do feel somewhat better."

Low Pressure tossed something else. "Give her this."

Spell caught another healing potion, along with a syringe. This got Spell to frown. "I don't think Med-X is what she needs."

"She looks like she fell off a cloud, she needs it. Anyways, what happened to her?"

"You don't need to know." Spell huffed as he passed me the second healing potion, then asked. "Do you want this Med-X?"

Drinking the second healing potion, I felt better but still hurt. "Please."

He then sprayed a little of the stuff out before jamming it into my leg. After a moment the pain started to fade, and I started to feel… good. After a moment I sighed with relief, "I could use more of that."

"No, only that one. But I'm glad you're feeling better, Miss Lottery." Spell said, then addressed Low Pressure. "Alright, I will help you."

Low Pressure clapped his hooves together excitedly. "Finally, if any pony can get me out of becoming a less desirable spitroast, it's the less crazy ground tedders. So, ya got guns, or some super crazy skills? Let me guess, you can shoot magical bullets."

Spell looked confused for a moment. "I’m able to teleport short distances?"

I didn't feel like saying anything, and just enjoyed whatever this chem was doing to me. The numbness was relaxing, and good.

"Oh, magic, can you do anything else?" Low asked.

Letting the two stallions talk among each other, I trotted over to the supply of chems. Wondering if there's anything else good in there. Anything to make me feel more numb and just better. It was jam packed with shit I didn't recognize, though I did see more syringes and bottles of healing potions. But what caught my eye was what had to be booze, so I grabbed one.

Popping the cap, a strong smell of alcohol hit my nose, reminding me of the luna-shine I had so long ago. And taking a sip, it was fucking strong, so I took a swig of it.

"Miss Lottery, no!" Spell said as he annoyingly took my bottle away from me.

"Oh fuck off!" I told him as I reached for another bottle, only to get dragged away by his magic.

"I know you're hurt Miss Lottery, but you can't drink it away, It only makes things worse." He tried to explain to me.

Growling at him I grabbed the bottle from the air, "what do you know! Where you put under a mind control spell? Were you made a into play thing? Did you get rape for what felt like hours on end? By a stallion that didn't leave one inch of me unbattered and undefiled. Oh and let's not forget that the pony who let it happen, then one in charge, was your brother."

Taking another swig, I then began to laugh. "Oh, I get it now. You're jealous. You wanted a piece of me, but are too spineless to take it. Well here I am, come fuck me like the others!"

I began unzipping the jumpsuit, but then found the zipper stuck. No, Spell was holding it in place with his magic.

"Miss Lottery, please calm down. It is the chems that are talking, not you." He said softly, as though he was hurt by my words.

Looking at him started to make me feel guilty and wrong. He had saved me and here I was lashing out at him again. I truly was pitiful.

Taking a deep breath, I took another swig of the booze before putting the cap back on. "Fine."

Looking relieved, Spell then trotted to the chem stash. "Say, is there enough here for all the raiders?"

Low Pressure shrugged. "I've been rationing it out to keep them from killing me, but theirs may be enough for all of them to get high on for a good long while. Why do you ask?"

"Well if they're all using the chems, then they can't chase you." Spell suggested.

I then grumbled. "I say poison it all and let the raiders have it."

"That is an option." Spell said in a half hearted agreement.

"Would if I could, but I'm all out of poison." Low said, a smile forming on his face. "But you are right. If they're all too busy getting high, then they're too busy to keep me here. And I think I know how to get it started."

Spell then raised his hoof. "Before we do any of that, we might need something to protect ourselves with."

Low Pressure then frowned and pointed at a nearby table. "Ya, forgot about that. I got some guns, but they're old junk. But a gun is a gun I guess"

On the table was a small pile of rather poorly maintained guns, they had rust and cuts all over.

Spell picked up what looked like an SMG, disgust on his face. "Of cores they have Trot-9's, raiders always have Trot-9's"

Even Low didn't look happy with the SMG. "Please be careful with that one."

"I know, I've used one before." Spell said as he removed the side loaded magazine from the gun, and made sure a bullet was not left in the chamber. "If anything, the Trot-9 will make a good bullet grenade if needed."

"Wait, that's a thing?" Low asked.

Spell nodded. "Unfortunately, yes. Smarter raiders are known to just throw loaded Trot-9's at ponies, and let the gun bounce around as it fires wildly."

"Good to know." Low said as he took a small .32 revolver.

I picked up an extraordinarily simple looking pipe rifle, it was breech action with one barrel, but the ammo was 10mm, so good enough.

_______________________________________________________

We all got ourselves loaded up with what we could. Food, water, healing potions, ammo, and some more booze by my demand. None of it any good, but we didn't have any room to be picky. So when we left, I didn't want us to need to stop for anything, and give the raiders time to catch up to us. If that is, they do chase after us.

The issue was making sure all the raiders were distracted. So, Low Pressure called a meeting, demanding all the raiders show up. What I saw was at least twenty five raiders, all looking ready to go crazy.

Were most were in the front, looking dumb, but still dangerous. Several hung out in the back, still holding their guns, and were clearly aware. Strangely they were all mares. Among them was Bandsaw and Puncher. I was getting the feeling that the real raiders were the mares in the back, and the other ponies up in the front were just tagging along.

I didn't see the mare they held prisoner, so I hoped she was at least getting a moment of peace. I had asked Low about her and if we could save her but he said it was impossible without fighting the raiders. So again I had to leave her to suffer, powerless to do anything.

"See that uniform." Low Pressure announced as he pointed out the stallions with the tight fitting clothes. "That was my idea, add some style ya know. Sadly the novelty faded fast when none of them ever bathed."

"I've noticed." Spell said.

Low then stretched and took a deep breath. "Time to get this started." Clearing his throat, the Pegasus then addressed the raiders, his voice clear and loud. "Alright ya dirty bastards, I got good news and bad news. Bad news, the chems aren't going to last forever."

The raiders jeered in anger.

Low continued. "Good news, we're all going to have a fun time with the shit we got. That's right, everypony gets the good shit!"

They then all cheered as Low pulled out two boxes filled to the brim with chems, another box sat behind him just in case they demanded more chems. Passing one to Spell Circuit, and one to me, we were to give the chems out, making sure everypony had more than enough to mess them up for hours.

As I trotted down one side of the raiders, letting them take what they wanted, I then froze. A hoof was feeling up my rear, sending a sickening chill up my spine.

A rather ugly raider was feeling me up, smiling at me. "Hay bitch, take that shit off and show me ya goods. I bet ya real tight."

I then felt a tug on my mane as another raider pulled me to him, causing me to flinch. He smiled and said, "Oy cutie, why don't you stay with us. It will be fun."

The other raiders then burst out in laughter. I looked over to Spell for help, but saw that he too was in the same spot as I was. Low was no help either, sitting back and looking confused.

The feeling and sound of a raider then sniffing my crotch filled me with shame and utter disgust. All fear in me melted, and a bubbling rage welled up within me.

"You son of a WHORE!" I shouted as I reared back and kicked. The raider flew back from the hit, and as I spun around, I swung something heavy in my muzzle. Another raider fell back as the others gave me some space, getting the message.

Panting with my blooded cursed axe, and looking around. The raiders stared at me, some angry, some confused, others licking their lips. One had a gash on their face, the blood frozen.

Spitting the axe head out I then angrily shouted at them. "What! You want to fuck me, then come get me! But I'm not going to make it easy, not easy at all. I'll bite your Celestia damn dicks off!"

Through my rage I could feel myself quiver, my eyes tear up, and my heart pound with terror.

Then, somehow, a pony got under me. "Now now little pony." Bandsaw's head poked in between my front legs, and she was smiling, showing off her jagged teeth. "If you fight too hard you will be too exhausted to have fun."

I glared down at her.

Bandsaw then reached up and wrapped her hooves behind my neck, pulling herself up and kissing me. Next thing I know she flipped me over onto my back and sat on my chest. Still smiling wide.

"Alright my little bitch, I will give ya some credit. You got the spark of a fucking raider in ya." Band Saw said with a chuckle. "If ya interested, I can take you under my figurative wing, show you how to stand over these fucking faggots. Make the, truly respected you through fear, make any stallion who try's to fuck with you regret even being born. I'll even let you beat the shit out of one of these assholes."

She then leaned in close. "Don't lie, you want some revenge, I can smell it. I can give it to you, just let go, and go wild for me. Join with me and I'll even give you that mare we got, make her your property to do with as you please."

I paused, thoughts of revenge flashing in my mind. Thoughts of using the raiders to stop Tripwire felt… cathartic.

But as she sat on me, and images of what raiders were, it made me sick. Joining them and harming others churned my stomach, it being everything I hated. I could save that poor mare, but at what cost, and would she just end up like Chilly, would she waste my effort to help her by killing herself. That and how could I trust a raider, they were monsters in pony form after all.

"Fuck you!" I said, spitting at Bandsaw in the face.

She wiped it off and laughed. "Well whatever. You're going to get fucked one way or another." She then got off me, taking the box of chems.

With a loud whistle, Bandsaw took a canister of dash and then kicked the box into the group of raiders. "You lot, go get fucked up. And if you want your dick wet, we do have thar steel ranger bitch for a reason."

Getting up, I saw that the raiders were now busy grabbing the chems. "What, not going to rape me?" I asked Bandsaw, trying to keep up a brave face.

She laughed again. "Stick around and I will make sure it happens. But no, I'll let the wasteland do that for me. And when you can no longer take it, when the pain is too much. When anything is better than pretending that things will get better. You will come looking for me."

Band Saw then grabbed me again and whispered in my ear. "We mares should stick together after all, as we are the superior gender. All stallions ever think about is what they can stick their dicks into, and a pretty mare like you is very desired by stallions. I'm sure you will understand what I mean in time, after you are used and raped again, and again, you will understand."

Letting me go, Bandsaw then trotted off deeper into the building, breathing in her canister of dash and laughed. "Think about it, Lottery, everything you deserve, and all you need to do is take it by force."

I backed away and then just trotted to the door, wanting nothing more than to be out of this place. Spell Circuit and Low Pressure soon join me in the light of the wasteland. We didn't say anything for what felt like forever as we quickly trotted away, but it must have been only a few minutes.

"Well, that was almost a different kind of fun." Low said cheerfully.

Both Spell and I glared at him as we stopped.

"Okay, bad joke. Sorry. It's how I cope" The Pegasus apologized.

Spell then took a deep breath, grabbed a bottle of booze from my bag with his magic and took a swig before saying. "Lets just fucking get out of here before they decide to invite us back in for their party."

I stretched out my legs, the pain finally gone, though there was still a slight tremble. "Ya, and we're not stopping until sundown. Not until nopony can catch up to us."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighteen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighteen

_______________________________________________________

It took a few more days, but we made it to Ursa's Rest. Thanks to the new guns and soda, we were able to go faster than before. Though the guns were already showing their age even after a little use, and risked falling apart.

At least we were now back to civilization. But seeing the massive bear at the center of town did not fill me with relief though. I was at least glad to be someplace where I could lay in a bed, and get something decent to eat. But the place also brought back memories I didn't want to remember.

Still, this was the best place to restock. If we sell a few of the guns, and anything I didn't need, then I could be heading home tomorrow. Unfortunately the day was getting rather late, so we didn't have much time before the shops closed.

"This place hasn't changed much." Spell said, sounding a bit displeased.

"Right, your father mentioned, Grizzly Deal." I commented.

Spell physically cringed. "Ya, I'm not going to stay long here, or things might get awkward."

From behind us, Low Pressure chuckled. "Oh, I smell something scandalous!"

"What, no, nothing of the sort." Spell protested. "Well not completely, I mean, not in a way you might be thinking. It's just, well, my brother was supposed to marry Grizzly, but that fell apart. Worse, Grizzly was found pregnant, which was going to be a scandal. So to protect Tripwire, mother wanted me to marry her and say I was the father, which would have damaged only Grizzly and my reputation."

The chuckling from Low became less from amusement and more from embarrassment. "S… sorry. Back in the Enclave, if we had to take a partner, there was no way out, and no spare. Well unless you were in the upper class, but that was never for show. Makes ponies angry you see. So ya, if you're going to marry a pony, you were practically already married."

I sighed, remembering my last talk with my Pa. "I lived so far away from anything, my Pa had to go looking for a sutor. If I never left, if I had listened…"

"Everything will be fine, Miss Lottery. You don't need to worry about that anymore." Spell said, trying to comfort me.

"So what's next?" Low asked us.

Spell Circuit was the one to answer, with a bit of irritation in his voice. "We explained this yesterday… but to reiterate, we're going to sell the guns we collected to the gun shop here, and split the caps. I'll use mine to prepare for dealing with my brother. Miss Lottery will supply herself for her trip home. And you can do whatever with your share."

Low gave us a smile and then asked "neat, and is there a place I can get washed and get my mane done?"

"Yes there is." I said, not feeling like telling him that one of his ex-lovers worked there.

With a plan in mind, we trotted into Ursa's Rest, the busy place quickly draining to me. There were too many ponies and too much commotion, where I just wanted to relax, but I endured.

Fortunately the gunshop was quiet, and the griffon running it was available. He looked down at the guns were willing to sell to him. “Right miss, these guns are clearly trashed. The wood is rotten through, and despite grease used to preserve the metal, rust has still eaten its way in. If I were to take them, the restoration would cost me a lot of caps and time."

I couldn’t meet his eyes, it was hard enough to even look Low in the eyes. “We just… need any caps we can get right now.”

A long sigh came from the griffon. “I don’t know what happened to you little mare, but I can guess it involved that stallion.” I flinched at his correct guess. “You know what, even though these guns are in need of serious restoration, they are valuable to gun collector's. The rifles and revolvers alone are works of excellent griffin engineering, it be a disgrace to my ancestors to not try to fix them. And the shotguns, though I’m not a fan of windcheaters, but they do deserve my respect. So I’ll give you a fair price for them, and if you ever want one back, I’ll give you a discount.”

“Ahh, thanks.” I said as I looked up. Strangely, as my eyes met his own, I felt a bit comforted. It helped put me at ease as I accepted the deal.

“Don’t mention it, the name Horus by the way.” he said as the griffon placed a fair amount of caps in front of me.

I had decided to keep a revolver, as it was at least reliable enough to get me home, and needed the least restoration.

Once the caps were properly divided, I pointed Low to where he could get cleaned off, and his mane done. He posed again with his revolver before flying off, leaving me alone with Spell.

He purchased a .357 revolver. Something that looked in good condition and reliable.

We didn't say much as we washed up and then trotted to a general store, where I knew there was food and water. The food wasn't much, lots of dried meats and hard baked breads made from something called corn or razor grain. At least the food was meant to stay good for a long time, so as long as I don't get robbed again, I'll be good for my trip back home.

"So…" I finally spoke up, getting Spell's attention. "About some of the things I said before… I'm… sorry. I was too harsh on you for things you didn't do."

Spell shook his head. "No, don't apologize. The fact that I didn't do anything, that makes me accountable. From what I heard, at least you tried to do something. Tried to stop my brother. It's more than I ever did. So many times I could have ended the danger of the mezmetron. Or maybe if I stayed with Redeye, I could have eventually convinced him to return to his old ways. But I ran… ran away and I ignored it."

A small smile formed on my face. "Ya, I did get Tripwire good. Too bad I didn't finish him off."

"More than I ever did." Spell said with a sigh. "And about how things use to be, the slavery before Redeye. You're right to call me out. It took an outsider to teach me that, and even now I'm still making excuses for them, for myself. If I was a braver pony, then I should have thrown away my family name and fought against it. But even when my one family looked down on me, I still wanted their love and respect."

I looked at Spell, feeling a bit conflicted and confused. "What do you mean?"

He sighed. "Slavery was a family business, it was the family business of my friend, it was part of our lives. Going against it meant going against everything I knew. It means hurting my family, disappointing them. I loved them too much to do that to them, even when they didn't show me the same love back. It's why I let Father keep that horrible magic. I hoped that maybe, one day, he'd actually trust me." Spell then took a deep breath, waiting a moment before saying. "But now all I have left is my brother… and I have to stop him."

Spell took a moment to look at his leg, lost in thought, before looking at me again. "Miss Lottery, again I'll say that you were right, that things were twisted and wrong. Before and after Redeye showed up. But now that things are getting better, my brother wants to go back to those times… I won't let it happen. That peaceful wasteland you thought was out here, I can't make it happen, but I'll do my best to at least keep it from getting worse."

I slowly dropped several bars of hard tack into my bag, a bit stunned by his statement. More about how he said it, like some hero. "I um.. I appreciate it."

Regaining a bit of my composer, I remembered that we did have some spare caps. "Say, you want to get a few beers, you know, before you go."

_______________________________________________________

"And then my Ma fleeked, almost thought her soul would leave her body." I told Spell as we sat at the bar, both two beers in and feeling relaxed. "My brothers then ran from her, still with the radscorpions dangling in their mouths."

Spell laughed as he held onto his beer, waiting for himself to settle down before drinking some more. "That reminds me of when my friends and I found a radroach nest. We decided to sling rocks at it, resulting in the roaches chasing us back home. When one of our parents asked us what we thought would happen, my friend said he thought caps would fall out."

We both laughed again.

Having a normal conversation felt good, like it was something I had been missing from this horrible adventure. It was at least one last good thing before I left for home.

"Well, were there caps?" I asked.

A chuckle came from Spell. "Actually there was, and a guard took them as payment for killing the radroaches. The look on my friend's face was priceless. He even swore that next time he would stand up to the dangers of the wasteland and claim what's his."

finishing off the beers, it was time to go. Not that we had the caps for any more. And I didn't feel like sleeping outside again, not tonight at least. So we trotted from the brightly lit Ursa's Den to the still lit up, but not as bright outside.

"So are you sure you want to leave now, why not wait till morning?" I asked Spell.

He sighed. "I don't know how many contacts my brother has here, best I go before they figure out it's me. Anyways, unlike my brother, I know a bit about survival in the wasteland. So I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" I don't know why I was asking, maybe it was the alcohol. "Just one night can't hurt, keep ourselves warm."

It made me feel… I don't know, but I both hoped he said yes and no.

Spell looked me in the eyes, "Miss Lo-"

"Just call me Lottery." I said, cutting him off.

"Lottery, while I do appreciate the offer, I don't think it's right for me to take it." He said softly. "You have already been through more than enough, and I don't want to add to it more than I already have. As a friend, all I want is for you to get home safely."

"Right… thanks." I said, letting go of the suggestion, and feeling a bit stupid.

So I trotted with Spell to the edge of town. Spell had his new revolver poking out of his jacket, with ammo to spare in his pockets. I had also made sure the gun was in good condition, though it was just a quick check. So he stood there, in a dirty tweed jacket, scraggly and armed, yet I couldn't help but think he looked quite manly.

"I guess this is it then." I said, stretching out to give him a kiss on the cheek. "For good luck, and thanks. For saving me back then."

I could swear he was blushing under his mane. "Th… thanks." He said nervously, then asked, "you could come with me."

He then held out his hoof. "To stop my brother… together."

I looked at his metallic hoof for a long while, though it must have been only seconds. It was tempting, and made me feel less hopeless, but only for a second. Taking a step back, I shook my head and answered, "sorry, but I can't."

He then pulled back his hoof and scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed. "Sorry, that was a bit too forward of me. You just reminded me a bit of my old friends, back from when times were better. Never did get to investigate that Molly Manticore place, last I heard, somepony set it on fire, screaming about evil robots.

That got me to chuckle, and then I said jokingly. "Who knows, if it's evil, it might have put itself back together." It was strange, him just saying that had put me at ease, reminding me how I wanted to explore. How different things might have been if I met Spell first and not Tripwire. "Now you get going. Before I decide to drag you home with me." I said, not sure if I was joking or not.

"Right then, you take care out there, Lottery." A silver overglow covered his horn, and with a pop, he vanished.

So I sighed, and said "cheating unicorns" before trotting to where I could get a room.

Though ponies were about, I felt more alone now then I had ever. My eyes darted side to side, watching for any unwanted staring, but none were looking at me. I was just another pony in the crowd, and soon I too will vanish, not to be missed.

Fortunately the shabby hotel had room available. They were quite small, and built with scrap woods, but I at least had a wall between me and the wasteland. Still, all the gaps made me a bit paranoid that some pony could peek on me. So I curled up, holding myself, and let sleep take me. Hoping for good dreams, but expecting nightmares.

_______________________________________________________

Again I found myself running, but this time from raiders. They laughed at me as they got closer and closer. A pony ahead of me waved me to her, to safety.

Charging in, I burst into a room, where the door slammed shut behind me. Looking back, I saw Bandsaw with a wide smile on her face.

"See, I told you that you'd return." She said, holding up a mirror. In it I saw myself, but as a raider, smiling with yellowed eyes and teeth. "

I recoiled in horror, scratching at my own face. The raiders outside began pounding at the door, wanting to be let in.

Bandsaw trotted over to me, and as she spoke, black acrid smoke escaped her mouth. "Why go home when you can have revenge? No, I won't let you leave just yet." Her face cracked and flaked off, revealing a pitch black pony shaped thing hidden underneath. "You will fight, and there will be bloodshed. There will only be Strife!"

I tried to push her away, but the thing was too strong. And as I struggled, the pounding only got harder and more aggressive.

_______________________________________________________

I woke to the sound of pounding on a door. My door?

Surprised and worried, I meekly said, "h… hello?"

"Miss Lottery, open up." Spoke a deep and authoritative voice.

My chest tightened up as fear gripped me. Whoever this was, or what they wanted, I didn't know. They could be with Tripwire, here to finish me off, or worse, drag me back. But with no place to go, I took a deep breath, and moved my revolver into an easy to grab spot.

"Alright, I'm opening the door." I told them.

With a creek, I opened the door to reveal a rather large griffin in painted black armor with a white talon painted on top. He glared down at me and said. "Miss, I am to escort you to Lady Grizzly Deal. Sooner the better."

I relaxed a bit, but then became confused. Why did she want to see me? I was a nopony.

"Oh… alright." I said as I gathered my belongings.

Not wasting time, having been ready to leave as soon as I was up, I went with the griffin. The trot to Ursa's Den was awkward to say the least, as he didn't say anything and most ponies gave us a wide berth. This unfortunately included getting into the death trap called an elevator.

Like the last time I was here, the room before Grizzly's office had several mares standing guard. Oddly this time, one mare blocked the door, holding a spear. "Sorry, the young miss is here at the moment, it will be a few minutes." The guard mare told us.

The griffin just nodded.

The guard mare looked a bit odd, now that I could see her up close. Her mane was in many tight braids, ending with beads that looked a lot like dry bones. She even had white paint on her face that made her look even more aggressive. But what was stranger was the melee weapon at her side. It was a decorated wooden paddle, with the teeth of an animal along the edge. The decoration looked like a fruit in between two spears, green color painted within the groove work.

From the other side of the door I could hear what sounded like yelling, but too muffled to catch any of it. The likely argument went one for a few minutes, like the guard said, before one voice became clearer as it got closer.

The voice was young and feminine, if a bit squeaky. "I don't care if you don't want me there, not like you actually care!" The doors were shoved open and a rather skinning young mare… no, an older filly, maybe of twelve or thirteen years old. She had a rather nice looking dress in the Ursa's Den style, but clearly made from really high quality materials.

Grizzly's voice was also raised to a more authoritarian shrill. "Young lady! If you go back to those sh.. dirty ponies again, I will make sure you don't see the light of day until you're an adult! You hear me!"

The older filly stuck her tongue out at Grizzly and blew a raspberry, then trotted to the elevator.

Grizzly herself sat back in her seat, looking a bit frazzled. When she saw me peeking from the side of the doorway, the mare quickly got her mane back in place, put on a straight face, then motioned for me to come in.

She eyed the griffin and addressed him. "Hans, go make sure Wiretap actually goes back to her room, and stays there."

"I'm not a foal sitter." The griffin said. But then Grizzly tossed a tin to him, rattling with the sound of caps. He caught it in mid air, then said, "It will be done."

With a stressed filled sigh, Grizzly then motioned for me to sit down on a nearby, and knocked over, chair.

Quickly putting the chair up right and sitting down, I nervously waited to find out why I was here.

Grizzly took a long moment to collect herself, pulling out a flask to take a swig. "Sorry about that, she's just getting to that age." Grizzly then put away her flask and took a deep breath. "Now on why you're here… and seeing that blank look on your face, I'm guessing you're clueless about anything right now."

"I'm… at a loss, yes." I answered.

Looking through several papers on her desk, Grizzly then placed one in front of me. It was thicker than the others, and gave me a weird foreboding feeling. "Recognize this?" She asked.

It took me a moment, but it came to me. "It's a… magical contract… the one I sighed when getting my leg fixed."

Grizzly smiled, but it felt half hearted. "It's the magical contract I gave to Tripwire to make sure he can't just cut and run. One that should not have loopholes, or a way to alter it in any way. Do you get where I'm going?"

"N...no, sorry." I responded.

Grizzly face hoofed as she breathed out "of bucking course."

She took another long moment to collect herself, then explained. "What this contract is, is a centralized financial credit loan. Or to say it simply, it puts the financial responsibility onto one pony as we give a line of credit to a group. It's for when a Talon mercenary company comes in, and their commander holds the purse strings. Makes it less messy when there is just one bill."

I nodded as I followed along. "Yes, I remember signing something like that. But Tripwire was the one responsible… right?"

"Correct, otherwise I wouldn't have allowed this." Grizzly then pointed to a burnt part of the paper, just above the attempt of a signature I made. "Except, this happened."

Now I was getting worried, but still didn't quite understand.

Grizzly then continued. "It seems that Tripwire has figured out how to cheat a magical contract. Effectively, it thinks he's dead. Something I would love to be true, but I know it's not." She again tapped the burnt part. "I've seen how a contract works when a signer dies, and only the signature burns out, and not attempt to burn the whole damn contract with it." She then pointed to a burn mark on her desk. "Or everything else around it as well."

"He did know a lot about magic." I responded.

This time Grizzly nodded. "Apparently so. It seems that in the ten years Redeye was around, he learned a few new tricks. Unfortunately that leaves you as the soul holder of his debts."

"What!" I blurted out.

Again she pointed at the contract. "Your name is on it, thus the debt passes to you. And since it's magical, and you clearly know nothing about magic, there's no way you can run from it. No matter where you go, we can find you. And that's not mentioning the curse."

My chest felt tight and my breath became short as explained to her. "B...but I have no money, I mean Tripwire had almost everything. He.. he… he took everything from me."

"Honey, trust me, I know you can't pay. Even if you sold the rest of what you had, it's far from enough to satisfy the contract." Grizzly then leaned back, taking a more relaxed position. "This is why I'm going to offer you a deal, a way to pay off the debt. And let's say, if Tripwire were ever to show his miserable face here again, I'll force him to pay that debt, and let you keep whatever you make here."

"But… I… I don't want to work here… I just want to go home." I said dejectedly. "That's not fair."

Again Grizzly sighed. "Life's not fair, I get that, but fairness is not going to get my money back, or going to let you trot out free. But I can at least be kind, and give you options."

"Kind!" I said glaring at her. "That's not kind, not after what he did to me!"

Grizzly looked a bit bored as she stayed relaxed. "I can probably imagine what was done to you. From what my girls told me, you were with Grinder."

I involuntarily flinched at his name.

This got Grizzly to roll her eyes. "That stallion should have been executed along with the rest of his fucked up family. Even told Redeye that to his stupid face. But the fool thought Grinder still had his…" she wiggled her hooves in their air to quote the word, "uses."

I glared at Grizzly, but she didn't seem to care, just said to me. "Before you get your panties in a twist, I've already signed a deal with Gwadina Grimfeathers. Any attempt on me will be seen as a crime to her new NCR. Anyway, almost everypony around here has had dealings with the hopefully dead Redeye. This place was the main trading hub for slaves after all."

Again I was hit with a wave of shock and confusion. "What?"

"Yes yes, shocker, I know. Well unless you're from around here, then it's ancient news." Grizzly said as she dismissively waved a hoof at me. "So before you go on some noble sepal, or make a woah is me, sob fest, I'll tell you this. You're nothing special. You're not the first wide eyed wannabe hero, coming here to do good. And certainly not the first to fall trap to shit head ponies like Grinder. Most of the time they're a nuisance, trying to fruitlessly do good. But unlike them, I have actually ended slavery here, and with my own fortune. And trust me when I say that it was an expensive move on my part. And I do intend to make that money back.'

She then leaned in closer, speaking softly. "As for what you went through, that's sadly a cap a dozen stories around here. Talk to any working mare here and they will tell you. Rape, sex slavery, murder and other things worse then that. Things have not been easy for most ponies for a long time. There was even an area controlled by raiders, where they kill any stallion on sight, so the mares had to go out and collect water. They get caught, raped, then sent home, only to do it all over again the next day."

I lowered my head, not wanting her to tell me any more. It was worse than what Ma and Pa ever told me. Far worse.

"And Miss Lottery, if it were only a few months ago, we would not be even talking. You would be made into a debt slave, and forced to work off that debt in any way I deem necessary. But times have changed, and the slavery market is a sick brahmin pulling an overstuffed cart. So instead of forcing you into work, I'll give you an opportunity, If you do want to go home that is." Grizzly said as she again relaxed back in her chair.

"Yes, I want to go home, more than anything." I said, nodding vigorously.

She clapped her hooves together once, causing me to flinch to attention. "Alright Miss Lottery, I'll lay it out straight, and fortunately all jobs are open. So there is something you can do, even if it's not much. Now the problem is working off that debt, which is sizable. Backroom staff is always busy, but the pay is minimal. Front staff gets better pay, and tips, though you're expected to stay on the move. There is show staff, pays real well, but you need to have some talent that is useful. You can even do some odd jobs, but those tend to be considerably dangerous."

"And how long do I need to work until I can leave?" I asked.

"That is the problem, isn't it. Well if you're part of the show staff, and you're popular, then maybe a few months at least. But like I said, you need talent, something popping and flashy. Can you dance, sing, tell jokes?" Grizzly asked me.

"Well my Ma said I'm good at singing… back when I was younger." I answer.

Grizzly shook her head. "And my mother said I was the most beautiful mare, as mothers do. Then it's front or back staff. Unfortunately that will at least take you, let's say at best, a year to pay off your debt."

My eyes widened in worried shock. "I can't wait a year!"

"Well there's the odd job, which pays well. But it would require you to go out into the wasteland. You know, deal with raiders and feral ghouls, along with any other nasty out there." She said coldly.

I averted my gaze as I found a lump in my throat, unable to say a thing to that. The last thing I wanted was to go back out into the wasteland and face those monsters alone.

Raising her hoof up to get me to settle down, a grin then formed on Grizzly's muzzle. "Yes I can see that a pony like you isn't suited for that. Such jobs are for ponies with grit and backbone. So I'll offer you a fifth option. That is, to work as part of the Red Light Showroom."

As she mentioned the showroom, I remembered what I was told about it, and seeing the ponies there. The suggestion of it made my stomach churn. "What, no, no way. That's too much."

"Even if it will take half the time to pay off your debt, maybe even sooner if you're good at it." Grizzly said as she locked her eyes with my own. "You did say you want to go home as soon as possible, am I right?"

"Y… yes, I want to go home." I answered.

"Then there's your options, work for me for over a year to pay off the debt, show some talent and get out in a few months, brave the wasteland, possibly survive, or spend a few months in the red light." Grizzly then pulled out a chip and rolled it to me. "I'm sure your family misses you dearly, just as you miss them."

I took the chip, it was in the same colors as this place, with a star imprinted on one side and a number ten imprinted on the other. "More than anything."

Grizzly then pushed a new contract to me, this one not magical. "If that's so, then what's wrong with a little prostitution. Trust me, as part of the Red Light Showroom, there are no pimps, and you will be protected. Any extra caps you earn you get to keep, and there are always options for high paying jobs. Frankly, if you're daring and lucky, you could even pay the debt off in a month."

It was disgusting and horrible to imagine me doing that. But I was already a defiled mare, and I had already given myself to other stallions. Thinking about it, I couldn't actually go any lower than what I have become. Grinder and Onyx had already made sure of that.

All that mattered was freeing myself from this wasteland and going home.

My mind wandered to the odd jobs for a brief moment. Maybe I didn't have to sell my body. But I remembered Chilly, remembered the mare eaten by geckos, remembered the mare captured by raiders, and remembered what happened to myself. I had only gotten as far as I did with Tripwire's help and guidance. It was clear to me, I was only alive because of him, and that made me sick.

Ma and Pa were right. The wasteland would kill me, and so far I had only gotten lucky. And like Pa said about luck, it turns on you eventually.

Taking the contract, it was another paper I couldn't read, so I glanced at Grizzly one more time. "If I… If I do this, I will pay off that debt quickly."

Grizzly placed a hoof on her chest. "I Promise on Celestia's grave. If you do this, you will be out of here before you know it."

Looking back at the contract, wishing I could read it. I swallowed nervously, and signed. If I was to go home, then I don't care what I have to do to get there. So long as I am alive, I can go home again.

A wide smile formed on Grizzly's muzzle. "Good, trust me when I say, you're not going to regret this. So welcome aboard, I'll have a guard escort you to your room, and a locker where you can keep your things. I'll even have one of the mares show you the ropes. So please, enjoy yourself, and as a show of generosity, you can keep that chip."

She then clapped her hooves twice, and a guard came trotting in. "This is one of our new Red Light mares, please show her to the dorm."

_______________________________________________________

I had been taken to a back room filled with lockers and given a key. The guard didn't say much, just telling me where, to pick an unused locker, and to wait there.

Then she just left.

Loading the locker with my guns and gear, I stopped to wonder what I was doing, and if this was the right decision. Could I have done something else, negotiated for another job. Maybe. But here I was, about to sell myself just like a whore.

"Oh HELLO!" A voice loudly greeted me from behind.

Almost jumping out of my skin as I turned to see a pink unicorn mare with a long red and purple mane. She had on the Ursa's Den uniform, but the ones with the rather tight panties. The mare also had a rather excited smile, wide with rather white teeth. Though something about how she didn't blink unnerved me greatly.

"Uhh, hello, I'm Lottery." I responded.

"Oh yes, Lottery, I was told to say hi to you. Hi! I'm going to show you around." The mare excitedly explained to me before getting close. "Names Sugar Honey, and I got to say you look cute! But sadly you need to be in uniform. FOLLOW ME!"

A bit perplexed, I followed the overly excited unicorn to what had to be the dressing room. Several other and rather tiered looking mares were there, getting ready for the day. Sugar quickly took me to a booth, sitting me down.

"Do I need to dress up? It's, I mean, I just sighed up." I informed her.

She gave a quick chuckle and a wave of her hoof. "Nonsense, the sooner you get working, the sooner you learn how to work. That's how I started. Been doing this kind of work for seven years."

"And how old are you?" I asked.

"What, you know you should never ask a mare her age. I mean I'm not that old, only twenty. I'm not old, right?" Sugar asked, sounding worried.

"No… not at all." I told her. Not wanting to upset the unstable mare.

She breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh good. Old mares get thrown out you see. Starve on the street, ya know. Now get that suit off, you got a show to go do!"

"Shown, what, no!" I protested as I struggled to keep her from stripping me.

"SUGAR HONEY!" A loud voice called out, causing both of us to jump.

It trotted an older and rather beautiful mare. Her uniform was far more loose and elegant on her, and in her mouth was a long stick-like thing, ending in a cigarette. "Did I not tell you to not rush the new mare?"

"Ahh... no… wait yes, yes you did… sorry." Sugar responded as she backed away from me.

The older mare trotted over to me, she was a dark chocolate brown unicorn mare that was taller than the average pony. She had a beautiful dark green mane with vibrant green highlights, all dun up in a smooth bun. "Sorry about Sugar, I believe she's gotten into the mentats again, the poor thing. My name is Sparkling Delight. I'm the mistress of the Red Light, and I'll be your new boss."

I nodded. "Th… thanks. But must I dress up?"

Sparkling nodded back slowly. "You need to learn your job, sooner the better. But be sure, you're not seeing any clients on your first day, unless you want to. But right now you're just being shown around and observing. With that in mind, Sugar dear, go get a spare uniform for our new sister."

"Ye! Right away!" Sugar Honey responded before running off.

Watching the excitable mare leave, I then asked Sparkling, "is she alright."

The older mare sighed. "Poor thing, her parents sold her off to just survive the winter. She managed to escape being sent to Fillydelphia, but her master was not kind. I've tried to help her, but she's stuck in her own world now. Sex work is unfortunately the only job she can keep right now. But rest assured that she and all her sisters here are in good care, even you. We're family, and we take care of eachother."

"But that's no way to live. It's too cruel. " I said.

"That's life in the wasteland, drear." Sparkling said to me as she trotted over. "Now let's get you ready for your first day. You have a lot to learn, and all day to learn it. Fortunately Things are slow right now, so we can take our time."

What preceded was a makeover which put me in the same outfits as the other mares around me. The makeup was fortunately lightly applied, but considerably stood out in the black light. I still didn't like the tight panties that pushed my tail up, and showed an outline of my privates, but at this point, I stopped caring so much.

"Right, looking good, but there can always be more done. "Sparkling said as she examined me."

"More… what?" I nervously asked.

"Best if you see it yourself, Sugar dear, show her your goods." Sparkling said as she motioned to Sugar.

The unicorn then turns around, putting her face down and ass up. Seeing more than I wanted to, Sparkling then pointed with her cigarette to the base of Sugar's tale. Her doc has a piercing through it, which was weird to me, but the more I looked the more I saw. It was not just her doc, but her genitals, and what had to be her nipples.

"Wait… why?" I asked in confusion.

Sparkling smiled, looking me in the eyes. Her gaze was strangely enchanting, like beautiful gems that I could get lost in. In them I felt more… relaxed. "Deary, patrons don't come here for the tame, no not at all. You will understand soon enough. Especially if you want to earn those caps. Now come with me, Sugar Honey has a client that will be a good learning experience."

I didn't like it, but I nodded and followed the mares out.

The day went on, and I was shown how to do normal work, such as serving drinks. But now and then I would shadow Sugar into a back room, where she would have sex with a client. I never knew a mare could bend like she did, or other strange things with a stallion.

Whenever I tried to look away, to get away, Sparkling was there, making sure I watched. And as the day went on, the more extreme the customers became. Sometimes it borders on abuse, but Sugar seems to enjoy it, or at least acted like she did.

At times I would become overwhelmed, and Sparkling would offer me a drink to calm me down. The first drink relaxed me, the second made me feel loose, and after a third I started enjoying myself. Strangely, Sparkling Delight would make me look in her eyes every now and then, and it made me feel off.

I lost track of my time in the Showroom, it was all a mess of lights, sounds, and stallions. I think I even blacked out at some point, coming to some of my senses as I rode a stallion, a bitter taste in my mouth. Maybe I was dreaming again, just another nightmare. I didn't know anymore, and I didn't care. As another stallion joined in, I just accepted it, not wanting to think, and letting myself be swept up in pleasure and lust.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Nineteen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Nineteen

_______________________________________________________

I let out a moan as I moved my hips, the drunk stallion sloppily thrusting into me. The lanky orange stallion held my hips tightly, almost losing his balance. I would have been more forceful with him, but he was a regular of mine and paid well, Shrimp was his name, and he just had a few too many drinks before asking me to the back.

Unlike my other clinants, he at least washed up before seeing me, and was into foreplay then just going into me dry. So I at least put in some extra effort in servicing him. It was the few times I was fine with giving a blow job, as other than him and Horus, nopony washed themselves. And they all wanted blow jobs.

Shrimp finally let out a grunt and the warmth of his cum shot into me. Again I let out a moan, a fake one full of dramatic energy. I had quickly learned that they tip better if I pretended that they were far better than they actually are. At least for Shrimp, I was putting in the extra effort, as he paid for it.

Taking a moment to catch our breath, Shrimp then spoke up. “You doing alright, lady Lottery.”

I sighed, not really feeling like talking to my client after they nutted me. “Same as yesterday, like a whore.”

“You're not…” he began to say, but I lifted a hoof to stop him.

“I appreciate it, but you just paid to fuck me, for the fifth day in a row. So we can either go another round, or wash up. I don't need somepony as pathetic as you to pity me” I told him. Strangely, he liked it when I was cruel to him, which also helped me feel that I had some control over my fucked up situation.

Unfortunately Shrimp also seemed to have an emotional problem, so as he got up and began to fuck me again, he also began to cry. So as I laid there letting him do most of the work, I couldn't help but feel sick with myself. But unlike when I started, I'm a lot more used to it now. And the pay was good all things considered.

At least I didn't need chems to calm my nerves anymore.

Feeling Shrimp slow down, I locked my legs around him and joined in. it didn’t last long, but once he was done, we both trotted to the bathroom to wash up. Something the other clients never did, as they would just leave me there a mess. The first few days here were rough, as the Blacklights showed everything. It pissed me off how the other workers didn't tell me, and I trotted around with signs of sex all over me. And I was sure the clients targeted me too, as I was especially popular the first few days.

Once we were clean, Shrimp hoofed over the chips he owed, holding onto my hoof longer than I was comfortable with. Pulling back, I didn’t even look him in the eyes. “Same time tomorrow?”

“Y… yes.” he stammered out before turning to leave.

I sighed, "you are pathetic aren't you?"

"I… I know." He again stammered.

Shrimp was a little cute, and even at his roughest, he was still mindful of me. So I decided to give him a gift. Trotting up to him, I kissed Shrimp on the cheek. "You can keep this." I said as I took my ruined panties and put it on his head.

The fool blushed as he said "th… thanks" and then began to stumble out.

Once he had left, I went to put a clean pair of panties on. I had learned quickly that stallions loved to steal panties when they could, something like a prize to them, but Shrimp never did, so I felt he deserved it. Anyways, I had long grown used to the idea of stallions masturbating to the thought of me, along with them doing it at me.

I really had fallen low.

Leaving the room, I entered the hallway for the private rooms, it lit up in an obnoxious red, which fortunately drowned out the blacklight. As I trotted to the reception desk, moans from the other rooms could be heard loud and clear. If those mares were faking it, I couldn't tell. But seeing one door open, I got the clear view of two stallions going at it, clearly wanting to be seen.

First time I saw it I almost freaked out, but now it was just common to me. So with a sigh, I left, trying not to think about it too hard.

"Your singing voice is getting better. Too bad it was for that fool" Sparkling Delight said from the reception desk, still smoking a cigarette from her pipe. I didn’t know why, but she never liked Shrimp, despite there being worse ponies than him passing through.

"Hand a lot of practice madam Delight." I said to her in the best cheerful tone I could muster. Then I placed the chips I received onto the desk.

It was a rule that the madam held onto all our tips, where at the end of the day, the casino takes their cut. The clients already pay for a room, so it was the casino double dipping on making money off their working ponies. Not that I could do anything about it.

She smiled, sliding the chips over to her as she took a puff from her pipe. "That tone needs work. Drunk ponies may be fooled, but drunk ponies don't always pay well, or play nice. And Shrimp will not always have the caps to be your safe fuck. Now go get yourself another client, and sing for me again."

I gave a polite nod. "Yes madam Delight." And then I scurried away before she had time to get mad at me again.

Sparkling Delight wasn't cruel or abusive, but it was best to keep on her good side and do as she says. She had control on where we worked, and with who. So if she liked me, then I was more likely to get a good client. That being high paying and gentile. But if she were pissed off with me, there was a thing called public use I didn't want to be part of.

She also had a way of getting a pony to do what she wanted. Still don't know how she does it, but if I ever asked her to find a client for me, I'd end up doing some weird shit I'd normally would not agree to doing. The strangest so far was getting tied up like a rad hog, painful, yet a bit fun.

Turning a corner and trotting through a pair of swinging doors, I returned to the Red Light Showroom. Dimmer than the rest of the casino, and filled with smoke, it was also a place where ponies gambled and drank. But unlike the rest of the casino, ponies were allowed to touch the staff, and frequently molested us. The first time I was here I had only been where ponies ate and drank, but there turned out to be a whole lot more.

Finding a large table with clients and staff, I spotted Low Pressure and joined him. The pretty stallion had quickly gone broke at Ursa's Rest, and got a job here in the Den. Unsurprisingly to me, he was quickly moved to my line of work. At the very least I wasn't alone in this, though a bit disheartening that he was better than me at it.

Wait… don't be jealous of the twink stallion, Lottery.

Noticing me, Low gave me a little wave as I joined him. "Lottery! So how was it?"

I glared at him for a quick moment before putting on a happy face. Oh you know. He was big, energetic, and totally not drunk."

"Ehh, they can't all be winners." Low said with a shrug, then turned his attention to a burly looking stallion in a cowpony hat. Said stallion looked a bit nervous, likely being played with by Low from under the table. "This here is Iron hoof, he works for one of the brahmin ranchers, real big business, he says."

The stallion himself looked rather clean and proper, not to mention that he probably could give me a real good time. Ya, I was jealous of the twink. At least he was my friend here.

"So does he have any friends?" I asked, business was business after all.

Low wiggled his eyebrows. "Yes actually, and my big brahmin herder and I will be taking another with us to the back. But they got another friend who's not all fond of stallions being more than friends, you see."

"And you want me to distract him?" I asked.

"Bingo!" Low said loudly, then blew me a kiss and a wink. "See, this is why you're my best friend, Lottery."

I was his only friend.

But I was not going to let a good opportunity pass me by, not when I had been having trouble finding good clients. "Alright, just point me to him. And which rooms are you using!?"

Low nudged his current sugar daddy, looking pleased with himself. "Thinking of going slow with them, so the normal room."

That meant I'll need to go to the other rooms, known as the dungeon, which had less rules. Pays better, but the clients were generally more aggressive. Things like bondage and rape play were the norm there. Last time I went in there, I had mistakenly thought a mare would be more gentle, but instead she almost broke my leg.

But caps were caps. "Alright, but you own me if he decides to treat me like a radboar."

Low gave me a kiss on the cheek, saying, "Love ya!" Then returned to flirting with the gay brahmin pony.

It was a bit of a shame Low did play for the other team, as he was rather well endowed for such a soft looking stallion. He had also helped me to quickly learn how to do this job personally, which had been weird, but also fun. A bit sad that the only stallion to really get me off was my gay friend. Also annoying that he so far had the biggest dick of any stallion I've seen.

At least griffins were in a category of their own, and always fun, though 9ften a bit too rough.

These last two weeks had not been easy, but wired and depressing. The first week I would cry myself to sleep, which then lead to the same nightmare of faceless stallions chasing me down and raping me. My solution to this was to just drink myself to sleep, which calmed my nerves and kept me from dreaming. This somehow led me to taking a stallion to bed with me every night since.

At this point I've lost track of how many ponies and other creatures that pass through here I had fucked. It all just started to blur after the first week.

I also had quickly gotten used to this work, and had been giving in to some of the clients stranger requests. Some things I now knew I'd never want to do again, and other things that weren't as bad as I thought it was.

One thing I had not gotten used to was Sparkling Delight's tendency to spy on us. She says she's making sure we're not being abused, but her eyes always looked hungry when I caught her. She also had an odd hobby of dressing us up and taking photos, of which the dresses Margret gave me were used. Still, I swallowed my pride and let her have her way, and have her way with me.

The touch of a mare still feels wrong, but I had to admit that both Sparkling and Grizzly were the most skilled ponies in bed, only second to Low.

Yep, the happy, hopeful mare I was before, she was dead, replaced by some whore.

I gave my own face a slap, trying to keep myself from thinking that way. I needed to be cheerful, even if it was fake. The sooner my debt is paid, the sooner I can go home.

It wasn't like working at this place was all that bad. They do provide a place to sleep, food to eat, preventative care for STDs and contraceptives. So as long as I make my quota of clients, pregnancy or disease aren't a big worry for me.

I then visibly shivered, remembering one clearly diseased client. That night was bad, but at least I was protected.

From what other working ponies had told me, most places didn't have preventive care. And that some places are a nightmare because of it. Though I didn't want to be here, I was at least glad I was a whore in here then out in an actual whore house.

As time went on, I sipped on a watered down drink as I helped another worker get a client more excited. Simply getting a stallion in the mood and drunker. Eventually the second stallion showed up, and Low pointed out who my target was. The stallion was older and just okay looking, clearly not as big and strong like the two Low was going to fuck. Making me feel jealous of him once again.

Swallowing the rest of my drink, as there was no pride left to swallow. I waved goodbye to the stallion I was with and made my way to the target. He eyed me with nervous suspicion as I flashed him a smile. “Say now, who might you be standing here by your lonesome. You want to go somewhere more private?”

It still felt unnatural for me to do, coming onto a stallion like that. But at least it meant I was in some level of control, that I got to choose who fucked me. That at least made it all the more bearable.

“What, no! I’m here with my cousin, making sure that lug doesn't get in right trouble. So no, just here for the drinks.” He responded a bit too forcefully.

Watching his eyes, as Sparkle Delight had told me to, I could tell his attention kept drifting to the mares passing by. They shook their dery-air’s as they passed, clearly knowing what they were doing. When his attention returned to me, he avoided eye contact, which was a good sign, if I remembered right.

“If it’s a drink you like, I know a few good ones. The house special is quite good; strong, dry and yet delicious. Come, let me show you.” I said as I hooked his leg and gently, yet forcedly led him to a show table.

There, the stallion was a bit stunned as the table had a dancer on it. Sugar Honey was showing herself off as she wrapped herself around a pole, performing a seductive dance I could never pull off, or hope to. Which I didn’t, what I already did was already too much for me.

It didn’t take long for the drink to show up, and the nervous stallion to sip it. “Well you see, my aunty is worried that the big lug will be dragged away by some whore. Wants me to keep that from happening, as I’m a responsible stallion. I mean, I’ve never taken a mare myself.”

As he talked, likely a way to distract himself, Sugar’s performance was more than enough to get him aroused. She was so good at it that even I considered biting the bullet and getting the piercings, as depressing as the thought was. But she was not the one trying to bed him, so I had to at least do more.

“Doesn't sound all that responsible to me.” I whispered in his ear, causing the stallion to flinch. Weirdly, I liked it when they were taken off guard by me. “Sounds to me she doesn't have confidence you will ever take a mare. You're more like her pet aren't you, a yappy little guard dog at her beck and call.”

He tried to back away from me, but didn’t struggle much as I hung onto him. “I’m.. uhh, no. She respects me, she took me in when my Ma and Pa passed on.”

I felt a pinch in my heart, remembering my own. “And what did they think of you?” I knew my own wouldn't think well of me right now.

He fell silent for a long moment, then said. “Well, they thought of me as the most handsomest, strongest colt. Said that the mares would swoon over me… But that was all a lie.”

Now I felt a bit angry for him, and a lot of pity. Did the rest of his family ever help him, or was he just an add on. It was even more pitiful that a whore would try to puff up his ego, just to earn some extra bits and a free beer.

Placing a hoof on his groin, I then whispered again in his ear. “Does it need to be a lie?”

He blushed profusely, nervously looking around. I took that as my opportunity, and tugged him off his seat. “Let's see how much a stallion you are!”

As I dragged him away I waved at Sugar to thank her for the help, and she waved back at me. The mare, if anything, was good at getting stallions in the mood.

_______________________________________________________

Gulping the beer down my throat, it helped to get the sower taste of stallions out of my mouth. “Why don’t they ever clean their dicks.” I bemoaned.

Low just laughed, “The trick is to just get used to it.” He said with a quiver, before adding, “But ya, the ponies down here are really not big on hygiene. At least you have that regular.”

I chuckled a little. "You mean Shrimp. Ya, he at least washes himself, and pays well to spend private time with me. But I don't think Sparkling likes him much. She's always giving him the side eye, and he seems terrified of her."

"Maybe she thinks he will try to steal you away. Heard it happens every now and then. A stallion gets a crush on a working mare and runs away with them." Low said before finishing his drink.

I shrugged. "I can at least say that I'll never take a client home with me. No fucking way I'm ever going to let them know I worked here."

Finishing the beer off, I signaled for another one to be sent over. My buzz had only just begun. “Well at least that one stallion I fucked for you wasn't too bad. A bit small in the package, but didn’t pull my mane. Actually half the time he spent crying in my lap. For a moment I thought I had been too aggressive and hurt him.”

I got a shrug from Low. “Weird, must be a mare problem. Most crying happened when I almost choked from a spitroasting.”

“Oh I hate that!” Sugar loudly added as she joined us. “But it’s rare, not that many big ones, and I’ve learned to dislocate my jaw. Want to see?”

“NO!” Both Low and I protested, keeping the crazy mare from showing us how wide her mouth can open.

Taking a deep breath, I just hugged the two. “How about we not talk about work, it’s weird enough as it is that I’m mostly used to it.”

Sugar giggled. “Ya, that first week was rough, I’m just glad you stopped trying to kick clients. The Madame's special training did really well for that.”

I let her go from the hug as my third tall glass of beer arrived, then I groaned. “That was not fucking training. That was drugging me enough that I let myself be an all you can eat buffet.”

“That's why you don’t piss off the Madam, and she was being nice.” Sugar added.

We both then looked at Low, who shrugged back at us. “Hay, it’s not as bad as it looked. Though I like to be in more control.”

As I drank I thought back again at the last two weeks, and how unfair it all was. I should've just gone with those ponies heading to Fillydelphia. Ya, that older stallion probably just wanted to fuck me, but now I was fucking everypony. I was starting to find it hard to see how horrible it would have been, with everything being such a blur now.

I’ve already had more partners than I’ve ever thought I would in my life, and done things I never imagined before. More was to come, that I had no doubt. Though with how much ponies like to pull my mane and tail, it was starting to piss me off. Might be time I had them cut short, like a lot of the red light mares here. It seems that only the masochists like to keep them long.

Why was I here… right, to pay off that fucking debt and go home. Strange that it’s been hard to hold onto caps.

Sugar then said something, and Low added, but I had not been paying attention. They seemed hyped up about it, so whatever it was it had to be good. "L-Let's go!” I blurted out, trying to not slur my words.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up, the feeling of me having done something dumb was strong, along with my hangover. But I was used to hangovers now, so that was normal. So had come the feeling of a hoof on my hip in the morning.

Luckily this time I was in the dorm, so at least I didn’t waste an opportunity to make money. The stallion was also fortunately good looking, meaning he was front staff, so I could at least count it as a win. Though I was a bit disappointed that it was not Horus this time, meaning he was probably busy with his work.

Looking back at my roommate, Low also had a partner, who of cores was better looking than mine.

How did he manage to find all the good looking guys so easily?

Getting out of bed and stretching, something felt odd, and not where something should be. Checking my behind, I felt something metallic sticking out of my flesh.

With a sigh, I had found that now I had a dock piercing. At least it was there and not any lower.

All I could do now was go get washed up and start my daily routine.

Fortunately the large washroom was mostly empty, with it already noon, not many ponies were here, giving me some privacy as I washed off my shame. After that I went and collected my things, and put on my jumpsuit, as I didn’t need to look like a whore all day, and trotted off to the break room for breakfast.

The jumpsuit at some point got into the hooves of Sugar and Low, who accidentally bleached it, ruining the colors. Since then I had to re-dye it, but since this place only had a few colors on hoof, now the jumpsuit was now dark purple with pink highlights. The clothing makers almost put stars on it, but stopped when I threatened to use my axe on them if they did.

Full of cheap food and barely purified water, I trotted over to the work room in the back of the casino. It was where they maintained the casino, fixing the roulette wheel, or keeping the lights from blowing up. I had managed to make a few extra caps by fixing a few things, but the forman here didn’t like whores touching his tools. Even so, I managed to at least get access to an out of the way workbench.

Pulling out my guns, taking them apart, and putting them back together had become how I managed to keep my sanity. What was left of it that is.

Not long after I started working at the Red Light Showroom, I had drunkenly gone to the gun shop to buy back some of the guns. A rif and the lever action shotgun. That was the only time I hadn't woken up with a stallion in my bed, or in a stallion's bed. I guess I had enjoyed being a pain to Horus so much, the next day I woke up in his bed. He must have enjoyed it too, as he started to visit me at work after that.

He was kind and gentle with me, yet rough when I needed it, so I always looked forward to him seeing me.

Returning my attention to my guns, one of the first things I had done was to fix their bluing finish, using a blow torch and oil. It was a trick my Pa thought me, and helped keep the steel from rusting. And Horus had provided me with the tools to do it. Though I could never understand why it was called bluing, as it made the metal more black, unless at the right angle in the light. Then I could see a bit of blue shine.

Unfortunately all the guns needed replacement parts, the rust doing more damage than I thought. And if it was not made of metal, it was rotting wood. All of them were like that, so changing out parts would only have helped a little. If I had used them for any longer then I had, they likely would have blown up on me. Unfortunately the back room staff had been dragging their hooves on making me the parts, and it didn’t help that being low on caps put me on the bottom of their list.

I could have turned to Horus for the parts, but I just didn’t want to use him like that. He had already helped me enough. Anyways, I wanted to do this all on my own, make it truly mine.

In the time I did have, and with what I could do, I decided to do something with the guns, even if it was superficial.

For the .45 revolver, which I had managed to get the cover for the trigger-bit holder replaced, thanks to Low Pressure giving me some help. Not sure why, but I stained the wood in the Ursa's Dens colors onto the wood. It came out a bit odd looking, but also it gave it personality. I thought about adding anything else to it, but the more I imagined, the less it felt right. Such guns were best when easy to bite onto, like my poor old flare gun.

Then the battle rifle, the thing being in better condition than my other guns, but still needed a new wooden frame and firing pin. Fortunately I had managed to snag some good old wood, but again, the backroom ponies didn’t feel like getting it done any time soon. As for the parts I had, they were diligently restored over a week, though some of its ancient scratches could not be fixed. Some of the scratches looked like they were intentional, like tally marks, and a word. It gave the gun personality, so I didn’t really want to get rid of those markings.

Lastly was the lever action shotgun. Which needed the most work, as it was an annoyingly complicated gun to figure out. But strangely I felt compelled to do the most work on it. So as I waited for parts, I tried to see how I could improve the shotgun. What I managed to do was find a way to fit the head of my cursed axe to the front of the gun, though I had yet attached the two. The strange abilities of the axe seemed to only be in the head, and it dragged along anything firmly attached to it. So I felt that maybe, just maybe, if I combined the two, then I’d have a teleporting shotgun. It would prove more useful if I'm ever in a bad situation again. If Grinder ever finds me, maybe I could shoot him in the face this time.

With a sight, I finished putting the polished parts back together, and just in time to feel a presence. If it was one of the back room ponies here to mock me, I was going to give them a close shave.

“Wow, those are some nice guns!” the voice of an older filly spoke up.

Looking over I saw Wiretap, the daughter of my debt holder. And worse, she was Tripwire's daughter as well. The filly stared intently at the guns, her tail swishing side to side. “C… Can I fire them?”

Her question took me aback a little. “No!... I mean, it’s not possible right now, they need new parts; springs and firing pins mostly. Even then, I don’t think you Ma would-”

“Fuck my mother, what does she even know! Sitting there in her penthouse, always with some random mare in her bead.” the filly grumbled.

“Well, even so, I don’t want to get on her bad side.” I informed her.

She raised an eyebrow at me. “Is it because you were fucking my father?”

I froze, a bit confused. “How-”

“Ponies like to gossip, and my mother shouts a lot when she's drunk. Bastard this, whores that, the norm.” She then got nervous, avoiding eye contact. “She’s never talked about him to me, so… I was wondering… what was he like?”

A pinch of sadness and hate dug into my heart, and I had to force myself to not spit in disgust. “He was… a lot smarter than me… and very cruel.”

Her ears flattened the last part.

So I sighed, “Lets just say that he left me with a huge debt, and now I'm working to pay it back.”

“Oh… sorry?” Wiretap said in a genuine tone, which in turn made me feel guilty about telling her that.

“No, it’s my falt for being so stupid. Though if I ever see him again, I will return the favor ten fold.” I then pushed the revolver over to the filly. “Say, if you want, I can let you hold the gun. Just be careful.”

Wiretap seemed to quickly bounce back, as she was more than happy to hold the gun.

“This is awesome, I really love the colors!” The filly gushed as she awkwardly held the gun, like it was her first time.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of when my Pa let me hold his gun, though I was much younger then her. It was a reminder of how good I had it, how safe it was back home. But it did raise a question for me.

“Have you ever held a gun before?” I asked.

She almost dropped the revolver as her attention returned to me. “What, ya, like all the guns!”

I raised an eyebrow at her, finding this interaction rather… fun. “Realy?”

“Well… not really.” she admitted. “Mom doesn't want me to use them, says that’s what the mercenaries and guards are for. Hans wont even let me touch his guns, it’s like Brahmin shit. I’m almost an adult, I should be allowed to use a gun, drink, smoke, and hang with stallions.”

Something about that list didn’t sit right with me. “How old are you?”

“Old enough!” she huffed, then said “Thirteen, that’s like an adult for ponies in the wasteland, I mean, you must have done lots of things before you got old.”

And now I was an old mare… yay.

“Well truth be told, I hadn't done much until recently. Now I do too much. Anyways, mares should wait till there… like eighteen before doing any of that stuff.” I told her.

Wiretap laughed out loud. “Brahmin shit! That’s not what Spurs told me. She says that I’m practically an adult, and I just need a gun, then I’m all good.”

I was sure that wasn't right, I mean this filly hadn't even hit puberty yet. But what did I know about life in the Wasteland? “I’m not sure that’s right… but if you want I can at least show you how guns work. It’s how my Pa taught me about them. Anyways, it never hurts to know how to shoot.”

The filly practically shook with excitement. “Really, you will!”

I nodded, feeling that at the very least, I can help a still innocent pony out. Even if she is the child of a pony I hated.

_______________________________________________________

Time went on, and eventually the griffon Hans had shown up to take Wiretap away, for tutoring I think. It was rather refreshing to not talk about how a mess my life had become, despite the filly being related to the source of my nightmare.

As I packed up my guns, wiping off any excess oil before they could further stain the duffle bag they were kept in, I felt another presence.

“Keeping new company I see. I wonder how Grizzly would feel if she knew her spawn was hanging with the new whore.” One of the backroom mechanics said mockingly.

“Ya ya, so about the parts I need?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

He rolled his eyes. “Ya, those things, still on backorder, tragic that is.”

I was getting sick of this, and of their ugly mugs. Though I didn’t need the guns, I just didn’t feel safe without them. There was no guarantee that I wasn't going to get cornered by raiders, or found by Grinder, so the sooner those guns were working the better.

“Well can you find a way to get them off the backorder? I have some caps” I asked.

Another laugh came from around the corner as another backroom pony trotted into view. “Ya, but it will cost you a lot more than what you currently have.”

Right, out here if you can make a few extra caps out of a pony, you squeeze them for all their worth. I had quickly come to learn this.

But I had learned a few other tricks myself.

Trotting up to the first stallion, getting up real close, I whispered in his ear. “Come now, I’m sure you and your friend can come to an… agreement with me. I mean, you work all day. It must be… stressful.” It was stomach churning to say, but if I could at least fluster the two, I could get a better hoof hold on haggling with them.

The confidant grin on his face became a lot less so. Likely with his ugly face, not many mares have shown him the time of day.

“Oy, what are you saying to him!” the other stallion said, trotting over. He wasn't all that bad looking, but the noticeable limp he had likely turned most mares off. Ponies in the wasteland who couldn't keep up with others were sadly left behind, they being a danger to any herd.

“Just coming up with a deal.” I said, doing my best to shake my flank just enough to not look stupid. “You want in.”

They both glanced at each other, clearly unsure what to do next.

Just my luck that the two ponies who were harassing me didn’t know how to deal with a mare coming onto them. Wait… actually this was lucky, if I play my cards right. It was a bit sickening to even think of going all the way with this, but at this point… that line had long since been crossed.

Fluttering my eyes at them, I then said it, “I know that Grizzly doesn't pay you two nearly enough for the work you do. So what do you say, I get those parts, and you can have me… for free.”

The second stallions took a deep breath, clearly thinking hard, and then let out that breath in a big huff. “I think we can make that deal.”

I’d like to say I felt a piece of me die doing this, but that was already far too late. Even if I’m selling myself, at least I can get something useful out of it. I just hope they washed themselves.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty

_______________________________________________________

I was told that it gets easier, that after a while I’ll get used to it. It was Madam Sparkling Delight who said it to me, and I hate that she was right. Over a month now into being a whore, and I have just grown to accept it. It didn't bother me anymore when I got felt up by strangers, or how I didn't hesitate to sit on some pony's lap to get them excited. I've even found myself doing this outside of work when I see a stallion I like.

Now I was able to keep a coherent thought as I was being rammed by two stallions, and not start crying. It helped that they were at least not bad looking, and I got to knock them around a little first. Though the fact that this was the fourth time this night was bothering me. I had somehow become the new dom mare for the Red Light. So now I did the tying up more than being tied up, among other weird things involving me being aggressive until a safe word was used.

Personally, it was better than being something to be used. Word had gotten around I let Wiretap hold my guns and such, and ended up having to be punished. Thankfully Sparkling had stood up for me, and I was able to make a deal, so it had only been for one night I was open for use, and given some chems. It was not fun, but when I finally stopped caring and relaxed, it wasn't that bad.

Still, being in a hole in the wall was strange at the least. And not many were gentle. But Shrimp did pay me a visit, paying extra to see me face to face that night. A bit pathetic, but also sweet.

Unfortunately I had been tricked into taking part in a day ling orgy some crazy pony paid for. Personally I would have rather been stuck in the hole where I didn't have to do much, and there was some control over how many clients there are and what they could do.

After that I was a bit more careful when Wiretap came around again. No guns, but I told her about other useful ticks. I think she just wanted to talk to an adult that wasn't treating her like a glass dagger.

Letting out my best moan as the moment came, both stallions finally lost strength, and I could catch my breath. Sadly it looked like I was going to need a new outfit, as the one I had been wearing was ruined more than normal.

So making sure that both stallions were satisfied, I then left, along with a rather nice tip.

“You’ve settled in quite well, even found your niche.” Sparkling said with a smile as she took my tip. “You can give it a rest for the night, don’t want you burning out.”

“Really! It’s like we're one big family, Madam!” I said with my best smile.

Sparkling pointed at me with her pipe with a joking smile on her muzzle. “Okay, now you're laying it on too thick. Go get washed up, I don’t know what those stallions were into, but they messed up your mane something fierce.”

I lifted a part of my now sticky mane, a bit depressed seeing it like this. “Should I have it cut, I mean seriously?”

“Trust me on this.” Sparkling leaned in close, playing with her extravagant looking long mane. “If you're planning on staying, then I say yes. It will save you a lot of pain to keep it short. Otherwise, don’t. A mares mane is part of her life, something to be treasured and cared for. So keep it as it is and dream of a normal life, or cut it and accept this life.”

She then flipped her mane and gave me a wink. "Anyways, it takes forever to grow a mane as long and fabulous as ours."

Taken aback by her statement, all I could do was nod and trot away to wash my mane out.

After doing the best I could to clean up, I trotted through the showroom with nothing but fishnet stocking in, getting a few looks. I knew everypony could see the speckles of yellowish white glowing on me, but I no longer cared anymore. And when a stallion slapped my rear, I didn’t flinch, as it was already a bit numb right now.

"Hey, I got ten caps, how about-" the drunk stallion began to make a request, but I raised my hoof to stop him.

"Sorry, I'm on my way out, anyways it costs more than that to spend time with me." I explained, then winked. "But if you come back tomorrow night, I might be on discount, where even ten caps will get your dick sucked."

The stallion looked lost in thought as I moved on. It wasn't completely true, as there's always extra costs, or ways to get ponies to pay more. But it wouldn't be the first time I trotted around with prices painted on me, and simple blow jobs tended to be ten caps a go.

As I near the exit my eyes then caught several griffons at the bar, among them Horus. Sugar was already among them, as two of the talons were her regulars, so I knew they were to soon head off for some fun. Trotting up to them I sat next to Horus, smiling.

“A bit late for you to be up?” I asked the older griffin.

Horus chuckled. “Just wanted to see how you're doing Lottery.”

I frowned. “You know, taking things day by day. I doubt you'd like to know how my work has been.”

He shot back his glass of whisky. “That I do not.”

“Well I’m getting off work, maybe you want to get a drink with me?” I asked, fluttering my eyes.

Horus then sighed. “Unfortunately I have to get back to the shop soon. I recently got an order to fix up a bunch of greaser guns for the NCR. These two idiots dragged me here to relax for a bit before I got back to work.”

I placed a hoof onto his claw, and another in between his legs. “Well, if you just have a little bit of time, maybe I can help with that.”

“Not for free,” he said with a smile.

I smiled back, feeling him get hard. “Not while I’m at work.”

He dropped a chip for the bartender and got up, knowing where to go for a quickie. Though since it was Horus, I planned to do a bit more than just suck his dick.

_______________________________________________________

“And you actually did it. Knot and all” Low said in mild shock. “I thought you didn’t want him to see your new piercing.”

I sighed, doing my best to sit still as the mane Dresser, Sunset, worked on my mane, getting it back to its natural beauty. I had neglected its care before going to sleep, and now needed a lot of help before I did anything. “Well ya, I still don’t know how you and Sugar got me to do that, and is it supposed to, you know, feel like that?”

“I’m a stallion dear, I know nothing about getting a stud on a clit!” Low responded.

“Right. Well like I said, I was a bit tipsy, and after my last clients, a bit numb to pain.” I reiterated what I had told Low, then added. “Anyways, it was Horus, other than a few Talons, he is the only good stallion I ever get to have time with. You can't have all the fun you know.”

“Miss Lottery.” Sunset said with a sigh, trimming off a split end from my mane. “I think you're spending too much time with Low Pressure.”

Low chuckled. “You're talking like I’m a bad influence. Frankly, I’m the best influence, how else have I done so well.”

Sunset then pointed his trimmers at his Ex, “No, you're a narcissistic pretty stallion with delusions of superiority. But are too lazy to actually make something of yourself. At least Miss Lottery has an excuse for working at that place. The poor dear.”

That put, if a bit depressing, a smile on my face. “Thanks Sunset, but sometimes I wonder if this is all I’m good for. Maybe I should just accept it.”

“Nonsense!” Sunset said, returning his attention to my mane. “I’m sure that once you're done with this mess, you will be free to show the world your true talent. I bet that there is a good stallion out there who can see you for who you really are, and will make you happy. You just need to believe in yourself.”

“Aww.” Came form Low, as he fluttered his eyes at Sunset. “Now I remember why I loved you.”

“Hermaph” came from Sunset, “May I remind you that I’ve already found a stallion of my own, so don’t go trying to seduce me. It’s not going to work. Besides, I know all your tricks.”

With a few more snips and tying it up a bit to the side, he was done with my mane, again showing me it with his mirrors. Along with dying the wight streak in my mane a neon purple, my mane had taken on a more wild feel to it, which helped with work. I planned on having it go back to the old style once I head home, but right now I wanted to look more powerful, more in control.

I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. “Thanks… Sunset.. It looks magnificent.”

The dapper looking Pegasus gave me a light hug. “Oh, think nothing of it. It’s the least I can do. Now go out there, and don’t stop being you. But do take care of yourself. ”

Feeling refreshed, I trotted out. Though now I wash regularly, I hardly feel clean anymore. So visiting the salon was one of the few ways I could feel normal again. Sunset had become a morale booster for me over this month. It also helped that my jumpsuit really downplayed my body, so I didn’t have to worry about getting hit on as much when off work.

The jumpsuit also hid what I wore underneath, as I had taken a habit of wearing similar clothes that I use at work under the jumpsuit. Most times it's tight fitting fishnets and panties, but sometimes I go out with something more stimulating. This way if A stallion comes onto me, I'm ready, and can be the one who initiates.

As I trotted by an ally, the sound of rustling caught my ears, along with a light moan. I didn't need to investigate to know what was going on. Not everypony that wanted a job got one at the Den, so some would whore themselves off in the shadows of the back allies. From my time here, I had seen or heard about enough dead ponies to understand the dangers of that. So long as I was with the den, I was protected, among other things.

Which reminded me that it was almost time for my medical checkup. But first I needed to blow off some more steam.

Finding my way to the shooting range, I had become a regular here as I practiced my aim nearly every day. Recently I had finally gotten the last part for my shotgun, and now was as good as any for test firing. Though disgusting, I had made a good choice in using my body for those parts, as the NCR had been buying what guns they could get. Even some ammo was getting expensive right now. Fortunately I didn't need to sell myself for bullets, at least right now that is.

Pulling out the shotgun, the new wood had the same dark purple stain and pink grain pattern as my other guns. The two mechanics were a lot more kind to me after I started sleeping with them. Even getting me better materials for my guns, and other things I needed or wanted. It made doing what I did more bearable, but also got me a bit more unwanted attention from the other mechanics, wanting to "trade". Fortunately they all kept their mouths shut about our private time around the foreman, so I still had access to the workbench.

At the end of the barrel was my gold plated axe, which fortunately stayed on the gun, even when moving on its own to me. It made the shotgun a bit top heavy, but I hoped it would help reduce the kick when firing.

I placed the buttstock to my shoulder, my left forehoof on the forward brace, and my right forehoof over the hoof guard. Having taken a crouching position for stability, the weight of the axe did hurt my ability to hold it up. But this was a shotgun, not a rifle, so accuracy was not my main concern.

Placings my hoof into the hoof guard and over the trigger, I then pulled back, finding the trigger a bit more stubborn than I liked. The shotgun gave out a blast, rattling the side of the targets with small holes. As I had hoped, the gun didn't kick as much as it should, thanks to the extra wait on the front. It didn't even push on my shoulder all that much, which was nice. But I was going to need to adjust the trigger.

Letting out a few more blasts as fast as I could, I let out a little chuckle. It wasn't much, only five shells, but any pony caught off guard would be dead enough for me.

A whistle came from nearby, and as I turned, I saw a grease covered and tired Horus, trot over. "There must be a gun pony weeping at what you did to that beauty, and a young talon salivating at the idea of using it."

"Well if any creature wants it, It's not for sale. Not that I could if I wanted to." I said as I wiggle my flank at him.

He shrugged. "Just saying, ya know. Guns restored like that could do well paying off a debt, but only fools would sell off their only form of protection." The griffin then stretched out his claw to me, visibly requesting the shotgun. "But if you did sell it off, I wouldn’t mind you staying with me, even for a short bit. My bed is always open to you.”

“I.. I know, but it’s still too soon for me. And I don’t want to burden you with my debt.” I said to him as I hoofed over the shotgun. Though what I said was not a lie, I also didn’t say that I felt too dirty to be with him like that. I was, after all, just a whore, and Horus deserved better.

Horus started loading the shotgun as he talked. "Now I've seen a few lever actions like this, real old and such. Where most guns let you keep a bullet in the chamber." He placed a shell in the chamber, but then dropped another into the gun, actually dropping it in. Then he pulled back the lever, closing the gun. "These guns can take two more, turning its capacity from five to seven."

I was then given back my shotgun, leaving me a bit in awe.

"Think nothing of it. Anyways, I care about you. And if this ever helps you kneecap that contract cheating stallion, then more the better." He told me before trotting away.

I then blushed profusely. "Wait, y… y... you can't just say that and trot off!"

He laughed. "I can and will. Oh and next time you go get drunk, just crash on my bed, the last thing I want is you ending up someplace dangerous. Anyways I gotta get back to work."

With a bit of a confused sigh, I hugged my shotgun tightly. He was doing this more and more often lately, and it was getting harder to just say no to him. But I didn’t deserve his warm and tender embrace, no. I was, after all, just a whore.

After some more shooting to make sure all my guns shot striate, I began packing up. Then I heard a roar of gunfire and a rather wicked laughter that followed.

Peeking, I saw a familiar rainbow colored mane attached to a beautiful but scared up mare. Struggling to remember, the name eventually came to me.

"Molotov?" I said out loud.

The mare turned her head to me and smiled. "Hey… you… I know you?"

I rolled my eyes. "We met once, that red stallion was hitting on me."

Molo's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, it's you… Lottery was it. How's it going, did you get your stallion?"

"Well… I rather not talk about that." The memory of Tripwire was far from a happy memory now, only a reminder of how stupid I am.

"Wait, it couldn't have gone that badly." Molo said as she trotted over to me. "Say, why don't we go find you a better stallion. Or maybe a mare if that fancies you?"

I gently pushed her back a little. "No and no. I'm over looking for a stallion, and have no interest in mares."

"Too bad, I know a fun place we can go. But if you're not feeling it, then you're not feeling it." Molo said, cocking a smile as she levitated my rifle out of my bag. "Now look at this shit, It's got pretty colors and everything. Ohh, sompony carved little dice along the butstock, nice."

Taking my rifle back, I returned it to its bag. "Ya, sadly, I have things to do. But It's been nice seeing you. Maybe we can catch up later."

"Laters fine, I'll be here for a few days. Staying at that cheap motel, the one with the small rooms." She informed me.

"I know the place, see you later." I told her and trotted off.

It was good seeing a familiar face. At least the ex-raider looked to be doing alright. More than I could say.

_______________________________________________________

"Alright, you look healthy as can be. Any weird aches or pains by the way?" The griffin, Doctor Helga, then asked me.

"Sometimes my leg has a pinch of pain in it, the one that broke." I admitted, then asked. "You mind, you know… it's getting a bit cold."

She closed the clamp that was being used to look inside me, "right, sorry about that. I do this so often now, that frankly I have nightmares about it. If the pay wasn't good for it I'd move to some smaller well armed town by now."

I then felt Doctor Helga feel up my leg, her claws touching the metal struts under the skin. "Either is a type of phantom pain, the nerves compensating, or magical bullshit. That or a lot of other things, you would need to find an old world ghoul doctor to figure that out. But if it gets worse, come see me and I'll do what I can."

Happy to close my legs, I sat up. "Thanks, and do you need to look inside every time?" I asked as I put my panties on.

The griffin chuckled, but not in a happy kind of tone. "The preventative shot is not perfect, and there's some shit that can't be stopped. If I find it in one worker, then we can save the others."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. "Has that ever happened?"

"Exceptionally rare, but yes. One time it involved mutation, the other, magic. One Wastelander had a run in with a freak in an old hospital, so likely trotted through taint as well. The poor mare was, well, it's best left unsaid. Both bodies had to be burned, and a radiation check installed for any pony trying to get in."

"And the other?" I asked.

"Believe it or not, some crazy gender swapped magical braminshit. Caused a bit of a panic before it was put under control, and the ponies cured." This time she laughed with actual amusement. "Oh that was a fun night."

Doctor Helga then pulled out a needle and jabbed me in the shoulder and injected me with the medicine. "Okay, this should keep you safe for the next three days. Now if you see a stallion who looks super off, you can say no, the money isn't worth a superbug."

"I know." I said rubbing my shoulder.

She rolled her eyes, "Little more than a month here and they're already in your head."

"What?" I said in a confused tone.

"Grizzly Deal and Sparkling Delight, they've worked with each other for a long time. Raised like sisters I think. So they know most of the old slaver tricks." Doctor Helga said as she put the needle into a container. "Before Redeye began chewing through slaved like bullets in a machine gun, the process of keeping slaves was a lot more subtle. Frankly, there were quite a few slaves who didn't even understand that they were slaves."

I cocked an eyebrow at that. "Wait, how is that possible?"

"Same way you are now fine taking dick on command. It's all about conditioning. Carrot and stick kind of shit. If you apply the right pressure onto a creature, you can get them to think or do what you want." Doctor Helga then pulled out a photograph of several ponies and griffins, which included a younger Doctor Helga, and a teenaged looking Grizzly, and Sparkling. "It is a similar method used to train up and coming talons here, getting them in the right headspace for violence."

She put the picture away as she continued. "Where Fillydelphia trains working slaves, this place trained in house slaves. Meaning that Grizzly's family needed the slaves they sold to not end up killing their owners. So their slaves were specialty conditioned and trained. One of the tricks was to not use the word slave, such as servants. Which unfortunately inspired Redeye's whole worker braminshit."

"So… am I just another slave then. Too dumb to realize it." I said, feeling dejected.

"Miss Lottery, you're in slave limbo. Yes you might as well be one, but at the same time you can't be bought or sold, only your debt. Just keep your chin up and get it paid off, then you can trot free. Or stay, it's all up to you in the end. I mean you don't even have to work in the brothel."

"So why are you telling me this?" I then asked.

"Just reminding you that you can do more. Anyways, you're in this mess because of a contract braker, not because of anything you actually did." Doctor Helga said as she passed me back my jumpsuit. "So I would rather you leave here with a sound body and mind. It's not much, but in this place it's more than we can hope for."

Taking my jumpsuit, I smiled a little. "Thanks, and any advice for keeping that sound mind?"

Doctor Helga placed a claw under my chin, getting a beek ro muzzle with me. If I had been into the same sex, I know I would have been drawn into her rough and mature beauty. "Avoid the chems when you can, drink less booze, and stop thinking of yourself as a whore."

I was a bit stunned. "How did you… know."

"I'm your doctor, I can see the effects in your body. As for the third thing, it's how Sparkling keeps her mares under her hoof. She never quite says it, but she slips the idea into her workers heads. Even if it's unintentionally now, old habits are hard to break. She is a good mare, and does care for you and the other workers, but change takes time" Doctor Helga then backed off, giving me some space. "So just keep a better inner view of yourself, and that should help you survive."

Getting my suit back on, and zipping it up. I still felt unsure with myself, but not as much as before. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

"Think nothing of it. And make sure you don't tell no pony, not even shorty over there." She said, pointing to the doorway.

Poking her head from around the corner, I saw Wiretap staring at me. The older filly likely wanted me to show her something, and luckily I just fixed up something cool.

_______________________________________________________

My beartrap snapped shut, causing Wiretap to jump back.

"And that's how it works." I told the filly as part of a demonstration.

I still didn't know why I kept the thing, but since I still had it, I made sure to clean it up. Now this thing was a nice black color with a stronger spring. I just had to make sure not to ever step on it again.

"So, that's the thing that broke your leg right?" Wiretap asked.

"Unfortunately, yes. Worse, I used a healing potion before setting my leg. That was a mistake. Limped all the way back here to get the damage fixed." I told her.

Wiretap visibly cringed. "That had to be painful."

I nodded. "Extremely."

Eyeing the filly, I could see her fidget, clearly wanting something. It had mostly been the same thing, to see my revolver. "No, don't have the revolver with me, and you know how your mother feels about that."

Wiretap frowned at me. "But… I will be real quiet about it, mom will never know."

With a sigh, I put a hoof on the filly's shoulder. "Wiretap, I know you're eager to grow up, but trust me, It's not worth it. Anyways, I'm sure your mother will give you one in time."

"Like when I'm as old as her!" She huffed.

I chuckled. "Knowing her, that might not be far off. Still, she is not wrong, it is dangerous being an adult."

Pushing me off her, Wiretap blew a raspberry at me. "So what, if I had a gun I could beat anything, like the Lightbringer."

In the corner of my eye I could see a pony waiting for me, meaning it was time to wrap this up.

"Well from what I heard, the Lightbringer was older than you… I think." I said with a shrug. "Well she was certainly better educated, coming from a stable and all. Maybe you should work smartening up, and read a few books."

This got her annoyed. "You're starting to sound like my mom! All boring. BORING!" She yelled, then trotted away.

Strangely, she seemed to be in more of a rush when leaving than normal. But the sooner she had left the better.

Looking over at the pony waiting for me, I glared at him. "You know not to come near the filly. Damn grease rats."

It was one of the maintenance ponies, a grin on his face. "Sorry, just wanted to let you know that something nice fell off the back of the wagon recently. Thought you might be interested."

Lately the things they showed had not been worth it, but it didn't hurt to give it a look.

"Alright, show me." I said, trotting over to follow him.

He took me to one of the storage rooms, the place normally for holding useless scrap. It also made a good place to temporarily hide things from the foreman.

Right now it had four more stallions inside, which was not the best sign, but I was not too worried. If push came to shove, the maintenance staff would avoid causing a scene, or the Forman might find out, and that bitch considerably terrifying if angered. So long as no pony was stupid, no pony got hurt.

I also had gained their trust as a pony who didn’t run their mouth. So they weren't ever rough with me, unless I asked them to be.

Trotting over to a crate they were presenting, I didn't see all that much but scraps of leather. Some belts, and what had to be a buckle. All mostly junk, useful junk, but I had enough of that already.

"Wait, please don't tell me you think I'm this cheap?" I asked one of them.

The stallion chuckled. "Told ya she wouldn't bite. Here show here the real special shit that passed through."

A hard case was pushed over, and was opened up. Inside I saw what looked to be some good quality holsters and armor plates. A bit rough around the edges, but that could be buffed out. Strangle was the red cloth around them, held together with buckles. They all had the depiction of an eye on them.

I glared at mechanics with annoyance. "Theas are from Fillydelphia! You could get us killed for just having them nearby."

One stallion raised his hooves up. "I know I know. We didn't know what they were when we got them. Just knew it was a smuggeres wagon, and they wouldn't dare report a few things missing."

Another stallion stepped forward. "It's actually been happening a lot recently, lots of smugglers moving shit. Like somepony is planning a big move. So we ended up with a bit more of this shit and no way to fence it. But we know you're good at making things into new things, like with those guns of yours. So I thought we could come to a deal."

Looking at the things inside, it wasn't like it would be impossible to remove the Redeye markings without breaking the stuff. But it will be annoying to do.

"Alright, but what do I get out of this?" I asked.

"You get to keep some of it, how does that sound?" The first stallion offered.

Thinking about it, it wasn't a bad deal. The holsters would be nice when hulling around my guns, same for having a bit of armor for my suit. "Throw in a hundred caps and you have a deal."

The first stallion then trotted up to me. "I knew we could rely on you for help." He then began to feel me up. "Now we can't move this stuff until tomorrow without others getting noisy. You understand, either they're looking for ex-Redeye supporters, or looking for their cut. So why don't we all have some fun before you go to work. I'll even throw in my old tools you've been eyeing."

Letting him continue, I just sighed. "Okay, but all of you pitch in, and don't touch my mane or tail."

I knew if this was a month ago, I'd be panicking at the thought. But now… it was just business.

As the stallions surrounded me, I unzipped my suit, ready to take them. It was at least not the worst thing I've done, and was all I was good for.

_______________________________________________________

Having returned to my locker after washing up, I still felt a bit dirty, but at least I secured some more interesting things. All I needed to do was quietly remove all the Redeye markings. But that was for tomorrow, and right now I had work to get to.

Still, I couldn't help but feel that I had long since gone too far, letting myself become such a loose mare. Maybe Doctor Helga was right, and Sparkling was turning me into some kind of sex slave. Not that I had a choice, but maybe I did need to change how I thought of myself.

But after all the things I had done, what else was I but a whore…

Maybe the doctor was right, and I needed to stop thinking that way. But that needed to wait until tomorrow, right now I had to get ready for work.

As I reached for my key, I found it missing. I know I left it in my suit pocket, where I always keep it. Yet it was missing.

Patting the suit down and checking my bag, it was nowhere to be found. Quickly I came to realize that it was lost, and likely when I took my suit off. Now I really regretted fucking those maintenance ponies.

"Are you okay, Lottery." Low Pressure asked as he trotted to his locker. The stallion's mane was a perfect bundle of curls, and his coat shined in the light.

"No, I lost my locker key." I said with a sigh.

"Oh, only that, I do that all the time." He said as he pulled out a bobby pin from his wing. "Hoof me that screwdriver and I'll get it open."

Giving him my newly acquired screwdriver, Low proceeded to mess with the lock until it gave a click. He then opened it in a dramatic fashion. "Open sesame seed!"

I gave him a little applause, as he earned it. "Thanks, hopefully I'll find the key soon. It's probably down in maintenance."

"Still sleeping around down there?" He asked me.

"Only when they got some good stuff." I answered as I shoved my bag into the locker.

The inside had several things I wanted to take home with me, mostly being tools. Pa had always complained that he needed more tools, same for Ma with gardening tools. At the very least I'll not be returning home with empty hooves.

Hanging up my suit and taking out my skimpy uniform, I couldn't help but feel that something was not right. Like I had once again let my stupidity befall doom onto me again. Was it the lost key, or taking that deal… maybe I should rethink today over

A light slap on my rear derailed my train of thought. Smiling from behind was Sugar Honey.

"Those piercings look good on you! You should get another." She squealed out, being a bit more energetic then normal.

Seeing a bit of white powder under her nose was all I needed to know. "Thanks Sugar, but no, what I have is already a bit too much for me. I don't need any more studs down there."

She gave a little frown before smiling again. "Whatever! So you want to do a competition, I heard there's a crowd tonight?"

I cringed a little inside. Competing with her at work was not something I could win. But it was an opportunity to make caps. "Maybe, let's go through Sparkling first."

She basically vibrated in place. "Oh this will be so fun. Let me get the paint, who gets more tallies wins!"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty One

_______________________________________________________

With one last hit of a chisel, I was done. The last Item bearing Redeye's symbol had been defaced, and reworked to look like it was from Ursa's Rest. I had decided to replace the eyes with stars the best I could, and dyed them all dark purple with pink highlights. which also helped hide the scratches from my reworking.

I had spent most of my time off doing this, and the maintenance ponies had already picked up their share and left me some extra caps for my trouble. It was good to do some real hard work, and without having to have sex with anypony.

Maybe I should have asked to work back here instead as part of the Red Light. The thought made me sigh. Even if this was better work, it didn't pay as much as being in the Red Light Showroom did.

Testing out my new gear, it fit nicely onto my suit. Holsters for my guns, though I had to get creative for the shotgun, having used some of the scraps of leather for it. The armor for my legs blended in nicely with my suit and boots. And the other armor easily fit under my jumpsuit, helping the suit keep a low profile. I had only brought my shotgun today for holstering, so I'll have to properly fit the other two tomorrow, then I will be done. Overall, I felt like I could take on the world, or at least a few raiders.

Happy with my work all done, I trotted out from the back rooms and to the employees dorm. Passing by a few coworkers on break. Cornbread gave me a sheepish wave as I passed, and I awkwardly waved back. I had tried to get with him a few times, only to find out he was dating Sunset. After that I left him be, as his barn door didn't swing my way, and I didn't want to get beaten Sunset and his love life.

Reaching my locker, I noticed that it wasn't closed all the way. Likely because I sucked at lock picking. With a sigh I just shoved my new stuff into the locker, along with my suit. The additional tools were now starting to really fill up the locker, meaning that I probably should stop collecting things now.

Grabbing my uniform, I then made my way to the showers, only to be stopped by Sparkling, who looked a bit concerned. "Ah good. Lottery, have you seen the little miss?"

"Wiretap? No, I haven't." I told her.

Sparkling then sighed. "Well let me know if you do. She's run off again, and was last seen around here."

This again. She had a habit of running off, but sh3 was normally back by the end of the day, so I wasn't that worried "I'll do that."

"Thanks, Lottery. I don't know why, but she seems to really like you. Grizzly rather not have her be around ponies who work in the Red Light, you understand. But Wiretap has been less argumentative after being around you, so she's allowed it." Sparkling informed me. "I hate for her to be grounded again, not when she finally calmed down."

"Same here." I said before trotting passed her. "If I see her after work, I'll talk with her. She's a sweet filly, despite who her father is."

"Ya, please continue to not tell Wiretap about him. Oh, and you might want to bring your A game tonight. I found a client who's a right fit for you." Sparkling said with a wink, then trotted off, still looking worried.

_______________________________________________________

At first I was rather excited when I met this client. He was a big client, both in wealth, size and in endowment. Unfortunately he just wanted me to step on that endowed member, which really disappointed me. Something about how some stallions obsess over hooves just didn't sit right with me at all.

"I'm a bad colt mama!" He blurted out before collapsing, hot liquid covering my back hooves.

It was really weird, but the pervert paid a lot for it, better pay than I got all week. But still, who gets this obsessed over hooves?

At least cleaning up was easy, but I was left entirely unsatisfied. As was my luck with stallions.

Returning to the showroom, I made sure to trot with swaying hips, hoping to attract another high paying client. This trot was helped by the heels I used, it somehow attracted more perverts who liked to be dominated.

Finding Sugar, who was at a booth sitting on a stallion's lap, I trotted over to say hi. But she gave me a rather nervous smile. It didn't take much investigating to see what was up, their shaking hips being all I needed to see.

"Say, if you really need to fuck, we have rooms." I informed the client, doing my best to sound both friendly, yet authoritative.

It wasn't like we can't have sex at the booths, but that was more for quick and dirty blowjobs, not what was going on here.

The stallion laughed, blowing smoke in my face. "Wait your turn, whore."

Another stallion at the booth waved me over. "You can always ride me!"

Shrugging, I got in and sat next to the stallion, then whispered into his ear. "You know, I'm not for free, Stud."

He whispered back. "That's what they all say." Then he laughed.

Frowning, I needed to confirm if they intended to pay or not. "Don't tell me you're going to run out on little sexy us. No way you would be such a dashing scoundrel." I said to him as I rubbed his thigh. The little acting lessons I got from Sparkling were now paying off… I hoped.

"You can always come with us, not the first mare we've kept for ourselves." He said, chucking darkly.

A felt a pinch of fear, full knowing what he ment, but also a whole helping of anger. What the other stallion was doing with Suger was not sex, no agreement or pay. They wanted to get their rocks off and run. It was rape.

I then felt a hoof on my head as the stallion was going to clearly force me to suck his dick. Fortunately I had played this roal many times before, and wasn't going to panic. I just needed to think calmly, and come up with a plan.

All I needed to do was get the bouncer's attention. All Talon mercenaries, and all more than willing to drag a pony off and gut them.

He wasn't gentle, but I managed to keep myself from gagging until he was done, swallowing it all down. Again he laughed as he let me free. "This bitch is good, too bad we ain't got caps for bitches, right bro!"

Wiping the cum off my mouth, I then politely said, "you better pay up, if you know what's good for you."

"And you do what?" He asked.

I knew screaming wasn't going to get a quick response, the music was too loud. But if a fight starts, ya that gets the bouncers attention.

Smiling, I scooped up a half empty bottle of beer, then smashed it into his face.

Things became a blur as the other stallions flipped the table, and tossed Sugar to the side. I rolled away from the flying glasses, just nearly avoiding getting crushed by that table. Then I got up ready for what came next.

What I had not expected was a small gun pointed right at me. What he didn't expect was a bar stool slamming him into the back of his head.

Holding the barstool in her hooves, and standing over the stallion was Molotov, who looked quite drunk. "Fuck ya, you stupid asshole. I should carve ya a new fuck hole for toching a hard working mare like that!"

The second stallion then got up, blood dripping from his face. "Not before I-" he was cut short by a tackling griffon. Along with two more griffons who grabbed the first stallion and Molo. All three ponies were quickly stripped of everything they had, blood oozing from where the talons dug into their flesh.

Trotting up to the Talon that had Molo, I told him, "she's good, you can let her go."

Letting Molo go, he went to help the other two griffins drag the stallions off.

Soon I was met with Sparkling, who was holding a less than cheerful Sugar. "Care to tell me what that fucking was?"

I explained the situation, and Sparkling listened carefully. Once she heard everything, the madam let out a long sigh. "Right, well I don't condone what you did, I am grateful you did something. I'll see that you get a little extra pay for tonight, but next time just leave and get the bouncers. That's what their job is for. Now I need to look after Sugar here, the poor dear deserves a rest."

As I watched Sparkling leave, I felt a hoof wrapped around my shoulder as Molo struggled to hold herself up, her breath reeked of booze. "Say that ladys ass is devine, but so are yours. Want to fuck, I got caps?"

"How about you sober up first. Drink some water." I told Molo, not feeling like getting it on with a friend, or a drunk mare.

"You… you're a tall glass of water." She mumbled as I dragged her to the lounging area.

There I found Low taking a break, so I dropped Molo right next to him and propped her up in between us.

He looked at Molo with suspension. 'Who's this wild mare?'

"Molotov, kind of a friend." I told him. "Can you watch her, I need to get her some water."

Low flashed me a tired smile "Alright, but don't take too long."

Trotting to the bar, I saw that everything was already back to normal. They even got the broken glass off the floor, and a pony at the recently ruined booth. Business stops for nopony I guess.

As I waited for the glass of water, I felt a slap on my rear as two new stallions flanked me.

"Hey, we're looking for a good time!" One said as he rubbed my piercings.

"We want to do some real dirty shit, and with you." The other requested.

Business stopped for nopony. "Alright, but I got to deliver a drink first. I'll meet you by the dungeon over on your left. It's where the real dirty fun is. Just pay the mare at the desk."

The water was dropped off in front of me and I took it, giving the stallions a wink as I left.

_______________________________________________________

"So that stallion just left you with the debt, and now you work here?" Molo reiterated my story, greedy to know more after sobering up a little.

I don't know why, likely the beer, but I told her everything. She didn't seem all that shocked by it, and not once laughed at me.

"E'yep, and now I'm a whore." I said, then gulped down my beer.

"A whore? Lottery, you got to know what it's like to have a back alley gang bang on top 0f a trash pile to be a whore. You're just a professional brothel mare, and a bussy one at that. Trust me, I know the difference." Molo said in an upbeat tone.

Low raised a hoof, "I guess I'm a whore then."

Molo lightly slugged him on the shoulder. "Raiders don't quite count, there's that whole problem of them killing you if you don't do it. Trust me, I know that too."

Now I was getting curious about her myself. "Okay, you keep saying that, but how much do you know?"

Molo let out a light chuckle. "If you really want to know, I don't mind telling. You see, I was born and raised in a brothel. Was one of the Pillow Mares of Fillydelphia. Not the best place, but we were armed enough that no pony dared to try to be our pimp."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Wait, born and raised… in a brothel."

"Worked as one as soon as I was old enough. Well more as a honey trap at first, for more wealthy stallions looking for a clean mare. My first stallion was rather nice, if a bit naive. I had hoped he would come in and take me with him for the high life, but the fool up and disappeared when Redeye moved in. His family wasn't on the winning side, so he likely got killed in the fighting. " She explained in a cheerful tone. "Anyways, aunts and sisters all looked after each other. Cared for each other. Times were never easy, but together it was not hard… well except for the dicks, those were always hard."

She then nudged me playfully. "Say, if you're down to staying in this job, I can show you a few tricks. From an older Pillow Mare to a young one."

"Well like I told you, it's not really my choice if I stay or not. But sure, maybe later." I said reluctantly.

"Braminshit!" Molo blurted out as she slapped my back. "You always have a choice. Let me see that contract of yours, I'm sure I can sort something out. Been a long time, but I still know my contracts."

I nervously smiled. "I don't know."

Molo just slapped my back again and said, "just trust me, bring that thing down later and I'll look it over for ya. The worst that could happen is nothing changing."

Now I rolled my eyes. "The worst is I could get put into a glory hole for a day."

"Hay, if I fuck things up, I'll take your place for that." Molo said with a chuckle.

Sighing, I finished off my beer, then requested a new one by raising the empty mug. "Though I'd love it if you did take my place, I need the money. Anyways, I'm used to it now. I mean, some of the stuff I do doesn't hurt that much anymore."

Molo cocked an eyebrow at me. "Lottery, it shouldn't hurt unless you like the pain."

"Fine fine," I huffed out. "So… if you were doing that, how did you become a raider?"

The mare actually went quiet for a long moment, some of the joy having drained from her muzzle. "It's a bit of a long story. But let's just say that out of Redeye's generous heart, he took something important to me, and I was forced to accept it or leave."

"Oh… sorry." Was all I could say.

A smile returned to Molotov's face. "Don't be, you did nothing wrong. Anyways, being a raider wasn't all that bad. Ya some of the crew were right bastard psychose. And I got caught on the bad end of a surprise pump and dumped a few times. But once I found my own crew within the raiders, most ponies learnd to not fuck around with me."

"That sounds… far from good." I commented.

She shrugged. "Most of us weren't raiders because we chose to be. It was either accept the abuse or starve out in the wasteland. "

A grone came from Low. "Tell that to the Brain Nails, they absolutely loved being raiders. Expechaly Bandsaw, that bitch is scary. "

Molo scrunched up her nose as she said, "Band Saw… Bandsaw…. Is she a three legged one eyed bitch with a pipe sniper rifle?"

Low's eyes opened widely. "Ya, you know her?"

"Ya, met her a few times. Bitch was a real piece of work, and her clan is scary crazy." Molo confirmed before further explaining. "She'd go around trying to recruit mares to her clan, and get in fights with any pony that looked at her the wrong way. Always being sneaky about it too, so when the boss would order them dead, they would already be gone."

"Was that Raider clan called the Bailfire Fiends?" I asked.

Molo nodded. "Ya, their called the Baelfire Fiends, and the fuckers liked to dip their hooves in everyponies business. Worst, they love to pretend to be other raiders, or not raiders even, so you never know when one is around. So if ya pissed them off, it wasn't odd if you then vanish to never be heard of again. They even tried to kill the boss off a few times, but the Talons weren't having that."

That sounded a bit odd to me. "Didn't Gwadina get the Lightbringer to kill the boss of the Shatter Hoof Raiders?"

I got a shrug from Molo. "Ya she did, though I think it was more about making sure the Bailfire Fiends didn't take over, then the protection of the old boss. Rumor has it that the Bailfire Fiends and Talons really hate each other… Wait, I think I heard that the two had some kind of big brawl in this town some years ago."

I then felt Molo pull me in close, smiling wickedly. "Ya know, talking about history makes my head hurt, so let's talk about some fun weird shit. Like, what gets you off the most, I'm personally for some rough BDSM. Slap me hard and I'm good to go."

My beer then arrived and I grabbed, looking at it before taking a swig. "So far, I've enjoyed being the one in power." I admitted, also a bit over with the history talk.

Again she laughed, and began sharing with me some of her stories as I drank. It was weird, but I actually enjoyed talking with her, even though it was about work. There was a refreshing honesty to her that I didn't get from anypony else. Well except for Low, but that was way different.

_______________________________________________________

Again waking up with a hangover, I felt the same wait on my hips as a stallion held me. It was nice, the feeling of not waking up alone, though not knowing their names was a problem for me.

At least this stallion wasn't terrible looking, so I didn’t feel the need to sneak away or chew my own leg off to get away. But I still needed to get myself clean, so I stumbled out of bed, hazaly leaving my room.

After taking my time washing up, I returned to my room to fortunately find the stallion gone. In his place was Low and Molo, reading my contract.

"Wait… how did you… what actually happened last night?" I asked, still struggling to remember what I did before going to sleep.

"The three of us went stallion hunting, and we snagged two good ones." Molo answered, her eyes scanning the paper. "Also, you should learn to dance, it helps with moving your hips better."

With a sigh, I trotted over to them. "So… see anything useful?"

"Ya, lots." Molo said before leaning back, taking a relaxed poster. "This thing is written as though they expected you to never read it. I mean, have you ever read it?"

That was a hit to my gut. "I… I can't read, so no."

This time she sighed. "Go figures. Well first off, your interest is 40%, which is insane. Second off, this lets the other party hold onto your earnings and decide on how much you pay to your debt."

My head tilted, not quite understanding. "That means… what?"

"What it means is that you haven't paid even one cap to your debt, only to your interest. Which also means that Grizzly will hold onto you for as long as she wishes, practically enslaving you in all but name." Molo explained as she angrily tapped on the paper. "In essence, she's your pimp with extra steps."

Some anger welled up in me, but also some resignation. I was bound to that contract, with no way to break it. "I… See."

Molo then hopped out of her chair and trotted over to me. "Like fuck I'm letting you just accep this crap! We're going to see that bitch, and get this fixed, and we're doing it right now."

I was taken aback by her anger over this. "Now?"

"Yes now. Longer you wait the worse it gets. Seriously, do you want to suck dick until you're old, or go home like you said you were?" She asked me, looking deep into my eyes.

"I want… to go home." I said as some confidence began to fill me.

"Then get dressed and armed." Molo said as she trotted to a pile of things in the corner of the room.

Seeing her grab her guns, I panicked. "Wait, no! No guns! Grizzly will kill us."

Molo smiled back at me. "Let her try. If we don't come strong, then we get no respect. Now arm up, you to Low."

Low Pressure pointed at himself with his wing. "Why me?"

"You got a charming face, and three ponies is better than two." She told him.

"Wel, if you put it that way. I mean, I am charming after all." Low said, practical patting himself on the back.

"Alright, fine. But this is only going to piss her off." I said, giving up. If I was lucky, I would only spend a day in public use.

Trotting over to my locker, I let Low open it up for me again, having given up on picking it myself. Bobby pins were not free, and I already broke most of mine. At the very least I would get to try out my new holsters.

Low Pressure also seemed to enjoy himself. Though not wearing all that much, just some tight fitting powder blue relax whear and a flashy gun holster for his revolver. I had fixed up his revolver as well, but unlike mine he had me polish it to a silver like shine

As I got my stuff out and my suit on, I couldn't help but feel a bit more confident. The holsters worked just fine and the suits pockets held the ammo and tools without jigging around. I did decide to leave my old tattered saddlebag behind, it was unneeded right now. Instead I attached the bear trap to my side, just because I could.

But one thing was missing, my revolver. Try as I might, it was missing. Whispering, I asked, "Will-o-Wisp, where is my revolver?" But when the blue flame appeared, it then darted down the hall, casing me to shout, "Fuck!"

Low and Molo looked over, voth asking "what's wrong?"

I kicked my locker, "some fucker stole my revolver. And I put a lot of work into restoring it."

"That's shitty." Molo said as she trotted over in her tone down raider armor. "Say let's find out who did it after we talk with Grizzly. Kick their ass for it."

I nodded. "Ya, lets."

Now even more upset, we trotted out and to the elevator, where the guards blocked our way. They looked considerably annoyed with us, their SMG's ready to fire.

Molo didn't seem fazed as she stepped up. "We're here to see Grizzly about a shit contract, and I don't give a fuck if she is busy."

They looked at each other for a moment and then both together told us, "no."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Molo took another step forward. But before she could say another word, Low flew over and landed in between them.

"Forgive the muscle, good for intimidating, but not for negotiating. Like what she said, we have a contract that is, unfortunately, in doubt. It requires immediate review and rewriting at once or several steep fines may befall your boss." Low Pressure said smoothly, causing the guards to loosen up,

He then continued. "Contract laws are rather tenuous and fact fitting in their nature of writing. Same for signing and who is or is not a signer. Moreover there is regulation one, one, nine. Regulation five, six, four. Regulation two, eight, seven. And the eligibility for lambs claws that must be accounted for. All which you're disrupting."

"STOP!" One guard shouted as the other looked utterly baffled. "I don't care, just go, and leave your guns here."

"Leave my guns here!" Low said, sounding disgusted. "That is unexplainable, and breaching regulations three, three, nine. Regulation four-"

"Just go, stop talking." The guard pleaded.

The three of us trotted into the death trap elevator and waited for the doors to close. Were I calmly asked Low, "What the fuck was that."

He shrugged. "Random bullshit. I just state things that sound official when dealing with the lower staff if they get a big head on their shoulders. My parents taught me that, and it rarely failed me."

"Random bullshit never works for me," Molo grumbled.

With a ding we were free from the elevator, and made our way to Grizzly's office. Of which the doors to her office were fortunately already open.

One of Grizzly's personal guards trotted up to us, spear at the ready but the sound of a buzz stopped her. The voice of Grizzly spoke through the com, "Let them pass."

With the guard out of the way, we trotted to a very tired looking Grizzly. Her desk was a bit of a mess, and two red light mares were in her bed. Grizzly looked up at us, taking a deep breath before asking us. "Lottery, Low Pressure… Why are you in my office, and why are you two armed? I'm not in the mood for any fuckary right now." She then eyed Molo, "and you are?"

Molo stepped up again. "Name's Sparking Passion, but I go by Molotov now, formerly of the Shatter Hoof Raiders. As in formerly served under Gwadina Grimfeathers." She then slammed my contract down. "And I am here because of this braminshit contract. You do know that this is basically a slave contract in all but name."

Grizzly took the contract and sighed. "And so what, she signed it of her own free will. She's even magically bound, so fuck off."

Sitting up on Grizzly's desk, Molo looked at my boss in a seductive manner that I've only seen Sparkling pull off. "Oh don't be so stubborn now. I know that magical contracts can be canceled so long as the master of the contract wants it to be. So that braminshit ain't going to work."

With one forceful push, Grizzly knocked Molo off her deck. "First off, don't ever put you diseased cunt on my desk again. Second, yes I could but no I won't. And thirdly, the three of you are going to get the fuck out of my office before I make you leave. There are jobs far worse than being a casino's cocksleeve."

Both of Molo's guns then levitated up, pointing to the ceiling. "Though that does sound fun, we will have to argue a few points. Ain't that right Lottery?"

Eyes fell on me, making me more nervous than I had been in a month. "I… I want a fair contract… I just want to go home."

Grizzly's eyes drifted to Molo's SMG's and then back to me. "Or what, shoot me."

This was going too far, way too far. But if Molo was right, then Grizzly was never going to let me go. Not so long as I did as she wanted. Not as long as I acted like a slave.

Pulling up my shotgun, which even surprises Grizzly for a moment, I stammered out. "If yo...you make m...me."

Grizzly laughed. "That's not going to break the magical contract. Kill me and you will never go home."

This time anger finally moved me to speak."And when were you ever planning to let me go. Right now both options sound the same to me!"

Looking at my shotgun, the axe glinting in the light, Grizzly slumped back in her seat. Telling me dismissively, "I'll think about it. come back tomorrow."

Low spoke up this time with a question. "Why not now, have more important things to do?"

This got Grizzly to growl at us. "Yes I do as a matter of fact!"

Something began to click in my head. "Has it something to do with Wiretap?" I asked.

She then glared at me for a moment, then sighed in resignation. "She didn't come home last night, and nopony can find her."

Molo cocked an eyebrow at me. "Who's Wiretap?"

"It's her daughter, she tends to…" just then I remembered my missing revolver and how interested Wiretap had always been in it. "Oh no." I let slip from my lips.

"Oh no what?" Molo asked me.

I felt like an idiot, a complete moron. My key hadn't gone missing, it was stolen… likely when I was fucking the maintenance crew. I hadn't checked my guns yesterday, so that's probably when it was stolen. After that she must have taken my revolver from my locker. But why would she do that… no, I know why, to impress those friends of hers. She would talk about them a lot.

"I think I know who stole my revolver." I said to Molo, then turned back to Grizzly. "What if I go find Wiretap for you."

Grizzly eyed me with suspension. "If you're responsible for-"

"Responsible for nothing, do you want her found?" I sternly ask.

Now she sat up, a very serious look on her face. "And what can you do that Hans can't?"

I carefully put my shotgun away before responding. "If we find her, and bring her home safely, you will free me from my contract."

Grizzly just glared at me for another long moment before slamming her hoof on the table. "Fine, but if I find that you're involved in any way with her disappearance, I have a mine you will be working in, until you die!"

"Alright, then I'll be off. Low, Molo, let's go." I said and turned around to trot off.

Molo and Low quickly joined me, waiting till the elevator shut to beat me with questions.

Low was first. "Are you sure? Where would you even start? But why the brat? I do hope I don't get punished too."

Molo questions whent like, "how did you pull out that gun like that? And what's with the axe? What do you know on how to find the kid? Is the foal cute?"

Taking a deep breath, I simply told them. "SHUT UP! I might have a few leads, just let me think."

As the elevator doors opened and I trotted out, I felt something. Like a pinch of excitement I had long thought dead. But before I could figure out what it was, I had an important task to do first.

Though I had no clue where to start… Then I saw Will-o-Wisp floating outside of the casino, and I smiled. "Follow me." I told the others, and trotted after the blue flame.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Two

_______________________________________________________

Will-o-Wisp had led me to one of the ruins here in Ursa's Rest, something once called a bowling alley. I had never been here before, but Wiretap had told me about the place a few times, and how a group of younger wastelanders hung out here. It happened to be the same group of ponies Grizzly didn't want her to be around.

"Okay, why here?" Molo asked me, sounding a bit confused.

"It's where Wiretap would normally sneak off too. Now let's go inside."

"Looks dirty." Low complained.

I rolled my eyes. "You don't have to go in, maybe just keep watch from out here."

Low shrugged and then flew up and out of the way.

Molo laughed and nudged my shoulder. "I wish I could do that. Just fly away from any braminshit."

"Same here," I said with a sigh.

Trotting into the bowling alley, the door was fortunately unlocked, and I could hear ponies inside. Light shined down from holes in the ceiling, giving us enough light to see as we trotted in. Playing some games in the light was several teenagers, all different levels of dirty and age.

They quickly took notice of us, the smaller ones hiding behind the bigger. "The fuck you want?" One of the older teens yelled.

"Looking for Wiretap, have you seen her?" I asked as we got closer.

The oldest teen rolled her eyes. "Like we told the buzzard, we ain't fucking seen her."

"Are you sure about this?" Molo quietly asked me.

Looking at the group of teenagers, I saw the pale glow of a blue flame dancing on one of the teens.

"Ya, I'm sure." I told Molo, then pointed at the teen with Will-o-Wisp on them. "You, what's your name?"

The young pony stumbled back, and for a moment I saw the glint of blued steel.

The oldest then blocked my view, glaring at me. "Why do you want to know? Who the fuck are you?"

Trotting up to the teenage colt, he was almost as tall as me, but still quite thin. "Well you see, I had been restoring a few guns, the ones on me actually." I moved a little to show off the rifle sticking out from its holster. "Something Wiretap enjoyed watching. And she really liked my revolver." I then showed off the empty holster.

"What revolver?" The teen asked, a bit of nervousness in his voice.

"What indeed? As you can see, it is missing. The other day Wiretap took it from my locker, and then vanished" I explained as I looked over his shoulder, and at the younger teen filly. "It's hard to miss. Black in color, and the bit holder's wood is stained in the Ursa's Rest colors. A real custom job." I then smiled at her. "Just like the one she's trying to hide."

The teen filly then bolted, but ran into Molo, who somehow got around them while I was talking. The filly then pulled out my revolver, but quickly got grabbed and disarmed my Molo.

"You gotta be faster than that cutie!" Molo said to the teenaged filly.

The older colt just sighed and got out of my way as he glared at the filly. "Spur, what did you do?"

I recognized the name, Wiretap, having mentioned her several times as her close friend. She was the pony who would tell Wiretap how to be an adult and other nonsense.

"I've done nothing, honest!" Spur squealed. She was just as thin as the others, likely fifteen years old, and with a cutie-mark of a ten pointed rusty metal star inside a fireball.

As I got close, I saw that Molo was looking at Spur with a disappointed gaze. "What wrong Molo?" I asked.

Moving to just sit on the filly, Molo then moved Spur's ear to show a marking behind it. "This little bitch is a born and raised Smelter raider, got a clan mark and everything."

Spur's eyes widened in panic as she began to struggle harder, but found it futile while under Molo. "I'm not, honest, HONEST!" She shouted.

Molo just shoved her head to the ground as she passed me back my revolver. "Shut the fuck up, I know your one of the Smelters. No other ponies brand themselves with the symbol of a pouring flaming pot. They're deemed killed on sight by Gwadina herself. Not that any pony needs an order to kill a Smelter."

Closer, I saw what was behind her ear, though crude, the symbol was exactly what Molo said it was. Holstering my revolver, I bent down to get closer to Spur. "Tell me, where is Wiretap?"

A glob of spit hit my face.

"Spur, I'm trying to be nice." I warned her.

"Go suck a fat cock!" She spat back at me.

She then let out a scream as Molo pulled on her earring with her magic, telling her. "Talk or we drag you to Wiretap's mother, and trust me, she's not going to be nice like us."

Spur began hyperventilating as she struggled to move again. I looked to the other teens for some help, but they had all already run and scattered out of view. So returning my attention to Spur, I knew I needed to get creative.

With a clang, I dropped my bear trap in front of Spur, the filly's eyes locking on it. "You know what this is, and what it does, right?"

"Y...you wouldn't!" She sputtered.

I opened it up, the trigger clicking. "Hurst like a bitch, I would know, stole this from the Corps Dancers after stepping on it."

Molo whistled. "Ran into those assholes and lived, not bad, Lottery."

I smiled. "Did more than that, if you didn't here. The Corps Dancers are all dead, I killed most of them with a baelfire egg launcher. The rest got picked off by a group of pissed off Enclave."

I then moved the trap closer to Spur. "So tell me if I wouldn't."

She looked at the bear trap for a long moment, and then let out a breath we didn't know she had been holding. "Fine, I'll tell, I'll tell. The Smelters are holding her for ransom. Every day Grizzly doesn't pay, they will burn spoiled brat!"

"And where are they holding her?" I asked.

Spur squirted again. "Get off me and I'll tell."

Thinking about it for a moment, I nodded. "Alright. Molo, let her go."

As Molo moved off the filly, Spur then jumped up and patted herself down. A wide smile then formed on her face. "If you want to know, she's up your ass!"

Thick smoke billowed out of a small bag she had on her, causing Molo and I to choke. Getting out of the smoke, to catch our breath, the sound of a door being kicked open caught my attention.

"Oh I fucking hate Smelters so much!" Molo coughed out.

"No time for that, after her!" I ordered.

Through the smoke and bursting through the door, we exited the bowling alley to find that Spur was nowhere to be seen. As though she vanished into thin air.

"Again, I hate Smelters." Molo huffed.

"Hate who now?" Low Pressure asked as he landed from above.

This might be a lucky break. "Say Low, did you see an older filly run through this door?"

He nodded. "Just now, ya. She bolted out of here, right into that bramble patch."

I looked to my left and saw a rusted chain link fence tangled with a thorn covered vines. There were scratch marks leading to a small opening, likely where she went, and too small for me. Trotting over to the fence, to my annoyance the bramble patch extended far out, intermixed with ruined buildings and other things that obstructed my view.

"Fucking brat." Molo said as she passed me my bear trap. "Ain't no way we can follow from here, but hey, at least we got a clue."

"No we can't, but Low can." I said as I looked back at our Pegasus friend.

He pointed at himself then shook his head. "Hay now, I'm not any sort of scout."

Trotting over to Low, I patted him on the shoulder. "All you need to do is point us in the right direction. Anyways, if we save Wiretap, I'm sure Grizzly will reward you."

Molo then chimed in. "Ya, you could even upgrade from taking dick to giving it. Business wise I mean… which is kindove the same."

Low Pressure was clearly thinking hard about it as slowly the idea formed in his head. "And they will see how great I am, maybe understand my genius." He then spread his wings, flapping them to hover off the ground. "Alright, I'll go see where she is heading, and meet you at the front gate."

With that he flew up, and we trotted off.

_______________________________________________________

At the front gates I triple checked my revolver, only finding a few scuff marks on the gun.

"Say Molo, what can you tell me about the Smelters?" I asked.

"Their assholes for sure." She answered, but when I gave her a stern look, she further explained. "They were one of the fuckers that were working with Redeye. Had control over some old metalworks factory down south, melting down scrap and selling the shit to Redeye."

Molo then levitated one of her SMG's. "This is probably made with Smelter steel. And if that's all they did, I wouldn't have such a problem with them."

"And what else did they do?" I inquired further.

She groaned with annoyance. "Lots of shit. First off, terrible Jon's, liking to get real rough when fucking. Cauterize wants all that bad, but he was more level headed for a Smelter. But the rest like to cause pain and shit." Molo then ran her hoop through her mane. "It's why most of us keep our names short. Too much of a risk of it getting pulled too hard. Other than that, they are horrendous slave drivers, often raid their neighbors, love to set everything on fire, oh and perform live pony sacrifices. Or so I heard."

"Live...pony… sacrifice?" I said slowly.

Molo nodded. "Never seen it, but Cauterize told me about it. Something to do with blessing their steel. That the best steel needs to be given blood and bone. Real cult shit."

I nodded. "That sounds horrible. And who's Cauterize?"

"Oh Cauterize is a stallion I've been traveling with on and off. Got chased out of the Smelters, and went independent. But he don't raid no more, though still likes to fight and shit. And is a good fuck if you like it rough, might have seen him at the brothel." She explained.

I shrugged. "If he's been to the Red Light Showroom, then I might have fucked him."

The sound of a pony landing near us caught our attention as we turned to look at a smiling Low. He then informed us, "Saw the little pony heading to some big building a ways away. Didn't go near, but it clearly saw raiders in some thick leather like armor and bulky helmets guarding the place."

"Sounds like Smelters." Molo added. "The basters like their fire protection. Did they have big colorful guns with red canisters on them?"

For a quick moment, Low scratched his chin. "Ya, I do remember seeing weird yellow guns like that on a few of them."

"What guns are those?" I asked my ex-raider friend.

"Flamers." She said in a serious tone. "Remember when I said that they love setting shit on fire. That was not a joke. If it can be used to set shit ablaze, they will use it for that fucking reason. The few times I've had to tango with one, and not in a bed, the fuckers practically burnt everything down around them to kill me and my crew."

Molo then detaches a part of her armor to show a large burn scar on her back. "A fucker tagged me too. The fur never healed quite right."

She then put her armor back on and flashed me a smile. "But don't worry, the fuckers are horrible shots, well most of them are. If you can get at em before they get close, you should be safe. Just watch out for their fire bombs. They're good at throwing."

"Noted." I said as I turned to Low. "Alright, take me to them."

Low shrugged and sighed. "Alright, but I ant helping you fight. I'm a lover, not a fighter. Anyways, if my beautiful face gets damaged, my life will be over."

I rolled my eyes, "alright, once we're there, just stay out of the way and wait for us to leave. If we don't make it out, go tell Grizzly. You got that?"

"Clear as a crystal pony." He replied.

Molo trotted up to Low, pulling something out from her saddlebag. "Just in case we need any more help from you, take this." She then hoofed over a ducked taped covered can with a pull fuse. “Just pull the string and toss it at any pony that looks at you funny, or chasing after us.”

_______________________________________________________

It took awhile to get to where Low had seen the Smelters, and the sun was already well past noon. Though work had me on the move a lot, I hadn't had a long trek like this in months and my legs were letting me know.

It… felt good to be moving like this again.

Pulling out a set of binoculars, I got a better look at the raiders guarding the building. At least seven of them, with three in the thick armor Low mentioned, and had masks clearly for dealing with smoke. The other four looked like your normal raiders, spiked armor and strapped with Molotov cocktails. Most of them were on top of the building, with just two of the heavy armored raiders near the front door.

"Nice binoculars! Where did you get them?" Molo asked.

"At a spitroast." I said flatly, just glad that at least getting the binoculars was now worth it. "We got two big raiders at the door, and one on top with four less armored raiders."

"Could we just talk with them?" Low suggested, but got a deadpan stare from the two of us. "Okay, bad idea."

Molo then took my binoculars, scanning the building. "These are nice, got good range." She complimented before giving them back to me. "But ya, we need to find a way around. Likely there's a few more of them we don't see. And knowing these assholes, they probably have some other nasty weapons being kept hidden."

"Like what, a hidden entrance?" I asked.

Molo shrugged. "Maybe. I was thinking about a back door or a sewer entrance. Places like this tend to have more than one way in."

It didn't hurt to give it a shot. "Alright, let's see if this place has another entrance."

As we trotted around the building, making sure we were not seen. We saw a part of the road that went lower into the ground and into the building. It was blocked off by junk and a chain link fence, along with noise makers, but no guards.

Molo looked up and smirked. "Looks like this is a blind spot, the view is blocked from up there."

Looking up myself, there were a few old billboards that would make it hard to look down from the roof. On the billboards was some sort of two wheeled motor wagon and an advertisement for sparkle-cola.

Returning my attention to the barricade. From what I could tell, it was made so that any pony that tried to climb it would cause enough of a racket that the Smelters would all hear it. This put a smile on my face, as I had another way through.

Pulling out the bolt cutters, and folding open the new hinged hoof holds. It made it easier to pack away if I could just fold them up. So I began cutting open a hole in the fence, feeling happy to finally use the tool I restored. Once the hole was big enough, all I had to do was push some of the junk away, and done, I had a way in.

"Alright, I will stay here, you two ladies have fun." Low Pressure told us, and began flying back to a hiding spot.

Entering, Molo quickly followed, where we came to a door. Looking at my friend, I suddenly realized that I didn't know what to do next. "Uhh, you have a plan, Molo?"

She cocked an eyebrow at me. "Plan, I thought you had the plan." She then sighed. "Here, why don't we keep our heads down, find the foal, and once we know we're good for it, go loud. Catching them with their dicks out will generally go in our favor."

I nodded. "Okay, makes sense. Stay quiet, find Wiretap, and shoot our way out."

"Sounds like a solid plan to me." Molo agreed.

Taking a deep breath, we entered the building.

Dark would not begin to describe the inside, pitch black more like it, and it was still day time. I fortunately had a magical torch with me, it produced a weak beam of light that at least helped me see a little.

We had entered what seemed to be a holding area for parts of that two wheeled motor wagon on the billboard. All long rusted away, and scattered about. Fortunately nothing was in our way, so Molo and I quickly trotted to the other side, then up some stairs.

Another door stopped us, a light seeping under it.

"Um… Molo?" I whispered.

"Ya, what?" She whispered back.

"What do we do if there's a raider in the way?" I quietly asked.

She rolled her eyes and pulled out a knife. "Kill them quietly."

I nodded and turned off my torch. Opening the door, it creaked a little, but no raider was near enough to hear it, so we stepped through. Carefully, we trotted through the hallway, head on a swivel.

As we passed a door, we heard a loud crack, the sound that a hoof makes when slapping a face. "You said what!" An older mare growled.

Then we heard Spur speak up. "Sss… sorry moms, I got scared. She was going to shove a bear trap in my face."

Then I heard the sound of a body being tossed against a wall, followed by the mare snarling out. "We're trying to not let any pony know we're around, or that were the ones doing this. Now we're going to have the Pear Valley Raiders breathing down our necks because of you! We can only hope you weren't followed, Spur. Unless we get that ransom money fast, were going to be fucked."

Well that confirmed that at least we were in the right place. Now to find Wiretap.

Moving on, Molo and I quickly ducked into a dark room as the sound of hooves approached. Waiting for them to pass. My ears then caught Molo suppressing a chuckle.

"What's funny?" I quietly asked.

She smirked. "I know who that is, the mare I mean. It's Cauterize's sister, Short Fuse. Oh he's going to want to know about this."

I sighed. "Let's focus, we need to find Wiretap. "

Scratching her chin, Molo looked around and then smirked again. "Well I think this is where they sleep, so where the prisoners are kept should be close."

"You sure?" I asked as I looked around, seeing several ratty beds.

She nodded. "Raiders are paranoid fucks, and keep a close eye on their bounty. If I had to guess, she's probably in some storage closet if she's lucky."

I dreaded asking, but I had to. "And if she is not lucky?"

Molo's face contorted to disgust. "Chained in one of the sleeping rooms for the raider to have fun with."

I swallowed my own disgust, and suggested. "Let's look for a storage closet first."

Waiting for it to be safe, we trotted out of the room, and quietly m9ved further down the hall. It didn't take long, but we found a door which Molo pointed out as a janitor's closet. When I tried to open it, we found it locked. Being careful, I then pressed my ear to it and hoped to hear something.

My ear twitched as I heard a whimper.

"There's a pony in there." I whispered to Molo.

"Alright, I have the watch." She told me.

Looking at the door, I knew I was no lockpicker, but I did see something I could do. The hinges of the door were fortunately on this side, so all I needed to do was free the pins.

Pulling out my chisel, I got to work. The pins were old, and rusty, but I worked slowly and using good old fashioned earth pony power, forcefully pry them free. The first came out, making a loud ping on the floor, but nopony seemed to notice. The second one was easier, being lower to the ground and the metal not as corroded. Breaking the pin out of the hinge, the door was now free to open. I carefully tried to move the door using my tools, swaying and rocking.

With a light thumped, I let the door land on me, and gently slide off. Now with light flowing in, I saw Wiretap as she saw me. "L... Lottery?" She said with a weak voice. The poor filly had been clearly beaten, but fortunately it looked like it was only that.

"Ya, I'm here to get you out" I told her as I reached out.

She took my hooves and tightly hugged onto me. "I'm sorry." She whimpered.

I gently stroked her head. "Its fine, we all make dumb mistakes. Now stay quiet, we're going to get you home."

"Really?" She asked, her voice pleading.

"Just follow us." I told her.

The sounds of hoofsteps coming from the direction we just came from put me on alert. A shrill mare's voice grew louder; it was Spur's mother Short Fuse. "I can't believe this, every one of them a fucking moron."

I was sure we could take her, it was just one mare. But there was a second group of hoofsteps, loud and heavy

A muffled voice then spoke up. "Come now lady Branding, the welp still brought us our hostage. She may yet prove herself before the flame."

"Charcoal, if we don't get those caps, kiss our standing with Onyx Heart goodbye. Without help from the old families, we may not be able to reclaim our home from the fucking NCR." Branding growled.

My stomach churned at the mention of Onyx's name.

"And who is she going to turn to, no clan is as strong as us." Charcoal argued.

Branding then groaned. "We're not as strong as we were, not after losing the forge! Lately I've been getting messages about that three legged bitch smooching up to Onyx, digging her hooves into what should be our place in this horde. Fucking Balefire Fiends, and there flames damned fortress. If my father was not such a pussy, we could have taken them out and claimed their base for ourselves with the help of Redeye. Now were just begging for scraps at the hoof of that fucking Naysayer. "

Charcoal grunted. "Give it time lady Branding, Grinder has not forgotten the old alliances, and so long as he has power, we will rise again."

I felt a nudge as Molo pointed me to move the other direction. "We can't fight Charcoal, trust me."

Quickly, the three of us made our way the other direction, putting space between us and the soon to be angry Raider boss.

Turning a corner, we skidded to a stop as we saw two raiders at the end of the hallway with their backs to us.

Molo looked at me, pulling out her knife and nodded.

Knowing what she meant, I drew my shotgun-axe, and readied myself.

Quietly I lunged forward, and violently brought my axe down, splitting the back of the damned raiders skull open. To my shock, the axe froze the gore.

Looking at the other raider, they had no time to make a noise as Molo covered their mouth and repeatedly stabbed them viciously. As the raider and ex-raider hit the ground, any sense of victory faded. sitting on one end of the room we had just entered, eating their dinner, were seven more raiders in yellow and black pattern armor.

"WE'RE GOING LOUD!" I shouted as I freed my shotgun from the raiders head, causing the frozen gore to crack and spill out, and opened fired.

The raiders dove to the ground and flipped the tables as I quickly unload into them. My aim was true, but the raider's armor stopped the worst of my pellets. And soon their guns were pointing out from behind the tables.

"Get the filly to the other side!" Molo told me as she pointed to a doorway with one SMG, and fired at the raiders with the other.

Throwing my shotgun down, I grabbed Wiretap and dashed to the open door on the other side. Molo closely followed as she shot at the raiders. Somehow I managed to make it to the other side without getting hit, bursting out of the room and sliding into the ground. As I looked back, I saw Molo tossing a few firebombs behind her to block the raiders.

An alarm then went off, the sound of rusty bells was all around as putrid cold water began coming down from the ceiling in spurts. If the gunfire was not enough to tip the raiders off, this was.

Getting up, and with Wiretap now on my back, holding on for dear life, I dashed down this hall, where I saw stairs going down up ahead. As I prepared to jump down, I saw a raider trotting up, the two of us did not have any time to dodge, and we collided. I managed to prevent myself from rolling, and pushed off from the raider and into the air, only having enough time to spread my hooves out in front of me for a landing. The sudden stop came with a sharp pain going up all four of my legs, with the one with the metal struts screaming a bit longer than the other three.

“Ohh, I’m going to need some med-X after this.” I muttered to myself.

A growled came from my side as the raider got up, shovel in his magic. “You're going to need more than that, bitch!” he said as he swung his weapon as I tried to jump away. The blade of the shovel connected with my back leg, causing even more pain. Again it was the one with metal already in it, as though the wasteland hated that leg in particular. Pulling back the now blood splattered shovel, the raider and I were a bit shocked to see that it had dented on my leg. “The fuck?”

Not wasting the opportunity, I quickly drew my revolver and fired all six shots into him, center mass, and as fact as I could. His armor protected him from the first three shots, but the second three went in, causing blood to pour from under his road sign armor. He wobbled and stumbled back before slumping over.

Holstering the revolver, Molo then came jumping through, landing on the dead raider. “Go, go, go, go!” She repeated in a panic as she pushed me to moves before she started running ahead of me.

Following her, I looked back to see what looked like a power armored pony, but nothing like that of a Steel Ranger. Covered in spikes, leathers and some kind of coarse cloth all gave the armor this wild feel to it. But what filled me with dread was the skull shaped helmet full of gold teeth and some sort of heavy gas mask under it. At both of his sides were two brightly colored strange looking guns with a spout at the end. And how they would drip literal fire clued me in that they were flamers. “I found our hostage.” The muffled voice of Charcoal spoke from the armored pony.

We didn’t stay to chat as we quickly made our way to the next door. But before we could get away, an explosion of fire erupted in our path.

“Don't even try!” the shrill voice of Short Fuse yelled at us. Turning to look at the mare, I saw a rather gaunt and mad looking mare covered in tattoos… no, not tattoos, but burns that looked like tattoos. From hoof to head she was covered in what had to be one big continuous branding. She then loaded a large red shell into what was likely a grenade launcher. “Make another move and I can guarantee that you two will be dead and that filly there will be living with half a face for the rest of her life.”

Molo flashed the raider boss a smile. “Ohhh, looking good Short Fuse, been a long time. I see you've underwent the right of the branding. Shit, that's got to have been painful.”

Short Fuse snarled at Molo. “Its Lady Branding to you, bitch! And why the fuck are the shatter hoof’s doing here?”

“Naw, just me, oh, and I have a gift from your brother.” Molo said as she tossed all her fire bombs into the air, with only a few of them lit. Then fired a short burst with her SMG, it clicking empty almost as soon as she fired. Hitting one of the bottles, fire erupted and rained down, setting everything ablaze.

A loud crack soon followed, and the same cold and putrid water began coming down around us here.

Branding fired at us, and we dove out of the way of the explosion. As soon as fire from her grenade spread, the disgusting water put it out. Not wanting to wait for her to have a third shot at us, we ran through the doorway, and loud thumping chasing after us.

We could see it, the front doors just ahead, it having a big green sign I knew meant exit hanging above. I knew there were more raiders on the other side, but we didn't have much choice but to charge forward. “Hold tight, Wiretap.”

The sacred filly was practically choking me as I charged at the door, I then jumped, turning my body around in mid air, and reared back as much as possible. I bucked as hard as I could, hitting the doors with more force then I had ever mustered in my life. Denting them the fucking doors as they smashed open, each one hitting something with a heavy thud and making a slight imprint of a pony.

My legs seriously didn’t like this, and pain erupted through my body. But the pain was a second concern as I looked up, and saw Charcoal chasing after us. His flamers leaving a trail of fire behind him as his hooves dented the ground with power and furry.

With a hard slap on my hip, Molo Spun me around, saying “Nice buck, now keep running!”

Now pointed in the right direction, I bolted out. The two armored raiders guarding the door had been knocked down flat and left dazed and confused. With a clear path out of here, Molo and I ran, ran as fast as we could. But the feeling of heat, a flare of light, and the roar of two farmers behind us only meant that Charcoal was getting closer.

With flames licking as my ass, the one thing I didn’t expect to see was a Pegasus waving at us further ahead, with a dumb grin on his face.

“Use the damn tin grenade chicken wings!” Molo shouted.

Only now realizing the danger, he pulled it out and pulling the string with his teeth, then tossed it. Unfortunately it didn’t fly far, stopping just ahead of us.

Molo and I found the strength to again dash forward, almost jumping, my adrenaline keeping the pain in my everything at bay. Passing the grenade, with our tails nearly on fire, we then heard a loud pop, followed by a guttural roar of anger. I looked back as we ran and saw Charcoal stopped dead in his tracks, covered in some green like slime, firing flames futaly in rage.

“The fuck was that?” I asked on the run.

Molo laughed. “You’d be amazed at the shit you can make with toxic chemicals. I think the pony who showed me how to make it called it, smooze. All I know is that it keeps a pony from going anywhere for a while.”

“Well let's get back to Ursus Den before any of them catch up to us.” I said, panting loudly.

“Ya, no time to rest.” Molo agreed.

Flying in between us with a smile, was Low. “Did I do good?” he asked.

“Fantasticks.” I said as I tried to keep up my pace. “Now can you carry this filly?”

He then shook his head. “Ya, no. She is a bit too big to just be called a filly. She will slow me down.”

“Fuck, whatever, just keep an eye out, in case the raiders are following us. I might need to stop soon.” I let him know. My whole body felt like it was on fire from the inside.

Low Pressure then gave me a salute. “Can do.”

Actually, it felt like somepony had stabbed me with a red hot poker in several places, and the pain was getting worse. "Say Molo… is it normal to.. feel.. oh Celestia it hurts."

She looked at me and smiled, only now I noticed she had several holes in her that were bleeding. "Getting shot, ya, it hurts like a bitch, but you seem to be handling it just fine."

Oh, so that's what I'm feeling. I didn't like it at all, and now I was starting to feel rather light headed.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Three

_______________________________________________________

My eyes opened to look at a slowly moving ceiling fan, it squeaked every now and then, just like in Doctor Helga's office.

“Good you're awake, you gave everypony a fright when you collapsed at the front gate, and with little Wiretap on your back no less.” Doctor Helga said as she trotted over to me, a grin on her beak.

I ground, as my body still hurt all over. “Oh... right. The Smelters chased us all the-”

“Back to town, ya, every creature saw. Both you and that other mare had been burnt and shot, yet somehow you made it back to town.” Doctor Helga explained. “Well you're alright now, though you did manage to get a hairline fracture in all four of your legs, worse in the back. It even looks like some pony attempted to chop a back leg off. Between your armor absorbing the blow and those titanium struts stopping it, you're lucky to still have that leg.”

I sighed with relief. “Oh, good. At least that means I can still do my job. So how much is it going to cost to fix me up?” I tried to do the math in my head, but I was not that good at math either, I just knew I was about to go deeper into debt.

“Nothing. Grizzly is flipping the bill for this. Anyways, hairline fractures don’t require setting the bone and I've been removing bullets since I was a chick. One healing potion did the trick, after I made sure nothing was out of place and you were disinfected. Though I advise not trying to break that leg any more for a long while. Healing potions can work miracles but over time it will make the bone more brittle, to the point it might as well be made of glass.” Doctor Helga told me as she passed me a glass of water and two pills. “The pain you're feeling right now is just from sore muscles, and blood loss, so just take these and you'll feel better.”

Sitting up, I took the pain killers, and guzzled down the rather clean tasting water. “Wait… you said Grizzly is paying for this.”

Doctor Helga rolled her eyes. “Barely paying for much. The healing potion did most of the work. Though I decided to give you a full examination while you were out, since Grizzly was paying.” She then pulled out a cigarette, and then passed one to me.

Taking it, I was no smoker, but I had learned to enjoy it once and a while. But it was odd for any of the griffins here to give anything for free. “A free cig… please don’t tell me I’m pregnant!”

“No, you're still safe, and quite healthy. But I will suggest you lay off the booze for a while, or make a choice.” Helga as she lifted up a jar with the contraceptive pills. “Your liver can't keep dealing with both, you see. Either quit drinking so much, and you can keep fucking risk free, or keep boozing and risk popping out a foal.”

I was a little confused. “My liver… like the thing we should never eat from the animals?”

Doctor Helga nodded. “Ya, the medicine you take to keep from getting pregnant is hell on your liver if you take it regularly. Same for alcohol, but the two together will kill it. If your liver dies, you die.”

“Oh… alright.” I said, taking her words to heart.

“Good, well now that you're up, you should get going. Grizzly is expecting you.” Doctor Helga said cheerfully. “Oh and just for your information, in case you can’t put the booze down like a lot of others, I am well experienced with helping a pregnant mare.”

“I… rather not need that. I mean, it would interfere with work.” I said in a bit of a worried tone.

Doctor Helga then sighed. “Only for a few months. But there are a few freaks out there who pay tons to lay a pregnant mare. Sugar is actually a month away from starting to show herself.”

I froze at that. “Wait, Sugar Honey is pregnant!?”

“She mixed up her jar of pills with candy. Or at least that's what she wants ponies to think. Sparkling has already booked her for when she shows, and set up a calmer job after the baby is born.” Helga then shrugged. “Sparkling may be an actual slave driver, but she still looks after her mares, so don’t give her a hard time about it. Now you should get going, we’ve chatted for long enough. I'll send Grizzly a message that you're coming.”

“Ya… thanks.” I got out of my medical bed, still in a bit of a shock, puffing at the cigarette. Trotting out, I took a moment to finish my cig, then made my way to Grizzly.

As I trotted through the casino, the lack of the hustle and busses of ponies had to mean it was well past normal hours. Though I was sure the Red Light showroom was still busy, meaning I was missing out on getting paid. But out here it was just the few insomniacs betting what little money they still had.

The few employees still around, greeted me as I passed, but only briefly as they had work to get to. Some were a bit more friendly than others, but that was probably because I've slept with them before.

Making my way to the elevator, the two guards just stepped out of my way, letting me in. I still dreaded the moving death box, but I tolerated it as it moved, only flinching a little when it stopped with a ding.

What greeted me was Grizzly sitting at a guards table outside her office, puffing away as a cigarette and sipping some booze. The guards were around, but all in front of her office door like a wall.

Seeing me Grizzly waved me over.

"Lottery, I am truly happy to see you." Grizzly greeted me as I sat down, alcohol on her breath. "And I am ashamed to admit it, but I greatly underestimated your worth."

I felt a little confused, "Well, I'm sure you were close."

She poured what had to be an expensive drink and then pushed it to me. I sipped it and it was… like nectar that burned all the way down and burned back up. "Ohhh, trust me, I fucked this up real bad, and all out of spite. Could have put you to better use then as one of Sparkling's mares. Though I have to admit, you've done a good job there, like even I'm tempted to hire you again, but to step on me this time."

I visibly cringed at that idea.

Grizzly sighed and took a swig of her drink. "Ya, I get that, you're not into mares just like I'm not into stallions. Still don't know how I managed to get through my engagement with Tripwire. As handsome as he is, stallions are just not my thing. Then again I had Sparkling cover for me through most of it, and I was drunk on the night I fucked him. Still, it wouldn't have been the shitshow it was if the union had gone through." She then sighed. "Which brings me to why I'm apologizing to you."

From under a bottle she pulled out the magical contract that binds me, it still had the burn mark that was Tripwire's signature, and placed it in front of me before continuing. "When I first saw you, I only saw one of Tripwire's little toys, not a mare who had simply fallen into his trap. So When you came crawling back to town, and was alone, I let my disgust of Tripwire take over my rational mind."

I dared not interrupt, and just sipped this wonderful drink as she spoke.

Taking a long drag from a cigarette, burning it to its nub, Grizzly then put it out in a rather full ashtray. "So I decided to push you into Sparkling's care, seeing nothing more than a whore to squeeze caps out of. I guess there was a really good reason why both our families wanted Tripwire and I to get married. We're both right bastards. But now here you are, having done what my mercenary's failed to do. And I'm left actually feeling guilty for my actions."

So many things ran through my head that it was near paralyzing. But one thing was becoming clear, and it was good. But first, I needed to know one thing. "Is Wiretap alright?"

Grizzly sighed. "She will be, those bastards roughed my baby up, but she will recover. And from what Molo told me, you saved her from something worse. She's currently sleeping in my office, where nopony can hurt her."

That was good to hear, and I felt a smile creep up on my face. "So… what next."

Grizzly lit up another cigarette, and held it on the magical contract as she puffed. The contract then caught on fire, slowly burning until nothing was left. I felt somewhat lighter, as though a weight had been taken off my back.

"First off, you're free." Grizzly said as she leaned back in her seat. "You no longer have to work at the Red Light to pay off a debt that was never yours to pay. Though if you wish, you can stick around and properly earn more caps, and under a more fair work contract. Or, you can just go home, I'll even give you a cart to haul any extra shit you might want. A quality one too, since you earned it."

I found myself… relaxed for the first time in a long time. The thought of working at the Red Light Showroom for another week or two crossed my mind, as I would be able to keep my pay now. But I crushed that under being able to just go home, and with my head held high. I only worked there because I need the caps, but now, free from debt. I would truly be a whore if I stayed now. No, I could finally leave, and forget this mess.

Finally, after so long, I can return home and let the wasteland rot for all I care. But something nudged at the back of my mind. Something I didn't want to think about, but couldn't help.

Tripwire was still out there, and building his terrible mezmetron. Maybe the wasteland will sort it out on its own, no need for a fool to play hero. But if he gets what he wants, raises a brainwashed army of slaves. How long will it be before it comes to my home?

Could I let others suffer for my mistake? Had I not suffered enough, let countless stallions into me, and endure humiliation upon humiliation. Didn't I deserve to be… forgiven.

I shook my head, only now realizing what I had been doing all this time. Why I never fought with Grizzly, and why I was so willing to accept getting fucked over figuratively and literally.

I had been punishing myself for helping Tripwire.

Still there was little I could do. It all was far beyond me. I could at least let Grizzly know why Wiretap was taken. "I… might take you up on the offer for a cart. As for the Red Light, I think I'm done whoring myself out. I've probably had more sex in this last month then I'll ever have for the rest of my life. That aside, I heard the leader of the Smelters say something-"

"Onyx Heart, Molo told me." Grizzly said, cutting me off. "If I see that bitch again, I'll have her other eye plucked out."

This then bugged a question. "Did the raiders know that Wiretap was Tripwire's daughter?"

Puffing her cigarette, she huffed out. "Fuck if I know." Then she slowly exhaled, smoke ascending over my head. "But I'm sure none of them would have cared."

"Even Tripwire?" I asked.

She nodded. "Fuckers probably got brats all over. Wouldn't be surprised he had impregnated Onyx at some point. Wiretap just happens to be his first foal, not that it matters to him. Ponies are just tools to Tripwire, something to be used. It's why I was fine being with him so long ago. I knew that as so long as I produced an heir for both our families, he wouldn't even bother getting close to me. But I guess he needed to prove his superiority over me, and I was not going to be talked down like that."

Grizzly then shrugged. "But that's in the past, so why bring it up?"

"Well, I felt you should at least know, with all he has planned." I told her.

"Is that so?" Grizzly asked, seemingly very interested as she poured me some more of that drink. "Back then I didn't care, but now that my daughter has been harmed… I do now."

Taking a deep breath, I began to tell her everything I knew. About the Naysayer family, the mezmetron, and how it can be used to enslave ponies. I hadn't told anypony about this, other than Molo, and not in this level of detail. I had been too scared to, too worried that one of Grinder's ponies would come for me if I talked too much.

I wasn't sure she would believe some, if not most of it. But after over a month of just keeping it in, somepony needed to know. And so I left myself bare, not hiding any detail this time.

Grizzly was very quiet, staying that way even after I finished. Slowly she puffed on another cigarette, clearly thinking long about my story.

"That…" she said, pausing to take another drag of her cigarette. "That sounds so like him. Tripwire never liked it when a pony did something he didn't tell them too. There was one time a slave completed a job ahead of schedule, and he held a grudge over it for a week. I'm sure he's mellowed out over time, but a brainwashed slave army sounds like something he would do."

"So you believe me?" I asked hesitantly.

Grizzly let out a low laugh. "Let's just say that I believe you're not lying to me. But if some of what you said happened, who knows. We did have some psycho mutant overlord controlling an army of mutant alicorns just a few months ago. So ya, mounds of moving corpses, and a mind control gun… It's possible. Not that I ever want to find out personally."

She then put out her cigarette, finished off what was left in her glass, and relaxed. "Anyways, I'll be sure to send Gwadina a message about this. Though the last I heard, the fight over Fillydelphia is still quite fierce, so it may be awhile until she sends her griffins out here to hunt him down."

"As long as something is done, I'll be satisfied." I said with a sigh. "So, I should get going. I'm sure my ma has a few gray hairs from me being gone for so long.

There was a giant in Grizzly's eyes, as though there was something more she wanted to say, or ask. Something she wanted.

"Say, Lottery… you want to do a job for me?" She asked calmly, but with a smile I didn't quite like.

"I… no, not really." I said, but curiosity took over. "What's this job… and no, I don't want to fuck a client, now that I don't have to."

Grizzly chuckled with a mischievous tone. "Well, he's not a client of mine, though you will have to do a few tricks for him. But trust me, It will be worth it, and unlike the slobs around here, I guarantee that you will have lots of fun. Anyways, this is not about earning caps, but gathering intel. The information you gave me is just a story, not enough to do much with sadly. But I know a pony… well a pony-like creature, who will have the information I would need to help ruin Tripwire's plans."

I didn't like this, but if it helps, then maybe I should at least humor her. "So who is this… pony like thing?"

"Duke Pharynx the Fifth." She said.

"What!?" I blurted.

She shrugged. "Ya, if any creature knows where Tripwire is, he would. The bug has his minions snooping everywhere in this region. Likely why Tripwire paid him off, information is quite valuable you see."

"Alright, but why did you call him a bug?" I asked.

Clearing her throat, Grizzly then leaned in and whispered. "He and his minions are changelings." She then sat back and chuckled. "It's why they're the best lovers around, they feed on love. Also, they can become what you desire."

"What's a Changeling?" I asked, even more confused.

Grizzly paused for a moment, then sighed. "Dear, there is too much to explain about that topic. But for brevity, their shape shifting pony like bugs that feed on love. But before you jump to conclusions, they're for the most part, peaceful. Mostly because there is not much love to go around anymore."

This was sounding less appealing as she went on. "And you want me to do what, fuck a bug for information on Tripwire?"

She nodded. "Well yes. Though it's more about having them pamper you for a day. Trust me, you will understand if you go out for me. Anyways it's been awhile since I've sent Duke Pharynx any ponies as tribute. So I was thinking that you can go with a group, and get to know the Duke personally."

"Wait, tribute?" I asked, feeling concerned.

Grizzly waved a hoof dismissively at me. "Don't twist your panties about it. You won't be a part of that, and the ponies involved have already agreed to such a thing ahead months ago. Simply, they will act as mothers for their eggs, and get paid a lot for it. In exchange, Ursa's Rest and the Duchy keep a good relationship. We also give access to each other's resources. Trust me, It's a deal everypony benefits from."

She then smiled, "Anyways, you'll be spending time with the Duke, which even I'm a bit jealous of. Last time he paid us a visit, he made quite the mare for me. Almost gave Wiretap a half sister that night."

She then caught herself drooling a little, and quickly wiped it off before continuing. "Anyways, if you take the job, I will make sure that you get whatever you want, so long as it's in my power."

I took a deep breath, trying to sort this out in my mind. "So… you want me to travel to the Duchy of Crystallis Motors, fuck Duke Pharynx the Fifth for any information involving Tripwire… correct?"

"Yes." She confirmed.

"You think I'm enough to convince him?" I reminded the mare.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh I'm sure of it. The changelings have a type, and you fit it almost perfectly. Actually, I'll send that gay twink with you, since the two of you together make a queen bitch of a nightmares. I'm sure Pharynx won't be able to resist at all. Anyways, he's no fool, I'm sure the Duke already has plans for if Tripwire turns on him, and is just waiting for an opportunity to hedge his bets.

"Won't Sparkling Delight be better for this? Whatever I'm good at, she's better." I asked

A long sigh came from Grizzly. "Too true, but Sparkling would be a fetish too far for the Duke. That and if she goes over there, they're not going to want her to return. That's why I need a proxy for this, otherwise Wiretap won't be able to see her aunt as often as she does."

She then reached out her hoof to me. "So, what do you say, do one last job?"

"I… I'll think about it." I told Grizzly, unsure if I should do it or not. Anything that could help stop Tripwire was good, but at the same time I wanted out of the sex work.

"You do that, think long and hard, get some proper sleep while you're at it. If you decide to take the job, I'll set up a caravan right away." Grizzly said as she pulled out a box. "Oh, and take this, it's for saving my Wiretap. It's the least I can do right now."

Taking and opening the box, inside was several high numbered chips, a scope, and a long black cylinder.

"For your rifle." Grizzly explained. "Asked the Horus for something, and that old griffin sent a scope and suppressor up. Said something about good old guns getting a good upgrade. Anyways, with those you can shoot far and make less noise, an excellent combo for any rifle."

Closing the box, I got out of my seat and put the box on my back. "Thanks, and again, I'll think about it."

Leaving, I felt that I might as well get some rest. Despite having been out cold for hours after getting back to town, I was still very tired.

_______________________________________________________

I was back in that dark place, running in place, going nowhere. The sadistic laughter closed in on me. There was no escaping it, I never had before.

I knew what they wanted with me, what they would do to me. A violation of my body and mind. Even before they caught me I could already feel them slithering into me.

"Need some help?" Molo called me from a ledge above, holding out a hoof to me.

I hesitated, unsure if I should. Like so many times before.

I then felt a tug, but not at my legs, but at my suit. Lifting me up into the air, Molo then tossed me over her and onto the safety of the league. "Geese, if you need help just ask, it ain't going to kill ya."

"It… it could." I muttered.

She laughed, but it was a laugh filled with joy that seemed to banish the malice and lust they hounded me. "Maybe, but how are you going to make friends if you don't ask for help silly?"

Strangely, Molo's voice seemed more high pitched and her colors were a bit… pinker?

Molo then looked over the edge and cringed. "Those are some nasty ghoulies."

Looking over the ledge myself, it was a large group of stallions with misshapen faces, all eyeing me like prey to be hunted. "They are."

Again Molo laughed, and strangely the goulash rape stallions cracked and shattered. What was left behind was a green grassy land with several cute animals having a tea party.

"What?" I said, feeling confused.

Molo patted me on the back, now even more pink. "Think nothing of it. And if the ghoulies return, remember to laugh. There's magic in laughter. Even in the most hopeless and scary of situations, if you can laugh, you can find hope."

A wide smile formed on Molo's face as she began to inflate, turning into a pink balloon and popping. Confetti went everywhere and painted this dark dream with a rainbow of colors.

For a dream, it was almost too much. But as I sat there, watching the colors spread, a smile crept onto my face. Slowly, and uncontrollably, I began to laugh.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up, everything felt… strange. I had a real dream, not just a nightmare. I had no hangover, and there was no stallion in my bed. There was no smell of sex in the air, and strangly enough, I felt truly rested for the first time in over a month.

Getting up, I noticed a pony sitting beside my bed, messing with my jumpsuit. Molo was stitching up the cut in the pant leg of my jumpsuit. Unfortunately she was using an obnoxious shade of pink as thread.

"You can sew?" I asked the ex-raider.

Molo chuckle. "I can sew, do laundry, some cooking, and clean a dirty diaper."

"And you learned all that, where?" I asked as I rubbed my eyes.

"As a pillow mare. I had plenty of little sisters and cousins to help look after." She said with pride.

Getting out of bed, Inbound that my muscles were still a bit sore. "That sounds nice."

Molo nodded. "It was." Then she tossed me my jumpsuit. "Anyways, you did good out there. No way we would have won that fight with the Smelters. Shame you lost that kick ass gun though. But besides that, let's have a victory feast, the bear lady gave me a bunch of chips to spend."

My stomach grumbled at the sound of food, almost demanding.

"I'll take that as a yes." Molo said with another chuckle.

So after getting dressed, Molo and I made our way down to the casino restaurant. I don't know why, but I decided to throw on one of the dresses that Margret gave me long ago. It just felt right that since I no longer worked as a prostitute, I should wear something more proper.

Molo on the other hoof took one of my more suggestive outfits. It was something I had gotten when drunk, and very much looked like the outfit the hookers outside were often seen in.

"Hay hay!" Molo spoke up, getting the attention of two stallions. "Does my ass look fat in this?"

Both stallions looked rather uncomfortable by the sudden cornering by a mare, shaking her flank at them. One bit the bullet, and courageously said. "Your ass is the only thing fat about you."

This got a laugh out of Molo, saying, "good answer, maybe I'll see you two later." With a wave and a wink, we were finally back on our way to get some breakfast.

"Was that necessary?" I asked her.

Molo shrugged. "I just needed to check. See if I still got it."

I rolled my eyes. "You have got it more than me, so let's not not invite stallions to try and fuck us."

"But isn't that the fun part?" The voice of Low Pressure came from our side. The pegasus was in quite a dapper outfit, it a trilby hat and three piece suit. All looked quite expensive.

"Don't tell me you already spent all your chips?" I asked him.

The stallion avoided my eye contact, finding the ceiling more interesting. "Not all of it."

"Whatever." I said with a disappointed, yet not surprised, sigh. "We're getting something to eat, want to join?

A goofy smile formed on his face. "Oh I sure can go for a snack right now."

With the chips given to us by Grizzly, we ordered the best breakfast the Ursa's Den could provide. To say the least, we weren't disappointed.

Razor razorgrain pancakes with sliced banana yucca and mutfruit baked in. Along with a wildberry syrup and a side of sweet cornbread. It was exceptionally expensive, and by Celestial it was good. Even the watermelon juice was a nice mellow sweet that helped wash it all down.

Stuffing ourselves as much as possible, I had to stop before I puked, despite how much I wanted more of it. Frankly, all three of us were so stuffed, that even I would have mistaken us as pregnant ponies.

"Oh fuck… maybe the Enclave falling was worth it." Low Pressure said, letting out a long burp. "Cloud fruit is garbage compared to this. Absolutely tasteless."

Molo chuckled weakly, then burped even louder. "Tell me about it, so many ponies thought that Celestia above had blessed us when fruit trees rained down. Then they ate your shitty cloud fruit. Still better than tato's, and some of those ponies are trying to keep those trees alive."

"Let them have em." Low said dismissively. "Truth be told, that Lightbringer did us all a favor, knocking us out of the sky. All there was to do up there was; work, sleep and fuck. You would be surprised how many affairs were going on, and then the idiots would send letters to each other. Reading them was the only real entertainment I had, other than finding a new stallion to worship my form."

"Right, your job up there was to spy on others." I commented as I rubbed my full belly.

He huffed. "No, not spying. I made sure no pony was spreading sedition. It was really important work for keeping order. Caught a few dashites too, all complaining how unfair and wrong the enclave was. Poor fools got themselves branded and exiled for it. Should have been good citizens and just kept it to themselves."

Molo rolled her eyes at him. "So you're one of those ponies. You would have fit right into old Fillydelphia. But that's all in tatters now, and you're one of us."

Low shrugged. "So I am. But other than how dirty it is here, I can't say I'm not having fun. If I play my cards right, I can go back to living a life of confort."

"Say Low, have you thought about finding your Ma and Pa?" I asked.

He let out a short laugh. "Not once. They'd expect me to do some real work if I was with them. Always busy buddies about our legacy and the social hierarchy. Probably would want me to pick a mare and produce a foal. Anyway, they were in New Cloudsdale when the Enclave fell, and last I heard, it was on tour over on the west coast."

"Any other family?" Molo then asked.

"Five sisters actually. All but High Pressure had stuck close to them. And I'll tell you, High is a real bitch. Like always stressed and angry wherever she was, or getting drunk on her favorite sparkling wine. Probably shot herself soon after the clouds fell, or got executed by one of the many ponies who hated her guts."

Well his family sounded like a lost cause.

Turning my attention to Molo, I was a bit curious about her family. "How about you, Molo, did you go looking for your family?"

Molo went silent for a bit, and then let out a long groan. "Ya, and their for the most part still the same. Though I could tell that things had gotten a lot worse under Redeye. I wouldn't be surprised that once the NCR clears out the rest of the slavers, all the Pillow Mares will cling to a stallion and leave the brothel life behind."

"How bad was it?" I then asked.

"Well, first off, they no longer were allowed to protect themselves." Molo said bitterly. "The Pillow Mare were an independent group, and should have stayed as such. But Redeye wanted to make things better, setting a better path for the future and shit. But having a gangger group of prostitutes hanging around was not in his planes you see. So he had stripped the Pillow Mares of all their power and gave them guards, all to help them. This of course led to said guards getting paid off by the slavers and all the braminshit that continues on from there. The only Pillow Mares that were left were the ones that knew how to stay under the raider and shit. Heard that my own mother got taken to the pit when she tried to cheat a slaver. Which I was not surprised to hear."

Molo loudly clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I got to say, I told you so, to their faces. But it was a hollow victory for me. And I at least got to piss on some of Redeye's shit before it got sent to the bonfire."

She then looked at me with her own question in her eyes. "What about you, Lottery, finally going home?"

I nodded. "Ya, time to take my shit and fuck off. Truthfully, I can't say it was fun. But I can say I got my fill of the wasteland for a lifetime. Now I just want to go back to my old life and pretend nothing ever happened."

"Ya, I get that." Molo said and then managed to get one more piece of pancake in her mouth, slowly chewing before she swallowed. "But are you sure you don't have one thing you want to do? Ya, you got to fuck a lifetime of stallions, but what about something else. You know, like seeing the statue of Friendship City, or helping out the NCR."

"Maybe when I first started. But now… now I'm not the mare I was before." I lamented. "I wanted adventure and romance, what I got was a nightmare, and becoming the town's wagon. If only I never met Tripwire, then maybe I would be out there, enjoying life. Or maybe I would have been caught by raiders and made a sex slave till I died."

"If I were in your boots, I would be seeking revenge. He's no Redeye, so I bet if I can find him, I could kill him." Molo boasted.

"Except nopony knows where he…" I froze, now remembering the offer Grizzly gave me.

"You okay Lottery?" Low asked.

"No… well, yes. I mean I don't know…" Taking a deep breath to collect myself, I decided to let them know. "Grizzly offered me a job. She's going to tip off Gwadina Grimfeathers about Tripwire's scheme, but my word isn't much to go on. So she wants me to get information from the one pony she knows would have information on Tripwire's whereabouts."

Molo's eyes widened with excitement. "Oh, sounds exciting. What's the catch?"

"Ya about that, Grizzly suggested I go in as a Red Light mare. Meaning I'll have to prostitute myself out one last time for the possibility to fuck Tripwire over." I explained.

Now, for some reason, Molo was looking at me seductively. "I say let's do it."

"I'm in." Low Pressure added.

This caught me off guard. "Wait, I haven't even agreed to it, so why are you two jumping aboard?"

Molo leaned forward, looking me in the eyes. "Why haven't you? Or are you in denial?"

"About what?" I asked back.

She smiled. "Wanting payback. I can read it on your face. Under all that fear and self doubt, you're smoldering with loathing. I bet a day does not go by without a thought of shooting his head off."

I again took a deep breath, and let out a long exhale to keep myself calm. "Maybe, but I'd rather just go home."

A chuckle came from Molo. "I bet, but I know you will never be rid of him in your head. He will haunt you for the rest of your days if you just run and hide."

I slammed my hoof on the table. "SO WHAT IF HE WILL!"

Molo stayed calm, a slight smirk on her muzzle. "I'm not saying to charge at his front gate and fight an army. Just to help put his demise into motion. As a friend, I'm suggesting this for you, a way you can get some closure. And maybe have some fun while you do it. Also getting some caps out of Grizzly is a nice bonus."

Calming down, the thought of at least aiding the downfall of Tripwire's ambition did sound… good. At the very least I can get some good stuff to take home with me. Maybe several grown mutfruit trees, or some extra guns. Anyways, it's not like fucking one more stallion will kill me, and maybe it will be fun. Duke Pharynx was rather handsome last I saw him.

"I don't know why I'm saying this, but alright. I'll do this job, and maybe it will be… fun. But as soon as things turn bad, were getting the fuck out if there." I told them.

Molo smiled wide, like the raccoon that got the chicken. "You know, before we go do anything, we still got some chips to spend, and my last dress got a bit messed up.

I smiled as well, feeling a bit excited for a shopping spree. Seriously, I did need to do something for myself.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Four

_______________________________________________________

As I looked down the scope, controlling my breathing, I slowly pressed down on the trigger. Through the suppressor, my rifle gave a loud snap-like sound, far quieter than the deafening bang, and less of a problem on my ears. Frankly, the sound of the bullet hitting its target was almost louder than the gun firing.

Still, it wasn't silent in the least, but it would at least not announce to everpony miles around that I was shooting a rifle.

The masking of its sound would be enough that I would get a few seconds before anypony knew they were being shot at. It might even be helpful for hunting, but then again most beasts have sharp ears.

"Soo cool!" Wiretap gushed, the older filly looking a bit odd with oversized earplugs in her ears.

Her foal napping had fortunately not affected her spirits, though she had become a bit clingy since she woke up. The event also convinced Grizzly that she should have her daughter learn how to protect herself. But right now she was just being allowed to watch ponies shoot guns. And by ponies, that was mainly me.

Pulling out a clip from one of my pockets, it has taken a lot of practice to not drop them all the time. I had thought about getting this rifle converted for magazines, as it would be easier to load, and could hold more ammo. But magazines took up more space in my jumpsuit, where the clips didn't. For now I liked just having more ammo in smaller bunches.

As I pushed the clip in, the gun loaded a bullet into the chamber as I pulled out, sheering off a small bit of my hoof. "Damnit, not again."

Wiretap chuckled. "It hungers for hooves." The brat said in a spooky tone before pointing at her horn. "Won't be a problem for me."

"You never know." I told her, then aimed down the sights once more, firing a shot and then calibrating the scope.

When I was satisfied I holster my rifle, which caused Wiretap to wine a little. "Oh come on, you're not going to let me shoot?"

I ruffled her mane with a smile. "Not today, anyways, your Ma wants you to do all the gun safety training first."

"Fine," She pouted.

Trotting over to the gun shop, Horus already had my order of ammo ready. It was the only quality ammo he had available, and plenty of bulk junk rounds he had a surplus of.

"Remember the bulk ammo will foul up your guns fast, so clean them often." Horus reminded me.

"I know, you've told me before." I reminded him.

He then smiled. "Alright, just making sure. That aside, have you decided to give your guns a name? Their custom is enough as it is, so why not. I can engrave them for you if you're interested. Free of charge, as a gift for paying off your debt."

That was an idea, even if it didn't do much for my guns, having them personalized a bit more sounded fun. "I'll give it some thought."

"You do that, good guns deserve a good name." Horus then lowered his head to mine, almost kissing me. “And don’t be shy about paying me a visit, even if you just want to talk. I will always make time for you. You can even stay with me if you so desire.”

I took a step back, blushing a bit. “Th… thanks. I’ll give that some even more serious thought.”

Even though I was free from the debt, my time as part of the Red Light still left me feeling tainted. Even then, I was sure that if I ever said yes to him, then I might never go home. He was just too good to me, and I was not good enough for him.

As I collected my things, I saw Wiretap gawking at some of the firearms on display. I hadn't been the only one restoring the old guns I found, and there they were, the guns I had sold to him were now high on the wall, above the more common 10mm guns. Horus had clearly put a lot of love and care into them, along with more skill than I had. But unlike mine they were simple polished dark wood, and clean blued steel. They had a classy charm to them.

I spied a grin on Wiretap's muzzle as she pointed at the revolvers. "You know, I'm going to be like Six Gun Red, ya."

I cocked my head. "Who?"

Wiretap smiled as she explained. "She's like one of the best Fillydelphia bounty hunters from some years ago, left the place guns blazing. Mom called her the bitch who she would never higher, on account she never took a bounty alive. Yet mom keeps a photo of her in her desk, and kisses it when she's really drunk. Six Gun Red also took out a slaver who had been pissing mom off a ton, something about stealing her property I think. Really pissed off those assholes in Fillydelphia something fierce too.

I don't know why, but I felt like I heard something like that story before.

"Sounds interesting, maybe you can tell me more about her later." I told Wiretap as I began ushering her out.

"Oh, I remembered, I heard that Six Gun Red was related to the hero of the Long Winter too. And the Winter hero also helped fight that Slaver." She excitedly spouted, sounding like my brothers after reading a comic book for the first time.

"Okay, Okay, I'm sold." I pushed her out of the store.

Outside, the mercenary, Hans, was waiting for Wiretap. It was getting late, and Grizzly didn't want Wiretap wandering around too much.

With a sigh, Wiretap trotted over to Hans, tuning to me and saying, "it's a promise right, you will come back?"

"It's a promise." I replied.

Watching the filly and griffin vanish into the crowd, I then huffed in frustration. Though I did plan on returning, I didn't plan on staying. She had grown on me over the last few weeks, so I knew I was going to miss her when I did go.

Turning the other direction, I trotted over to where Grizzly said the wagon was going to be. There I found Molo and Low waiting for me, along with three guard ponies, and eight other Red Light ponies in a wagon.

Grizzly was here and quickly trotted over to me, her face all business. "Thanks for looking after Wiretap for me. Better you than the normal wasteland riff raff. Just wish she wasn't such a pain all the time"

"She's a good filly, and reminds me of my brothers, so I don't mind." I told her, then looked over at our group. "Still seems strange that they agreed to this."

"Worse deals have been made for far less." Grizzly answered with an upbeat tone. "Pharynx will make sure they're treated like princesses, safe and well fed. The problem will be convincing them to return once the job is over. Not uncommon for mares to go native and marry a changeling. But any foals born from that are normally infernal, and tend to have health problems. So Pharynx tries to avoid that problem when he can."

I looked at her with an unsure gaze. "And your sure I have to fuck him?"

Grizzly sighed. "Trust me, it will be fun. Just do your thing and it will be over before you know it."

"Right, so nothing new." I said flatly.

A grin formed on Grizzly's muzzle, in the exact same way as her daughter does. "Just like in the Red Light Showroom. Oh and bring me back some souvenirs, I'll pay extra for something good."

Something about this still didn't sit right with me, but I had already agreed to this job. "And about my guns?"

"It's fine if all of you are armed, you are passing through the wasteland after all. Anyways, it's not like you'll get out alive if you do start shit over there." She then motioned me to join the others. "Oh, and I made sure to get you an extra special outfit for the occasion. Trust me, Duke Pharynx will love it."

Something really didn't sit right with me as I trotted to the wagon.

Rejoining my friends and soon to be former coworkers, everypony was rather casually dressed, and each with their own bag. My own had already been brought onto the wagon, along with whatever Grizzly packed in. Molo had to leave her old raider armor behind, and was given a nice armored duster.

It was already starting to get late, and our excursion to the Duchy of Cristallice Motors was going to take all night. So we were expected to get some sleep on our way there, then settle in.

With everypony ready to go, Low pulled out a deck of cards and Molo jumped in to join us. She had the second watch, so why not have fun until then.

_______________________________________________________

A bump of the wagon surd me from my sleep, waking me from a dream about pancakes, lots of pancakes. It was the first time in a long time that I didn't want to be woken up. But now that I was up, I found myself unable to go back to sleep.

Needing to stretch my legs, I hopped out of the wagon, and trotted alongside it. In the silver moonlight I saw Molo trotting along, looking neither happy or sad, just listless.

We had barely known each other, and she's already helped me so much. Without her, I probably would still be at the showroom right now, getting fucked by some drunk slob. Though my current situation isn't going to be much different, at least I was free.

Still, I wonder. Why is she wandering?

"Hay Molo." I said as I trotted up next to her.

"Sup Lottery. Can't get any sleep?" She asked me back.

"Sort of, but mostly I just need to stretch my legs." I explained.

She nodded. "Ya, I get anxious if I stay in one place for too long. Feels like if I ever stop, then I won't be able to keep going."

"You want to keep going and I want to stop, strange how that is." I softly said, then spoke a bit more clearly to her. "Molo, I know whe haven't known each other for very long, but I consider you my friend."

She gave me a small, and quite honest smile. "Thanks, friends are quite hard to come by in the wasteland, so appreciate it."

"That's why I want to know something about you." I said before asking, "why are you wandering all over the place? Why leave Gwadina's group, I'm sure you would have done well within the NCR."

She sighed, it sounded like a long struggling sorrow escaping from her. "Do you really want to know?"

"Ya, you're my friend, I want to know more about you." I answered.

Molo took in a deep breath, her eyes looking up at the moon. "So do you remember when I said I was born and raised in a brothel, and started out as a honey trap." I nodded and she continued. "Well as a honey trap, we have two jobs. One is to attract high value clients by being beautiful and clean. The second is to get impregnated by them so the others can shake them down for caps.

Raising an eyebrow, I then asked "Wait… then you have a foal?"

She nodded. "Ya, two beautiful little fillies actually. And a day didn't go by that I hoped their father would show up one day and take us to the good life. But the head of his family made sure nopony knew, and we kept our muzzles shut, so I doubt he ever knew I had his foals. Still it wasn't bad, and I loved being a mother… That was until he took them away from me."

"He… you mean Redeye, right?" I asked.

"The bastard!" Molo growled in anger. "He told us that it was for their own good, that my foals would get a better life and education with him. He didn't say it, but I read between the lines, and knew he thought he was better than us, that we were unworthy mothers. For the good of the future he said. It's all a bunch of braminshit. He just wanted to inflate his ego by brainwashing my daughters into worshiping him."

She spat at the ground, anger in her eyes. "I resisted, but Redeye's goons just beat me and took them anyway. I tried to take them back, and got another beating. When I didn't stop, I was thrown out of Fillydelphia, told that if I was seen again, it would be as a slave for the pit."

My heart ached for my friend, "That's horrible." Was all I could say.

Again she nodded. "It destroyed me, having everything I knew and loved ripped away from me. All for this greater good. There was little I could even do, I mean I never had to hunt for myself or scavenge before. And so I sold my body for scraps, and chems, which led me to the Shatter Hoof Raiders. Things didn't get much better, not at first."

"They didn't… you know?" I hesitantly asked.

"Well new recruits get thrown through the ringer. Mostly to find out if their Redeye spies or not." Molo said with a shrug. "Beatings, sucking dick, and beating other's, along with doing stupid shit wile on chems. That year was rather mad for me, and would have fallen all the way if I didn't end up with another foal."

That caught me off guard. "Wait, you got yourself pregnant with raiders, why?"

She chuckled. "It just happened, that's all. Anyways, my old instincts kicked back in and I managed to straighten myself out. If you asked my crew, they would say I became one scary bitch back then. Less messing around and more down to business. Which for a raider, is something normal ponies fear the most. Only second to the batshit crazy raiders."

Now I had to ask. "So… where is this foal, if you're here?"

Molo gave me an honest, yet sad smile. "With his father. Fortunately the little monster looks just like him, and he was one of the less crazy ones out of our crew. He was one of the Mercenaries Redeye used to take Fillydelphia, but got fucked over by the slavers who sided with the bastard. Now he's doing it again, but under Gwadina, who promises to not put slavers back in power. He also has a main squeeze who treats my son like he is one of her own. So I know he will be safe with them."

"That's actually awesome. Then your other foals, did you find them?" I further inquired.

The smile faded from her muzzle. "During the first raid, we pushed all the way to Redeye tower, aided by the alicorns who sided with the Followers of the Apocalypse. Our mission was simply to find all the foals Redeye had taken, and get them out of the warzone. Having alicorns backing you up is quite an awe inspiring feeling."

"Well we managed to get to them, and get them out of the city, but…" Molo then sighed, it was long and filled with bitter pain. "But many of the foals had already been taken away by the Cult of Unity. Including my daughter's. That's when I left, following what little information I had, which led me here."

It was a reminder that other ponies, in some way and form, have things if not just as bad, but sometimes worse then I did. Yet they, like Molo, carry on. "It must have been painful."

"Would take as a hundred beating if it meant finding them, and getting them to safety. But all I know is that the cult passed through here and then vanished." Molo clicked her tongue, visible irritation on her face as she chewed on nothing. "Sadly, there's so many fucking cults around here that I've been running in circles. Several of them worship the Goddess in some form or another."

"Ya, I met one myself." I said, remembering Angel. "When I was with Tripwire, there was one of his friends who was like that. A creepy old albino stallion with the voice of a foal."

Molo's head then snapped to me, her eyes wide. "You mean… Angel Dolly?" She asked, sounding confused.

I nodded and answered, "Ya they called him that."

Molo then growled with an intense anger. "Why is that crazy fucker is still alive!"

"What!?" I responded.

"I was told that the fucker was killed, and by a member of my crew! But why?" Molo then began to grumble, dragging her hooves on the ground as she trotted. But then she stopped and snarled formed on her face. "Wait, nooo… that bitch!"

"Can you explain to me what you're getting at?" I quietly demanded.

"A member of my crew, Catalyst, was a fool who wanted the powers of an alicorn. A real power hungry type, that had to settle for scraps. Makes a good raider so long as you beat them down now and then." Molo paused for a moment, grinding her teeth before continuing. "She always boasted about once being part of the Fillydelphia elite before Redeye, and nopony believed her. But I'm believing it now!"

The pieces were forming in my head as I started to understand what Molo was getting at. "You think Angel had your daughters?"

"It's possible, really possible." Molo said confidently, her hooves no longer dragging in the ground. "He was a devout preacher for the Goddess, so it would make sense he wouldn't just stop believing even after the Goddess's death."

She then smiled at me, wide and filled with the gritty madness of a raider. "You know what, I might help lead the hunt for Tripwire myself. If it helps me find my girls, I'll kill anypony in my way."

It was the first time I felt that Molo was truly dangerous. That if I did or said the wrong thing, she would brutalize me.

"And I'll be glad to help." I said as I slowly nodded.

It wasn't a bad idea, sending such a mad mare after Tripwire, but I didn't like that it was my friend who wanted to do it.

_______________________________________________________

The Duchy of Cristallice Motors was the same as I last saw it, with its high and well defended walls. They had a dark glint in the morning sun, as though coated with a strange substance that held the walls together.

Inside was more of the same, but with more refugees sitting about. I had also seen several ponies attempting to start new settlements alongside the road on our way here. Either making new ones from scratch, or just rebuilding from the ruins of what came before. As for the other ponies here, they seemed to be here for trading or were waiting for something.

For the ponies living here, the changelings, though I wasn't sure if it was just some of them, or all of them that were bugs. they seemed to be doing quite well, smiling as they worked.

"Well these ponies look fun." Low said, ogling the well built farm workers.

I had to admit that I did catch myself staring too. They were quite hot looking.

Actually, most of us were looking at the Duchy ponies with some lust. Though the only blunt one was Molo, saying, "I'm fucking a beefcake today."

Unloading from the wagon, we were then greeted by Lady Hearth, the mare's black and white checkered dress fitting her quite well. Unlike the last time I was here I could now see the subtle flirting she did with her body. The dress tightly hugged her hips, letting a bit of the fluff on her chest out, and the subtitle yet loud makeup that enhanced her face. It invites eyes to look at parts of her a stallion might look at for a bit too long. She would quit literally put some of the Red Light Showroom mares to shame.

"Now everypony, we have a room for you to share and get changed, I'll be directing you to it now." Lady Hearth then slowly trotted to the main building, with all of us following.

Molo nudged me. "Now that dame is a real banger. You think I could bed her?"

I cocked an eyebrow at her. "I thought you were into stallions?"

She chuckled. "It doesn't matter to me, though I do like stallions better."

Shrugging, I then told her. "Last I heard, all the ponies here are prostitutes. So just ask her."

A devious grin formed on her face. "Target set."

Shaking my head, I didn't add to the conversation, and only focused on the job at hoof. I wanted to get this over with soon.

Opening my bag, my hope for an easy time drooped. Inside was a black leather outfit, along with a whip, and cuffs. No other outfit was here, other than fishnet stockings and paints we a hole in them. Without a doubt, Grizzly wanted me to play the dominatrix here.

Looking over, everypony had more normal Red Light outfits, all except for Low. He had a toga in the Ursa's Den style, looking like a strange night sky. He filled it well, hanging off his form ever so gently, and covering just enough that I wanted to see more.

Putting on my outfit, everything was tight, but not so much as it was uncomfortable. Boots with heels, leather straps attached to a corset, a thick collar with studs, and a cap that irradiated authority. I even had several leather ties to hold my mane together. It made me feel… powerful, yet exposed. I hated that I actually liked how this felt.

Once we were ready, we gathered up to Lady Hearth, who then told us, "Alright everypony, we are not going to make you work here. We're all here to become a family, and I want everypony to get along. So please just relax at our lounge, and get to know everypony here."

I knew exactly why the eight other mares were here, though not the details of how it works. It would be very awkward if they didn't get along with the changelings if they were going to be here for a long while.

The lounge was clearly where the ponies living here relaxed, dark with minimal lighting, and a jukebox playing what I think was smooth jazz. Just like with the Dukes room, this place had the strange looking motor wagons made into places to sit. Each one had already been set up with drinks.

Low and I were led to a booth away from the others, clearly to a non breeder section of the lounge. Choosing to take up nearly all of his side of the booth, Low took an all too relaxed position. I couldn't help but admire his form as his toga covered him just enough to hide his privates, but teased exposing them. Though I had long grown used to him, it was still hard to not be entranced by him. Didn't help that I knew he was a rather good lay.

"You know, it's a shame you're only into stallion's." I told Low.

He shrugged, looking overly proud of himself. "It's not my fault I'm only into the better sex."

"Really, you're saying mares are inferior." I said with a flat and disappointed tone.

Low chuckled. "No, I mean the better, sex. Mares just don't quite get what a stallion wants, or needs. But another stallion, they can understand. Strength with tenderness that wraps you in their hooves, making you know that you're safe with them. But brutality when you want it, when you need it."

I lifted my hoof up to get him to stop. "I get it, I get it. Your just really gay. But still, and I'm just saying, it's a shame you don't give us mares a shot. Raiders notwithstanding."

This time he cocked an eyebrow. "Should I say the same thing about you and other mares, paying clients notwithstanding."

A bit of disgust pinched me, and I gave up. "Alright, sorry. Can't change who you're into. Though still a shame, so many good looking stallions turning out to be gay. You even fucked that dinner theater stallion I liked. "

Low let out a laugh. "Ya, he's a cutie. Sadly not a fun fuck though, a bit too limp hoofed. But why the interest, I thought you were done with all this… after this job I mean."

Now I shrugged. "Maybe I'm just in the mood, you know, in work mode or something. Or maybe it's that now I can go home… I don't know."

"That you want one more shot at romance. Or… you want to whore things up on your terms." Low suggested.

"Maybe a bit of both." I said, laying back and putting my hooves up to relax. "I thought I had that with Tripwire, so I guess it would have been nice to have a stallion actually love me. Not just have them throw caps at me and request I suck their dick."

"True love is definitely hard to come by." A stallion said as he sat next to me.

Remembering my role, I coldly glanced at him, saying dismissively. "Who said this seat was free? Are you so desperate for attention you will bother me like this?"

The stallion actually blushed, then began playing with his hooves nervously. "Oh, sorry my lady. I forgot my place. Is there anything I can get you?"

Now I was taken aback, but managed to not show it. Picking up the rather nice glass, and giving it to him. "A better glass, this one is garbage."

"Y… yes my lady." The stallion took the glass and hopped away. And I could swear I heard buzzing.

Looking over to Low, he already had a strong looking stallion next to him, pouring him some booze. "Tell me again how beautiful I am." Low told the pony.

"Like a cool breeze at sunset." The stallion told him.

Low didn't look pleased, "that's all? Are you saying my beauty is temporary, that I'm at the twilight of my years?"

The big stallion looked panicked. "No, never-"

"No excuses." Low interrupted. "Just get me a better pillow, this one is too hard."

Just like mine, this stallion rushed off, all too willing to comply.

Curious, I looked around, and saw similar sights with the other mares. It then clucked, all of them were the more aggressive and high maintenance mares. Remembering them from the Red Light, they were always more picky with their clients, even demanding drinks from them at times.

Actually, some of them had taught me a few things about being a dom when in the dungeon. I was starting to get the feeling that changelings were naturally subs or something.

When the stallion that had come up to me returned, he held an absolutely beautiful glass. The thing had to be made out of crystal. "Here you go my lady."

I contained my giddiness at seeing it, keeping to a more disinterested tone. "Fine, you did… adequate. Now sit."

If my guess was right, then I was going to play this role all the way through.

The stallion placed a hoof on my leg, looking me in the eyes as he said to me. "A lovely mare like you must be quite popular. A shame we rarely get to leave the base, with the raiders being more active lately. We're quite grateful for you all coming down here to give us some needed… love."

I moved his hoof off me like it was garbage, sticking to my role. "Yes, lady Grizzly had deemed you… well the Duke, worthy of our attention. You on the other hoof, don't seem worthy to trot on the ground I touch. For being so forward, I should just take you out back for punishment."

I wasn't sure if I was playing it too strong, which I had done before. But seeing the stallions barely contained excitement, I just knew I was dealing with a freak.

"Well I haven't been doing my job as well as I should. Maybe some punishment is what I need." He said, confirming my thoughts.

Then another joined us, twiddling his hooves. "I've been bad too."

I had a feeling that there were more of them figuratively buzzing around me now. As though I had flipped a switch, likely when mentioning punishment.

_______________________________________________________

The socializing went on for at least an hour. Draining for me as I had to keep up the act. But it was not that bad, as the changelings were all too willing to give into my commands and likely were able to take on far more abuse than I was doing. Truthfully, all I had been doing was insulting their performance and never acting satisfied, which seemed enough for them. But the sheer volume of them wanting Low’s and my attention was getting too much, practically swarming us.

As for the other mares who had come with us, they had one by one been taken away, and always with two ponies. I wasn’t sure if it was to do what the mares were here to do, or just to get to know their hosts better, but eventually it was just us two.

Lady Hearth had then shown up, causing the other duchy ponies to give us some space. Strangely, she was not as neat and tidy as before, being just a bit disheveled, and on the color of her dress was a smudge of lipstick, the same color Molo used. I could only guess, but I was sure Molo had gone for it.

"Duke Pharynx the Fifth would like to see you two, privately." She announced.

It was finally time to get to business, though what exactly Duke Pharynx wanted to do with me and Low, I was a bit apprehensive. Maybe I will get lucky and he just wanted to be whipped or something. At worst, he was one of those hoof worshiping freaks.

Getting up, we followed Lady Hearth out of the lounge, to the dissatisfaction of the other Duchy ponies. The room we were led to was a bit different from the one I had been taken to last time. More private, dimly lit, and with black and green curtains hanging on the walls, all looking torn up with holes. The theme here was a lot more intimidating, and very not pony-like.

Under a dim spotlight was Duke Pharynx, sitting on a velvet red couch, in a black leather jacket, and with stylish sunglasses on his muzzle. "Come in, come in, take a seat."

We did just that, both Low and I confidently sitting on either side of the Duke. It was a standard Red Light pony thing, surrounding a client when possible. It helped lock them in, and fluff up their egos if they needed a confidence boost.

"Your decorations, there on the drab side." Low commented.

"More depressing I’ll say." I added

The smile didn't fade on Pharynx's muzzle. "It was done by Pharynx the First. Something to do with his mother's natural colors. A rather dominating individual she was, and not one for style like we have today."

"It seems your underlings have a thing for dominating Individuals." I commented.

This got Pharynx to laugh. "Too true. Probably because our instincts are to be dominated. That mother I mentioned was our loved and feared queen once."

Low looked confused. "Queen?"

"Different time, different place." Pharynx said, one of his eyes now a solid purple, looking like it was made from many small segments then just one orb. "Grizzly already sent me a message about the deal, and that she might have let our secret slip. She's a lovely mare, but too loose lips when drinking. Not that it matters in this situation."

I sighed, letting out the tension. "Then I guess we both don't need to keep up the act."

There was a green flash, and now sitting beside me was a twisted black creature with purple eyes. I nearly jumped out of my skin seeing it, and Low froze in place.

"Always good to loosen up." His voice had an almost two tone to it, sounding unnatural. He then looked at me and smiled, a mouth full of fangs. "But let's not loosen too much, as we all have to play true to our roles."

Again a flash of green flames engulfed him, and his pony form returned. "And we do have a deal to make."

"Right, the deal." I said as I stretched myself up, forcing myself to calm down. "What exactly is this deal, if you don't mind me asking? You clearly aren't lacking in ponies to fuck."

"That I'm not." He said as he stretched out and took both Low and I under his hooves. "But what I am lacking are ponies that fit my tastes. Unlike my brethren, I'm burdened to want something closer to the real thing. It's just not satisfying to just be talked down to, I need somepony who can do so much more. Satisfy me, and I'll hoof over the information you and Grizzly are after."

There was a slight grin on his muzzle as he quietly said. “Oh how a scorned mare has a spice to them.”

Grate, Duke Pharynx the Fifth was probably a sadomasochist, something I had been dreading since I started the BDMS game. Then I paused, as something didn't add up. "What about Low here?"

We both looked over at him, and saw that he had found a mirror, and was checking his mane. Then he saw us looking at him and smiled. "Oh, sorry, what were you saying?'

Pharynx smiled as he looked back at me. "He has enough love for himself to feed five changelings a night. A little from him will be more than enough to fill me. Also, he's my type, stallion wise." He then placed his muzzle next to my ear, and whispered. "And I want to see how much more love he has If I'm him. I know you must be interested."

Two Low Pressures sounded like its own nightmare, but it also sounded a bit intriguing.

Shaking the thought out of my head, I then asked. "So, when do we start?"

Pharynx then pulled out an odd black crown, which had a green tint to it. "First I need you to put a few extra things on for me."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Five

_______________________________________________________

I layed in Pharynx’s bed, feeling more satisfied than I ever had in my life. It had been a strange few hours as I played the role of an arrogant, cunning and cruel queen of changelings, but it really got him going. All while two other changelings recorded it all. It seemed that we were reenacting historical moments from the changeling history, but as porn. Low even had the role of different pony leaders from long forgotten civilizations, often tricked and cast down by the changeling queen.

The Duke was quite pleased with it all, and I had to admit that it was rather fun. Though the sex at the end of each seen was a bit awkward, but not all that bad.

After that, it was simple flesh on flesh. Pharynx clearly knew how to please a mare in ways I hadn’t known I could be. I hated to admit it, but Grizzly was right, and I did enjoy this.

At some point Low had left with one of the changelings, the bug turning into Low himself. I was not surprised in the least, and truthfully, was a bit curious.

But as I layed there, the sound of clicks and soft voices, along with a light caught my attention. Looking around, I saw a changeling sitting in a chair, watching a large terminal screen that had been obstructed by curtains before. Moving on the screen was… me.

Shocked and curious, I wobbled over to the lone changeling. There I was, on the screen, dressed as the queen and berating Shrimp. "Wow… I actually look good?"

“I worked hard getting your makeup just right. I wanted you to be at your best, lady Lotter. Now I'm editing the holo vid to make it all smooth.” the changeling meekly said.

The bug seemed strangely familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place my hoof on it.

“Can you explain to me, was this… all this, necessary?” I asked.

“Well… no. I don’t think so.” the changeling nervously admitted. “But Pharynx the fifth loves his movies, and loves seeing actors at play. We even have a collection of wartime movies that has a half changing actor in it, there's even a signed photo of the actor and Pharynx the first in our vault. Pharynx the Fifth says that such video's have the true spirit of a changeling, even when not played by changelings. Them being able to play roles alien to them, and convincing the audience it's true. He thinks making our own will help remind us of who we are. But I think he just has a fetish for fucking on Camira.”

He then pointed to several holotapes next to a terminal. “So far you're the tenth mare to be here for this. One of which is Miss Grizzly when she was younger and Pharynx the Fifth first took over. We can watch that if you're interested?"

I shook my head and looked up at the large screen. The scene started where Pharynx began mounting Low as I stood by. It was still awkward now, seeing it through a screen.

“I think seeing myself on that is weird enough for me. I would rather not see my old boss getting it one with another mare. Was it with another mare?” I told the changeling.

He nodded. "Technically, Grizzly and Pharynx were dating at the time, despite her engagement with Tripwire. I think he stayed in female form most of the time back then. The two have been on and off for years actually."

I tried to imagine it, but the idea of a female Pharynx and Grizzly was a major turnoff, causing me to shiver.

He nodded and pulled out a folder. “Fair enough, I prefer seeing you anyways. Oh and the Duke left me the documents you wanted. Said it was a fair trade all considered.”

Taking the documents, I looked at them, knowing I couldn't read what was inside. "I have a question. Why let me have this? Didn't the duke have a deal with Tripwire? "

"He had a debt to the Duke. Now paid in full. But we're not going to just stay ignorant to his plans. Our kind will play along so long as it suits us, and not for the whims of a wannabe dictator. Or so what the Duke has told us. I mean, we have one queen, and nothing can replace her." He explained.

“That’s good to know, with what Tripwire is planning and all.” I said to him, “By the way, where is Pharynx?”

I could swear the bug somehow rolled his eyes despite having no pupils. “Picking a mare, as his right to have one of his own from the tribute.” He then looked at me, and I was certain I knew him from somewhere. “I’m glad you're not here for that, as I know the Duke would have chosen you to incubate his young.”

Letting out a sigh, and knowing I was not going to like the answer, I asked the big question. “Okay, what exactly are those mares doing?”

“Right, it’s not necessary for you to know, for our safety I think.” He said calmly, then explained. “From what I know how we should work, our queen would implant fertile eggs into our females and the males would fertilize them. But because we have no queen, or substitute female, that's impossible. But, though it may be a mutation, our females can implanted an egg into another creature and have it be fertile. Don’t ask how my ancestors figured it out, it's not a good story, but now we do our best to have a good relationship with Ursa's Rest for access to willing hosts. Though it also has the chance of producing cross breeds if the host's own egg gets fertilized. This is why the Red Light mares have been chosen for this, as they either know their cycle, or are on contraceptives. It also helps that one of Grizzly's ancestors is Pharynx the second."

"Seriously?" I blurted out.

He nodded again. "Something about stopping her ancestors and ours from wiping each other out."

“Wow… heavy stuff.” was all I could say as I really tried to not think about how this practice started. I mean it could have something more innocent, but I had a feeling that it was likely anything but. Still, the fact they have volunteers for this was a bit heart warming. Ponies helping another creature to further exist.

I was also suspecting something from this changeling as well. As though he was looking at me all too softly. “Hmmm… I think you want to take me like that.” I said with suspicion in my voice.

The bug actually blushed, somehow “I ahh… no... well maybe... But I would never do that Lady Lottery. I mean, I don’t have a partner over here to do that with.”

That was it, he called me Lady Lottery. I only knew one pony that called me that. “Shrimp… is that you?”

The changeling fell out of his chair in surprise. “H… how!?”

I sighed. “You're the only one who calls me Lady. Most others just called me bitch, ho, or the occasional Mistress.”

Shrimp collected himself and returned to his seat. With a flash of green flame, he turned into a lanky orange stallion with a pail green mane. This was the form I knew Shrimp as. “S… sorry for deceiving you.”

Rolling my eyes I reached out and pulled him into me, looking up at the screen. On it I was getting fucked by both Pharynx and Low, the lighting for it was just right. “Don’t apologize. Out of all the stallions that spent money to be with me, you were at least the most decent. I mean, you at least washed yourself before seeing me.”

“Ya, It’s not as fun when your partner is dirty like that.” He said in a knowing tone. “Anyways, I felt that you had it rough enough, so the least I could do was help you in the best way I could.”

“So I’m guessing you were following me… because of Tripwire?” I asked.

He nodded. “Pharynx never trusted him, and when he vanished off the map, we were assigned to follow any of his last known contacts. It was a nice change for me, not having to keep an eye on raiders as a raider anymore. But the more I watched you, the more I… I don’t know.”

I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for caring about me. And you did help me, in your own little way. Pathetic as it was.”

Shrimp looked away, and up at the porn of me, clearly having enjoyed that little dig at him. “So… about the document. You want me to explain it for you?” he asked.

I was unsure, as I didn’t plan on going any further then I was now, but my curiosity took hold of me. “Pleas do.”

Shrimp then passed me a photo. On it was Onyx, and next to her was Bandsaw. "Just to let you know, if you, or anypony chooses to follow the leads in the document, you're dealing with some mean mares. From what our spies have found, Onyx is filtering out raiders that can be retrained, from those who are too far gone. Right now, her base of operations is quite literally a massive raider den. It'll take an army to clear them out, or some real crazy ponies."

Looking at the photo of Onyx, the memory of what she did to me came flooding back. But I managed to contain myself.

"She's been getting help from several raider bosses and Balefire Fiend agents." He then pointed at the image of Bandsaw. "Among the most active and elusive is the Balefire Fiend agent Bandsaw, who's been very active for the last month bringing in all the smaller raider tribes and clans. We suspect that the Fiends are planning on backstabbing Tripwire, as they're known to do, but it's unknown who would be worse in the long run."

That concerns me too, but it was not like it was my problem anymore.

A moan from the screen then caught my attention. On it I was riding Pharynx, letting out the very real moans of plaster "th… that's what I sound like." I said in embarrassment.

Shrimp smiled. “You have a very cute voice when you're not acting.”

Placing the photo into the folder I put it to the side. “Well… thanks I guess. But I think it’s time I should get going, now that this deal is done.”

Gently, Shrimp then held onto my hoof. “I know, and you don’t have to stay, but… well I want you to stick around, even if only for a little bit longer.”

My eyes wandered to the screen again, where I had been laid out on a bed leaking fluid as I breathed heavily. Maybe some alone time with Shrimp wasn't a bad idea. “Alright, but no crying in my lap.”

_______________________________________________________

Time had quickly passed with Shrimp, with him not needing to keep up his own act, so I got the full changeling experience. At some point it became a photo shoot, where Shrimp and I took several souvenir pictures of us together. Some innocent, others I would keep to myself.

Looking at the more provocative photos of myself, it being more porn than anything, I was sure of something now. I actually liked seeing myself like that, in fancy outfits and with a stallion. I mean, I looked good. Like the mares from the magazines… but having sex.

Wanting something far cleaner, something I could take home with me, Shrimp said he could arrange a more normal photo shoot, along with more decent dresses. It was enough to make me giddy, finally getting to actually be like the mares from the past.

Soon after I returned to the lounge, being served coffee and some snacks. Low yawn, seemingly less satisfied than I was. "You alright?" I asked him.

The Pegasus shrugged. "I'm fine, it's just… these ponies lack that spark, you know, a bit too willing to please."

I cocked my eyebrow. "I thought you love it when ponies kiss your hooves?"

"I do, I do. But there's also the thrill of getting a stallion wrapped around your hoof. Seeing them question themselves, and then giving into the truth of my beauty. Sometimes they're angry about it, other times sad, most commonly they are relieved and full of life." Low then rolled his eyes. "These ponies are just hungry. They're good, I mean damn good, but no real passion, just hunger. No giving back the love, just taking."

I sipped the bitter dark brown liquid. "I think I understand. I did feel drained after the Duke was done with me. Even a bit weird when he stopped pretending, and I was just getting pumped by a bi black bug-like pony. But Shrimp wasn’t bad, a lot more tender than Pharynx.”

“Wait, your regular is actually a changeling?” Low said in shock.

I nodded and passed him a few photos. “He's actually a bit cute when you get used to the bug part.”

Looking through the photos, Low then grinned as he pulled out for a closer look. “Probably helps when he has a big dick, I can even see a bulge in you.”

I quickly took the photos back, my face flushed with embarrassment. “So what if I asked him to do that, you can't have all the good fun. Anyways, where did you go with your doppelganger?”

Low then laughed. “To and orgy, fun times, sad you missed it." He said with another sigh. "Almost reminded me of back home."

"Ya… I rather not go into another sex pit." the last thing I needed was to accidentally get implanted with eggs or something. Sticking with Shrimp was good enough for me.

Taking another sip, and feeling some energy return to me, a heavy flop then hit the seat next to me as an exhausted Molo appeared. She took my coffee and finished it off herself, visibly cringing as it went down. "Fuck that’s bitter."

"What happened to you?" I asked her.

She gave a quiet laugh. "Joined the fun, I mean they offered. Some bitch thought she was better than me, and well, we made a competition out of it. Low can attest to that. But where were you?"

Now I sighed. "Private session with the Duke. I can explain later."

Low then laughed. “She's got photos.”

I shot him an annoyed glare, but Low didn’t care.

"Nice, that sounds really spicy. Can I see?" Molo asked.

With a defeated sight, I hoofed over the photos I had.

Molo licked her lips as she looked through them. “Now this is some good shit, I even love how you got freckles down there, really cute in a sexy way.” She said with a smile. but then dropped it, looking a bit more serious as she gave the photos back to me. "So did you get the information?"

I nodded and brought out the folder. "Sadly they only know where Onyx's location is."

Molo took the documents and quickly flipped through them with a stern look on her face. "Lots of annoyingly big words, some maps and photo's. Oh, that's some nasty raiders she's got herself. Smelters and Brain Nails we already know about, several small time groups, but the Smiles and the Murder Ballers. That's not good."

Molo then pulled out two photos that were clearly raider totems. One was of the pink smiling pony from the old posters, but one of her eyes were "X" put, and a bullseye in the other. The second raider totem was of some crude helmet, it having a spiked mohawk and inside it an angry looking ball of some sort.

Molo pointed at the smiling poster then explained. "The Smiles used to live in Fillydelphia, before Redeye got rid of them. They took a real shine to Ministry Mare Pinkie Pie. Something about fun fun fun. Simply put, they're all about chasing a high, and doing whatever they want. Unfortunately they really like to have fun together, and like to drag others along. Simply put, there are a large group of crazies who follow any pony willing to take them to the next party. Wildly unpredictable, and always stick to their group."

She then pointed at the Murder Ballers. "Also a Fillydelphia Raider gang that got kicked out by Redeye. They lived in the old buckball stadium, and still play the game too… though with more deadly gusto. Most of them are Buck addicts, the chem helping them bulk out, but also making them angry all the time. They are also, and unfortunately, extremely organized for raiders. From what I heard, they even gave Redeye's mercenaries a run for their caps, but in the end, Redeye won the game."

"They sound… terrifying." I said, trying to wrap my mind around the idea of organized raiders.

"Ya, it's not a good sign." Molo huffed, then pulled out the photos for the other readers. "Add the fire obsessed Smelters to the mix, and pad the numbers with smaller groups under the control of the Balefire Fiends and you have an army. An army who's not going to listen to anypony, but still an army."

I shook my head, remembering what I had learned from my time with Tripwire. "No, they will do as Tripwire says, he will make them. He mentioned using the mesmetron on raiders, reforming them for a greater purpose."

Molo then frowned "That sounds bad. If you can get raiders to be an effective fighting force, then you have ponies who can tear through most problems. All you need to do is see what Gwadina had done with the Shatter Hoof Raiders to get the idea."

Low then pointed at one photo, concern on his face. "Hey, that's not a raider symbol." The symbol itself was a strange "X" connected to a small circle in the middle, with three skulls in between the top and side arms and below was the letters "E.P.S."

It did look familiar to me.

"That's the Enclave Punitive Strikeforce." Low explained.

We both then looked at Low with great concern.

He then further explained. "Ya, a propeller with three skulls on the side and top, and the initials below. They're the ones who hunt down traitors and terrorists before they could harm the Enclave. Met them on a few occasions, after finding a rather seditious letter you see. They're no nonsense and rather scary, the kind of no fun ponies that I hate."

Molo clicked her tongue. "Well that rules out dropping rocks on them. If Onyx got flyers, it's going to make things really difficult."

"You're still planning on going?!" I asked, my voice filled with concern.

Her smile returned. "Yep. But clearly not alone, the Smelters are going to be on the lookout for me. But it shouldn't be hard to keep a low profile, as I was a raider after all."

"Well I don't like it. It's too dangerous, you shouldn't go." I told her.

She sneered at me. "Well it ain't your concern, Lottery."

"Still, you shouldn't go, it's a death trap!" I more sternly insisted.

"I know that, but I'm going anyway!" She said back, sounding annoyed. "Anyways, ain't you going home after this. And frankly, you should, I imagine your parents are worried sick about you. By Tartarus if I were you, I'd find myself a good honest stallion, and drag him home with me. Possibly getting knocked up along the way."

"Not many good or honest stallions out there." I grumbled, feeling confused by the change of topic.

Molo laughed at me. "You don't find good honest stallions in a brothel. You're more likely to just get knocked up, which works just as well, all things considered." She then smiled at Low. "Say, you wouldn't mind knocking her up."

Low looked nervous as he slowly shrugged. "Well if she wanted, but stallions are my thing."

Looking back at me, with a half smile half scowl. "There you go, bang the pretty colt, what do you say."

I glared at Molo as hard as I could. "I don't want to get pregnant, or sleep with my friend!"

She then gave a long sigh, speaking calmly. "Then don't tell me what to do. I ain't controlling your life, and you're not controlling mine. Lottery, I've been doing all this far longer than you. The abuse you've suffered, been there, the humiliation thrown on you, done that. But you have a family to return to, a real proper family. Just leave the wasteland behind, and never look back."

I felt myself figuratively deflate, unable to argue. It wasn't my fight anymore, I've done all I could do and more. I just needed to collect my prize and finally go home.

"All I wanted was an adventure." I whimpered out. "Find some dashing stallion, maybe some romance."

"There, there." Molo began patting me on the back. "At least you had some fun. Maybe not the story you can tell to your family, but I'm sure they're not going to care if you say nothing."

"Ya…" I said with a nod. "Not the fun I expected. Though it took awhile to stop crying about it."

She then poked me with her elbow. "That's the spirit. Say, we got until tomorrow, why don't we have some more fun. Heard that the locals got a small celebration planned, a bonfire, dancing, and other stuff later. Whoever brings in a good hunt gets to sit center stage."

I guessed it would help distract me. "Alright, and… Sorry for telling you not to go. I just didn't like the Idea of my friend getting hurt… or worse."

Molo laughed. "Been a long time since a pony gave two shits about me like that. Almost forgot how it felt. I guess I was just being a bitch about it." She then whispered into my ear. "Though you should grab yourself a stallion. A pretty and young mare like you, it should be easy."

I gently pushed her away, and told her. "I would rather not push my luck."

After we spent some time recovering, the day went on rather quickly. A bit of shopping, a little bit of hunting, and returning before night fell.

I don't know why, but I had decided to get some earrings that were just decorated screws. It was engraved with small wrenches, and polished to a brilliant shine. They weren't sexy, or all that pretty, but I found them cute, and more… me. It helped me feel less like a sex worker, and more like a pony that doesn't do that kind of stuff.

I also purchased some other accessories from the Duchy, nothing special, just some patches for sewing onto my clothes and such. I even finally replaced my junk saddlebag, getting a rather nice leather bag that counterbalances my holsters and ammo pouch.

Unfortunately my hunt wasn't that successful. Not enough time, and I didn't know the area well. Snagged a few geckos, but some older hunter dragged in a radigator. Oh how I would have loved to get my hooves on the hide of that massive lizard. But the Duchy gladly took my catch, adding it to the cooking pot.

As the sun began to set, the ponies of the Duchy started a bonfire. Many of them painted themselves with ritualistic markings. As I had contributed, I two got painted up, and even was given a checked dress. The dress was rather cute, and I was happy to hear that I could keep it.

The hero of the hunt got a place of honor as others performed a half play half dance of their history. Because I knew they were changelings, I could see the subtext of their story, as they disguise their shapeshifting powers as skilled acts of gile. They used their skill to drive early raiders and other mutant monsters from their home as they built their walls. The performance ended with some sort of fertility ritual, where the mares I had come here with were carted out, all beautifully dressed up and panted. It was clear that they will be treasured here for their stay, so I just stopped worrying about them.

It was rather fascinating to learn some of their history. It was even more interesting to see how they wove the idea of free love into their culture. They can freely love because they were ever vigilant of danger. Though I was sure the truth was that they only protected this area because they needed ponies to feed off of. Still it was a nice thought.

A cup was then levitated to me, held by Shrimp. "Enjoying yourself?" He asked.

I nodded. "You all clearly worked hard to make a safe place for yourselves." Taking the drink, I sipped it, finding it to be a warm and rather sweet alcohol.

"That we did." He said cheerfully. "And I hope things never change. Or at least not change while I live."

"Peace is good, though some change is good too." I said, breathing in the fumes of the drink. "What is this, it’s really good?"

He laughed. "It’s nectar wine, we only bring it out for occasions like this. It helps set the mood for the surrogate mothers."

I took another sip, its warmth flowing through me. "But why give it out to me?"

Shrimp chuckled as he sat down next to me. "It helps ponies relax, clears their minds, and the mild aphrodisiac gets them in the mood."

Now I looked at the drink, feeling a bit conflicted. It wouldn't have been my first aphrodisiac, something the Red Light would give me during my first week. But I was free from all that now.

"Oh well" I said with a sigh and sipped the drink again. "Pretty devious of your kind."

"It's what we do." Shrimp said with a chuckle. "Anyways, there's no harm done. Ponies enjoy themselves and we can just take in the love from the air."

He wasn't wrong. Most of the ponies looked to be enjoying themselves. Molo was dancing and Low was chatting up a rather good looking stallion. Everypony seems to have a smile on their face.

"It's nice. Just being able to forget your worries like this. Pretend that everything is fine, and pretend that horrible things aren't out there." I said listlessly.

"It helps keep ponies sane to pretend. Even the strongest steel beam will break if bent enough." Shrimp said to me, then sighed. “I actually wanted to bring you some nectar wine not long after I started watching you. It’s good for ponies that are troubled and conflicted, it helps them reorganize their thoughts. I was sure that if you had some, it would help you stop blaming yourself.”

I took another sip, feeling a lot more relaxed. “You think I was blaming myself?”

“It… just happens.” Shrimp said nervously. “I did for a time, after I started my duty as a scout. Had to blend in with the raiders, and so, acted like them. Did some bad stuff, and had even worse done to me.”

"How bad are we talking about?" I asked, feeling curious.

He laughed. "I poorly chose to impersonate a raider boss's favorite mare. Got the info I wanted, but let's just say it was through the kind BDMS play only crazy ponies would love. Had to take a month off to recover after that."

Shrimp then pointed to Molo as she danced by the bonfire. "She clearly knows this well too. So much fear and hate in her, yet she forces herself to smile. She must have come to understand that even though what happened to her was not her, it was also partly her fault at the same time. Through understanding that she is able to find some happiness for herself."

He then looked at me. "Your similar, though right now you hate and shame yourself more than you should. I just want you to be free from that."

“And you know all this, how?” I asked.

Shrimp looked over at a crowd of ponies, dancing to a drum beat. "When you spend your life observing others, copying them, you learn to understand them. Eventually you become able to see the trauma in a pony, even if it's from years back. Then you realize that by just living in the wasteland, that everypony becomes traumatized."

I then held myself closer. "And what do you see in me?"

He looked deeply into my eyes. "A few things. Guilt from not being able to save somepony. A slight fear from seeing something nightmarish. Then there’s how, even when you're close with others, your heart is still closed off, a clear sign of betrayal and self loathing. But most concerning was how you protect yourself through acquiring a more aggressive appetite."

"My… appetite?" I asked.

Shrimp nodded. "To be more clear, it's your sexual behavior. As you have experienced, the wasteland rarely gives a pony the time to properly recover. So in most cases, when a pony is raped, they simply have to just keep going on like nothing happened. The ones who break down often don't live long if they don't have support. Most just carry on, already hardened to the cruelty of the wasteland. But some ponies get aggressive, which can lead to some poor decisions."

I must have been the drink in me, as I didn't feel like shutting Shrimp down. I didn't want to talk about it, but I also wanted him to keep talking. "Like becoming a whore. That wasn't my choice," I said in a calm tone.

"On some level, yes." Shrimp said as he pulled out a photo of me, passing it to me. It was one of the more tasteful ones, no sex or suggestive poses, just us having a bit of fun. "You're clearly a good honest pony, not the kind to get into the sex business, even if its the best option for getting paid. But trauma will do that to a pony if left untreated. Weakens their resolve, twists their morals, and wrecks their self worth. For some it's a slow burn, others a quick descent into madness. Made worse if chems and booze are involved. Seen it with raiders, with how they destroy themselves just so that they don’t feel that pain again."

I raised an eyebrow at Shrimp, a bit concerned at what he was suggesting, yet still feeling calm. "You mean going raider, that I could be going crazy?"

He shook his head. "You're not quite the type. Well not for the quick descent at least, but it's there. Though you were pushed into the role of a prostitute, you were quite aggressive in taking clients once you got used to it."

That sounded right. "I was desperate to make money, to free myself, so of course I threw myself into it. Even if I wanted to puke, I did all sorts of things I'm not proud of. So what if I started dragging some clients to the private rooms, and doing what I wanted, it meant I was in charge. It meant I had control. I was held by a contract, what was I supposed to do, argue with Grizzly for a better deal… oh" I then downed the rest of the nectar wine.

Realization hit me like a wagon. What Grizzly had me do was wrong, but I had just let her do it. All that time wallowing in self pity and sucking dick, I could have done something else. Grizzly had offered me to take the odd jobs, even told me that it paid real well, though dangerous to do. But no, I took the easy and safe money, then let myself become some aggressive cocksleave.

Taking a deep breath, I then chucked. "Wow I'm pathetic. Not that I didn't already know this, but now I see that I could have done anything else to improve my situation."

"Knowing is half the battle." Shrimp said as he pulled out a bottle and poured me a bit more nectar wine. "Unfortunately the other half is inescapable violence."

"Oh so much violence." I said with a smile.

We both laughed, and with the laughter my shoulders felt… lighter.

I think it was the wine affecting me, but I didn't care right now. I needed to scratch an itch, and step on some ponies. Maybe I had become messed up, but at least I was more in control of myself… or at least I hoped I was.

“So do you have that photoshoot ready?” I asked Shrimp while giving him a seductive look.

He then looked a bit nervous. “Ya, but Pharynx decided to make the booth part of the private party for later. So we will need to share it.”

I shrugged. “That might be fun, it’s not like all your parties end in an orgy or something.”

“Well actually, this one will most likely have one. With everypony drinking the nectar wine, they need to be pushed somewhere privet before they start having sex in the open.” Shrimp admitted.

I thought about it for a moment, and decided that I clearly didn’t care right now. “Whatever, let's just get those photos taken, and deal with the others when it happens. I just really want to put on some sexy dresses.”

“Should we invite your friends then?” he asked.

I gave the changeling a kiss, “Why not, I want something to remember everypony by.”

_______________________________________________________

The far more empty wagon back to Ursa's Rest bounced about on the uneven road. Molo, Low and I were quite tired, and we all had beardly hidden smiles on our faces. It was clearly a day to remember for all of us, and we all had souvenirs to return with.

I had my photos and earrings, along with my patches and new saddlebag. I also got a small bottle of nectar wine for Grizzly and a Chrysalis motors gun holster for Wiretap. As for Low, he got himself a new tunic that was checkered. Molo simply bought a bunch of sweet food and had already eaten most of it.

Looking at the photos, I literally looked like the mares from the old magazines, stylish and strong. I even had one in a picture frame of Molo, Low, Shrimp and I together, all looking right out of the old world. It almost made me cry looking at it. I know Ma would love to see it. As for the other photos of me and Shrimp… I still didn’t know what to do with them. For now I’ll hold onto them, and think up a way to make sure my family never sees them.

Oddly, the few photos I had of Shrimp in his true form, his wings had quite a beautiful sparkle to it, something I know Pharynx didn’t have in his true state. Maybe Shrimp was just different, as it was not so draining to be around him as it was around the other changelings.

Across from me was a rather sick looking Low Pressure, having had one to many drinks. He was quite a popular pony all day, always with a stallion or two. From what Shrimp told me, narcissists are to changelings like a flame is to a moth. So likely he was drained dry.

Molo on the other hoof just looked tired, and had fallen asleep as soon as she got into the cart. Between dancing her heart out, and jumping from one partner to the next, I was just amazed that she had so much energy.

But now it was all over, I had the documents, and no reason to stay once I picked up my pay. And thanks to Shrimp and Molo, I felt a bit more at peace with myself, as strange as it sounds. Molo helped pull me out of my rut, and Shrimp finally got my head on straight.

It's not like things are fine now, I know that will take time. But now I understand that I had been in control this entire time. My mistake was giving my control over to others. Since the mule Daral, I had been just letting myself be manipulated and used. And it pississes me off.

Half of my anger was at myself for letting it all happen, and the other half was at those who used me. Ma and Pa were completely right about not going out here, but at least I was alive.

Looking at Molo, I still couldn't help but worry for her. She was planning to dive into a raider nest to steal whatever Onyx knows. I'm sure that if any pony could do it, it was an ex-raider. Still, I worried.

But like she told me, It wasn't my problem anymore. It was not my place to tell her what to do, as it was not her place to do the same to me. In the end we were to go our separate ways and we must wish each other luck.

It reminded me of Spell Circuit, and how we parted. I had invited him to stay with me for a night, worried about being alone, yet he turned me down. Then he invited me to join him, but I turned him down. How could things have changed if I had taken his hoof at that time, or forced him to stay with me. Surely not selling my body for caps, he at least might have helped me with that contract.

How would Wiretap have reacted to meeting her uncle?

All thoughts that left me conflicted, and a clear sign that I had indeed, fucked up. A hundred and one ways to not end up a whore, and I just kept my head down and let others choose for me. No wonder I ended up sucking dick every day. But those days are over, and now I am not going to just do what others tell me. If I was going to be free from all that had happened to me, I needed to start taking responsibility for myself.

But that was all easy to say to myself, I was leaving the wasteland after all.

Yawning, everything that I had done was quickly catching up to me, even after having had a rest. Likely because of the changelings, and how they actually feed on love, which was still a mystery to me.

As my eyes grew heavy, my thoughts then drifted to what dreams I'll have. Was it going to be fun dreams, or a horrible nightmare. Either way, I knew I hadn't drank enough to not have them.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Six

_______________________________________________________

Content warning: this chapter has sensitive and graphic content involving drug use, death, and rape.

_______________________________________________________

My hoofsteps echoed as I ran, and like before I went nowhere. Vile laughter grew closer, gitty at the opportunity to violate me again.

I've been here before, and suffered being caught, so why do I keep running? I knew why, it was why I always ran, even as those vile voices got worse every time they caught me. The taste and the feeling of them, I remembered it well and hated it. And I hated that if I ever gave up, then they would never let me go.

Somehow I knew if I gave up, the nightmare would then start not with me running, but with me submitting. Then what? Would I be trapped in that horror, doomed to be a tormented play thing. Would I learn to enjoy it, twisted into a pet of cruel forces? Or maybe I'd become one of them, forcing others to endure the same pain and humiliation I went through.

All were horrendous thoughts, and none I wanted to become.

I tried to scream for help, any help, but no sound would come from me, but still I tried.

But I then saw something… a blue flame drawing my attention to a door? A rather nice looking door painted white. Somehow I managed to run to this door, opening and jumping in before the voices had caught me. Having slammed it shut, I saw a lock and turned it, then hoped it would hold.

With a bang, the door bent and bounced back, the vile things on the other side now desperately trying to turn the nob as they spoke vile things to me. "Open the doors and your legs." "Let us in, let us in you." "It's fun, your screams are music." "You know you like it, why else did your body climax when he forced himself on you."

Again they laughed, then began describing my rape in detail, reminding me of it all. Sitting behind the door, holding my ears shut with my hooves and crying. But it didn't help, I could hear it all.

Will-o-Wisp then danced in front of me, its pale blue light somehow calming me. Then I realized that this was the first time I tried to call for help.

I then reached out and let the little flame dance on my hoof. Its heat didn't burn, but it did tickle a little. "Did you come to help me?"

It danced a little more on my hoof, causing me to laugh a little. I was then interrupted by the vile voices, now screaming and howling, desperately trying to get in. They seemed pathetically panicked, causing me to now laugh at them.

Strangely, the more I laughed, the worse they got. But I was not afraid anymore, it was my dream after all, why was I letting them torment me. I held power here, not them. Eventually they just stopped, and only my own laughter remained.

It took me a long moment to calm down and actually look around. Where I found myself was a place that looked a lot like the Red Light's private rooms. Strange and disturbing sounds coming from them. I myself was in something much like the uniform there, but far more stylish and not made for easy access for clients. Similar to a dancer's dress, lots of frills and one back leg uncovered to show my stockings.

I had to admit it, but the dancers at the Ursa's Den were quite beautiful, and I had wanted to own a dress like that of my own. Having one like it now on me, though in a dream, felt right. I felt like a proper mare, similar to the strong mares from the old movies, and not some cheap whore.

Feeling compelled to investigate, I trotted to the first door and opened it, expecting something strange. I was surprised to see myself in front of the big place where I met the mule. Daral was there with his robot, the mule clearly suffering from a hangover, where I looked just fine. Somehow I knew, that night I didn't drink, or at least didn't drink much, resulting in Daral drinking more. That night we talked, and just that. No sex, no being robbed in the night, and now we parted, to go our own ways.

I hadn't made my first mistake in the wasteland in this room. Likely able to make it all the way to the Duchy without ever meeting Tripwire.

Seeing myself still with eyes filled with wonder, it hurt me. I wanted to be able to see the world like that again, wanted to just go put there and not think somepony is going to use me, abuse me, and then throw me away.

I then went to the next door, to see how else things might have been If I was not so stupid. What I then saw caused me to stumble back in shock. Blood and gore splattered the walls and floor as two armored feral ghouls ripped into me. My own lifeless corpse stared at me as the ghouls feasted like animals.

Here I had not heeded Tripwire's warning, and trotted inside the radiation filled bunker. There the two guard feral ghouls attacked, and my weapons were useless to save me.

Running from that door, I felt compelled to open the next. I hoped it was something less horrifying. In it, I was having fun with a Duchy pony in a private room. The experience was new, and all so addictive. I wanted to stick around, earn some caps, and have a bit more fun.

Moving to another door, there I was, being raped by the Brain Nails after wanting to cross without anything to trade. They had not let me just leave, insisting I could work off the fee. Now I was tied up in a painful looking position as the stallion took turns with me, the only thing telling me how long it had been was the tallies carved into my flesh. My current rapist had a spiked piercing on his dick, and went in deep.

Seeing myself like that, Bandsaw standing over me, her wicked eyes watching. She then whispered, "a healthy mare like you will definitely breed some strong foals."

I wretched, all too glad that in this dream I had no food in me to puke. But I knew this must have been how that mare must have felt, the one I abandoned with the Brain Nails.

Hesitantly I opened another door, and it showed me in a combat uniform. I stood next to the red stallion, Dynamite he said his name was, who was heading to Fillydelphia on top of a bulldozer. A fight was raging on and I was going to be part of it, shooting at slavers who stubbornly held onto their peace of the city.

At the next door I gasped at seeing myself be set upon by the Corps Dancers raiders. Having screamed in pain at stepping on the bear trap, the female raider saw me and knocked me down before I could draw my rifle. Now I had been dragged next to Chilly, beartrap still stuck to my leg, and being used. Somehow I could feel the pain in my leg and the raider thrusting into me, just like with the other raiders, spike studs digging into my insides, cutting me as I screamed in pain.

Another door showed me trading my hunts to an Ursa's Rest merchant, having settled into life in the wasteland. A second door showed me strung out and whoring myself off on a back alley for chem money, clearly pregnant and sick. The door after that showed a gecko feeding on my corpse.

I hesitated at the next door, a lovely warmth coming from it. Opening it I saw myself next to Horus, I was visibly pregnant and happy. In between us was a griffon with a pony back half, who looked a lot like me. We were inside a machine shop, with many guns waiting to be finished, where they would help ponies protect themselves.

Looking at it I began to cry, as it was too good for me. Forcing it shut, I moved on

Then I came to the last door in the hallway, it battered and covered in frost. Fear crept me like a cold vice, somehow I just knew that this door was my true fate, yet no longer true. Just touching the knob filled me with dread, but I opened it all the same. There, in this room, I stood on top of a pile of frozen corpses, in front of the mound maker. Frost covered my face and my breath having become all so weak. Slowly and painfully I died there, trapped in a nightmare completely unable to save myself.

I slowly trotted backwards, seeing my body added to the mound. Becoming part of an undead horror.

Letting the door close, I moved on, entering a room with three doors before me, each with a symbol on them. One had a spiked collar on it, the second an axe, and the third an empty bag.

Opening the one with the empty bag, I found myself trotting through the wasteland, alone and crying. I had managed to make it out of the cursed lands without a way to protect myself. Sustaining myself from what the wasteland could provide, all while avoiding the dangerous wildlife. I was alive and well, but the betrayal hurt hard, filling me with rage. Things played out like before, Grizzly calling me in, suggesting working at the Red Light. But I argued and threatened, more angry then self loathing, and making a pain of myself to her. Working the odd jobs, I earned enough to buy a new gun and start hunting, and then honed my skills as I paid off the debt. I still had my pride, though I was still set on going home, but the idea of revenge burned within me, though it faded day by day.

The door with the spiked collar then opened, and I saw myself in bed with Tripwire. My clothes looked much darker and dangerous as we fucked. In helping him I lost myself, burning the good pony I was in the pursuit of love. Murder and enslavement of others was common for me now as I became his shadow enforcer. Dangerous with a gun because of Grinder's training, and a seductress from Onyx instructions. I had become what I hated the most, another mad slaver. Through a window I could see a floating blimp, on it were massive mezmetrons broadcasting their spell.

Then the door with the axe on it cracked open, and a shadow of a foal poked their head out. "S… sorry…" it said in a darkly wispy tone.

I tilted my head. "Why?"

The door opened all the way, and I saw myself staring down Tripwire, deciding if I should go with him or leave. At my hooves the cursed axe materialized, and a cold expression formed on my face, which quickly turned to madness.

"I gave you a third option, I let you fight." The foal said.

I realize it now, as clear as day. "You're... my axe!"

It nodded. "When you broke me, freed me, I grew scared. I possessed a chunk of steel that had broken my bonds and became stuck within. When it came, you protected me, shared your warmth with me." It then shook its head, crying tears it didn't have. "You held me even after I led you down a path of pain and suffering."

Sighing, I trotted to the ghost foal and hugged it again. "It's alright, in the end I chose to fight." I reassured the foal.

Looking in the room I saw everything that had happened to me. The long hour of Grinder violating me, then all that came after. My being rescued by Spell, helping Low, and being tricked into prostitution by Grizzly. I saw how I just retreated into myself with, and with bursts of anger, used clients as an outlet. I saw myself trying not to wretch as stallions touched me, and how I learned to just deal with it. I saw myself choosing to use my body to get what I wanted, no longer having any reservations about sex. Then I saw it, Molo seeing me in danger, not even hesitating to throw her bar stool at the stallion who was going to shoot me.

Molotov's face was twisted in anger, so much so it scared me. But she was not angry for herself, she was angry for… me.

I then patted the shadow foal on the head. "Anyways, I did make a friend out of it. A pony who actually cares. I just… I just need to make sure I don't make such bad choices again." I looked back, seeing all the other doors. "Anyways, though things could have been far better, it also could have been far worse."

Death was not something a pony can come back from, that I was sure of. And my life was now getting back on track. Maybe in time, all this will become just a bitter memory, and nothing more.

Looking back at the door, I now saw an empty room, two doors on the far end. "What's this?" I asked out loud.

The shadow foal also looked in, saying. "I can't say, as it hasn't happened yet."

Looking closer, I understood what it was now. One door was me going home, and the other was me staring in the wasteland.

I then turned my attention to the shadow foal, only then realizing something. "Say, you don't have a name, do you? Want me to give you one?"

Though it had no eyes, as well as no other features to read, I somehow knew it had a surprised expression on its face. "Y… you would give me a name!"

I nodded. "How about grim cold, it's a strong name for an axe gun."

The shadow foal seems to be displeased by that.

"Alright, maybe something like a pony name, like you should have gotten." I told the little one.

Thinking about it, I was unsure if it was to be a colt or filly, or even if it knew what gender it was. But I knew something, that this little one was related to Tripwire and Spell Circuit. Magic seemed to be their family's thing, so maybe a magical name would fit.

Smiling, I then said to the Shadow foal, "Rime Frost."

As I looked at the shadow foal, two beautiful Icey blue eyes appeared, tears welling up in them. "I'm Rime Frost, I'm Rime Frost."

I gave Rime Frost a hug, the foal after being alone for so long was finally being given a name. It was so unfair what had happened to… her… being unable to be born, but then being unable to die. Curse that evil pony that would do such a thing to such an innocent.

With a jolt from the wagon hitting something, I woke from my slumber. My vision was blurry from tears in my eyes, the dream touching me deeply in many ways. In my hooves was Rime Frost, the shotgun axe still cool to the touch. On either side of me was Molo and Low, both snoring away peacefully.

As my eyes adjusted, I saw Ursa's Rest in the distance. The place lit up, attracting ponies to it like a moth to a flame.

With a sigh and a chuckle, I gently pushed my friends off me, giving myself some space. Looking at the town, the dream still fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but wonder. At any time I could have gotten myself killed, or found myself in a bad situation. Same for good things, just like playing cards. Getting a good or bad hoof does not win a game, but knowing when to hold or when to fold does. That and knowing how to bluff.

I had to think good and hard about what I wanted Grizzly to give me. Something reasonable and useful. Something I want.

_______________________________________________________

Grizzly looked through the documents, a displeased expression forming on her face. "So you're saying that she's shorting through the raiders for ones Tripwire can use."

I nodded, "That's what it seems to be. I know that Grinder's trained combat slaves, so it must be for that."

"Makes sense." Grizzly said with a sigh. "I'm sure even with brainwashing, a chem fiend type raider will still be rather useless. But then there's the issue of what they will do with the rest of the raiders who don't meet their expectations."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Molo then groaned. "She means the formation of a raider hoard. Oh that's not good."

I then turned to Molo, feeling quite concerned. "A, what now!"

Molo then explained, "Sometimes raiders will form hoards and just wreck an area, overwhelming any settlement not protected with thick walls and a healthy amount of overkill. Most of the time it happens because several raider gangs have a singular goal, and either sign a truce with each other, or somepony pulls them all together and becomes an overboss. Never last long but it's quite destructive. Happened to Redeye early in his rule, wrecking the region, but Redeye won in the end."

"And which one is this?" I asked.

Grizzly then answered. "Likely the second, but that would require keeping some of the more competent raiders within the hoard to herd them along. Same for the first. No, this might be what my grandmother called a mad hoard. Simply, it's just a massive group of aimless raiders descending onto any hapless place looking for anything they can grab. Last time it happened, though it's only a speculation. It is guessed that several raider groups had a get together, and the leaders ended up killing each other. Their followers then got high on their supplies and then wandered to the closest major settlement. Before, with the normal groups of raiders that settlement could fend them off, but now there were over ten times more of them. So you can imagine how it ended."

"And guess which is the biggest, juiciest mutfruit of a settlement in the area?" Molo then asked me.

I thought about it for a moment, and realized the horrible truth. "Ursa's Rest!"

"I think so too." Grizzly said with a sigh. "Likely it's Tripwire's plan. Once he has his army he will point the remaining raiders in my direction. Both getting rid of a potential threat to his ambitions, getting some revenge, it would also thin out the raiders that would eventually turn on him. Even if we survive the raiders, we will be too weak to fend off his army when they swoop in. Annoyingly, it's a tactic Tripwire taught to Redeye, a hallmark of how he gets rid of his rivals. It's just like him to think nopony is smart enough to expect him to still use his old tactics."

Molo nodded "And it wouldn't be hard to do. Just make sure they got enough food, booze and chems to keep them all docile while telling them about how much shit this place has. Once they run out of their supplies and start nipping at each other. Enough of them will get the message and the others will follow. Seen it myself, though on a much smaller scale."

My own worry grew hearing this. "But you have a way to stop them, right?"

"Ya, we can deal with a hoard of disorganized raiders." Grizzly reassured me. "But it's going to be better to kill the yao guai while it hibernates, then wait for it to wake up hungry."

A chuckle came from Molo. "Well then you're in luck. If you need a pony who can fuck things up for those bitch raiders, what's better then another raider. Though I will need some supplies, and to put a crew together. You know the usual, chems and assholes."

I held my tongue, as this was not my place to interfere. Molo had made her choice, and had her reasons. I was now just an outsider to this.

Grizzly pondered the offer for a long moment, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes, the ones with an image of a coffin on them. Passing one to each of us, Molo lit the three sticks, and then Grizzly spoke. "I'll give it some thought. I do have my own band of Talons in my employment, but sending them to wipe out a massive raider nest will be costly. And I'm still paying off the debts from buying all those slave contracts, so it will still put Ursa's Rest in a bad spot. So I will talk to my sponsors about this and about sending a team to sneak in, though you can understand why we may not trust a raider. even id your an ex-raider."

"Ya, I get is, we're all lazy assholes, kind of a necessity for being a raider. Just don't take too long, once a hoard gets moving, they ain't stopping for shit." Molo then puffed out a bit of smoke, ginning. "We, I'm off to play some cards. Just send somepony down to let me know if the plan is on or not."

Again chuckling to herself, Molo got out of her seat and trotted off.

Shaking her head, Grizzly puffed her cigarette. "Even when they're not psychopaths, raiders are still pains in the ass. It's why my family had a no raider slave policy. It never ended well when they were mixed with the non violent slave population."

Puffing on the cigarette myself, I still found it rough on my lungs, but at the same time it had a calming effect on me. "What was it like back then… I mean the slave trade... before Redeye."

"Better in some ways, worse in others, but mostly just a lot of paperwork." Grizzly explained. "First off, hunting for slaves was roundly frowned upon, just taking a random pony from their homes is what raiders do after all. If somepony was a slave through us, they had a contract that explained why, and for how long. Most times it was those who fail to pay their debt, or criminals sold off over being executed. Sometimes they were war trophies from the many small skirmishes that happen out here in the wasteland. There were also those born into slavery, Such as Sparkling."

"Born into it, that's horrible." I commented.

Grizzly shrugged, "it was what it was. And how horrible it could be depended on the master. You see, slaves are objects, not ponies, so a master can do what they want with them. Up to killing them on a whim. Though it was widely frowned upon to kill your slaves. Sparkling for example was my personal slave at birth, and is like a sister to me. It's why I formally freed her long ago before Redeye's fall, it's the most I can do for her, since she can't have foals of her own."

I was a bit shocked by that news. "Oh, I never knew."

"And don't go telling nopony." Grizzly said as she shook her cigarette at me. "But ya, that was just how things were back then. Then Redeye had his grand plan to restore Fillydelphia. Unfortunately free ponies had no interest in doing the suicidal work to help restore the city, so he turned to slaves. And when they started dying-"

"-He just got more." I finished the sentence.

Grizzly nodded. "It didn't happen overnight, but Redeye caused the price for slaves to jump with his demands. Worse, since a lot of them were kept away from the eyes of the free folk, slavers cared less and less about contracts if they were selling to him. No pony was ever going to see that slave again after all." She then put her cigarette out in an ashtray, letting out a long stream of smoke with a sigh. "It even soured my own view on the slave trade. Something mostly neat and tidy turned into a near literal meat grinder. If he wasn't making so many caps from digging up Fillydelphia, the cost of buying so many slaves would have bankrupted him long ago. I think in his own way, Redeye was trying to destroy the slave trade by using it to become the worst monster Equestria had ever seen… and he might have seceded at this goal. Just look a Gwadina's NCR, and how so many ponies are joining her side just to end the slave trade once and for all."

Grizzly took another cigarette out and lit it. "But enough about history, and let's talk about the present. Mainly what do you want? Don't need to rush it, but if you have any ideas, let me know."

There was a lot I wanted, lots I could take back with me. "You sure, it's not like I did anything special."

"Yes and no. But let's just say that this is an extension for saving Wiretap." Grizzly explained.

I had gone over what I wanted in my head before coming here. Guns and ammo was never bad, my brothers were old enough to own their own. Building supplies to expand the farm might be good. Maybe something to help Ma with my baby sister. I know nothing was going to stop Pa from giving me a beating, and I deserved it.

But the more I thought about it, the more my thoughts drifted to Molo. From Molo my thoughts drifted to Tripwire. I was free from all this, yet something still chained me down. I mean, without my help Tripwire might not have gotten as far as he had. I was partially responsible for all this.

Spell Circuit then crept into my mind. Was this how he felt, having helped Redeye, and all the evil that followed. He clearly was a good pony, and yet he lost so much.

I messed with the neon purple streak in my mane, died to hide the suffering from absolute terror that turned it wite. Pieces of me lost in those cursed lands, and the pony I was destroyed by vile ponies.

"I…" my throat felt dry, forcing me to swallow. "I think that. What I want… what I want is something I can never get back."

Grizzly looked confused for a moment, but then smiled. "That's the wasteland dear, it takes and takes, only giving back scraps. We think we're so smart but in the end find ourselves face down in the mud with a stick up our ass." She paused for a moment, a distant and sad look on her face. "We lose so much that we can never get back that you just get used to it and move on. Now think, what is it you now want, not what you wanted."

What I wanted was to be the old me again, which will never happen. Even revenge was something I wanted, but after this month, I knew I would just get myself killed and accomplish nothing. What I want now… I think I wanted to help Molotov find her daughter's. She had already helped me regain some of my own pride, yet I've done little for her.

A slight smile crept onto my muzzle. "Then… I want to help Molo. Ya, that's what I want."

Grizzly just sighed, smoke going everywhere. "You know you could have asked for a gold plated assault rifle." She then sucked in more smoke from her cigarettes. "But having somepony who hates Tripwire might be a good idea. How about this, I give you and Molo access to one of my penthouse sweets. There's room for others so the twink can join you, and whatever fuckcolt you're into at the time. Food and drinks will be provided, and it has a private work room."

I raised an eyebrow at Grizzly. "But… Why a room?"

"Because it sounds like you're here to stay. Well until this mess with Tripwire is over." Grizzly said, now smiling. "I've seen several ponies with that kind of look on their face, and trust me, it's not one of a pony who's given up. If you had, you would have told me what you wanted instead of asking for a history lesson. At the very least just use the room until you make up your mind. And tell Molo that's where we'll contact her… Oh, and let her know if there's anything else she's interested in, then come see me. Now I need to send a few letters, get everything started."

Then Grizzly pulled out a key from her pocket and tossed it to me. "It's room four on the penthouse floor."

The key was attached to a poker chip, the number 4 on one side, and a star on the other. Looking at it, I then remembered my dream with Rime Frost. "Actually, there is something I do want, a dress I saw in a dream actually."

Doing my best to describe this dress, foggy as my memory was of it. It was a selfish act, but it was a selfish act of my own choosing.

_______________________________________________________

"And you're sure about this?" Molo asked.

It had taken me an hour to tell her, almost like there was a wasteland toad in my throat. But after losing a bunch of money at the poker table, I managed to spit it out.

"Ya, I want to help you." I told her.

She folded, letting another player take the pile of chips. "You know I'm heading into a massive raider nest, even if Grizzly doesn't support it?"

"I know." I answered again.

"One wrong move and you could end up dead at best. Even if you do everything right, shit might still go wrong." Molo informed me.

I nodded.

She then looked me in the eyes and whispered. "There's a possibility you will get raped again. It is raiders after all."

I swallowed as one of my legs shook. "Y… ya, I know." Then I let out a sigh. "If that happens, then it… happens."

A concern look crept across Molo's face, "ya, a young mare like you should never have to be prepared for that possibility. It's better if it never happens in the first place." She then smiled wide. "But if you insist, then welcome aboard. But I'm the leader when we go out there, no questioning me at all."

"Ya, you know what to expect, and I trust you." I told her.

Molo then laughed and tossed a chip into the pile, receiving her cards from the dealer. "Alright, then after this let's go checkout our new pad. Maybe bring some friends to celebrate."

I smiled back, her laughter putting me at ease. "Let's make it a party."

_______________________________________________________

Parties were not so easy to plan at the drop of a hat, and now Molo and Low were off finding ponies to join us. I had asked them to not bring any stallion I've had a one night stand with, but I was sure they didn't listen. As for myself, I ended up looking after Wiretap, who at some point latches onto my leg. Both Sparkling and Sweetie had also joined me in penthouse room four.

The place was rather nice, with a large pallor and two bedrooms, more than enough space for Molo, Low and I. It was also nice that the colors here were more muted, making it less strain on the eyes. I also enjoyed that we had our own jukebox and bar, making a small party here a real possibility.

"So, are you really going to fight raiders like Molo said?" Wiretap asked, almost shaking.

She now had a holster on her hip, in it a fake training gun. It seemed that the talon Hans was training her to carry a gun properly, reprimanding her whenever she waved it around needlessly. I was at first upset when I saw the brushes on her leg, but my Pa had been the same way about gun safety. An accident with such things can be fatal, so I could understand the strict lessons.

"Well only if your mother thinks it's safe." I told her as I sipped on a sunset sarsaparilla. "Well safe enough, it is raiders after all."

Wiretaps horn glowed and her toy gun shook, but then the magic stopped and she frowned. "Well if it was me, I would take them all out, like Six Gun Red."

"Raiders are… well a lot more dangerous than that." I told her. "One thing I know is that they got snipers. Ponies that are good at taking out others from afar."

"Anyways, Percussion Cap was more the type to plan out her attack." Sparkling Delight spoke up from the bar. She had redressed herself as a bartender, dark purple tucks and all. It made me really glad I was into Stallions, as she rocked it so well.

"Who?" I asked her.

"Percussion Cap." Sparkling said as she cleaned a glass. "That's the name of the Six Gun Mare. She actually has a lot of names, either relating to her lovely red mane or how she used six guns. If you ask any slave from Fillydelphia about Executioner Red, they will know who you're talking about."

Sugar then scooted near me, and whispered. "They told me that if we ever thought about escaping, she'd come and kill us."

This did not sound like the hero Wiretap was idolizing. "Then how is she a hero, mind me asking?"

Sparkling rolled her eyes. "Well that's a story to tell. But to make it short, after she got kicked out of Fillydelphia for some reason, a slaver sought to make her… well a special slave. She later ended up working with the leader of the anti slaver group, Celestia Angels, and an old folk hero, Storm Rider. Rumors are that all three were actually family, like Grandmother, mother and daughter, but I haven't gotten it confirmed yet. I've sent several invites to Percussion Cap to come over and talk, but I think she's a bit afraid of Grizzly for several reasons."

She shook up a mixed drink before continuing "Well in the end Percussion Cap managed to kill the slaver boss and freed herself. It was one of the biggest fights in the surrounding region since Storm Rider wiped out the Blood Mane raiders to rescue her daughter. Oh the Fillydelphia PR was running like mad to suppress that story, fearing that a slave revolt could happen. Even dug up that PC was a the product of the Blood Mane raiders raping of her mother, and made it look as though she just whet crazy when she killed the slaver boss. Raider blood and all. It's why we think she's related to Storm Rider, though still unconfirmed."

It then clicked, remembering the story Tripwire told me. I then face hoofed. "So that's who he was telling me about... So where is she now?"

"A farmer." Sparkling said with a chuckle. "Got herself a husband and some foals last I heard. A shame really, I always wanted her to work for me. There was always something exotic about her. Grizzly also has a huge crush on her, even tried to seduce her the few times she passed through here when she was still a bounty hunter. It one of the reasons she avoids this place."

Wiretap's eye then widened. "You met her aunty Delight, what was she like?"

"A bit overly serious, and quite creative when she wanted to be." Sparkling answered "But let's change the topic. If Grizzly hears about it, she's not going to be happy."

The older filly then pouted, but almost like a lightbulb went off in her head, she turned to me. "What was your first time having sex with a stallion like!"

The question caused me to spit up my soda in shock. "What! No! Why do you even want to know that?"

She looked confused for a moment and then explained herself. "Because… you're an adult and all like mature and strong. You also are with stallions a lot, so I thought that's what makes me more, well… a mare."

"Well it's not. Anyways my first time happened because I was an idiot. And you really don't need to know about it, or want to." I huffed out, then added. "Anyways, you don't know anything about it."

"I do, I do." She protested. "Seen mama a few times with her guards, and you with the maintenance staff. How do you think I got your key!"

I face hooded. "Damnit, you saw that…"

She smiled. "You're good at bending at weird angles."

Our ears then caught Sparkling clearing her throat. "Wiretap dear, we're going to need to have a serious talk about spying on others."

Wiretap rolled her eyes. "Not from you, I caught you spying on Lottery too. Making weird noises and such."

Sparkling's face flush with embarrassment, and slowly sunk behind the bar. I was just left stunned, not sure what to even do now.

Then Sugar, likely sensing the tension in the air, announced loudly. "I'M PREGNANT!"

It was fortunately enough to crack the tension as I began to laugh. It was all so ridiculous and stupid that I had to laugh.

I then looked down at Wiretap. "We will be telling your mother."

Dread filled the older fillies face as she realized how much trouble she just got herself into. And after she's sent away, I needed to have a talk with Sparkling about being a voyeuristic creep.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Seven

_______________________________________________________

The familiar feeling of a hangover greeted me as I woke up, the small party I had agreed to had become a bit more active then I had planned. Just trying to remember half of it was a bit of a haze, but as I looked up at Horus, and felt his embrace, I couldn't help but smile.

He had been my safe place though all this nightmare as a prostitute, always offering me a way out. But I had been too stupid to take his talon, to focused the negative then to accept him. But even now, all the doubt and self hate, it was there, but it no longer controls me. Maybe I could still take him up on his offer and stay at his place, not like I needed to stay at the penthouse.

Giving Horus a kiss on the cheek, I hop out of bed, knowing that if I didn't, I'd want to get lost in his feathers. And maybe go another round with him.

I then nearly tripped as I had to dodge a sleeping Sugar Honey in between the talons. The two griffins were her regulars, so I wasn't surprised that they were here. Actually Sparkling suspected that one of them could be the father of Sugar's foal. It would be one of the better outcomes for the mare, as they were relatively gentle and patient for Talons. I mean the two didn't care when I accidentally kicked them when they had paid for my service once.

Low was in the other bed with some handsome stallion I didn't recognize. It still made me a little jealous seeing it, but I had Horus, so I felt like the winner today.

Unfortunately the room was a bit of a mess, and I was sure that the cleaning staff was going to hate me. So I took a mental note to leave them a good tip for the trouble of all this.

Trotting to the parlor, it was fortunately clean of any body fluid, but had a few more ponies laying about.

"Fun night." Sparkling said from the bar, with not a hair out of place in her mane. Though I knew she had been the one to start having sex in of what should have been a small and calm party. It all made me glad they sent Wiretap to her room early on before we all started drinking. “got to say, you and Horus make such a cute couple.”

"Thanks… but wait, didn't you join in, you're looking a bit too clean for a mare that took on almost all the stallions here?" I asked her.

She quietly laughed. "Of course I don't look like a mess, unlike all of you, I don't drink. It makes it hard to keep things under control. Also, I washed up after you were all finished. I do like to watch, it's a bit of a hobby." She then lifted a camera into view.

I face hoofed. "Let me guess, you and the Duke are friends?"

"He's my brother, actually. I'm half changeling you see." Her form shifted with an emerald like flame, her form looking very similar from before, with chitin instead of fur, and what seemed to be two very small antlers. Strangely, she was even more beautiful now, her chitin parts simmering in the light, and had a teardrop-like beauty mark below her eyes that looked like a polished sapphire. Her wings even sparkled much like Shrimps did.

Sparkling then sighed. "My father, Pharynx the fourth, was a bit too eager with spreading his seed, and was an avid chem abuser. So whenever he had a bastard foal, he'd curse them to look like a normal pony and then sell them off. Since my mother was already a slave, it was all the easier to get rid of me. From what my brother told me, I was worth a case of Dash."

"Oh, I'm sorry." I told her what else to say.

"It's fine." She said with a smile. "Fortunately my mother was Grizzly's aunt, having become a slave due to her gimbaling addiction. Since I was born not long before she was due, my uncle bought me up as soon as he knew of me. Also my brother has worked hard to fix what our father fucked up. Even wants me to join his hive. But my place is here, with Grizzly and the others. That includes you."

I lifted up my hoof and shook my head. "You know I'm not returning to the Red Light Showroom."

Sparkling gave a little laugh. "I know, but the door is always open. Even if your joining us was under trickery, I still consider you as one of my daughters."

It was nice to hear that, but also gave me incest vibes from my time with Pharynx. "Thanks, you were… well let's just say like an aunt my Ma would not want me to meet."

"Understandable." Sparkling said with a smile. She then passed me a cup of water, some pain killers, and a birth control pill. "I've already ordered food to be sent up here, so you can just sit tight and wait for Grizzly to get up. After everypony is feeling better, we will go somewhere more private to discuss further matters on the Tripwire problem."

I gladly took the water and pills. "So Molo's plan has been approved?"

She rolled her eyes, "sneaking in and winging it, is not a plan. But the others think it's a start. Now let's not say anymore, secret plans are best kept between as few ponies as possible."

Nodding, the pills already seemed to be working, as the water quenched my dry throat. "Say, Grizzly said you have been with her from the start, meaning you've met Tripwire. What was he like back then?"

"If you must know, he was like any other slaver from before Redeye. But smarter and with an even more inflated ego." She then poured herself a bottle of Sparkle-cola, looking annoyed as she remembered. "I was Grizzly's body double, since I still had enough changeling magic to look enough like her. Meaning that whenever she ran off with some other mare, I would stand in her place. This became more frequent when she became engaged to Tripwire, getting entangled with my brother, and forcing me to deal with his antagonizing probing."

Stopping to take a sip, Sparkling let out a satisfied sigh. "The fool was a perfectionist, and everything had to be just right. Everypony has their place, and must perform their duties with professional zeal. Of course he placed himself above all, a mindset encouraged by his mother and grandmother. But that all said, he did have his charm, and if you fulfill your role around him, he does become gentle. Romantic even."

"But that didn't last, did it?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No it did not. Firstly, not even the best of our slaves were perfect all the time. But when they did fail, Tripwire didn't act thuggish like most in his position, but would keep up the act and hold a grudge. Over time, the staff would fear him, as they never knew when he would strike or how. But when it happened, it would be brutal and cruel. Subtill traps were his favorite punishment, often with collateral damage. Things took a turn for the worst when Grizzly broke up with Pharynx, and spent more time at home."

Finishing the soda, Sparkling covered her muzzle as she tried to do the most polite burp I had ever heard. "It was a mix of Grizzly not having been around Tripwire as much as I have, and her trying to get back at my brother. Because of Tripwire's personality and Grizzly station being equal to him, his retribution to her break of her role was a slow process of degrading her. Fortunately I saw it coming and managed to keep a lid on it… until we had our grand ball."

"That's when Tripwire embarrassed Grizzly, right?" I chimed in.

Sparkling nodded. "He wanted to get his point across that he was in fact, the superior in the upcoming marriage. Pointing out her flaws as he puffed up his accomplishments. The rest you can say is history."

I then had to ask. "But if you were sleeping with him, how did Grizzly get pregnant?"

Now she sighed. "Simply put, alcohol was involved, lots of it. Add that she wasn't using any protection, and that she didn't remember fucking him afterwards. When the pregnancy started to show, we were all surprised to say the least. But out of that major clusterfuck we got Wiretap, and we were all blessed by her."

"Despite my daughter being the biggest pain in my ass." Grizzly spoke up as she trotted out of the other room, looking like a mess. "But I love her more than anything, so may Celestia crush whoever tries to harm my daughter under her glorious flaming flank."

Some water and pain killers were then floated over to Grizzly, who then quickly consumed it. "I wish you didn't hide your true form, it's absolutely beautiful, Sparkling."

Sparkling looked a bit embarrassed as she rubbed her small antlers. "All the same, I would rather not advertise how much of a mutant I am. Pharynx doesn't even know about my change, and I don't want him to know." She then, with a flash of emerald fire, changed back to her normal, beautiful pony self.

Grizzly looked rather disappointed, but with a deep breath, changed the subject. "So any word from the vultures?"

"They have agreed to go over the plan, and are ready whenever you are." Sparkling answered.

Grizzly pulled out her pack of cigarettes, but found them empty. "Alright, send them a message that I'll be an hour… no, make it two hours." She then trotted over to the main table, sitting down and then looking at me. "You sure you don't want to keep working here, Lottery. You've clearly adapted well to the Red Light life."

I shot her a dirty look as I joined Grizzly "I'm very sure. I'll make my caps in a more honest way from now on. Anyways, the clients never wash first, and your public use punishment is braminshit."

She laughed. "But the Red Light is honest work, and you can't say it's not fun. I mean we do let you have some chems when getting railroaded."

"You know, let's not talk about that, I regret bringing it up already." I said with a groan before asking, "So who are these ponies making the plans, the Vultures you called them."

Grizzly took a deep breath before explaining. "Their something like my sponsors, the real power of Ursa's Rest. I'm just the face, and the one who makes the caps to pay them off. But without them, there is no Ursa's Rest. Firstly theirs the Talon leader, General Hogan Highborn. He's a very old veteran, and was once Gwadina's superior, not a griffin to be underestimated. Than theirs Rainbows End, the merchant guild's minister, one of the most greedy and stingy mares I've ever met. She also keeps the merchants in line and business booming, despite the collapse of the slave trade."

She then paused, looking quite displeased, as though really not wanting to say the name.

Sparkling then spoke up. "The last pony is Rattlebones, a chieftain shaman of the Pear Valley tribes up north. They are superstitious and reclusive ponies, who could be called a major raider faction themselves."

"Wait, you're taking a plan from raiders!" I said in shock.

Grizzly let out a groan of frustration. "By ensuring they are on our side, it ensures that the trade routes to the north are mostly safe. They have no relations to the southern raider groups that were seeking to get rid of. And a few of them work as part of my personal guard, so I do like to keep on their good side."

A chuckle came from Sparkling. "Which is not a hard thing to do when Rattlebones is her uncle."

"That is not something she needs to know." Grizzly hissed.

She then took a deep breath and turned back to me. "I have relatives with not just the Pear Valley tribes, but also in the merchant guild's, the Dukedom of Cristallice Motors and the Fillydelphia slavers. It's why nopony has waged war over this place yet, they all have their hooves in the pot. And by extension, my family."

It was a bit much to me, and I was starting to feel light headed with all this information. But my salvation arrived in the form of food delivery. Several helpings of tato wedges and pancakes. My stomach growling loudly at the sight.

_______________________________________________________

Seeing the three ponies, I found myself feeling very small. Molo, Low and I had taken seats on the side of the room closest to Grizzly. She and her sponsors all sat at a table with the biggest map I've ever seen.

Hogan Highborn was an old, one-winged griffin in a black duster that had the white talon emblazoned on each of his sleeves. Hanging off on one side of his hip was a massive revolver, and on the other was some sort of chainsaw sword. Rippers I think they were called.

Rainbows End was a portly and colorful unicorn mare decorated in jewels and high quality cloths. I was rather unnerved by the fact her teeth were all made of polished gold. It reminded me a bit of Grinder and his metal teeth

Then Rattle Bones, a rather old and thin stallion, whose mane had many small braids that ended in bone beads that rattled whenever he moved his head. With him was a rather decorative staff made from both old world materials and animal bones, it topped with the skull of a Yao guai. It was undeniable how much Grizzly's guards looked like him in their style.

Grizzly then addressed the three sponsors. "Alright every… creature, you know why we're here, so let's cut to the chase. We need a way to kill a hoard of raiders without weakening this region's defenses. Then shore up those defenses in preparation of Tripwire's inevitable assault."

There was a quiet paus as they all looked at the map. Looking at it myself, it extended from what looked like Fillydelphia and all the way up to Friendship city, with Ursa's Rest in between them, connected by a long road. I saw several craters that had been mapped out, along with what I guessed was Dead Pony Pass. Off in an unmapped part was likely where my parents were.

"Grizzly dear." Rainbows End spoke up. "How sure are you that Tripwire Naysayer will be doing any of this. Not to besmirch the Duchy of Cristallice Motors, but they do have the flair for dramatics."

"Because Tripwire has the blueprint for the Mezmetron. And if he manages to use it to make his own brainwashed army, he is not going to just stay in his pocket of the wasteland." Grizzly explained.

Rainbow let out a long sigh. "That unfortunately makes sense. I do have a broken mezmetron in my collection. The pony who owned it before was quite the bastard. He used it often to rob and rape ponies, if they were lucky that is, as sometimes the victims head would just explode. He later fell victim to it himself, a victim of his used it on him unto his head exploded. It's actually said to be a cursed object because of all that."

I physically trembled, remembering how it had been used on me. I had to take several deep breaths just to calm myself down.

"Are you going to keep prattling along, Rainbows End, or are you going to help come up with a solution." Grizzly grumbled.

"Alright, Alright. I was just trying to be friendly." She then placed a poker chip onto the map, right on top of Dead Pony Pass. "First off, to have so many raiders in one spot, you need to feed them all. And you can't move so much food around without anypony noticing, no matter how hard you try to hide it. Along with the chems, weapons and armor. It makes a lot of noise"

She then moved the chip over to a mountain range with what looked like a ruin of a town drawn in between. "If the Duchy are right, then this supply of food is being smuggled to Dead Pony Pass, then sent up to the ruins of Green Hills Hight's. But no water, meaning they have their own source. If you can sneak in a group as the food smugglers, and poison their well, then it's the end for those raiders."

That sounded like a solid plan to me.

"Not going to work." The old griffin spoke up. "It's more than raiders from what the document says. The slavers have always been on guard for such attacks. Slaves trying to poison their masters is not a rare event. Add the Enclave, and I imagine them pulling fresh water from the clouds themselves. But I do agree, infiltration is still the best idea."

A chuckle came from Rattlebones. "If not water then why not wine?"

Rainbows End huffed out, "The logistics of moving that much wine is difficult, and likely to get hoarded. Only a hoof full of raiders would die from it before the others get to drink it. Hmmm… what if we use a bomb? No, even harder to smuggle."

Hogan smiled. "What about gas? Green Hills Hight's is lowlands, and surrounded by mountains. Enough gas there can wipe them all out."

"Again, logistics my dear." Rainbows End again pointed out. "But it would solve the poisoning issue if we had a way to flood that valley with something."

Now Hogan scowled. "It's raiders, not an army of professionals. It should be easy enough to just send in talons to do the job. They ain't the smartest ponies around."

Grizzly then cut in. "Like I said in the letter, I would rather conserve our strength over weaken ourselves on raiders. If poisoned water or air is no good, then what is? And no major explosives, Onyx Heart likely has documents we will need to fight Tripwire."

The griffin scratched his beak and then pointed to a spot just north of Sunshine Valley. "If I remember correctly, there's a good reason why nopony has ever tried to resettle Green Hills Hight's. Despite its advantageous position, it's right next to the Ministry of Peace shelter, just north of the town. Which has hundreds of feral ghouls just sitting inside, possibly over a thousand since no creature has ever tried clearing them out. If we can get the feral ghouls to attack the raiders, that would solve our problem."

Rainbows End nodded. "Yes, that might work. If we can cause a feral ghoul stampede right into the raider camp, it should at least thin out the numbers. Better if it happens at night, catch the raiders while they're sleeping.”

“One problem.” Hogan then said, placing an empty glass where the M.o.P. Shelter was. “It’s also a radiation hot spot. Meaning whoever goes there is going to need not only protection, but a way to get all the ghoul's attention.”

“And a way not to get killed by either.” Grisly added.

Clearing his throat, eyes turned to Rattlebones. “When we must induct a new apprentice as a shaman, they must perform the wayward trot. I’ll save you the wisdom of such an act, as it’s wasted on those who can’t bring themselves to see beyond this realm. But we have a sacred place. An old tunnel through a mountain our ancestors once used to survive the end of the great war. Once salvation, now filled with radiation and maddened ghouls that glow. This place a pony must pass through to become an apprentice shaman.”

“And they survive a deathtrap like that, how the fuck is that possible?” Hogan asked.

“Drink of the sacred wine, and breathe in the sacred smoke.” Rattlebones answered as he pulled out a box. Opening it, there was a glass bottle and what looked like a dash inhaler. Both had a glow to them. “One relaxes the body and mine to the point you are like the dead. The other expends your consciousness so that you may leave your body behind, yet it must follow you. While like this, the ghoulified ancestors will see you as one of their own, so long as you do not disturb them.”

“So radioactive booze and radioactive dash, sounds like a one way ticket to the Elysian Fields.” Rainbows End commented dismissively.

Rattle Bones closed the box. “Say what you will, but if you wish to trot through glowing lands, and weave through the ancestors, there is little other option than this. Though be warned, having other chems in your system may add other effects, possibly diminishing the protection it offers.”

“And what guarantee do you have that the pony using it will not just get high and wander off?” Hogan skeptically asked.

“For it has been foreseen.” Rattlebones muzzle then contorted with a wide and quite disturbing smile. “The one who partaken the drink made by the mistress of suicides and honorable deaths will then trot among the lost ancestors. Bringing salvation to those who protect life, and damnation to the children of Strife. She will be known by the mark of horror on her mane, and wields the curse of frost as her weapon."

Everypony looked quite skeptical.

His eyes then fell on me, as he moved his hoof to point to his head… to his mane. I then did the same, my hoof touching the streak in my mane left behind by the mound maker.

“Creepy.” Molo said as she lightly elbowed me.

“Ya, very.” I said back to her, remembering that Rime Frost did cause cold damage.

Fortunately Grizzly broke up the awkward atmosphere with a clap of her hooves. “Alright, so we have a way in, a way to attack the raiders, and a way to get to the ghouls and not get eaten by them. Hopefully. But how do we herd a stampede of ghouls into the raiders?”

“Can’t a Pegasus do it?” Rainbows End asked.

The griffin shook his head. “We're talking about great war era ghouls, so there's likely a lot of Pegasus mixed in. Anyways, normally one pony can’t attract the ghouls we need to properly harm the raiders.” A grin then formed on Hogan's beak as he looked at Rattlebones. “But I do know some crazy fucks that can do that.”

Rainbows End then frowned. “You don’t mean to use that bait, do you?”

“It’s the best way to do it, all we need is a way to deliver the shit.” Hogan said.

A chuckle from Rattlebones filled me with dread. “Ghoul bile wine is what you suggest, some for the raiders, some for the ghouls.”

Now Rainbows End looked ready to puke from hearing that. “Please don’t tell me you’ve brought that shit here.”

Grizzly then face hoofed. “Uncle, if you brought something that dangerous here, I will personally put a bullet in your head.”

“Oh no, that I have not.” Rattlebones said with a smile. “But we do keep it well secured. All I need is your best flyers to retrieve a case, and it can be here by the end of the day.”

Looking at her three sponsors, Grizzly then sighed. “Alright then, that's the plan. But for the possibility it fails, I’ll be having another meeting later today to go over alternatives. Until then, we need to prepare. Now on that note, I do have our volunteers for this mission. Will you three please come up and present yourselves.”

Low, Molo, and I got up and trotted to the table.

Low was predictably first. “Names Low Pressure, as you can see I’m quite fabulous… but... why am I here?”

“This idiot is a sweet talker and lockpicker.” Grizzly told the others. “He also ran with the Brain Nails for a while, so he is well enough acquainted with raiders.”

Molo was next. “I’m Sparking Passion, though I go by Molotov now, Molo for short. I ran with the Shatter Hoof raiders for years, and personally know some of the raiders that will be there.”

“She’s more or less our raider advisor in this. We're going to need her if anypony has a hope of blending in with any of the southern raiders.” Grizzly added.

Lastly, it was me. “Th… thank you for… I mean.. Lotter, my name's Lottery.” shit I got nervous all the sudden and flubbed it.

Grizzly sighed. “She’s going to be our wasteland scout, and has personal experience with the master mind to this cluster fuck. Unlike the others, we can trust her to not sell us out and ruin the plan.”

The griffin didn’t look all that impressed, same for the unicorn, but the old earth pony, Rattlebones, still looked at me with strange excitement.

“So… is this the pony that fixed my subordinate’s mistake?” Hogan asked in an indignant tone as he pointed at me.

Molo laughed. “Snuck right into a Smelter’s base, and ran out with the prize.”

Hogan then huffed as he got up, looking a bit annoyed. “Alright, I’ll get a team together to intercept the smugglers.”

“Yes, I should help as well, it is my connection you will be using to find them.” Rainbows End said as she then followed the griffin.

Now alone with Grizzly and her uncle, I had a few questions of my own. “So ya, what is that stuff I’ll be using. The one everypony seemed disturbed by?”

Again Grizzly sighed. “Ghoul Bile Wine is as it sounds. It’s a wine made with the bile of a ghoul. As it turns out, feral ghouls go crazy for the stuff, and don’t ask me why. As for why ponies would make it, much less drink it. It’s a rather strong chem that, though Celestia awful to drink, causes quite a strong alcohol effect compared to those of the same proof. Along with hallucinations. It also has the side effect of turning the pony who drinks it into a feral ghoul magnet. That's why only mad ponies drink the stuff, any pony caught with it is shot on sight.”

“Or those with a plan.” Rattlebones said with a chuckle. “We use the wine to draw feral ghouls to the ancestral tunnel, where we keep them locked up and safe. We also have a few hidden places where other ferals are kept, and if anypony that dares threatens the Pear Valley Tribes, we send our mad ancestors out to deal with them.”

“Right, don’t ever drink that shit.” Molo said, sounding a bit sick.

“And the other stuff?” I then asked.

Again Rattlebones chuckled again. “The sacred wine is made from the fruit of the glowing pear trees, found from within our ancestor’s orchard. The sacred smoke is in fact dash, but not as strong and made with the glowing waters that feed the glowing pear trees. Alone, both are just weak chems that do nothing but make one sick. But together, it lets you see the world through eyes not clouded by the lies of this world. Where the past, present, and future combine. Through it, our new apprentices learn the truth to why we live the way we do, and why we must protect our kin at all cost. It also reveals a dark inescapable truth that looms over us all. Those who can't accept the responsibility will drink the ghoul bile wine and let themselves be devoured. Those who can, simply leave the bottle open within the tunnel and exit the other side.”

“Heavy stuff. To become a raider I just had to suffer a beat in, take a lot of chems, and suck a lot of dick.” Molo commented.

“And that's why raiders are lost to this world. They only accept the pain and excesses of the wasteland, but not the responsibility of living.” Rattle Bones retorted.

“I have one more question.” I said, getting the attention of the old stallion. “You mentioned this mistress of suicide and honorable deaths. Who is she?”

Rattlebones smile faded, and a more serious look formed on his face. “That I do not know, only that she appears to those who have chosen their deaths. She offers them one last drink before they leave to face their death, and comes to collect them afterwards. But there is the rare story that she, or others like her will appear to those facing an undying evil, giving the pony a blessing so that they can kill the unkillable. My predecessor told me that they are the avatars of death itself, and death cannot tolerate the undying, for it is abhorrent to the cycle of life, in which death is a part of.”

It truthfully sent a cold chill down my spine.

“Don’t let his tribal ramblings get to you Lottery, it’s all superstition and misunderstandings.” Grizzly said dismissively.

She then got bonked on the head with Rattle Bones’s staff as he said. “Don’t be disrespecting the traditions, you are still of Pear Valley blood.”

The old stallion then turned back to me and smiled. “I’m sure you have some places you'd rather be, as I for one have a date with a roulette wheel. But before we part, I do have a bit of wisdom for you I’d like to share."

He then took a deep breath and said to me, "The wasteland as you know it is more than a place or a concept, but a living thing. It was born when Celestia stepped down from her throne and was empowered by the madness of war and hate. It’s suffering and strife given form, of which we ponies are too small to overthrow on their own. It forges weapons made of flesh to continue its existence, ever hungry for the souls of the innocent. But in forging those weapons it also creates the tools for its own demise. For through the suffering and strife do ponies forge themselves into something that the wasteland fears above all things. An unbreakable will. So young Lottery, if you wish to rise above, you must first be burnt by suffering and strife itself, and emerge as though made of steel.”

“I think I’ve already been through enough suffering and strife for a lifetime.” I told him.

He then gave me a sad look, as though he could see the pain in me. “That I can agree. But we all must steel ourselves and prepare for even worse times, or risk eating each other to survive the winter. It is both a figurative and very literal warning.”

With that a smile returned to his face and the old tribal hopped out of his seat. “Now papa needs a new pair of boots, and I know my lucky number. For I have foreseen it!”

We then watched him trot out like he was a happy colt.

“I bet those tribal's have some wild parties.” Molo commented.

“That they do.” Grizzly grumbled. “That they do.”

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Eight

_______________________________________________________

Before we could get the raider extermination plan started, we all had a few things we needed to take care of first. I hoofed over our gear to Horus for a bit of an upgrade, and also took him up on engraving my guns, since he had offered.

It felt good to finally let myself rely on him, to actually reciprocate his feelings without feeling guilty.

As for Molo, she had one pony she wanted to join us, and fortunately he was in town. What had me worried was that this was an ex-raider like Molo. Worse, he was a Smelter, and the brother of their leader. Which, if my memory serves me right, he is also one of Molo’s lovers.

After some persistent knocking, the door flew open, revealing a rather big, muscular and scared up stallion. "If this is another cult, I'm not buying." He said with a scowl, but then looked down and saw Molo and I. Smiling, he stepped aside. "Molo you cunt, what in the fires are you doing here, come in, and we can make it a foursome." His eyes then looked at me. "Or more."

Molo trotted past him "Sounds fun, but not why we're here, Cauterize."

Trotting in myself, the place was rather clean for a raider, though with garbage all around, it was at least kept in the corners. At one end of the room I saw the likely cleaners, two mares sat in the bed, dressed up like the common whores from the back allies. They both looked exactly like each other and I wasn't quite sure, they both also looked several months pregnant with their barrels on the wide side.

Molo laughed as she trotted to the mares. "Dust and Smoke, you bitches are still fucking this looser!" She then jumped to them giving them a hug, of which they struggled and failed to free themselves from.

"Get off of us you dick stealing cut." The two said in pitch perfect union.

The three began the wrestle, but Molo had the upper hoof and soon had both in a headlock, then kissed both on the cheeks. "Oh come on, it's not my fault that Cauterize found my ass a blast. And are you both expecting! How exciting."

Standing next to said stallion, he then loudly grunted. "Enough fucking around Molotov, why the fuck are you here?"

Still holding the twins, Molo answered. "So, do you want to really piss off your sister? maybe kill her?"

A smile slowly formed on Cauterize's muzzle. "Always up for messing with Short Fuse, so if this is more than just shitting on her dress, I might forgive you for setting me on fire if you're going some."

"Oh fuck you, you set me on fire as well!" Molo shouted.

"But the sex was grate afterwards." The stallion said with a chuckle.

Molo then shrugged, letting go of the twins. "It was okay. You got a nice dick, but no technique."

Both twins chuckled as they got off the bed and trotted over to Cauterize. They then got muzzle to muzzle with him, both growling out. "You are not going to fuck that bitch again!"

Cauterize backed off, looking worried. "Okay, okay, no fucking the bitch. You two don't have to be cunts about it."

Watching the two pregnant mares trot out of the building, Molo then hopped out of the bed and joined us. "You really can pick them." She snidely told Cauterize.

The big stallions huffed. "Didn't think winning that free fuck in the arena would get them pregnant, or that they would hunt me down to take responsibility. Damn Stable-Dweller, the bitch ruined a good thing."

Molo trotted past Cauterize, and with a swift kick, nailed him in the balls.

The large stallion crumpled to the ground in pain as he squeaked out. "You fucking bitch!"

In response Molo chuckled at him. "Just teaching you a lesson. I know plenty of ponies who will just shoot you for saying that about the Stable-Dweller.."

Pushing himself up, Cauterize then back hoofed Molo, knocking her across the room. I then drew Rime Frost, aiming it at the ex-raider.

Cauterize then sneered out. "Ya I get it, I'll hold my tongue about the glorious hero known as the Lightbringer. Now tell your cute friend to put her gun down, I'm in no mood for killing a mare I rather fuck."

Molo practically springed back up, smiling. "Take a chill, Lottery, we're all friends here… well maybe not friends, but we're not going to kill each other."

"But he sent you flying!" I growled out, still keeping my gun trained on him.

She laughed. "And I got some good air time too. But what did you expect when I hit his family jewels? I fully expected him to give back what I dished out."

Taking a deep breath, I then lowered my gun. "Whatever. But I swear to Celestia, if this raider even tries to touch me, I'm castrating him with this axe."

Cauterize then smiled at me. "Oh… aren't you that dom fuck bitch from the Showroom? Ya, I remember, payed good caps to tie your bitch ass up and fuck ya. Up for more, I've got the caps for it."

"Not in that business anymore, so you can go sodomize your self." I told him.

He licked his lips at me before looking over at Molo. "How'd you get this bitch to join ya?"

"Oh you know, by not being a massive dick." Molo said with a shrug. "Anyways, I got a really big job for you, where your talents are appreciated. And on top of it, the Smelters and Bailfire Fiends are involved. We even had a run in with your bitch of a sister a few days ago."

The ex-raider clicked his tongue. "Sounds bad if those two clans are working together. The kind of problem that requires an excessive amount of violence to solve. Fine, I'm in, anyways I could use the caps. So when do we start?"

Molo smiled. "We're heading out as soon as the boss pony gives us a go, likely early tomorrow, now you got your shit?"

Cauterize looked less than certain as he looked back at the bed.

A groan then came from Molo. "You fucked and gambled it all away didn't you!"

"Fucking no way I would do that. Dust and Smoke gambled all my shit away." He explained.

Molo face hoofed. "You know I may love the whole toppling of the slave trade and shit. But some ponies should not have been set free."

Okay, I was getting seriously lost. "Can somepony explain to me what you're getting at?"

"Sorry Lottery, I'll explain." Molo softly said to me. "Dust and Smoke are ex-raiders as well, daughters of the Scorn Hearts raider boss. Those raiders were the most money grubby con artist cheats in the wasteland. Fortunately for everypony, they got clapped hard, and the survivors were thrown into slavery. Dust and Smoke got made into slave gladiators in Fillydelphia. Some rich asshole of a merchant later bought them as bodyguards."

Cauterize then laughed. "Would let ponies pay for the chance at fucking them, if they could win a fight against them. Until I showed up, they hadn't lost even one fight" He then polished his cracked hoof. "By the time I moved on, the score was five to two in my favor."

Molo then spoke up, jabbing Cauterize in the side. "And let me guess, after Redeye kicked the bucket, they killed their master and came for you."

He sighed. "Actually, ya. Along with his mercenaries. Got a pardon from the big Talon bitch for it too. She even wanted them to join her NCR crap. But it seems that pregnant mares got to sit out that fight. When they found me, I tried to drop them, but…"

"They probably threatened you up the ass. Not like the Smelters are protected anymore." Molo chuckled out. "Well I say you deserve them."

I then looked at the two… ex-raiders. "I don't really want to spend my caps on getting him gear."

"Ehhh, fuck it, I can just grab shit along the way." Cauterize huffed out and trotted out of the place.

I then realized something important. "Wait, he doesn't even know what we're going to do!"

Molo shrugged. "Don't matter to him, so long as he can fuck over Short Fuse, he's happy."

"It can't be that simple?" I asked.

"Just don't look a gift donkey in the mouth." Molo told me as she also left.

Following her out, we saw Dust and Smoke staring down Cauterize.

"What do you mean you don't know what you're going to be doing!" Dust snapped.

"And you did negotiate any pay!" Smoke fumed.

They then turned to Molo and me.

"What happens if he dies?" Smoke asked sternly.

"What do we get in case that happens?" Dust added.

Then together they asked. "Where will we stay while he's gone!"

I was very quickly starting to not like these mares. But I did have a solution. "We can all discuss all this later, for now you two can stay at our penthouse sweet."

The twins paused for a moment, then smiled as they said in unison. "A penthouse you say."

_______________________________________________________

Letting Molo take the three raiders to our penthouse, and explain the situation. I could only pray to Celestia that those twins don't try to strip the walls for the copper when nopony was looking.

I on the other hoof wanted to check on the progress of our gear. It hadn't been that long since I gave it over to Horus, but it didn't hurt to pay the griffin a visit.

The streets of Ursa's Rest was its usual bussy motion. Some ponies were just arriving, and others now leaving, and lots of trade going on between them. Most common were ponies selling bullets at high cost, with how the NCR had bought most of them.

Pegasus had become more common, with many unable to join the many small Enclave remnants, they left to fend for themselves out in the wasteland. So it was not uncommon to see Pegasus scavengers or caravan guards now. But unfortunately it was more common to see a chem addicted pegasus whoring themselves out for scraps. Their world did come crashing down after all.

Though it's not the best option, there were several pegasus that had joined the Red Light like how Low had. So at least they were safe there, then in a back alley.

The sound of gunshots told me that the shooting range was busy as well, and like so was the gun shop. Picking up my pace, I entered the gun shop, only to see a flock of griffins inside. At first I thought, Talons, but even though they were all armed to the beak, they all had mechanic jumpsuits on and not Talon armor.

"Watch where you're trotting!" A young and very pink griffon barked at me, he looked no older than Wiretap, if not younger. He also had a… cutie mark? Ya, his back half was clearly that of a pony.

Another young griffin slapped the first on the head, looking to be only a few years older than him. Bundled on his back was an even younger griffin with earmuffs on her head. Both also had pony back half. They must be half pony siblings or something.

"Sorry for my brother's attitude, he is having a hard time adjusting. And he's a brat!" The older sibling said.

The middle sibling snarled. "I'm not, it's just all these ponies don't know how hard this will be without Red-"

The older sibling grabbed his brother by the beak. "Unless your next words are about how you miss our mother, I don't want to hear it!"

Then the youngest began to cry as she held her claws were I guessed her ears were, causing the oldest to quickly attend to her. "It's okay Javelina, I'm here." He then looked at me, and I could see deep sorrow and tiredness in his eyes. Like he was ready to fall apart at any moment. "Sorry miss, but can you come back later, my uncle is tending to family matters at the moment."

I nodded and stepped out. It was only a guess, but those young griffin-ponies were likely Horus's niece and nephews. Trotting to the shooting range, it too was filled with griffins, young and old, but almost none looking like a Talon.

Seeing the Talon, Hans, I trotted over to him to find out what's going on. "Hey, what's with all the new griffins, they're like whole families here?"

Hans nodded. "Ya, they're all from Fillydelphia. Gwadina finally took over the weapons factory a week ago, and chose to clear the Gun Runners out until things have settled down."

"So these Gun Runners, they're like Talons, right?" I asked.

The griff shook his head. "Hardly. Their weaponsmiths, guns mostly. Most of the guns coming out of Fillydelphia were made by them, so you can imagine that not many want them around."

"Wait, so they made guns for Redeye! But why are they here…" I then remember the young griffin ponies. "Does that mean Horus-"

"No, Horus did not make guns for slavers." Hans said as he cut me off. "Actually, he was the biggest supplier of guns for anti-slaver groups, including the Celestia Angels. He's only here because Grizzly really insisted on paying him in advance to stay here. It's all so that she can shed the image of a slaver as much as possible, not that I blame her."

"And there here now." I said as I looked over at the gunsmith griffins. "Are they staying?"

Hans shrugged. "Would be good for Grizzly if they did, but I don't know. All I've managed to get out of them is that they're waiting for Gwadina to decide if they get to keep the factory or not. I hope they do, as they already lost much in the fighting. The Enclave hit the factory hard, and were indiscriminate with who they killed. I know they're not entirely innocent with what went on there, but what the Enclave did to them was too much."

I could only imagine. Even though they were helping Redeye, being driven from their home must be hard for them. "Do you know any of them?"

Hans shook his head. "No, but I know Horus, and that's enough for me."

Not long after, a pony came over to me, hooves flailing for my attention. "Miss Lottery, good that you're here, mister Horus has a question about your gear. Come with me."

I gave Hans a nod and then followed the pony back behind the gun shop.

Trotting through the back door, I found myself in a workshop. There I saw Horus with an older and rather distressed looking griffin rooster. The other griffin was rail thin, covered in burns and scars, and both his back legs were in support braces. He then got up, looking at me with half dead eyes before snarling and leaving.

Once he was gone, Horus got up and trotted over to me. "Sorry about my cousin, he's had it rough since his wife died, lost her when the Enclave first attacked. Hardballer has always been the stoic type, but I'm worried he might work himself to death if he keeps this up."

I reached out to Horus, and held his claw. "Is he the father to those three?"

"So you've met them." Horus sounded pained as he confirmed my question. "Ya, it's a real shame they have to go through all this."

"Then are you going to help them?" I asked.

He then nodded his head and let out a long sigh. "I want to say, I told you so, to them. But it's all hollow now. Until they know if they still have a home or not, I'll be letting them stay here. Which means I'll be too busy to do much for the time being. But good news is that with the extra claws, your gear will be done shortly."

Horus then pointed over to one of the workbenches, on it one of my rifle holsters. "But I need you to explain something to me."

The both of us trotted over to the workbench, and Horus then tapped on the star of the holster. "It's not a bad job, modifying this, but I can tell this was a holster for a pipe assault rifle… something only made in Fillydelphia."

I physically gulped. "Well, some ponies I know accidentally obtained a bunch of Redeye gear from a smuggler, and had asked me to modify it. I got to keep some as payment."

Horus face clawed. "At least you were smart enough to modify it like this. Do you have any information on who those smugglers were?"

"No, asking questions like that was not a polite thing to do. So all I know is that it proverbially, fell off a wagon." I explained.

"Thought as much." He then put the holster down. "I'll make a few more adjustments to your gear, make sure nopony with a keen eye can tell where these came from. Also increase their protective value, though they will be a bit heavier. After that, they will be sent to your room."

He then picked up my revolver, tracing already on it for engraving. "As for your gun, are you sure you want those names on them, with a poker chip embedded in the two?"

I nodded. "Ya. I want to keep it simple with those guns, but stupidly let my friends name them."

The revolver was getting a one cap chip embedded into the wood and the name "Whiskey Shot" after the cost of a .45 bullet. That was Molo's Idea, and I liked it. The rifle got a ten cap chip embedded into it as well along with the name "Last Dance." Lows idea, as to him the rifle was long like a pole.

"Well at least it's not named after a lover, Talons do that a bit too much. Then come back later to get it removed." Horus then put the rifle back.

I could imagine that being an issue, as after this month, the names of stallions I've slept with outside of work would not fit on the guns. Though I wouldn't mind Horus being one one of them.

I then fluttered my eyes at him. "Will you be coming over later, I'm not leaving until tomorrow?"

Horus then looked over at the door to the front of his shop. "Maybe. But with all this going on, if I get the free time, it will be the last. I'm going to Fillydelphia to talk with Gwadina on the behalf of the Gun Runners."

"What!" I gasped.

He then placed a talon on my shoulder. "They're still my family, and they need me. I have connections they don't, and a reputation they need. Unfortunately the Gunrunners are a dying clan, of which Redeye promises to help restore. With him dead, the rest of them may follow, and I can't let that happen."

I felt conflicted, but not unsympathetic. The more I learned about Redeye, the more I saw that a lot of good ponies and griffins had been drawn into his vision. As twisted as it was, it d8d give hope for a future. And if Spell Circuit was right, one of those hopeful ponies transfixed by the idea of a better tomorrow had been Redeye himself. It made me wonder, if I had met Redeye before he became a slaver lord, would I too have followed him into Tartarus.

Looking Horus in the eyes, I said to him. "I understand."

Leaning in, Horus kissed me, it lasted for several seconds before pulling back. "If only you didn't have your own responsibilities. I wouldn't have minded you coming with me."

I laughed a little. "You know, out of all those who paid to be with me, I would have minded taking you home with me."

I got a frown from him. "You made me pay that first time, and we didn't even fuck."

Reaching out with my hoof, I bopped him on his beak. "Then I owe you one, so you better come to collect."

Giving Horus a wink, I then turned around and trotted out, making sure to sway my hips.

Once outside, I closed the door and blushed profusely as my heart pounded. "Oh what was that, did I just confess!" I then touched my lips, "and this kiss… oh Celestia this kiss."

Feeling confused, I then rushed back to the penthouse, as I needed to touch up on my makeup.

_______________________________________________________

"And… done!" Sparkling Delight said as she finished my makeup. She had caught me trying to apply it myself and looked shocked. I had gotten overzealous with applying it, and to her, I looked like a clown. As she helped me, I told her about the situation with the Gun Runners, and Horus.

Looking at myself… I looked pretty. Sparkling had even gotten me one of her dresses, it a modest, yet beautiful number.

"You sure I'm not overreacting?" I asked Sparkling.

She smiled as she started brushing my mane. "Lottery dear, you're having just the right amount of reacting. And Horus is a good griff. Even if it's just temporary, you two deserve a bit of love. Just enjoy tonight for what it is. It's not like things will be all that nice starting tomorrow."

I nodded. "I don't even know if I'll survive."

"Well don't give up on us out there, no matter what happened." Sparkling told me. "You got that, whatever happens, just focus on coming back."

"I will, I promise." I told her, feeling like the conversation got a bit dark. "So… Do you have a pony you love? You know, a pony that if you could, you would start a family with?"

Sparkling let out a sigh. "Truthfully, there's a few. Excellent lovers, and such. But if I could pick one, there's this adventure who passes through here now and then, a true gentle colt of a hippogriff. Unfortunately he has yet to settle down, so there's little chance I'll ever catch him."

"Sounds romantic." I said as I got up and looked at the half changing. "You know, I agree with Grizzly on your true form. You should show it off more."

"Thanks, but it's still a no." She politely declined.

We then trotted out to join the others for dinner. Grizzly had set up a private room for everypony to eat, it felt like half a last meal, and half a celebration for victory. But it was brahmin stakes and fresh vegetables, so there was no way I was going to miss that.

At the private table, almost everypony was dressed up. Cauterize just had a bowtie on, where the twins had stolen a dress of mine each. Low pressure was dapper as ever, and Molo was casually dressed, but still looked good. Grizzly and Wiretap both had a modest, yet loud dress each.

There were also Grizzly's sponsors at the table, along with a younger griffon hen in some strong and rough looking Talon armor. The female griffon was showing off one of her two revolvers to Hogan Highborn, where I could clearly see that it used 5.56 rifle ammunition?!

It was easy to find my seat, it was between Wiretap and Horus, the griffin was in a relatively clean tuxedo.

Taking my seat, I had to ask Horus about his situation. "Are you sure it's okay for you to be here?"

"They will be fine, anyways I can help them more here in case they don't get the factory back from the NCR." He said pointing to Rainbow's End. "She's unlikely to turn her nose up at a large crew of highly skilled gunsmiths."

Then he pointed to the younger griffon. "But more importantly, that's Regina Grimfeathers, Gwadina's daughter. It would be foolish of me to not speak to her on the Gunrunners behalf. And likely I'll be going with her when she returns to Fillydelphia. "

I almost gasped, having heard of her exploits in gathering troops for the NCR. She had also fended off over a hundred raiders trying to take out a loan settlement, or so was told. If there was any creature who could take out the growing raider hoard, it was Regina Grimfeathers.

I then felt a nudge on my other side, and saw a wide eyed Wiretap, looking right at Regina's guns. "You think she'd let me hold one?"

I chuckled. "I'm wondering the same thing."

After a short while, appetizers and drinks were brought out. Some bread crumbs covered fried cheese sticks, and mute fruit wine. Once every creature was settled in, and had a bit to eat and drink, Grizzly addressed everypony.

"Alright Evercreature, I thank you for showing up. Thanks to a few brave ponies, we have gained strategic information on a growing situation." Grizzly then looked at me and tipped her glass. "As of current, there is a known threat of a raider horde forming within this region. But there is also the unknown threat of a slaver reemergence, who may have mind control arcano tech at their hooves, and an army at their disposal. But armed with this knowledge, we are already making our movies to mitigate these threats, along with shoring up our defenses."

She then tipped her glass at Regina. "I'm also glad to have the honorable Regina Grimfeathers here on such short notice. I know the fight to secure Fillydelphia from the remains of both Redeye and Enclave forces has been anything but easy. In truth, the fall of both has caused chaos all over the wasteland, of which this region is only one of many places calling for aid. So again, you have our gratitude."

Regina then got up as Grizzly sat down and addressed us. "Yes, well you do control the main trade route from Friendship City to Fillydelphia, we be retarded to ignore such a threat to it." Her words were filled with a dismissive irritation, and If she was not a Talon I would have been caught off guard by its crashness. "But as you said, my mother is putting out fires all over the wasteland. All while making sure that Fillydelphia's factories aren't being used against us. And right now we're stretched thin at best, so don't expect us to send an army anytime soon." She then took a deep breath, her tone changing to a stern, yet friendly manor. "But if the situation is as bad as you say, I can at least talk with my mother about sending anything we can spare to help."

She then eyed Hogan, and smiled. "I do know that mother would love to have you owe her a favor."

Frankly, Regina was hard to read as Talons go. Most were quite straightforward, or quite cocky, but she seemed to be a bit all over the place. It made me feel a bit on guard, as though she was trying to be irritatingly hard to read.

As Regina sat back down, Hogan let out a huff as the old griffon spoke. "I imagine she would. With her buying Talon contracts left and right, she is going to need some griffon to keep them all in line. The last time a Griffin commander tried to gather so many griffins under their wing was after equestria fell, and if any Talon knows their history, it ended poorly.”

As though made from pure confidence, Regina paced her cat-like back legs onto the table, leaned back, balancing her chair on two legs, and rolled her eyes. “Ya ya, you're not the first to bring up Gautrekr Talon over mom’s contract grabbing. She ain’t trying to found a new Griffon empire under her bannor. Not like any of us can get along long enough for it to actually do any more than pissing off everycreature else. No, the NCR is actually pushing the harmony stick. Also helps that Littlepip got the big stick to keep idiots in line.”

I leaned over to Horus, and asked. “What are they talking about?”

“Gautrekr Talon you mean?” he asked back and I nodded. “Yes, Well right after the bombs fell, most of the griffon mercenaries had a contingency plan involving a secure meeting places. Took over a year, but the majority of griffin mercs in Equestria had come together, and from there they planned out what to do next. Gautrekr Talon managed to take hold, announcing himself as the new emperor of griffondom, and that together, they would forge a new home in the ruins of Equestria. It lasted a good ten years before he died of radiation sickness, and his children took over, spitting the empire into four. They didn’t live long and their children took over, further splintering things. And well, not twenty years after the empire had been formed, it had become nothing more than just a band of mercenaries stretching across equestria.”

I cocked an eyebrow at that. “Seriously… were your ancestors part of that?”

Horus shook his head. “Naw, my ancestors were griffonstone smugglers. We had the good fortune of Gabbriella finding them, and reforming my ancestors into the Gun Runners. She was the most famous gun designers in Griffionstone, and most of the gun schematics we used were actually Gabbys original designs.”

That was actually fascinating. “I’d love to hear more about it… after things get better for your family.”

“I’d love to tell you about it.” he replied.

We turned our attention back to the dinner table, where the argument between the griffons had finally settled down. Regina herself no longer leaned back so brazenly. She finished her glass of wine and addressed Hogan one more time. “Like I said, the NCR isn’t going to do the stupid shit like all the other wasteland assholes try to do. Mom’s is pretty positive about keeping the governing body small and divided. It should keep it from becoming tyrannical and stupid. Harmony is good and all, but not when it’s used to take more power and start fights with your neighbors.”

Hogan again huffed, sounding even older than before. “Can't argue with that. From all my years as a Talon, the worst thing you can do is give one of us full control of the cap safe.”

“You're talking about the big brawl from twenty years ago.” Grizzly said with a chuckle. “If I remember correctly, you and Gwadina almost killed each other over who had to pay a gimbaling debt.”

The old griffin face clawed. “No, the gambling debt happened after. It was over what contracts we should take. And who to trust. If I wasn’t already old then, maybe things wouldn’t have fallen apart like that. But in the end, trying to hold together such a large mercenary company proved to be my folly. Had to kill it before we killed each other. But I guess Gwadina never truly gave up on it, and plans on not making the same mistakes I made.”

Hogan then grabbed a whole bottle of mute fruit wine, and guzzled it straight from the bottle. He physically shivered from it as he raised the bottle up high. “To dreaming big!”

We all raised our glasses again, and with it the atmosphere changed to something more positive. Soon after dinner arrived, and we got to eating.

The conversions remained more tame, with every creature choosing not to talk about the current troubles and focused on more day to day things. Although I did learn that the NCR had managed to push the Slavers back more, but, Fillydelphia is a big city, so it was still far from being conquered. There was also a caravan moving from the north being escorted by the Pear Valley tribes to aid the NCR, so this should get a bit easier for them.

Every creature was a bit concerned about why Cauterize and his mares were here, but he assured them that he was fully onboarded with raider crushing. Something to do with needing to be on top, or being the one on the bottom. I guess it meant that if he was not in charge of his own life, he would be screwed over by others when they came to take over. Sounded right by raiders, they didn’t seem to be the kind to look after those under them.

Also he seemed quite excited about becoming a father, and wanted to use his skills for something other than smashing skulls to provide for his foals. It was actually a bit respectable, wanting to change for the sake of his unborn fouls. Still, I didn’t trust him much, but at least I would give him a chance.

As the dinner came to a close, every creature began to move on. I Let myself linger a bit, waiting for Horus to finish his private talk with Regina. The two seemed to have a more polite, if secretive conversation, and I respectfully didn’t listen in. When they were done, I trotted to the older griffin, giving him a smile.

“So, any good news for the Gunrunners?” I asked him.

“Too soon to tell.” Horus said to me as he trotted to the balcony, and I moved to join him. “But it seems that Gwadina sees the Fillydelphia factories as too important to just be left cold. The problem is trust. I at least convinced Regina to go talk to my cousins. See if they're willing to make a deal. But I fear that getting that factory back will come with a bigger chain than even Redeye had on them.”

Outside the cool night air was refreshing, the humidity now almost nonexistent, and the moon bright as it hung above. It reminds me how much things have changed since the Lightbrigher cleared the sky's for us all.

I sighed, “I can imagine. With how so many ponies hate Redeye and all, I doubt most of them would rather see anything he used be burnt down.”

Horus nodded. “I agree. But without those factories, the Gunrunners might have never come back together the way they did. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but even I admit that Redeye probably saved my family from fading away. And now, if Gwadina wishes to make this NCR work, she's going to need those factories.”

He then stopped and caressed his claw through my mane. “You know, when you first passed through, I only saw just another foolish pony, running off to their death. Then you came back, each time more hurt than before. Even when you drowned your sorrows in booze, there was just that life to you that reminded me of a griffon I once loved. Then one day you just stumbled into my shop, ranting about guns and such.”

“Was that the day I woke up in your shop?” I asked.

Horus shook his head. “No, I took you home. But you came back the next day, and forced me to drink with you. That's when we ended up sleeping together.”

I smiled. “Right, that was after my first week here, and I was still so nervous and depressed about my work. Then you came to my work the next day, and I made you take me to the private room. I guess I thought that since we already slept together, it would feel less wrong.”

He let out a little chuckle. “Well it was at least fun, if a bit awkward.” his claw caressed behind my ear, causing me to shiver with pleasure. “But it was too bad I couldn't have you all to myself, or that I was too busy to have you when you were free.”

I grabbed his claw with my hoof, and lowered it to my mouth. “Well you can have me tonight, just for this moment.”

We both looked back, seeing that nopony was around, and then he kissed me.

Placing my hooves onto the balcony rails, I looked out over Ursa’s Rest as Horus hiked up my dress. Lights both tinkled above and below me, and the sound of music was just barely audible over the wind. I both hated and loved this place. Through all its pain it gave me, I couldn't blame Ursa’s Rest, only accept it for what it was.

My body shivered with pleasure as he played with my privates, making sure I was ready for him. Once I was good and wet, I let out a muffled moan as Horus entered me, his thorn like cock rubbing along my inside as I spread my legs to accept him. My body was lifted off the ground, and shoved forward, his thrust aggressive and strong, causing me to drool from the pleasure of it.

As he began to grunt, sounding more aggressive with each thrust, I knew what was coming next as he pushed all the way in. I was not a fan of the pain as my hips threaten to dislocate, but I accepted his knot all the same. As warmth filled me inside, his large arms wrapped around me, comforting me. It was the part I loved the most, his warm and gentle embrace.

Even if it was only for a fleeting moment, that it may never come again, I would treasure it. Putting my trip back home on hold was worth it, if this was the only good that came from it.
_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty

_______________________________________________________

I found myself running to nowhere again, vile voices still chasing after me with threats of my violation. But I didn't feel as scared as I had before, now slowing my pace and forcing a chuckle.

The vile things behind me slowed too, and receded and I began laughing loudly. The darkness was banished away, and I found myself in a green warm place that confronted me.

As I came to a stop, one of the vile things caught up to me, it now small and pathetic. Bending down to the diminutive thing, I laughed at it, and it shriveled to nothing but ash. It no longer had power over me, and that felt great.

Finding a nice tree, I trotted to it and sat down, finally relaxing in my own dream. As I dozed off, I then heard a chuckle, it filled with malace.

"You don't scare me." I said and then let out a laugh.

But the chuckle came again, but louder.

Feeling annoyed, I dismissed it with a, "Whatever."

"Not every gooly can be giggled away." A voice spoke in my ear, it was dark and filled with wrongness.

Opening my eyes I was once again in darkness, but this time it was suffocating and oppressive.

"But an axe to the head does the trick." The voice spoke, and then a body flopped into view, its head missing. It was the mare I killed with Rime Frost, frost still clinging to her. The body twitched and began to stand up.

"So much more simple when they're dead don't you think?" The voice came from the headless mare, a black acrid smoke seeping from her neck.

Light came, and I was in the corps room, where we threw the smugglers and mercenaries. "Look, no longer can they hurt others, or hurt you." The voice came from the pile of the dead.

Something grabbed my leg, and looking down, I saw a raider. Not just any raider, but a corps dancer, the one who hurt Chilly, and almost got me. His teeth were jagged, and black, the same acrid smoke seeping from the bullet holes in him. "Oh the fun we could have had if only you had not gotten me first." He said, black drool seeping from his mouth.

Kicking him off me, I tried to find a way out, but there was no door to be found

"Why run, you know it's true. All this could have been avoided if you had buried your axe deeper, or held onto a gun. Maybe if you had more power, more strength, then you would have won." The voice spoke as I looked back. The pile of corpses leaking the black smoke and fluid, all gathering into one spot above them, forming a creature.

Something like a pony, but not a pony formed on the corpse pile, it was both beautiful and horrifyingly disgusting at the same time.

"wh…what are you?" My voice quivered as I asked.

It took a step towards me. "I am power, I am strength. I offer those with the will to survive what they desire. I bring about the trials which all must face to become more than just a pony." The thing was now face to face with me, smelling of death and decay. "I offer this to you, the power to overcome, the power to destroy. All you must do is accept me."

"And if I refuse?" I asked as my legs shook, threatening to buckle from under me.

"There is no refusal, be it willing or not, all accept me in the end." It, she, was now muzzle to muzzle to me.

So I asked one more question, my heart pounding with fear. "And you are?"

She smiled, showing only more blackness. "I am Strife!" I then felt myself be grabbed, and pinned to the wall. It was the corpses, they all looked at me as they held up, smiling all with black teeth. "A trial you must endure to understand, another trial for you to become free, another trial to break you so that you can be reborn. Strife unending, strife all consuming, for in the end there can only be strife."

Everything then vanished, and I was again in the darkness being embraced by Strife, she stroking my mane. "Embrace me, love me, and I will empower you to survive it all, never ending, never dying."

Strife 5hen backed off as a blue spark appeared between us, and the form of Will-o-Wisp flickered to life. It angrily bounced around as though warding Strife off

"Such a useless hope, defiant even though long since dead." Strife said with a smirk. "But I don't hate the struggle, so keep on struggling, hating, and suffering. All that makes you stronger, makes me stronger."

The room then began to fill with blood, it quickly rising. So I began my search for a door again, yet still nothing. "Fuck, why! Wisp, is there a way out?"

The blue flame bobbed side to side, telling me no. With the blood reaching past my shoulders, I tried to climb on the bodies for height, only for them to crumble under me like goo. Falling, I then could taste it, vile of rot and iron, making me gag.

But there was no time for disgust, as the blood reached over my head, cutting off my ability to breath. Everything was going dark, and I could not stop it.

_______________________________________________________

Jolting up in a cold sweat, I took a moment to catch my breath and collect myself. The Celestia damned nightmare had changed, and it was more terrifying than before.

I then winced in pain from my hangover, having had too much whisky last night. Next to me was one of the merchants, and on the other side was another merchant. Both having a satisfied smile on their face. Shrugging, I got out of bed to wash myself off again. That being a bucket of water and a rag, but I was glad that there was even that.

Meeting up with Molo, she yawned widely before digging into some two hundred year old preserved carrots. Feeling curious, I had to ask her. "Did you fuck Cauterize?"

She chuckled. "No, not tonight. He believes that his bitched will somehow know or find out. But I managed to get a Talon while he was on brake. Been wanting to do one of them since I saw you with Horus. And fuck their good at fucking."

I grabbed some other preserved food to eat. "True that. Better than what I had from what I can remember. I seriously need to stop drunk fucking."

"Ya, that's how you get pregnant real fast. Seriously, if that Grizzly bitch didn't sell those pills, you and about all the mares in this region would be pregnant." she said with a chuckle, then added. "To bad those pills make ya feel, ya know, mehhh

I shivered at the thought. "That is… very true."

Molo then looked at me with concern in her eyes, "you alright, Lottery? You look more shaken up than normal."

"No, I'm fine. Just another nightmare." I told her.

"The one where you get raped?" She asked softly.

I breathed out through my teeth as I remember it, the feeling of it too real to forget. "No… well almost. But this one was different. More… malicious. But I'll be fine, it is just a nightmare after all. Even if I can feel it all."

Molo pulled me into a hug and patted my shoulder. "Lottery, whatever happens, I'll be here for you. Just think of me next time you're in that nightmare, I'll be sure to rain fire from the sky on them."

That put a smile on my face. "I'll do that."

Returning to the meager food, the other ponies slowly join us, among them two embarrassed looking stallions. I blew them a kiss and gave them a wink just to fluster them some more.

Molo then chuckled. "They're not half bad, and clearly got a solid job. Why don't you try to tie one of them down once this is over."

I shot Molo a dirty look, but upon looking at the stallions again, I couldn't help but consider it. I missed my chance with Horus, so it might be time I rope myself a partner. "Maybe that's not a bad idea. The Doctor told me I should quit drinking, or quit taking birth control. Bad for my liver or something. It would kill two radroaches with one bullet."

"Well you're not wrong. If you're responsible, that is. Seen several retards who could blame their mama's drinking habits on why their so stupid. My mother warned me about that when I first got knocked up, telling me all about how using chems when pregnant makes the foal a retard," She warned me.

"Ya, my ma also told me about something like that during my sexual education." I then visibly cringed. "Never will I ever want to hear my Ma talk about sex again. Gave me nightmares for a month."

"Well some advices if you do get knocked up and don't want it, better to just carry the foal and decide what to do after it's born." Molo said in a somewhat serous tone. "I've seen a few mares try to end a pregnancy, and almost all died before the baby did. Something to do with magic I think, maybe."

A Talon then flew down from the railings above. "Look sharp all you ponies, we got a raider caravan incoming." He then looked at me. "Go get that pegasus friend of yours, he should be near the back reading his script."

Both Molo and I looked at each other and got out of our seats. Quickly trotting to a room in the back, we found Low Pressure in front of a cracked mirror, talking to himself.

"No you listen to me… No you listen to me…" he then sighed, "that too much gruff, maybe a more mocking tone will do."

"Practice is over, show times soon!" Molo spoke loudly, causing Low to jump out of his seat. "And let me break your leg for good luck.

I cocked an eyebrow at Molo. "How's breaking his leg, good luck. It hurts like fuck, and makes everything harder."

Low got back up, brushing some dust off himself. "The saying is Break a Leg. In the theater, it's bad luck to wish a pony good luck. Though the saying is more a pun, because if you get your break, then you become part of the cast. Oh how I miss being in theater."

"Still weird." I said

Molo chuckled. "Of course he was in theater, just the thing a fag would do."

Waving his hoof dismissively at Molo, Low trotted passed her and said. "At least I wasn't whoring myself out to get dick. Now let's get in our costumes, you have a stars performance to see after all.

I glanced at Molo, who just shrugged and said. "Well he's not wrong. What did you do as a teen, Lottery?"

"Farming, just farming." I told my friend, then trotted past her.

_______________________________________________________

We all stood around waiting, Molo, Cauterize and I dressed up as raiders, where Low was to be a slaver. The plan was simple; get the raiders to take us with them to the main raider camp.

The merchant would pose as the working ponies here, and the Talons were to say hidden, but stay close.

This was the best plan for infiltrating the raiders, as we could easily trot among them if they brought us with them. Plan B was to simply kill them all and just hope the raiders let us in.

Unfortunately this also meant we could not keep our gear, so the three of us had the leather jackets on, with spiked armor over it. I didn't like it, but I also didn't like the Idea of raiders signaling us out. Low on the other hoof got nicer clothes then mine.

It took several minutes to stop gagging when I put on the armor. It smelt like unwashed pony and death, with death being the least offensive of the smells. Fortunately I had found a gas mask, though crude, to help me breath, if only just barely. Along with my rather long pipe rifle, I look the part of a raider sharp shooter, which fortunately meant that other raiders should mess with me less. Hopefully.

Under my new and crude armor I kept the ritual drink and air that the high shaman Rattlebones had given me. As for the bottles of ghoul bile wine, most of it was hidden among the crates we captured. It was Cauterize's suggestion, as raiders tend to hoard what they can, and if a loose bottle is found by a lowly raider, then they are more likely to take it and drink it before any other raider finds out. Some others we kept on us to hoof out, which should help keep the raiders less pissy with us. The rest we held onto in secret compartments, and would be used for drawing the ghouls to them.

Standing behind Molo, I saw several scars on her flank. Though I'd seen it before, I never had asked about them. "If it's not too personal, where did you get those scars… the ones on your butt I mean."

Molo shook her rear playfully at me. "Why are you looking at my ass?" She let out a quick chuckle before getting more serious. "Rivle raiders caught me. Got beaten, raped, and cut up before letting me go for my crew to find me. If you don't get a healing potion in time, then scars will form."

"Oh… sorry for bringing that up." I apologized.

She then rolled her eyes. "It's fine. These things are expected when you become a raider. Anyways, I was lucky that they only wanted to send a message. Now if they had a vendetta against my crew, then it can get nasty. The raider mares alone have a weird thing for sticking sharp objects up a mares cunt to purposely scar them there. Just so that everypony knows that they were a raider's bitch if they ever show their cunt."

I almost wretched at hearing her description. "Is that why one corps dancer mutilated his dick with spikes?"

Molo paused for a moment and then nodded. "Ya seen that a few times, though mostly with the really crazy raiders, or the ones who get off causing pain. I know the Murder Ballers have a thing for that shit. Anyways, that's why you must listen to me once we're among the raiders. There is going to be at least one raider that wants a piece of us, and nopony will come to your aid if you're seen as weak. Worse, their going to join in if it means free pussy." She then cracked a smile at me. "Well, I'll come for you, but let's not get into that kind of trouble."

"Ya, I agree. In and out as fast as we can. And once the ghouls appear, we find what document we can and run." I reiterated the plan, feeling a bit nervous.

Cauterize then trotted up to me. "If you're worried about the raiders picking a fight. We could just pick some weak raiders and beat the shit out of them. You can even fuck one in front of the other raiders to show your not to be messed with."

"No, I won't be doing that. Ever." I told him.

He shrugged. "Fine by me. But trust me, if you're in a bad spot, it's better to make the first move."

One of the dressed up merchants then whistled. "Places everypony, they're here!"

Taking center stage was a well dressed Low Pressure, his dirty and slightly burnt suit hid his wings well and his resting bitch face looked convincing.

When the doors opened, I heard an odd putting sound as a covered wagon rolled in without anything pulling it. At the front was a hooded pony holding a wheal, and at the back was two heavily armed ponies. Seeing them all made my heart thump with rage. Fortunately I hadn't seen these ponies before, but I recognized their outfits.

The pony in the front was clearly one of Angles followers. The two in the back were Grinders. It wasn't the same ponies, but the memory of Grinder's lackeys using me as a plaything had forced its way up in my memory. But I held it in and did nothing.

"Whose this? And what with all the blood" The priest asked as his eyes fell onto Low.

Low Pressure let out a long sigh, making a point to look annoyed by the question. "Well if all the new bullet holes don't tip you off, then I'm in great doubt of your intelligence. But just to save you from having to guess, I'll tell you. We got fucking attacked, that's what happened. Lost around half of us before those raiders ran off. The rest of us not here are trying to hunt them down."

The priest scratched his chin. "And where's Hook blade?"

"Who the fuck, I don't know, probably dead. Hay, don't go thinking I knew shit about the ponies here, I only showed up two days ago with these three chucklfucks." Low then dismissively motioned at Molo, Cauterize, and I. "Words down the mutefruit vine is that shits going down and I want in. I ain't staying near the braminshit going on around Fillydelphia."

"So more have come to join the cause, right. And your three friends?" The priest asked.

Molo let out a guttural laugh. "We ain't no friends, ya dig. We are… were, the Corpse Dancers."

This got the priest to raise an eyebrow. "And how are you alive?"

Molo then spat on the ground. "Grit and pure fucking badassery. We cut through those fucking tin cans with nothing but our teeth!"

"We were in our hidden chem stash room getting high." I spoke up to add to the con. "When we finally came down, everything had been blown to fuck, and the crew was gone."

"Then we got high again because fuck em!" Cauterize added.

Low then cleared his throat, bringing attention to himself. "As you can tell, my company is less than desirable. So even if I cannot join whatever is happening, I'd like to replace my guard for ones that smell less of chems and piss."

The priest narrowed his eyes for a moment and then sighed. "And the supply's I'm to pick up?"

"All there. Well most of it." Low said with a smirk. "Never trust a raider to not have sticky hooves. But I can trust that what I bring with me will… cover the cost for both materials lost and transportation."

He then clapped at us obnoxiously, and we groaned with annoyances. We then trotted over to a crate and dragged it over for Low to show it off.

"Feast your eyes!" Opening it, there were bottles and bottles of booze. "I managed to cart myself out a crate of bonafide Battle Booze." I then reached out to sneak one myself, but got my hoof smacked by Low. "As you can see, If I don't make use of this, these morons will find a way to drink it all."

The unicorn priest trotted over and levitated a bottle, then passed it over to one of his guards. "Is it the real deal?"

The earth pony guard took the bottle and uncorked it with his teeth, then sniffed. "Ya, that shit is real. I can smell the mentatas and buck mixed into the lunashine." He then corked it and passed it back to the priest.

Returning his attention back to us, the priest then smiled. "Well in our time of need, the Goddess always seeks to help those who recognize her great and powerful soul. With great and powerful gifts. Now let's all come together in prayer. "

The four of us then stood around dumbfounded as the priest and his guards kneeled down and held their hooves together. They then all spoke in unison, "we honor this gift to the glory of the Goddess, for through her we ponies may find enlightenment and be transformed into our true forms. Though she is no longer among us physically, she trots with us in spirit. And once she finds us worthy, we too may be transformed into her image."

The priest then got back up, and barked out, "LOAD UP THE WAGGON, THIS PLACE IS NO LONGER SECURE. We move as soon as we can leave." He then turned to Low, a creepy smile on his face. "It's a shame, but this place never was destined to stay in our hooves. As the high priest had foretold. Now come with me, and we can talk about the salvation of pony kind."

Low gave an unsure nodd, and trotted with the priest to the side as ponies got busy moving boxes. As I watched the priest trot off, his robe flittered and gave me a brief glance inside. Where I saw one decrypted and bent wing.

"What a freak." Molo whispered in my ear with a scowl on her face. "But at least we confirmed that the cult of unity is with them."

"Ya… but didn't that feel… you know, too easy?" I quietly asked my friend.

Molo shook her head and whispered. "I get what you're saying, but were just dumb raiders to them. It's not that we're fooling them, more that we're joining in on the bash. Remember, there is still that massive raider camp ahead.

She was right, the only trick we managed to pull was to get them to not shoot us. Thanks to Low's silver tongue, we had our in. But what happens after, I could only pray.

_______________________________________________________

Back on the road, but this time in a strange motor wagon, I watched as the dry arid desert gave way to a dead mountain range. Bits of green were poking out of everywhere, a small sign of life in this barren land.

We had been moving all day, going faster than a brahmin, but with frequent stops whenever we hit a large rock.

The wagon then stopped as one of the guards signed for the wagon to back up. A clicking sound came from the guard, it coming from a strange device he held.

The priest clicked his tongue. "Damn radstorms. Should pass in the morning, so let's set up camp here."

I looked up to the sky, seeing it turn a shade of green in the distance. My Pa had warned me about them, but I had never seen it myself. Deadly to get caught in, and the leading cause of ghoulification among wastelanders. The green glow was like ripples in the sky, almost beautiful.

Fortunately it was far in the distance, and not heading our way. So we were safe to camp out here.

Getting out of the wagon, I got Molo's attention, and told her. "I'm going to get some meat."

She smiled back. "Don't take too long, mountain passes are dangerous with monsters."

"I know, but I'll be sure to stay alert." I told her before moving out.

After getting some distance from the camp, I removed the suffocating gas mask and took a deep breath. Which I then gagged. I still smell like an overly ripe boot with a rotting carcass inside.

Feeling the wind, I then moved against it, as only the dumbest of animals would stick around after smelling me. Unfortunately this part of the wasteland was only plentiful with small roadents, all of which were two jittery to get a shot on them.

As I searched, I did get a break in the form of paw prints. Coyotes most likely. Several lived nearby back home, which was the main reason Pa built walls. Though one time a coyote managed to climb our wall, stand on its hind legs and proceeded to scream at us until Pa got his gun. Since then every now and then he'd come home with one he hunted, and the meat got put in the pot.

Looking through the scope of my pipe rifle, the crude lense had the crosshair simply painted on with a smile, which rubbed me the wrong way. But as I looked past that and over the horizon, which I saw nothing promising. Just more rodents.

I did manage to locate an animal trail, the narrow path almost a trench from likely over a hundred years of use. In it were even more coyote tracks, this likely being their main trail. Trotting along, there was a brake in the dead trees and a clearing.

Strangely, right in the middle of this clearing was a pristine flight of stairs, as though some pony had made them within the last week. It was just not right, wrong even, but I was strangely drawn to it. Up closer, I could see that the steps were actually covered in a carpet and the rails were a polished, yet plain wood. It really looked like somepony had planned to build a house here, but only focused on the stairs.

Both curious and needing a good vantage point, I moved to climb the strange stairs. But before I could take the first step, Will-o-Wisp appeared, moving about in a frantic manner. It was as though telling me to not climb, and desperately.

Taking heed, I took a step back, only now fully realizing how wrong this was. There was no sound, not even the wind, as though the wasteland was holding her breath. Then I remember that the Equestria Wasteland was full of insane magics that do strange and cruel things. The streak in my mane was one example of that.

So I decided that not climbing the freaky ass stairs was probably a good idea.

The sound then returns as though simply turned on. Along with the usual ambiance, my ears twitched at the sound of yipping in the distance. The coyotes were close.

"Oy, raider!" Spoke a gruff stallion. Turning I saw one of the guards. He looked at me and whistled with delight. "Now ain't this rare, a raider with a cute face."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Go suck your own dick, I'm hunting right now."

The burly stallion trotted up to me, which caused me to clench my jaw and glare. "Now I didn't have that in mind, but arrangements can be made." He then looked at me, and a bit lower, where a smile formed on his face. I then noticed my back leg was shaking, and I couldn't control it with a pony dressed like that so close to me. "How about it? You get your fix, and I get my way with you."

I watched as the guard pulled out a canister of dash. Then I realized he thought I was in chem withdraw. It was so stupid that it put a smile on my face as my body trembled. "Like I said, go suck your own dick."

He then scowled at me. "So gose playing nice. I'll just take it after I get you to answered a few questions… or during. My cock is rather fat. Bitched like you beg for me to violate them."

My amusement turned to hate as I readied my rifle at him. "Ask your fucked up questions and fuck off" I then lowered the barrel of my rifle. "Or I'll be taking that fat cock with me, and without you."

The guard huffed. "Of cores I get the prude raider. Now tell me, are you really Corpse Dancers, you three don't have that necrophiliac feel to you."

Grate, this piece of shit was smarter than he first appeared. Time to sell the crude and dumb raider. I then looked back at the stairs, and an idea formed in my head. "Fuck if you care, not like it matter's. Boss dead, the crew dead, and I didn't get my turn with the pegasus we captured. And now I got some asshole thinking I'm a whore."

Of which I had been not all that long ago.

"Ya ya, you a tough raider. And your right, I don't give a fuck if your a Corpse Dancer or not." The guard said with a smile as he lightly shook the dash canister. I made a point of following it with my eyes, playing up the chem addict role. "So how did you fucker come to know about what we're up to?"

"Word gets fucking around." I then looked at the stairs and smiled. "But if you want to really know, I'll tell you, but all you need to do is climb up those stairs. Now about that Dash?."

"The dash for a fuck!" The guard said sternly.

I paused for a moment, fully knowing he was too close to fight. So I needed to plan this out and shoot him in the back. "I'll suck cock for the Dash."

"No, a fuck, and I'll throw in some interesting a bitch like you might want to know." He bargained.

"That is?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

He smiled. "Only after I make you my bitch!"

I rolled my eyes. "Ain't worth the cock worts."

The guard let out a long huff. "Fuck it, fine. Miss prancy butch Onyx has an arena for testing raider fucks like you, but if you want to get the good deal, the raiders have their own shit. And the big shot raider bosses loves to throw new focus and slave into their arena to test them. Though generally it's a bloodbath."

My ear twitched. "Slaves? And an arena?"

His belt unbuckled. "Ain't saying nothing more unless I get mine!"

This fucking bastard… but we were in need of information. "Alright, but if your lieing to me as some fucked up joke."

The guard laughed. "Ain't no joke or lie bitch. Good caps can be made if you know the shit I know."

It disgusted me to think I was doing this as he disrobed, but when I saw that he was not lying at all about his girth. This might actually be fun.

As predictable, the fucker was rather unwashed, and with how long we had been out here in the wasteland, an annoyingly familiar salty taste was left in my mouth from the fourplay. Last I needed was to be bleeding from him going dry, and with his size, I had no doubt he would have torn something in me.

Turning around to present my cunt, I was hoping he would go slow, at first. what happened was that he pushed my head down into the dirt, and shoved his fat cock into me. before I could complain, I belt was looped over my head and into my mouth, giving something to hold onto as he aggressively began to fuck me.

"Ya, take me bitch! Mone like the whore you are!" He growled as he slapped my flank hard over and over again.

I'd have turned around and slapped myself if not for him riding me like a baramin, it had been a wile since the last time I was on the sub end of a fucking, and I still didn't like it. But unfortunately this fucker had too much energy, and was fucking strong, so all I could do was to move my hip to take him in.

The sound of wet slapping and moaning when on for minutes, and I didn't need to fake any of it.

When he was finally done, I was left on the floor panting, my ass in pain.

The guard then whistled. "Well that was good, most bitched are just dead fishes. Well except for the one bitch the Brain Nails dragged in, I think she actually liked to be knocked around."

"Ya, whatever. About that shit you know?" I asked.

He tossed me the dash, taking a second one out before inhaling it, then sat down and pointed at his dick. It was annoying, but I got the message and began giving him a blow job "Oh that hits the spot. Oh, ya, shit you're going to want to know. Well first off, never bet one the most capable pony in the raider arena, there's a whole jump or die shit with an electric cage. The last jump, all of them are traps, like bam, you get penetrated in the bad way, whoever is second just needs to jump onto the corpse to get across."

The guard took another puff. "Oh and avoid the cooks, they're all cannibals. Also the smiles have a run on the place, so do not piss them off, or get friendly with them. Also… oh right, if you want to fuck for free, well fuck for free with a pony that's not a raider, go to the slave pens at night. The fucking raiders, if they don't take a slave with them, keep them all in one spot, and with guards who don't give a fuck. Just find a nice one and take them."

The disgusting stallion finished up and I swallowed it all. Finally he seemed satisfied as he got up and started putting his armor back on. "And that's mostly it, well other then avoid the Murder Ballers, they've been extra rapey lately. Something to do with the Baelfire Friends hanging around their boss, Spine Breaker.

He then took my rifle before I could stop him. "I'll hold onto this. Don't want you shooting me in the back, and I'll need some leverage to fuck that ass again."

"Might shove that rifle up your ass if you're not careful." I growled at the fucker.

He just laughed at me as he took the first step up the strange stairs. "Now that's an idea, for me to do to you."

Everything became quiet again, not a bug or rodent making noise, not even the wind. "Weird." The stallion said as he climbed up. The further up he went, the more muffled his words became, until he too was silent. Then he finally got to the top and froze. There was a look of surprise on his face and a genuine smile.

Then the stallion stepped forward and fell. With a slam, he got a face full of dirt, but didn't loom bothered. Actually he seemed happy, waving at me.

I was confused, but as the sound slowly returned, I could hear him calling out to me. "It's so beautiful here, you have to see it, it's so beautiful!"

My ears twitched as loud yipping came from behind me, and got louder. Turning around, the coyotes were rapidly approaching… and they had snakeheads?

I grabbed Mire Frost from thin air and aimed. As the first snake coyote lunged at me I fired, blasting off its head.

Seven more of these monsters ran past me and surrounded the guard, who seemed oblivious to the danger. Actually he bent down to pet one, and got his hoof bit. But he didn't respond.

As he got surrounded, the monsters began nipping at him, ripping off fur and then flesh. All the guard did was laugh happily as he was being eaten alive, blood now oozing from the many bite marks all over him.

Even more monsters joined in, seemingly from thin air, mobbing the guard. One rather large snake coyote looked at me and let out a loud yip and hissed. I somehow understood. They get their meat, and I get mine. Turning away I grabbed the monster I killed, and trotted off.

All sound was drowned out by the yipping, hissing, and even stranger, the rattling of tails.

I didn't waste time making my way back to camp, putting on my gas mask and throwing the carcass near the fire for the others to see.

Cauterize whistled in surprise. "You bagged a nightstalker, nice."

I looked at the mutilated beast. "So that's what they're called."

The others then gathered around to look at my kill. Then the priest looked at me, eyebrows raised. "And the guard sent out with you?"

I glared at him. "You mean sent out to fuck me. Well he is currently getting ganged raped by those snake headed coyotes. Fucker stole my gun too."

A long sigh came from the priest. "I'll have to let the others know about this. Nightstalkers will make things more... difficult."

I looked at Molo, and she smiled back at me as she pulled out a knife and passed it to me. "Well we got meat, and that's all I care about." She then stopped to sniff me and then laughed. "Seriously, you weren't joking about that. Was it at least good?"

"Not the best, but better than most." I told her and we laughed before turning to butcher the nightstalker.

With the fire crackling, and a green storm passing in the distance, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread hanging over me. Then again, we were heading into a raiders nest.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty One

_______________________________________________________

That dread I felt grew even worse as we passed through the front gates of the place so proudly named "Happyville," the sign decorated with animal skulls and corpses. The amount of raiders simply laying about was also extremely concerning. It wasn't until I was surrounded by them that I felt that I truly had made a mistake.

There were hundreds of then, likely every raider in this region and the next had been gathered here. The raiders huddling under scrap built tents and inside the old rotting buildings. They had also clearly stuck to their own, each shelter hanging a flag or totem, with raiders on guard. I even saw a few dead raiders strung up and guts hanging out for all to see.

I popped one of the chem laced cigarettes into a hole in my mask, lit it, and breathed in. The calming effect was almost instant, though now my gas mask was full of smoke.

"So where do we even start?" I asked Molo.

She lifted my mask a little, letting out the excess smoke. "First off, don't let your guard down like that. We don't have a big crew watching our backs and you're making yourself blind. Secondly, let's offload this booze and get some good shit ourselves."

"Nice!" Cauterize spoke up, and pointed at a building with a big sign with a mare on it. "Let's go to the titty bar then."

Molo and I just shrugged, not seeing a worse Idea.

Fortunately for us, it was where the smugglers were offloading their chems and booze, where the raiders were quite happy to see our contribution as we passed by. Molo made sure to pass some booze out, to the cheer of others.

We were in some sort of neutral ground for the raiders, where the different groups mingled. There were several heavily armed and armored raiders standing ground, most of which were Smelters armed with flamers. The message was clear. Don't start shit, or everypony suffers.

Arriving at the bar, it was a grisly pink building decorated in old world posters and faded rainbows. Waiting for us was an equally girly pink pony with a big smile on her face. Both Molo and Cauterize cringed at seeing this pony.

Loudly, and excitedly, she greeted me. "Welcome to the Ministry of Moral's, Super Fantastic Fun Zone! we just call it the MOMSFFZ for short!"

"You were right, the Smiles are running this joint." Cauterize huffed out at me.

She quite literally zipped next to the big stallion, and slapped his shoulder. "Who else but the Forty Two Smiles to bring the fun, fun, FUN!"

Just as quickly she hot to Cauterize, she was in my face, nearly knocking me over. "If it's not fun, then why do it?"

Thankfully Molo came to my rescue. "Damn straight, and I say kill anypony who wants us to be all boring like!"

The pink raider then zipped to Molo, squeaking her up into a dance. "A mare who knows, a mare who knows! Let me get you a booth, and we can snort some mentats. So fun!"

With a poof, she zipped away.

I then looked at Molo. "That… was… weird."

She smiled. "That's a Smile for you. Just don't give them any new ideas, and don't ever tell them no. If you must turn them down, say you will do fun stuff tomorrow, after you do other fun stuff today."

"Right… also, why are they called the Forty Two Smiles?" I asked.

"I know this one." Cauterize spoke up. "Their mantling some bitch from like a hundred years ago, or was it sixty years? Whatever. But some psychopath lookalike of the ministry mare of the Ministry of Moral showed up and tore the wasteland a new asshole. She was put down by some merchant with a chrysalis motor's motor wagon. Legends say that both were related to the ministry mare of the Ministry of Moral, and it was an inheritance squabble over a weapons cash."

I raised an eyebrow at the story. "Really?"

Both ex-raiders shrugged, and Molo said, "Maybe. It's an old story my mom told me when I was a foul. The Merchants of… goodness, I think she called the tale. And I recall that one or two of the hero's from that tale are in another… The Longest of Winter... I think."

"You mean the Long Winter! I recall there was a merchant family that helped Storm Rider." I said, trying to remember it.

Molo clapped her hooves together. "That's them! And if I remember correctly, they are actually still around too. Supposedly they even remade that motor wagon, though I don't think it works. Or was it an airship? Then again, I haven't seen them myself, so they could all be dead for all I know."

That was actually really interesting, and made me want to go find out myself. After Tripwire was dealt with of course.

We all then got out of the self driving motor wagon, trotting to the entrance of the bar. Molo told me what it was called, the raiders being all so creative; "The Drunk Slut." So I made a mental note to only have one beer. I was still sore from last time.

Was it bad that the bar's name made me feel called out?

Inside was… better than I expected, and worse than I feared. Aside the mob of drunk an high raiders, there was several cages with what had to be malnourished slaves inside, dancing weekly. Center stage was a crude stripper pole with a raider mare performing on it, with the raiders below tossing caps and chems on stage for attention. The dancers had more piercings than a Red Light Showroom mare, and from her slightly wide barrel and visible teats, she was clearly pregnant. But most sickening were the dead ponies and still moving feral ghouls strung up as wall decorations, like some morbid trophies.

Molo got close to me and whispered. "Alright, just let me do the talking, and I'll see if we can get any extra info we need. And don't be a hero here, ever. See shit go down, it's none of your business. "

I nodded and followed her to the bar. I looked back to see Cauterize getting stopped by several stallions, they all had a smile on their faces. I wasn't surprised, but I was a bit worried that ponies recognizing him might be a bad thing. Strangely they didn't look like raiders, actually one of them had a jacket that made him look a bit like Pa if he was closer to my age, which was a bit concerning.

Taking a seat next to Molo at the bar, the bartender was another Smile, this time a clearly dyed pink stallion. He vigorously shook a drink up, and artfully poured a pony their drink before turning to us. "Hay shitfaces, you want to get messed up, fucked up, or have a dance with Lathe?"

That last one caught me off guard, and without thinking, I said, "were not here to off ourselves, or fuck any of you."

The Smile… smiled. "Then getting messed up it is."

We were quickly served some questionable looking drinks, of which Molo and I both sipped together. And we then spat it out.

"Fucking gut rot this is?" Molo said, laughing a little.

"What's in this?" I asked, having tasted something chemical like.

Molo then took a swig, managing to keep it down. "I say… it's got… I have no clue! Spark battery waste maybe."

"Close, it's cruel tea, with lunashine, that's what you're tasting." The Smile bartender informed us. "We managed to snag a fuck ton of the cruel joke flowers from a dumbass slaver before the cock sucking NCR burned all the crops. Those new assholes don't enjoy a good joke when they see it."

Molo's face slowly turned to confusion… "Wait, are you talking about that farm filled with Killing Joke vines?"

The Smile laughed. "Cruel Joke, not killing joke. The plant doesn't kill you like its big bro, just makes you suffer in hilariously cruel ways… then you kill yourself to make it stop. Turns out that the flowers make a rather nice chem, of which we gladly share for all!"

I decided to not ask further about this plant, and thankfully, neither did Molo. Who changed the subject.

"Nice, I've got to have more later. But I got to ask, who the fuck is running this shit show, heard it was that Onyx bitch?" Molo so gracefully asked.

The bartender rolled his eyes. "Ya, it's the no fun bitch, Onyx Heart. She's held up in the estate house, the place with the walls around it. We wanted the big building, but nooo, it's not for parties. Noo, come back and we will set you on fire. Noo, if you toss shit over the wall one more time, you will be fed to the dogs, alive."

"That's a fucking bummer." Molo said to the barkeep, tipping her glass at him. "Then how did such a spoilsport get the Smiles to come along and play… nice?"

The Smiles, smile, twitched a little. "You're asking a lot of questions."

Molo then pulled out her four bottles of ghoul bile wine, "well I'm just being neighborly. And it pays to know who not to fuck with."

Looking at the bottle, the smile uncorked it and sniffed it. He quickly closed it as he cringed. "The fuck is this?"

"Kiss Kiss booze." Molo ansewred, then added, "With some magic mushrooms brewed in."

The bartender sighed. "What a waste of good mushrooms. Kiss Kiss has thee worst fucking downer I have ever had, and that was after keeping myself from puking it up."

"Oh ya, and the high is barely worth it. Probably why the mushrooms were added in." Molo stated.

With a shrug, the Smiles bartender opened the bottle again and then took a swig. "Oh ya, I think I can feel it."

Now Molo leaned in closer to the bartender. "So, what can you tell me about what's going on around here?"

"Right, right, cunt." He said dismissively before continuing. "Well we, the 42 Smiles, were told there would be a big bash, and we couldn't resist. Take back Fillydelphia, be one of the big dogs again. That kind of shit. But the fuckers in charge only wants to give the good shit to the best among us. Armor and guns. Rumors say you also get all the good booze you can drink and all the whores you can fuck. So lots of us fuckers been trying to get Onyx'es attention, wanting to be the next group picked. I mean who wouldn't want the best shit to hang over theirs assholes."

Again that confirms our assumption. Onyx is filtering out the raiders to get soldiers.

"And what shit are these fuckers doing to get the bitch's attention?" Molo asked.

The Smiles raider laughed. "Oh that's the fun part. We got ourselves an arena, over at the schoolhouse. They stocked a whole bunch of nasties to fight, and it's good entertainment too. Though that's if you're lucky, the bitch barely shows up lately. Better to get the boss's attention with our own fun, a fun place we set up, if you're interested I can set ya up too."

Molo scratched her chin. "That might be in-"

"Fuck that!" I interrupted. "He's talking about some messed up arena. Ain't no way were getting kill so you can get off."

The raider snored a laugh. "This one seems to know some shit."

"One of the guards had a fat mouth." I replied.

Molo chuckled as she jabbed my shoulder. "And a fat other thing" then turned her attention back to the Smile and asked. "Anything else, interesting?"

"One thing actually, since ya two seem to know about our games." The bartender said, the smile fading a bit. "The fucker Spine Braker has been a real dick lately, calming the winners as his prize. Make a public show of it too. Oh you get in good with the boss, that's for sure, but the cost is a literal pain in the ass, like with spikes. Not the worst shit, if your into it, and so long as you don't make yourself interesting, then it will be quick."

"Noted" I said through my mask.

Almost on cue, Cauterize came trotting over, with Low in toe. "Hay, I hear there's a killer fight starting at some arena. Fire geckos, fucking fire geckos!"

Molo pushed herself out of her stool, and waved at the Bartender. "Fire geckos sounds real fun, so we got to split. But please make sure to share those booze around. One can't just have fun alone."

As I got up and trotted to leave, I then felt a slap on my rear, followed by several raiders laughing. I reared back to buck the fucker, but was stopped by Molo. She wrapped her hooves around me and blew them a kiss. "She's all mine colts, and if you try that again. You will learn what it feels to be a burnt brahmin stake."

I was then pushed out, Molo looking annoyed.

"Please don't try that again!" Molo hissed at me once we were outside.

"And what, let them touch me?" I hissed back.

She rolled her eyes. "Them, as in more than one. If you want to take part in a public gang bang, fine by me. But do that after were done here."

I quickly calmed down. "Right… sorry. I guess a fight is what they wanted.

"Maybe. It's raiders after all. They might have hoped that you liked your ass slapped." She guessed.

I then bumped her with my flank. "Well most of the time I was the one doing the slapping. Now let's catch up to the others."

We had to hop over a chemmed out raider as we made our way to the school house.

_______________________________________________________

Armed with only a spear, the raider charged the beast for one last strike. A gout of fire roared out of the fire geckos mouth, only missing the raider by hair's breadth. Actually a few of his hairs had actually caught on fire. But with a well-timed roll, and spear thrust, the raider trusted his blade into the gecko chest.

The crowd cheered as the large gecko hunched over, fire dripping from its mouth. Still burning, the raider then gave out a victorious roar.

The fight did prove interesting, as it was my first time seeing a geko spit fire. Both Molo and Cauterize seemed dejected that the raider won, clearly liking the fire breathing lizard.

"Damn, and I had a name for him and everything." Cauterize huffed. "Maybe they got a gecko baby I can take. Better yet, two."

"I'm not sure they would make good pets." Low suggested.

Cauterize grinned, "but that would be badass."

"Agreed!" Molo said, before changing the subject. "So, have you learned anything?"

"A little." Cauterize answered. "Ran into a crew I've ran with before. Good ponies, for bandits I mean. Surprised they were even here, with their thing for family and rules and such. They're actually planning on leaving tonight, got bad feelings about this operation and plan to just move out west. Told them it's a smart move, and gave them a bottle of that shit, for them to give to a pony they hate here. Don't worry they ain't rats. Radscorpion more like it."

"And that's all?" I asked.

Cauterize shook his head. "They did tell me one thing. You see, those Smelters you saw standing guard, they ain't true stock. Been keeping my head low for nothing."

"True stock, what's that?" I had to ask.

Molo answered, "he means that they are not originally from the Smelter clan. Older raider groups like to form tribes or clans. More or less the same thing. And they develop a whole thing about breeding, and strong bloodlines."

An unamused huff came from Low. "Sounds like the Enclave."

"And slaver families," Molo added.

Cauterize then spoke up to continue what he had learned. "Well this stock comes straight from a place known as the Breaking Grounds. And from what little they could get out of the fake Smelters, it's where all the good guns and armor go. You know that crate of Redeye rifles we delivered, it actually not staying here, but being sent to the Breaking Grounds. As for the ponies, it's where the place get its name, as it breaks a pony down and remakes them from the ground up."

"I also learned something interesting, and a bit concerning." Low said, bringing attention to himself. "That priest was well set on converting me to his cult. Spoke of a wonderful sounding place called New Unity. Well wonderful to him, it sounded dirty and boring to me. I mean, that robe is so last century."

"Low, keep on track." I told my friend.

"Right, about New Unity." Low continued. "It's where they're going to spread their cult from, church and all. The worshipers there do hard labor in the form of mining, of what I don't know, but he said that their community is steadily growing, though it didn't sound like it was by the worshipers choice. And here's the kicker, all ponies there must worship this Goddess several times a day, or face punishment."

"It all fits together." I said with a nod. "The Breaking Grounds sounds like Grinders domain, and New Unity is likely Angles domain. We will definitely need to take them down and stop whatever they are doing there. Meaning any information on where these places are is key."

"Well ahead of you there, Lottery." Molo said sternly. "Likely any info we need is at the estate house, with Onyx. We can rush in before the ghouls attack, take em for everything they got before they know what's happening."

"Sounds solid to me. But who's doing what, when and how." Cauterize asked.

"I might have an idea." I said, getting their full attention. "Well if we need to get into the estate, then It has to be Low. They already think you're a slaver, so let's roll with it. I've already volunteered to lead the ghouls here, and I'm less likely to attract attention when slipping out. But we also need to make sure the ghouls do maximum damage, meaning that somepony needs to sabotage anything the raiders could use to stop the ghouls."

Both Molo and Cauterize looked at each other, then turned to me with a cruel smile.

"Alright, then once things start, we meet up with Low at the estate." I said, finalizing the plan. "Now when to start this?"

"I suggest going out with those bandit friends of mine." Cauterize told me.

"Are they safe?" I asked.

He laughed. "I wouldn't sleep with both eyes closed around them, but you should be fine. Their leader is a right bitch, but she has her standards. It's why I don't call em raiders, because they ain't raiders. But this would mean we will have to wait till it's dark."

"Fair enough. Meaning we got a few hours before I go out. What should we do until then?" I asked.

Cauterize was the first to speak. "I should talk with my friends, and let them know about you. Maybe look around for weak spots to brake."

"Same here." Molo said, "I'm sure I can sew some discord between the raiders here before nightfall."

A yawn and a stretch came from Low. "I don't know about you all, but finding a bed at that estate sounds like a good idea."

"Then I'll look around a bit and meet you all back here. I want to check out this market, see if the info the guard gave me about the slave was right." I told them.

As we all left the arena, Molo stayed next to me. "Before you go, Lottery. Please just keep your head down."

I smiled back at her. "I know and I will."

_______________________________________________________

I was quite surprised to see that the market as an actual market, though one run by slaves. Fortunately the actual raider presence was rather low, and the ones on guard seemed rather aloof.

Unfortunately it looked like they only had junk, chems and pipe guns to sell here. There were a few interesting things on display, but a thousand cap toy rocket was more than just too expensive. And a collection of skulls was morbidly fascinating, but I'd never buy it..

To my horror, there was in a corner of the market a sex slave brothle. It had several ponies chained up and on display. It was, of course, where most of the raiders were. The sound of muffled fake moaning came from inside, which caused me to turn away.

If I could, I would kill all the raiders right here and right now.

Studding the area, I took a mental note on where the slave pens were, and fortunately there weren't that many. So it might be possible to save them all when once the chaos starts. If were fast enough.

I then came up to the chem merchant! A rather unkempt looking mare who looked like she used the chems herself. "Got anything for healing?" I asked her

She nodded, and pulled out several pouches. "We still have some healing powder."

I picked one up and examined it. "Is this any good?

Again she nodded. "It will stop bleeding and disinfect any wound. But unlike healing potion, I won't stop scars from forming, and it is slow to close said wounds."

It wasn't a healing potion, but it should do in a pinch. "Alright, I'll take three."

Exchanging caps for the healing powder, I then let the poor mare be.

"THE FUCK IS THIS SHIT!" A rather large raider yelled as he kicked over a filly slave. They were at a cooking stall, serving some kind of soup. "YOU SPAT IN IT, DIDN'T YOU, YOU LITTLE CUNT!"

I watched as the raider kicked the poor filly hard enough to send her sliding across the floor. I turned away as she wailed in pain.

The raider laughed as he trotted over to the filly. "What you crying about, we gave you this cushy job making us this slop. And this is how you repay us. Ya ungrateful brat."

The large raider moved towards the filly, smiling with yellow jagged teeth showing. "Maybe I should drag ya to the brothel and make ya do a real job for me."

Just as he got close to strike the filly again, a slave mare jumped in between them and took the hit.

The raider snarled. "Yo again, thought ya learned your lesson when the boss made a show of ya. But clearly that wasn't enough."

The mare stood up, but sa8d nothing, just glared at the raider. She was strangely familiar, covered in scars, some being tally marks on her flank, and a naturally beautiful reddish brown curly mane… I then realized that it was the mare the Brain Nails had over a month ago.

She was then hit by the raider, nocking her down and cutting her cheek. "Maybe I should make an example of you again." The raider said as he forced her up by her collar, practically choking her.

I looked around, hoping that somepony would at least do something. The slaves were looking away, the guarded didn't care, and the few other raiders looked amused. It was the nature of this place, this horrible place. At least I was going to destroy it, but until then, I needed to keep my head down like Molo said. I can't save them if I get myself killed or worse.

"Now spread those legs ya cunt!" The large raider demanded as he shoved her head down and got ready to mount her.

A heavy piece of junk then slammed into the raider, knocking him over. The marketplace had become silent as all eyes now drifted to me. I had bucked the junk at him, and now I dashed into a charge.

"WHO FUCKING DARES!" The raider yelled as he got up, blood dripping from his head.

"I FUCKING DO!" I yelled back as I tackled the raider, knocking him back to the ground.

The market then erupted into cheers and jeers, as raiders quickly started making bets.

Kicking at me before I could stomp him, the raider quickly recovered, getting up to fight. He clearly had me on size and likely strength with it, but I had an equalizer. The raider charged at me, but I quickly pulled out and opened my bear trap and rigged it just as he slammed into me.

It hurt as I flew back, but from the sound the fucking raider made, he regretted his attack greatly. Getting up and wiping some blood from my nose, I saw that the trap was firmly attached to his upper leg. With how his leg bent slightly and likely broke something. Not wasting the opportunity I again charged, but this time to perform a buck. The raider was in no condition to get out of the way as he struggled to even stand up. So as my back hooves contacted his already damaged leg, I heard a snap and a guttural howl of pain.

Looking down at the now bleeding raider, his leg was now bent completely backwards with bone exposed. "YA BITCH, I'LL GET YA FOR THIS!" He screamed at me

"And I'll break your other legs." I told him.

A frying pan then hit my head, knocking me to the ground. Stepping in between us was the most cut up unicorn I had ever seen, she was holding both the pan and a massive butcher knife, and had a sack with goggles on her head. "Oy, you the dicks messing with my slave. I atta take a leg and throw it in the sue. Which will piss off a lot of ya on the account of you all being too squeamish for some fair good eats. Oh going after little fillies and colts is fine, but you all get squeamish when I give a fair solution to our food problems."

The likely cannibalistic raider then pointed her butcher's knife at one of the raider guards. "Oy ya, go drag this sad fuck away, or were having Murder Baller in our soup tonight."

Both a Smelter guard and another raider quickly rushed in and grabbed the now terrified looking large raider, leaving a blood trail behind him.

The butcher's knife then pointed at me. "Ay cunt, if ya keen at scaring away my customers, I'd aut to cut ya up too, ya understand ya?"

Getting up I nodded and said. "Clear."

"Good." The frightening mare said then looked at the filly. "Ya get back to work, and if any fuckhead interrupts ya." The mare dropped a more normal sized clever. "Add their legs to the pot."

I trotted to the slave mare and offered my hoof, but she just got up herself, not even looking at me. "I don't know your game, but if your going to fuck me, then just get it over already. Otherwise I got work to get back to." She trotted off, picking up a broom along the way, only for another raider to trot over and lead her to the brothel.

There was no saving her, not here, not now. I likely already did too much as it was. So I quietly slinked off into the crowd, trying to not draw any more attention to myself.

"Oy, Chopper, what's the fuck on the menu, got a friend who could use some grub." The voice of Bandsaw caused me to freeze in place.

My blood then ran cold as Short Fuse then spoke up. "We an't fucking friends you peg legged whore!"

I slowly turned to see the two raider bosses trot over to the cannibal mare, who's name appears to be Chopper. Band Saw was sporting some quality looking armor, painted in a mess of colors. Branding on the other hoof looked the same as before.

Trotting off to the side, I decided to spy on them, and hope to get some info.

"Mostly radroaches and tatos. Dropped some chems in to give it a kick." Chopper informed the raider bosses.

"Classic, just like moms would make." Bandsaw said with mild glee.

Short Fuse was less impressive. "Sounds horrendous. And wasn't your mother a cannibal whore as well."

Bandsaw chuckled "Only during lean years. I try to avoid Pony meat, it tends to be quite stringy and bland. Though when the Baelfire Fiends took me in, I was sure they suck some into our food whenever a sister went missing."

"Disgusting." Short Fuse said before trotting over to some tables. "Just give me whatever you haven't drooled in. I can't believe Onyx has me doing paperwork like a damn slave."

Joining her, Bandsaw leaned back, placing her peg leg onto the table. "Well that's your fault for fucking up and loosing your hostage. And by a Shatter Hoof no less."

Branding then slumped. "I hate her so much. That bitch will burn when I get my hooves on her."

A high pitch laugh caught both mares off guard when the most pink mare popped up out of nowhere. "Oh why so glum chum. Chimmy chummy chum chum. It's not like Molotov killed your brother." The pink mare then smiled wide. "Oh wait, she fucked him, didn't she. And before you got a chance too, poor Short Fuse, got your brother stolen by Fillydelphia prize whore before you could get him to fuck you. All that planning with killing his mare and colt to get him to crawl to you went to waste. Last I heard, Cauterize is now all lovey dovely with the Scorn Hearts twins."

Short Fuse tried to attack the pink mare with a hoof strike, but she was too fast. "One day you will get what you deserve, a right painful death, screaming in agony!"

"Naw, that doesn't sound so fun, not at all." She said as booped Short Fuse on the nose, then bounced out of her reach. "But if you ever want to try me and my Smiles, we're always up for a fun, fun FUN time."

Bandsaw laughed through her teeth. "They do know how to get the best chems."

"And the best ponies to have them with." Pink Haze said as she slowly turned to me. Two madness filled emerald eyes locked onto me, a wide yellow smiley on her face. Now that she was still, I could see that Pink Haze had two scars, each starting from the edge of her lips and going up to her ears. "And I know just the pony to join the fun, even if we must carve that smile on her face."

I knew it was time to go, and scampered away. Not caring that I didn't learn anything. It was better than getting caught.

Leaving the market, I quickly put distance between me and Pink Haze. Only stopping when I heard several ponies cheering. I was in some back alley where several raiders were betting caps on a game of craps. The sound of dice clattering on the ground.

Among the raiders were several younger ponies, some barely out of foal hood. It was disturbing to see them with cutie-marks depicting violence and chems, which told me they were born into this life. One had a cutie-mark of a heart with a needle in it, and another had one of a skull cracked by an axe.

Laying off to the side was another raider with an actual needle still in his leg.

I shook my head and passed the pony, and when one snarled at me, I tossed a few caps at his face. That calmed him down right fast.

As I got to the end of the alley, a pony stepped in my way. He was a large stallion, larger than the one I knocked around. "Oh where are you going, after putting on a show like that in the market?"

I got ready for a fight, but froze when two more large raiders appeared behind the first. Turning to charge off the other direction, it too was blocked by large raiders.

Then I finally noticed that they all had similar armor and the same colors, along with a symbol painted on their armor. A skull inside a spiked helmet.

"Is this scrawny pony the one who took out one of our boys?" A stallion with an all too deep voice spoke, and from behind the first raider stepped out a mountain of a pony. He was in battle-wore armor and a spiked helmet I recognized. It was the totem of the Murder Ballers, the raiders Molo said were verry organized and extremally dangerous, and from what the guard told me, connected with the Baelfire Fiends.

The first raider pointed at me. "Ya, that bitch tore off his leg, and needs to be taught a lesson. I say we take turns if she's got a pretty face."

The mountain big raider back hoofed the first, destroying the wall the asshole raider was knocked into. Then he looked down at me with just his eye. "I am Spine Braker, captain of the Murder Ballers. You have issued my team a challenge, and no challenge goes unanswered. Come with us, or I will break your spine right here."

I was surrounded and clearly outgunned. With their muscles I probably would still be outgunned even if I had the multi baelfire egg launcher. So I just nodded, and hoped getting out of this would be easy, or at least alive.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Two

_______________________________________________________

Content warning. Drugs, abuse, and rape

_______________________________________________________

I was tossed into a cage by one of the Murder Baller raiders, my blood running cold with the sound of cheering. Fortunately they didn't take anything from me, but the situation was still fucked all the same.

There were three other cages in the room with me, each with a single pony inside. One had a raider mare who looked like she danced in aside for the fun of it. Another had a very thin stallion who had a dead stair, and the last was a rather confused looking deer…

"Wait, the fuck is a dear doing here?" I blurted out.

The deer then gave a relaxed laugh. "Why are any of us here my mare? It's like water, and the world is a river."

The raider mare groaned loudly. "Now the brain fried deer is going to prattle not stop for hours." She then glares at me, eyes twitching. "We're all here to join the big shots, and get the good shit… well not the deer, I think he just mistaken the word join for joint. And you?"

"Broke a Murder Ballers leg." I said flatly.

She let out a laugh. "Nice, then you're halfway there already, seen that they didn't rape ya to death. Seen that the Murder dicks are stallions only, and the fucking Smiles keep their numbers at 42, who's you going to join. Smelters or Bailfire Fiends. I aim to join the Smelters, fun with fire and all."

I let out a huff. "Not aiming to join shit, but I figure it will be the Fiends. The Smelters… let's just say, that would be a really bad idea."

"Creepy fucks." The raider stallion said. "But if you've pissed off the Smelters, might as well go with the bitch brigade."

The raider mare laughed again. "At least it's not the Corps Dancers, those fucks fuck the dead all the time for fuck sakes." She then turned to me. "So who's your crew?"

I paused for a moment then sighed, sticking to the story. "Corps Dancers."

The raider mare cringed. "Oh… well there's nothing wrong with a little necrophilia."

"I never fucked a corps!" I said sternly.

She shrugged. "Ya whatever corps fucker. Best to get ready, the game is starting."

I face hoofed. "Please don't tell me we're at the other arena."

The stallion spoke up this time. "Best game to not be a part of. This is a true raider game, for raiders, by raiders. So don't die too fast."

The mare laughed. "Ya, we're not here to impress that bitch Onyx, we're here to be the real deal!"

"Survive three obstacles, and then fight in the arena. Who ever impresses the Bosses the most wins." The stallion explained.

I then sighed. "And no way to back out?"

They both laughed, which I took as a no.

Speakers then blared, and the crowd outside cheered. "Hay all of you fucking degenerates, you want to see another Raiders Game!" Once more my blood ran cold at the sound of Pink Haze's high pitched voice, fallowed by a murderous cheer.

"Good, I love a crowd with bloodlust in them." She squeaked. The more I heard Pink Haze's voice the younger she sounded, yet not foal young. More like Angles voice. "Now you all know the rules, but I'm obligated by the rule of exposition to explain. Our four contestants must clear three challenges then fight each other to the DEATH!"

Again the crowd cheered. "And this time the price is a juicy one. As it turns out, a member of the Murder Ballers made an embarrassment of himself, so now he is Spine Brakers personal kicking bag. So now theirs an opening for his team, isn't that just fucking peachy!"

The crowd didn't stop cheering, though I could tell, it was mainly just the stallions making the noise. "Oh I know you funkily dicks like to join the teen. Be just like my dear old dad when he was a Murder Baller, doing whatever ya want. Like fucking me until I became too old for my father, and he turned to my sisters. Well I decided to have my own fun with him. Oh I never have seen so much red in my life before, and painting the walls with his blood was just so much… fun." Now the crowd was dead silent, the mood likely even too dark for even raiders.

Pink Haze quickly turned up the sickly cheer. "Now onto the games! And the challenges! Firstly we have the hop, skip, and kaboom! Where our little fuckheads must avoided all the explosive traps to get to the other side. Next is the ghoul tago, where they must tangle with… ghouls. And lastly, is the shocker cage! Oh I love the shocker cage. It's so shocking."

The crowd then began stamping their hooves in unison, creating a rhythm.

"Three… Twoo…" the cages then opened. "OH FOR FUCK SAKES, YOU RUIND THE TIMEIMG!"

The four of us hopped out and entered an open area with four lines for us to follow. There was no separation, other than some barbed wire. Ahead of me was a mess of wire and obvious pressure traps.

*BANG!* a gunshot exploded near my hooves, the dirt peppering into my legs.

I looked to see where the shot came from and saw Pink Haze holding a massive pipe rifle that was splattered in pink paint. "Almost forgot, if any of you pussy out, or you get boring, we shoot you!" She told us with a wink.

Facing the first challenge, I took a deep breath and did my best to trot over the wires. The raider mare was already ahead of me, and I saw her look back at me smirking. She kicked an apple shaped grenade at me. The explosive landing near my hooves. Responding fast, I kicked it back.

The thing went high into the air, and exploded.

I was about to curse the mare out when I saw several grenades detach from their wires all over.

"Oh no! We made some of the traps super sensitive, you better get running… fast!" Pink Haze mocked us.

I jumped into a gallop, just like the others, not caring about tripping the other explosives. The feeling of snapping wires and the sound of clicking traps came with every hoof fall. Then came the explosion, one after another, getting closer and closer.

Jumping, I made it into the next room, heat at my flank.

"Annd damn, you all survived." Pink Haze announced, which was followed by a growler. "How the fuck did he get out, get that dear and skin him."

We all turned to see the burnt out dear somehow on the wrong side of a fence, and free.

"Oh, Groovy!" The dear said before bounding away. Raiders attempted to catch him by throwing themselves at the buck, but the dear was too agile for them. Before I even had to truly process what just happened, the dear was long gone.

An embarrassed sounding Pink Haze then continued. "And now we have three contestants, with how the deer got vaporized, wow that was bloody. I mean nothing left, yep just gone… well next up is a good old fashioned ghoul tango. Can they survive, or will we see blood!"

Across from us were several cages filled with feral ghouls, at least three for each of us. Pulling out my bear trap, I quickly opened it and pushed it far in front of me.

The cages then opened and the feral ghouls rushed out. And with a snap, one of the ghouls had one of their legs destroyed. The downed ghoul caused the other two to fall over, giving me precise time. Drawing a pipe revolver, I took aim and fired.

After the fifth shot I finally scored a headshot, taking out a ghoul as it got up. Then the second charged me, and in a panic, smashed the pipe revolver into its face. Something then came loose, and the gun fell apart.

The feral ghoul then bit down onto my fetlock, causing pain and drawing blood. With my free hoof, I began hitting it repeatedly, just hoping it would not break my bone. Then I heard a crack, and my hoof went through the skull, and I could feel it's sick and gooey, rotten brain. Freed, I tossed the ghoul off me, and turned to the last one.

The thing was crawling to me, the bear trap still on its leg. Limping over to it, I reared up, and with my already gore covered leg, stomped down on its head.

If I had not taken out the other two, I would have been dead soon after the one ghoul bit onto me.

"Now that's some good violence!" Pink Haze announced.

I looked over to see the other two raiders still alive. The ghouls around them in gorey bits. The stallion had blood soaked spiked hoof shoes on. The mare held a long stick that curved at the end, its end having a blade screwed onto it.

Pink Haze then giggled. "Now for round three. So get moving contestants, or we will shoot you." The doors on the other end opened up, and we quickly moved on.

We came to a strange room, it was covered in wire fencing. Walls, floors, and even above us. Platform's dotted the room all the way to the doors at the end.

"And here is my favorit, the shocker room!" Pink Haze said with pride. "When digging up this miserable dump, we found an arcano-tech generator. Now none of us know how any of that braminshit mumbo jumbo works, but we know if you attach a fence to it, it frys shit up good. So good you can't even piss on that electric fence. As for our contestants, all they need to do is get to the other side. That's all!"

The raiders watching began stomping their hooves in rhythmic unison again, making me nervous beyond belief.

Then the stallion jumped, landing on a platform with ease. A second later, he dropped. The sound of his screams and the crackling of electricity almost made me puke. Then came the smell of burnt fur and flesh, and I had to throw off my mask to let whatever I had in me come out violently.

"Oh somepony has a weak stomach, well at least you know that not all platforms are safe." She then laughed sadistically. "Have fun with that."

Quietly I whispered. "Will-o-Wisp, help me."

The little blue flame appeared, and excitedly danced before flying to a platform. Looking up I saw Pink Haze aiming her rifle at me, smiling wide. Quickly I jumped to the first platform, nearly slipping, but finding solid ground. Relief washed over me as I took a deep breath. I was almost out of this, I just needed to be careful.

Following Will-o-wisp, I safely made it to three more platforms. With a cheer from the crowd, Pink Haze then spoke up. "Close call there, any closer and we'd have two fried ponies." I looked to my side and saw the raider mare holding onto a platform for dear life, the tip of her tail on fire.

Returning to my task at hoof, I made it across to the last platform, where Will-o-Wisp had become frantic. Just like with the stairs, it was clearly warning me to not take the jump. Then I remembered what the guard told me, so I waited.

With a thud, the raider mare landed on a platform near me, the tip of her tail still on fire. "Oh, chickening out so soon. Whatever, I'll be waiting for you in the arena."

She then jumped, landing solid onto a platform. The platform then collapsed under her and a venerated pointed pipe pierced through the middle and into the raider. Her eyes went wide with shock as she let out a gurgle of pure pain. Blood quickly drained from the mare and covered the platform as it raced to flow over the edge.

Will-o-Wisp then floated over the mare and I sighed. Using the soon to be dead mare as a platform, I made it to the end of this room.

Pink Haze's laughter became even more unhinged. "And now there is only one! But it's not over, not at all. One last show for you all!"

I trotted to the next room, finding myself in a crude, but intimidating arena. Unlike the one Onyx ran, this one was decorated with corpses and raider totems. Raiders were everywhere in the stands, far more excited to be here then the other arena.

I could see the raider bosses high up, watching. Bandsaw, Branding, Pink Haze, and Spine Breaker. Fortunately it looked like both Bandsaw and Branding were quite drunk, so they might not recognize me. I hope so.

Pink Haze then began to speak again. "Now for the final show, to prove that this pony has the right to join the Murder Ballers! But first, bring out the appetizer!"

A door was opened and the Celestia damned bastard I brat was shoved out. He was already beaten to tartarus and back, and had a leg missing, but still stood, and looked pissed. "Thi-sh ish yar falt." He spoke through a broken jaw.

I didn't waste time and charged him, this asshole was why I was here in the first place. And before he could defend himself, spun and bucked at his other leg. With a loud crack, he fell over screaming, it bending in a painful direction. He swiped at me, so I stomped on his shoulder, then the other one just to make sure he couldn't try anything.

Now that there was no way he could fight back, I trotted away, not wanting any more sick on my hooves. The raider deserved worse, but I didn't want to be like them.

The crowd hooted and hollered as the rithmickly stomped and clapped. I hated that they were cheering for me, for the violence.

"OH YAAAAAA! Gotta love a merciless beating." Pink Haze cheered, and then a gunshot went off, followed by more cheering from the raiders. Looking back Pink Haze had killed the raider I beat, his brain splattered across the floor. "And you hear that, everypony loves it! Really gets the blood flowing. I almost want her as one of my Smiles, but there are already forty two of us, and forty three would wreck the vibe. How about you two bitches?"

Over the speakers Branding drunkenly burped and said, "fuck off cunt!"

The slightly less drunk Bandsaw spoke, her eyes burning into me. "Actually, I laid claim to this one a while back." My blood ran cold as she smiled and waved at me. "Hello Lottery. Good to see you again."

"Uh oh, looks like the Bailfire Fiends have taken an interest in this pony. What say you Spine Beaker?" Pink Haze asked.

The mountain of a pony sneered at Bandsaw. "A mare's place is for making new warriors. If she proves herself strong, then I may have a use for her."

Bandsaw then laughed. "Why not test her out yourself, if you like her, keep her, if not, she's ours. Maybe make your dear old mama proud by taking a mare that's not some chemed out slut for ones. I mean our girls had whispered to me that she was involved in Short Fuse's fuckup, and made a real fool of the Smelters."

Short Fuse then spat up her drink. "What! Wait, it is that fucking bitch! Oh I want her now!"

Spine Breaker stood up. "Too late burnt face, I'm taking the emissary up on her offer. I can see that she has a strong body, so this may prove fun."

The boss of the Smelters then sat back and smirked. "Ya know what, fuck it, shes not worth being sacrificed to the fires. Anyways, having her fight you will be far more entertaining."

Another chuckle came from Bandsaw, "Then it's a deal, if you like her she's yours. But she will still need to be taken to Mother Madam for a proper education after you're done with her."

Spine Breaker snorted in annoyance. "Fine, but make sure to tell my mother she's a cunt, emissary."

Bandsaw just smiled and gave Pink Haze a nod.

All the other raiders cheered ferociously.

"Well, well, well. Ain't this a surprise." Pink Haze spoke eerily softly. "We were going to have our new friend fight a Murder Baller to test her iron, but cange of plans." Spine Breaker came crashing down into the arena, shaking the ground from under me. "She will fight Boss, Spine Breaker!"

The massive raider smiled at me with yellow teeth. "Show me your strength! If you disappoint me, you might die." Spine Breaker growled.

I jumped back as a meaty hoof swung at me, the air pressure alone sending dust up and into one of my eyes. I managed to clear that eye just in time to see a hammer hoof strike coming for me, and I again jumped out of the way.

Again the ground shook, but I managed to keep a strong hoof hold on the ground, and reared back for a buck. Pain then trailed up my leg as I connected with his leg. "Fuck, what are you made out of!?"

With another smile, Spine Breaker stood on his back legs to flex. He was covered in what looked like a thick armor of mussels. It was so disgusting that it came back around to be impressive. "Strength is everything, it even stops bullets."

"FUCK!" I huffed out loudly as he then continued his attack, throwing his body at me this time. I manage to only get knocked away, nearly avoiding being crushed under his muscles, the hit knocking the wind out of me.

He then quickly got up and charged, the ground shaking with each powerful step towards me. I would be a smear if he got me, so I charged forward myself, it was the only way to get under his attack.

I dashed and leaping to the side, I just narrowly avoided his tackle, he then hitting the ground with a loud thud. Taking the opportunity, I turned around and charged him before he could get up.

Jumping on Spine Brakers back, I grabbed Rime Frost from where ever it was, and logged the spike in his back. Everything then became quiet as blood trickled from his quickly freezing wound.

The massive raider then thrashed, but I managed to hang on, until he kicked up with all his strength. The shear force of it was enough to dislodge Rime Frost and send me into the air, then back down to the ground.

Catching Rime in my mouth, I managed to land on al, four hooves, sending pain up my legs. But I was ready to counter attack, dropping my shotgun into my shaking hooves and aiming. But Spine Breaker had kicked up a dust cloud, blinding me from his position.

I was then hit from behind, knocking me to the ground as the cloud finally dissipated, next to me some junk from the arena, a bit of my blood on it. With Rime Frost nowhere near me, I picked up the junk to use it as a weapon as I looked around for the raider.

Spine Breaker then laughed from my side, the massive raider appearing from the dust cloud like a ghost. "I like you."

He rushed and I tossed the junk at him to buy me some time to find Rime Frost, but he didn't flinch, and was on me before I could go anywhere. Hitting me with the back end of his hoof, I was sent flying. Everything became a blur of pain as I violently rolled along the ground helplessly. Even when it stopped, my head still spun.

Trying to get up, I only slipped and fell, having what energy I had just knocked out of me.

"And she is out! A good show, a good show." Pink Haze announced. "And look at that, it seems that Spine Breaker has taken a liking to this firecracker. The show is not over yet!"

I wasn't given time to wonder what she meant by that as I was then tossed into the center of the arena. Sounds of hooting and hollering were all around me as my vision finally started to refocus. Looking around, my eyes then focused on Spine Breaker, and his large and very erect dick.

"You got strength, enough to be one of my mares." He said as he licked his lips. "And you penetrated me, so it's only fair I do the same to you."

Scrambling to get up, he lightly kicked me, sending me onto my back. With another step, he was on me, his heavy hoof pinning me to the ground. I beat at his hoof, but it was like trying to hit a steel beam. I was going nowhere.

To my horror, as he got closer, I saw two spiked piercings at the base of his cock. Spine Breaker then leaned in, and said into my ear. "Everypony will know you belong to me once I'm done with you."

I tried to close my legs, but he just forced me open, and then I felt it. The tip of his cock pressing into me, a cold ring that pierced it touching my skin, and it slowly spread me open. I clenched my teeth as he pushed inside me, all to the cheers of the other raiders, all watching me.

He was slow at first, I tried to calm down as I was violated. My mind going back to the Red Light, and how I used to do this all the time. But with a forceful thrust, I screamed in pain as he went into me all the way to the hilt. His spiked piercings dug into my flesh, cutting me. It was nothing like the Red Light, it was too painful and cruel.

"Take me all, my little whore." He grunted out as he began to more violently thrust into me. Sometimes all the way, forcing another screen out of me. My own body betrayed me as I began to spasm, making me want to puke, but my stomach was already dry.

It sickened me, but I felt relief when that familiar twitch was felt from Spine Breakers dick. With one last painful thrust, I screamed through clenched teeth. Hateful warmth filled, more than any creature had before. When he finally exited me, blood and semen mixed together as I layed limp on the ground.

"I expected you to work hard as one of us, and as one of my mare's." Spine Breaker said before addressing the crowd. "Behold the glory of the Murder Ballers! For through strength we will rule all, we will dominate all."

The raiders cheered and stommed, yelling for more, their rhythm of madness filling my head as I felt Spine Breaker flipped me over and grabbed my hips. Again I felt him enter me as I finally passed out to blackness.

_______________________________________________________

I didn't know how much time had passed, only that I had been dragged away, strapped down and had something done to me. Not rape, not yet, but it hurt all the same. Like I was being stabbed with needles on my abdomen. It burnt under my skin like fire itself. When it was over, they slathered it and the injury from Spine Breaker with something that burned terribly, amd injected me with something that made my mind fog.

After that I went in and out of consciousness, waking to only realize I was giving myself to Spine Breaker, only for my mind to fade again. It would eventuly stop, and things would go dark, letting me rest.

Mercifully I had no dreams, just cold peaceful darkness. But a tapping disturbing this peace. It would not stop, like a rhythmic drilling into my mind.

As my eyes opened, I saw the crooked smile of a raider I didn't want to see.

"Hello, Lottery." Bandsaw said to me, then tapped on a bar with a spiked brass hoof. "And like I said, you would come back to me."

I got up, only to bump into more bars. I was in a fucking cage. "Wh.., what's this?"

Bandsaw frowned. "It's what you get for trying to be a hero. It's what everypony gets for trying to be a hero." She then pointed off to the side.

Following her hoof, my eyes fell onto another cage, in it another mare. She simply laid down lifelessly, a clear bulge in her stomach.

"You know she was a real spirited mare, from what I heard." Bandsaw said with an amused tone. "Actually killed several of the Murder Ballers befor getting overwhelmed. Spine Breaker liked her so much, he kept her. That lovely spirit all broken now, her foal's potential likely to be wasted on being turned into a buck-addicted meathead."

The thought of this becoming my future left a taste of bile in my mouth. Turning to the raider mare, she was my only hope to get out of here. "What do you want from me?"

Her eyes went wide, and her grin became more twisted. "Yes, good, good. You understand the cards you hold, and that I have the power here. It's such a pain when a pony just spews hate and defiance from within a cage, while I hold the keys."

Bandsaw then pulled out a key. "Unlike the Murder Ballers, we Bailfire Fiends are both strong and smart. We recognize the true potential of a pony, not just stuff then full of buck and and send them out in a rage. We like to keep things subtle, use proxies, and control from behind the scenes." The key was then placed into the cage's lock. "What we want, is for you to… keep doing what you're doing."

With a click, the cage door creaked open. "Most of us have already moved out of this deathtrap. Even found good seats to watch the show."

I froze at her words. "Wait, you know, but how?"

The raider pulled me into her, giving me a kiss, then pushing me onto the floor. "Duke Pharynx the Fifth is not the only one who has honeypot traps all over this fucking part of the wasteland. Oh, we Bailfire Fiends have been doing this gig long before the fuckimg bombs dropped."

I wiped my lips and spat on the ground. "Okay, but why?"

"Why? That's the most simple thing ever. We want what Tripwire has. Simple... as... that."

"So just another power mad pony." I accused her.

Bandsaw just laughed at that statement. "Oh fuck yes, most definitely yes. You know how much easier life will be with perfectly obedient stallions tending to our every need and want. It's a paradise for us mares, and now it's so close at hoof."

Getting up, I finally realized how much pain I was in. Not just the bruises, but my insides and hips as well, even my abdomen was sore. Looking down I was shocked to see I was somewhat booted, cum still leaking from me. Taking a moment to puke and calm down, I then glared at Bandsaw. "And what makes you think I'll help you?"

The smile on Bandsaw's face dropped and she pulled out two mirrors. "Because you understand how horrible stallions are, and what they will do to us mares if given the chance. With how they leave their mark."

Looking at the mirrors, my injuries were healed, other than some bruising. Then one mirror was moved to my backside, and I gasped in horror. Right on, and going into my vagaina was a scar on both sides, made from the spiked piercings Spine Breaker had on his dick.

"You see that. They treated you with a healing salve over a healing potion. Works slow, but still effective. It also leaves the scarring behind." She then got close, and whispered in my ear. "Now everypony will know, they will know you got raped and claimed by a raider. Not to mention all that witnessed it. Oh what a show it was."

I shoved the bitch away in anger, glaring at her. "Fuck you! You did this too, you were a part of this."

"Good, you still have spirit. But you should save that for Onyx Heart and Pink Haze." Bandsaw said as she tossed me something.

Catching it, I had in my hoof some descriptive mane ornament. It was of a rainbow mushroom cloud, but with a hole in the middle, and the base was like a cross. Actually, it looked a lot like the symbol for a female.

"Why Onyx and Pink?" I asked suspiciously.

Now Bandsaw looked annoyed. "Why do you think, Lottery? Onyx is completely under the control of Tripwire, and though she shares some of our vision. We cannot abide her wanting to place a stallion on the throne of a new Equestria. As for Pink Haze, the bitch is simply in the way. With both of them dead, we can take over the recruiting, making sure that Tripwire only gets the ponies nopony would miss. And at the same time, we Bailfire Fiends get the pick of the lot."

She then motioned for me to put on the main ornament. "Keep that one on yourself, it will let our sisters know you're with us."

"I'm not with you!" I pointed out to the bitch.

"Are you now? Well maybe not yet, but I know that in time you will see things our way. Equestria was founded and ruled by us mares for a reason, and lost it all when we let the stallions have even a little bit of power."

I glared at her, "you're insane!"

She shrugged and then trotted to the other cage. "It's the wasteland after all, we're all insane. Now best if you get going, or you will miss your chance at freedom. Schedule an… accident to happen as you're being taken to base here. Once the fun is over you can slip away and do whatever you have planned here. Oh I do hope it's explosives."

With a quick whistl, two stallions trotted in, looking like Murder Baller, but not as buff. They had my stuff, which looked untouched to my relief. Glaring back at Bandsaw, she again motioned for me to put on the mane ornament. Giving in, I placed it where I tied my main up in a side ponytail. It would be cute if it wasn't a raider totem.

Then I dug into my bag and pulled out my contraceptives, taking a hoof full and chomping down on them. They… tasted a bit off, but it was probably from the blood in my mouth. "I will get my revenge on you, rid this wasteland of your filth."

Bandsaw smiled and blew me a kiss. "I'm sure you will. Now have fun."

As I left, the pain I felt seemed to subside a bit, but at the same time I was starting to feel a bit hot. Burning with rage maybe, but nom matter how pissed I was, I just wanted to get away from these raiders.

_______________________________________________________

The two stallions took me some back way out of the raider games area, avoiding the crowds. With the scar on my genitals, I felt more exposed now, knowing that I had a mark of shame on me. I fucking hated it, and hated the raiders for it.

The pain was still fresh in my mind, I likely only been out for an hour, seeing that the day had only begun to set. My mind drifted back to Chilly, and how she went through the same. I also pondered Bandsaw's words, and wondered that if I didn't meet stallions like Spell Circuit or Horus, maybe I would think she was right.

She was insane, a raider. But how much will it be before I crack?

I did choose this risk, I knew the danger… but it was still hard to not just crumple down and cry. I would if not for the raiders, so I must stay strong until the mission is done.

And fuck, was was everything g so hot!

"We're here." The raider guide told me.

The bitch had said she set up an accident, that after it was over I would be able to go free. Maybe a shootout, or a bomb going off. But I was some dark room that smelled of rot and… sex!

"FUCK!" I shouted out as I reared back to kick one of the raiders, but felt myself be pulled to the ground. I was so stupid, I let myself get stuck in my own head instead of running off the first chance I got.

Four more raiders jumped out from the darkness, twisted grins on their faces. A chain loop was then tossed around my neck, which connected to a support beam above. One of the new raiders, a unicorn, tossed a bag of caps to the assholes who led me here.

"See, see, just promise caps and somepony will deliver." The fist raider said with a chuckle. I tried to get up and fight, but he simply used his body to hold me down. I just didn't have the strength to push him off me.

The second cocked his head. "Thought you said it was going to be a spit roast? I'm hungry."

The first sighed. "The other spitroast you dingus." He then looked at the two guides. "Why you two still here, want to watch like a fucking faggot?"

They looked at each other and shrugged. "Actually we want a turn, the emissary bitch been running us raggen, and we need some relief, but got no caps."

"You got caps now!" The first retorted, then huffed. "Ya, fuck it, just hold the bitch down for us, shes still got fight in her.

As he got off me, I managed to get a kick out, scoring him in his rotting family jewels. The other raiders laughed as the first crumpled to the ground in pain. But as I got up, the chain around my neck was pulled, forcing me on my hind legs, unable to defend myself without choking myself.

With a forceful kick, the first raider hit me in the stomach, the chain choking me enough that I could not scream. He did this a few more times before the chain whet slack and I fell to the floor again. The first raider then chuckled. "I was going to be nice, but now not so much you bitch." felt as chains were wrapped around my back legs, holding me in place, all as the first raider pulled out a pipe gun and shoved his dick in my face. "Now get to work."

I stopped fighting as tears welled up in my eyes. I hated this, I hated this, I fucking hated this. But I needed to endure, wait for an opportunity. He then violently fucked my throat as another raider used another chain and forced my legs apart, and began to fuck my ass.

It hurt, but my body was also numb too, and warm. My head felt like it was getting foggy, and my body, it was heating up. The burning sensation on my abdomen became fierce with each thrust into me, causing my body to quiver, making me feel disgusted by the pleasurable sensation.

They didn't take long to complete, but there were more raiders waiting to go at me soon after. But before the second pair of raiders had a go at me, the first two cut into me with a knife, making me scream. "One for every nut, bitch." A raider told me, showing me the knife.

Then the second pair came at me even harder, their dicks pierced with studs and my body felt each one. "Look, the bitch is enjoying it." One of the raiders said laughing, as my body continued to betray me.

I don't know how long it went on, but eventually they tried, though it didn't mean they would stop. My flank was covered in bloody tally marks, and blood once again mixed with their cum. But my holding back and not fighting had paid off, as the raiders were now becoming more focused on getting high then fucking me. Though this was my first raider gang rape, it wasn't my first gang bang, and I had fortunately saved up my energy, what little I still had at the start.

The chains slack, and the first raider pulled me onto his lap, his dick still hard, but too tired to fuck me himself. Lazily he drew his pipe gun at me, grinning as he said. "Show me how much you're a real bitch."

Complying, I began rotating my hips, and it didn't take long for him to get off. I was already too full of their dimmable seed to feel any more warmth in me, but his member twitching and the rolling of his eyes was all I needed. My body wanted more as I slid off him, but I managed to focus, to reach out for my chance at freedom.

Pulling out Rime Frost, I knocked the pipe gun from his magical grip and shoved the barrel in his face.

"Where did you pull that out fr-" his head then exploded like confetti made of gore.

The other three raiders scrambled as the dead raider fell over and I fired a few more shots. But none laned. One raider took advantage of my lack of accuracy and charged. But Rime Frost was more than just a shotgun, and when the raider got close, I swung upwards. The spike of the ax went right up into his muzzle and he stopped.

'Wh… at" he said as he let out a visible breath and his jaw began to freeze.

My victory was short lived as the chain around my neck was pulled again, lifting me off the ground. Pulling me away from the raider I spiked, his jaw shattered and he fell over, and convulsed violently.

As I swung by my neck, desperately trying to keep myself from choking to death. One raider was screaming fuck at me over and over as the other chuckled like it was a violently nervous tick.

"You fucking bitch, you killed my bro, you murdered my bro. Your fucking vile and fucking evil. I'll make my fucking revenge slow and painful you FUCKING BITCH!" She shrieked at me.

Then a door to the outside was then kicked opened with violent force, the sound of it rivaling that of a gunshot. Bathing the room with light, Molo stood there, her two SMG's at the ready. Her eyes fell on me, then the two corpses, and then on the other raiders in the room.

The shrieking raider sneered and then said, "WHO THE FUCK ARE-"

A torrent of lead was fired from Molos guns and into the raiders. Within a second she swept the room with lead, then pulled out her second pair and finished off any raider who survived.

The chain slacked and again I hit the floor, but this time it was a soft landing. I was held in Molo's magic as she rushed over to catch me. "By Celestia I'm sorry Lottery!" Molo cried out as she held me, tears in her eyes. "I should have never let us split up. That was the worst thing we could have done, but I stupidly forgot!" She squeezed me harder. "This is all my fault you got hurt. It's always my fault, always!"

I took a moment to catch my breath, and then hugged her. "But you came for me, thank you."

She helped me on my hooves and helped wipe me off the best she could. "I'll take over the ghoul lure mission, you can stay someplace safe."

Shaking my head, I told her. "No, I'll do this, I need to do this. I want to do this. I want to see this place destroyed."

Molo sighed as she let me go. "Fine, but let's wash you off first, and if any pony tries anything, they're dead. And I don't care if it means we shoot our way out of here."

"Good, they deserve it." I said with a grim determination as I stood up, my body feeling nothing but pain. "But first… I need a healing potion."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Three

_______________________________________________________

After getting washed up and washed out, then spending a moment drinking some booze and finishing off the chem laced smokes I had, I now felt less terrible. A healing potion also helped, keeping from getting any more scars. I had been shocked to see over twenty tally cut into me, which sickened me.

I was sure they had violated me more than that, and there were other raiders who had joined in and left before Molo showed up to save me. The two raiders that delivered me to the gang rape had not been among the bodies.

But now the damage they had done physically was gone, small blessings, yet the scar going into me still remained, along with the painful memory of Spine Breaker's brutality. Even now the scar tingled, as though he was still violating me even now.

Molo tried to cheer me up, but all I needed was her to be near me, nothing more. The other two were still doing their thing, and I doubt they would care about what I just went through, so it was for the best that I didn't see them.

Checking my small box like bag, I was relieved to see that the raiders had not stolen the Pear Valley tribes chems, as they were in a hidden compartment. Other then that, only a few of my contraceptive pills remain. Though now looking at the glass bottle they were in, the Baelfire Fiends symbol was drawn onto it for some reason. But I didn't have time to care, and took the remaining pills so that I won't have to worry about bearing a raiders foal.

"You sure you're okay to go, Lottery?" Molo asked, genuine worry in her voice.

Again I felt warm, a bit numb, and more relaxed. "I'll be fine, I feel fine. But I still fucked up and made myself a target." Molo was about to protest, but I raised my hoof up to stop her, and then continued. "I don't regret what I did, and I'll do it again. But I did it in the most stupid way, tossing that junk at him, and fighting that raider. Ya, there are a thousand other things I could have done."

Then I let out a long sigh, as I tried to keep my leg from shaking. "It's not like it… was my… first time."

"And you got scared up because of it! And I'm glad they didn't do that to your beautiful face. That aside, you sure those pills are your-" I again cut Molo off.

"I'll deal with that later. And like I said, it's not like I didn't know the risks. I was prepared for this." This was a lie, I had only thought I was prepared, but even now I felt like just screaming and crying in Molo's hooves. I wanted to just leave and let some other pony do this. But deep down I knew that if I quit, this would only happen again. That again, I got lucky. Anyways, I was not the only pony suffering here. Where I only had to suffer for a few hours, some of the ponies here have been suffering for Celestia knows how long.

"What's important is that we end this, and save who we can." I told Molo.

My friend then smiled warmly. "Yes, we can talk about this later, but first we have raiders to kill." She then pulled out some clean cloth from her bag, it was some extra clothing. "But before you head out, put this on, it's not much, but should give you some peace of mind."

It was wasn't much, but I also didn't want everypony who looked at me to know I had been raped by raiders. So this meant a lot right now. "Thanks."

Covering up and feeling as good as I could feel after being used as a play thing for raiders, Molo and I met up with Cauterize and his friends.

We arrived at a rather secluded part of this Celestia damned town, where a group of ponies stood around a burning barrel.

They were a rather dangerous looking bunch who did not speak as we approached, just nodded. Like the stallion I had seen before with Cauterize, they all had long leather jackets, but now I could see they had armor hidden under it. None of them had spikes decorating them, or anything raider-like on them, actually they were fairly well groomed, and the clothing under the jackets and armor looked to be of good quality.

Their guns too were nothing like the raiders, both looking quite powerful and very well cared for. Mainly revolvers, single shots, and at least two beautiful looking lever actions. They also smelled heavily of black powder, which likely meant that some, if not most of their guns didn't use smokeless powder.

Again I was reminded of Pa, whenever I went out with him, he would smell like that after making the bullets for his Martini Breech rifle.

"Oh, right… bandits." Molo said, as though now remembering something.

I cocked an eyebrow at her, but an older mare among the bandits spoke up to answer my question before it was asked. "Yes we ain't chemed out crazy folk, but professional mares of bitches. And we getting the fuck out of this joint before shit gose tits up. Been on the bad end of a raider conniption fit once, not going to be dumb enough to be there a second time."

The mare, who I guessed was the boss, was a beautiful and much older mare, who sported several scars on her face that only seemed to add to her beauty. She also wrought a wide brim hat decorated with an old world gold bit connected to four queen playing cards. It somehow gave her a regal, yet strangely familiar look to her, and along with how she looked at me, it all reminded me of my Ma.

She then smirked. "So your Cauterize's new friend, and definitely not a raider… yet."

I glared at her, but her expression didn't change. Instead she just said, "word of advice, just playing as a raider will turn you into a raider. I get your doing something sneaky shit right now little miss, but that's how it always starts."

"That aside." The mare then tipped her hat to me. "Names Lucky Shot, and this here is the Royal Flush gang. Well what's left of it."

Strangle I felt a bit flustered by her, and bowed back as I said. "L… Lotter, my name, just Lottery."

Her eyes flared open wide as though I said something shocking, but her expression quickly returned to normal, though now a warm smile was on her face. "Alright Just Lottery, Cauterize here said you can get us around the wasteland without too many problems. Rather not have any raiders following us."

"Ahh, yes… well maybe. I don't know this area, but I'm good at reading the land and avoiding the more aggressive critters." I told her.

Lucky Shot nodded. "Ahh, a tracker, that's good to hear. Unfortunately we lost our tracker a few months back. Only reason we even decided to check this shit show out. Didn't know it was the fucking Naysayer family running this cluster fuck." she spat on the ground before saying. "Redeye had one fucking job, and the prick even failed at that."

The mare then made a sharp but quiet whistle. "Alright ponies, let's get going before the fuck head here get a brain cell sparking. Lottery here will guide us through the rough patch, so no fucking around with her." She then looked back at me, telling me, "don't worry, so long as your running with us, we got your back."

"Th… Thanks. Truthfully I just want out of here, anywhere but here." I said back to her.

Lucky Shot smiled a little, and then started moving to the raider base back door.

I turned to Molo and gave her a hug. She didn't say anything, just patted me on the head before gently pushing me on my way.

_______________________________________________________

Guiding the bandits was a simple affair, though I didn't know this land at all, the dangers were all mostly the same. Spotting tracks left by the raiders, or by some local monster, we quietly made distance from the raider base. Further away we got, the more at ease I felt.

Truthfully, I now felt more safe out here away from anypony than being behind walls.

Lucky Shot and the other bandits were all quiet, simply letting me take the lead. I didn't feel like talking with strangers all that much, so it was nice not hearing them for the hour we trotted. But eventually this short peace had to end.

We stopped at an ancient crossroads, a ministry of peace billboard stood above us, and a yellow and pink mare was illuminated by the moonlight. She held onto a big red arrow that pointed down one broken street.

"This is where we part." Lucky Shot told me.

I nodded. "Yes, I have something to do down there." I pointed down the same road the sign pointed.

"I was told." Lucky Shot said as she looked up at the sign. "I know what's down there, and its fucking suicide. You know you can always just leave and never come back, not like their your kin."

I cocked an eyebrow at the older mare. "And how would you know who is or is not my kin?"

She flashed me a smile, her teeth only slightly yellow and with a few of them replaced by gold. "Ya don't got the look of your normal wastelander. They have this quiet desperation about them, as though having lived all their life with a gun to the back of their head. You, naw. Ya got the gun barrel in your mouth, looking right at the pony holding it."

"And you can tell that how, we only just met?" I asked.

She nodded, "true, that. Well I did see your fuck up of a fight with the raiders. To go through that and still come out wanting to fight, to get revenge. Reminds me of when I was your age… well a bit younger. Young and dumb, with the tendency to get myself in trouble. Well until the wasteland bitch slapped me so hard that I learned to stop being pussy bitch."

Luckily Shot then sighed. "One can never rely on lady luck, as she's a ruthless birch, and you can't come back from the dead. Always told my foolhardy daughter that, yet she would always tempt fate and roll the dice."

This conversation was really out of the blue, but I felt strangely drawn to ask. "Di… did she die?"

All the bandits then let out a laugh, and Lucky Shot said, "by Celestia no, Poker Roulette was so slippery that even death couldn't hold onto her. Runs in the family you see, the wanderlust, the need to go out and risk everything, even when we don't know what we are risking everything for."

"So then, where is she now?" I asked, feeling really curious now.

Lucky Shot let out a very annoyed huff as she looked up at the star filled sky. "My damned second, Three Card Monty, knocked my daughter up and then ran off somewhere far away. But not before they pissed off every major slaver family on the east coast something fierce. Now those were the days, I just wish I got to see my Granddaughter. But it was too dangerous for them to raise a family with such a bounty on their heads, even within the clans. That kind of money will make ponies forget who their kin are, so they had to go before the inevitable backstab. Fortunately we bandits have more skills than just killing and robbing, got to have lots of skills to live in the untamed lands after all, so I know they're doing fine out there."

"I hope so too." I said, strangely feeling far too comfortable next to this old mare.

She then sighed, turning her attention back to me. "Sorry for rambling on. Got lost in old memories. Probably time I retire as well. Old age has caught up with my husband, and I my niece will likely take power, and she fucking hates me. not to mention that I already lost half of these idiots to the stable Dweller and rather not lose more."

My eyes widened in shock. "You fought the Lightbringer!"

Lucky shook her head. "Naw, and thank Celestia for that. My former idiot second took half of the crew to go burn down his home village. I'm sure you've heard of it, a little pathetic place called Arbu."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. "You mean the place with the cannibals? The place that-"

"That the Stable Dweller killed every single adult mercilessly." Lucky finished the sentence for me. "Ya, the same place. I'm sure my second was laughing his ass off from the pot those bastards cooked him in." She let out one more sigh. "I do hope his son is doing well. The little fucker deserves a better life then what we could give him."

"So… what will you do now?" I asked Lucky Shot.

Luck shrugged. "We're heading back to our hidden village in the untamed lands, and sort out some shit with the clans before. Thinking it's maybe a good time for the Royal Flush gang to do some good, you know, build some good will with the wasteland. With so many idiots coming out of their hiding holes, some ponies gotta show them how not to get themselves killed."

I chuckled nervously at that last part. "Ya, I get that. I could have used somepony to show me how things are done when I first wandered out."

"Damn straight. Ya know there's ways to fuck up a raider that makes you not worth their trouble." Lucky Shot then gave me a more serious look, dropping the casual look as she then said. "But unlike ponies like those wannabe heroes, you have the strength to survive, and fuck shit up even after getting knocked down. What happened to you with raiders has happened to me, and to Poker Roulette, and we got our revenge, just as your going to do.

Lucky then spat on the ground. "Though more my fault for what happened to her, shouldn't have let her go off alone like that."

"Oh… sorry." I said.

But Lucky Shot just rolled her eyes at me. "Don't apologize for my fuck up, anyways that was long ago, and she came out alive, and thankfully not pregnant." She then pulled out a pack of cigarettes, which looked all hoofed rolled. "Say, why don't you come with me, let the wasteland sort out its own business. I know a pony like you would fit in well with us, and it's not like you owe it anything."

The offer felt strangely sincere and not some joke, with no ulterior motives to it. I don't know why, but I felt I could trust her as though she was family. The feeling disturbed me, since I only just met her, as though it was a spell casted on me. But I had a mission to complete, and I would see to it.

I shook my head as I pushed the cigarettes back. "This mess, it's particularly my fault. And I aim to clean it up.

"Well that already makes you more responsible than Poker Roulette." Lucky Shot said as she got even closer to me.

She then leaned in and whispered in my ear. "When you do your thing, don't be afraid to enact some revenge. But don't get lost in it, even if you have all the right in the world to get lost in the bloodshed. I too have been there, been toyed with, even shown off. Almost went raider as I killed raiders in revenge. You see, going raider as they say, it isn't about going mad, it's about letting go of who you are."

Luck then pressed something into a pocket in my armor. "Oh, and take this as payment for getting us around the dangers. It's not much, but it may prove useful when there's nothing better to do."

I then watched as the bandits trotted off in the opposite direction I was heading. Pulling out the object she gave me, I found an old deck of cards in my hooves. Something was written on it, but that was beyond me. The cards themselves were worn, yet looked beautifully expensive, with the face cards depicting what looked like three beautiful alicorns. Celestia, Luna, and some pink mare that looked a lot like the mare on Tripwire's gun.

Putting the cards away, I then trotted to my destination, eyes focused on radiation signs.

_______________________________________________________

I stopped at a big warning sign, it had no words, just a large symbol for radiation. As though desperately trying to warn anypony that sees it. Beyond it, I could see several buildings, among them was one with the yellow and pink pony on it, likely the shelter.

Pulling out the small case Rattlebones gave me, I went over the instructions in my head. First drink a bit of rad-away, the orange stuff, and save the rest for after I'm out. Then take the Rad-X, the bottle with the pills, it should help me fend off radiation poisoning. After that, drink the sacred wine, then begin the spirit journey by breathing in the sacred air.

Easy enough.

Sipping on the rad-away, it was a rancid citrusy taste that my body threatened to reject. It was like biting into a rotted lemon, but all a thick liquid.

Next I popped the Rad-X, the dry pills making me wish I had water on me.

Pulling out the glowing bottle of pair wine, I hesitated for a moment before pulling the cork out. It… it smelled good. Taking a sip, I found that it tasted wonderful. Before I knew it, the small bottle was gone, and I strongly felt more drunk than I should be. It was almost like I was swimming in the air.

With the inhaler in my hooves, I took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled, calming my nerves. When my lungs were empty, I took the inhaler into my mouth, and breathed in as I pressed down on the inhaler.

Nothing felt different, nothing at all… except for the pony standing before me. They wore a black coat that covered them from muzzle to hoof. The only thing not covered were the pony's large black wings.

The strange pony spoke, his words wispy, yet full of authority. "Hello living mortal, I Thanatos, ask why you trot into the land of the dead?"

Will-o-Wisp then appeared, dancing around.

Thanatos then nodded. "Then you may pass, but be warned, if you touch any lost souls in this place, yours too shall be claimed and sent to the river Stix."

Will-o-Wisp then floated to me and then passed the sign, clearly wanting me to follow. As I took my first step, my body moved, yet I moved quickly. After a few more steps I outpased my body, it now slowly followed me. But I didn't have time to ponder how I was not in my body as the world around me rippled in a rainbow of color, warping and shifting.

Trotting, I came to the entrance of the shelter, it was vivid in color as a beautiful earth pony mare in a nurse outfit stood by the door, looking quite nervous. She had a long curly yellow and red mane, and a peach pink coat. Seeing me she smiled with perfectly straight white teeth.

"Oh, thank Luna, you made it in time. We're about to close the doors, get in!" She told me.

I looked around, the scenery still a rainbow wobbling mess, but I was sure I could see leaves growing on the dead trees. Turning back to the beautiful mare, her form rippled, and for a brief moment I saw a rather decrepit looking ghoul in a stained nurse outfit.

I gave her a nod, and she ushered me in. "You should go see the doctor, some were saying that radiation was already setting in. It's a true nightmare, all those poor ponies." She said before gritting her teeth. "It's all the Zebras fault, curse them!"

As we trotted deeper into the shelter, I saw many ponies huddled together. Crying, yelling, fits of manic laughter and silent despair all mixed together. Every now and then my vision would ripple, and I would see feral ghouls everywhere, bunched up and unmoving. Looking back, my body lazily trotted through them, the ghouls paying me no mind.

I then almost tripped as several fouls ran in front of me. They were playing with toy guns, too young to understand what had happened to them. Not far were several worried looking mares, maybe the mothers, all in the stylish dresses that I envied.

As I passed by one, everything changed, and I was in some pony's house. Everything was so clean and… new. I trotted to a window, and saw so much green, as far as my eyes could see. Then the clopping of hooves caught my attention, and I turned to see one of those mares.

She was using some kind of high tech broom while also drinking a colorful drink that smelled strongly of alcohol, along with levitating a cigarette. "Oh how does this work?" The mare lamented. She then fiddled with a few buttons, and the broom began to vibrate. "Oh no, I don't think that's it… but I could use it later. At least this one didn't blow a hole in the roof like the last one. Never know with Solarus appliances. Now how am I going to sell this? My friends already bought them, and my neighbors stopped talking to me… maybe if I can get into that plastic container group, I can get them to buy theis brooms." She chuckled to herself. "I am the boss, the boss mare. Just like the sales pony said I am."

A knock at the door caused her to let go of the broom, which then stayed standing up in place as it vibrated. She trotted to the door and opened it, where a stallion in white was there, holding a basket full of milk bottles

The mare quickly looked around and invited the stallion in. "You're right on time, as always."

The stallion smiled as he loosened his collar. "Always for my favorite mare. So how's the sales job going."

She frowned. "Not the best, now, did you bring them?"

A small bottle filled with pills was then tossed to the mare. "Party time mentats, now where do you want to do it?"

The mare popped a pill and shook her hips. "On my husband's recliner, since he's more attached to it than me."

I watched as the mare trotted to a big comfortable looking couch and bent herself onto it, clearly preparing to have sex with the milk stallion. But both stopped as a siren went off in the distance. Fear crept onto their faces, and the panic set in. The stallion burst out the door as the mare rushed further into her house, coming back with a bag and a baby in her magic.

The scene shifted, melted, and wobbled as I stood over a ledge, seeing several green mushroom clouds in the distance. Ponies melted around me and others ran despite already being dead. My own body felt as though it was on fire, it glowing with a necrotic green as the magic became slugs, and the slugs became teacups.

Then I stood before the princesses, Luna laying limp in Celestia's hooves, burning tears falling from the alicorn's eyes. Again things shifted, and a small unicorn mare stood in front of a nearly black artificial alicorn, the monster wearing the bones of Luna, madness in her eyes. The place then crumbled away, and above I saw many cloudships raining death down onto the ruins.

I then felt as though I was falling, everything becoming upside down, and something snaked around, it made of many things, as though randomly placed together. Below… or was it above, but I could see ponies fighting, dying. A two headed bear, and a red bull clashing. But something shook, west I think. There two strange flags waved as fire consumed them. A blue flag with a golden two headed hound. A black flag with a drop of blood held within a green ring of thorns. Everything around the flags burned, as cries of death and despair were defining.

I couldn't take it, it was too horrible to see.

"But it's so wonderful, a thing of beauty." The mare made of darkness said as she trotted up to me, offering me a hoof. "Come with me, and I can show you true happiness. I can free you from all your pain and despair."

I took a step back, glaring at the abomination, at Strife. "How can something like you do that?"

Strife smiled, though it was not a smile a pony could do, unnatural, like she cut a smile onto her muzzle. "By helping you let go. Everything that holds you back, even yourself. Free yourself and be who you truly are. Embrace me and become powerful. Revenge will be yours, no longer will you be used and looked down upon. All those who oppose you will be crushed under your hooves.

My own hoof reached out to her, and I only managed to stop myself by only a short hoofstep. It sickens me, but that offer was tempting. If I could become powerful, I could find Tripwire myself and crush him. Kill all the raiders, all the slavers. Anypony who's trouble would be destroyed.

A chuckle of a stallion came from around us, this place warping again. The misshapen thing made its presence known as it became the walls, the roof, and the doors. Two misshapen yellow eyes looked at us as the thing spoke in a gentlecolt like manner. "Oh but that would be so boring, Lottery. The same story over and over again, with no real variety, just more of the same, but extra spicy. Like curry with no rice, or tea without a tea party. Like a cherry without the cunga, the bananas without the bunch. Like two peas but no pod… oh I must be hungry."

"SILENCE you buffoon!" Strife shouted.

But the mismatched entity just laughed. "Is Strife upset? Does Strife not like being silly? No, Strife is all spice, but without the base food to hold the dish together. Fun at first, but it quickly gets boring. No time for ponies to rest, to truly build, just a bunch of scattered blocks that they throw at each other." Again the entity laughed, causing everything to shake. "You had your time Strife, and with it you only did the same thing, over and over again, expecting different results. As entertaining your insanity is, times must change, and a new era must begin. The wasteland must die, and you with it. Though those spirits of death may have given you a new toy, Strife, they don't intend on letting you keep it."

The sound of hooves clopping slowly got closer, and the entity let out a slow bitter laugh. "Speak of the devil, and he will come."

Thanatos then trotted over, and I could feel the frustration from Strife as she huffed. "What do you want, old bones?"

"For you to began manifestation, and for this mortal to be on their way." He said as one of his wings reached out, growing larger and larger until everything had become darkness.

No sound, no light, yet I was not scared. It felt like… inevitability.

A soft and friendly giggle cane from the darkness, and a pink light floated over. It seemed a bit sad as it stopped in front of me, then spoke in a feminine, but a bit squeaky voice. "I didn't think that no good thing would show up. Even laughter doesn't stop that ghouly, it just makes it more cruel." It then bobbed, as though realizing something. "Oh, I know how to help you, and make Strife so mad! Just remind the doc about the letter in his pocket. And… don't stop being kind, it truly is a virtue, and something of beauty."

The pink light then went out, and I was in darkness again. But the darkness was starting to fade, and sound began to return. As my vision came back, things were still… weird. Everything had a slight wobble, and I was seeing two versions of everything. In one eye I saw a well maintained shelter, the room I was in had many beds in which medical staff were tending to ponies. In the other eye I saw a rundown dark place filled with mold, and feral ghouls were everywhere laying down on the moldy floor.

I looked to my side, seeing the nurse who guided me here, both a beautiful mare, and a worn down ghoul, but not quite mindless as the others. A two more ghouls trotted over, all young and beautiful nurses, none seem mindless as the fearals. One looked horrified as she looked at me.

"By Celestia, Aloe, why did you bring a heathy pony in here?" She whispered.

"Healthy? What are you talking about, Mint, this place if for keeping ponies heathy?" She then turned to the third ghoul, who looked rather sad. "Oh chin up, Basil. We'll get through this, just like the doctor says, we just need to stay put for a month, and things will blow over."

Basil looked at her hooves with a sad look on her face, where Mint just face hoofed.

"What's going on?" A stallion called out. I saw both a dashing stallion in a white lab coat, and a glowing green ghoul, whose lab coat was tattered and singed. "Is that a new pony, let me look her over."

The ghoul doctor pushed the three nurses aside and got close to me. Things felt weird as colors ripped off him. "Hmmm… eyes dilated, and a slight wobble… grate, a chem addict. I'm sorry but if you need your fix, it's not here. All medication is needed for those in need, not for those who want to get high."

My mouth was dry as I spoke, remembering the words the strange light told me. "Letter… in… your… pocket."

There was a long pause as the glowing ghoul looked at me with blank eyes as though remembering something, but only slowly. He then reached back and pulled out a letter, opening it and began reading. As his eyes moved, a haze seemed to lift from them, and though still milky white, they had a life to them.

"Miss Aloe… did my family arrive?" He addressed the first nurse.

A haze seemed to lift from Aloe's eyes as well. "I… no… they are quite late, doctor Coriander. It feels like I've been waiting for a long time."

Mint let out a long sigh. "Oh thank Celestia, you two are coming back to us." She then turned to me, looking quite puzzled. "But how?"

I shook my head, the double vision and my body lagging in movement compared to what I saw was disorienting. "Special chems… but won't… last long. Need the fearls… to… attack the… raiders… to get… rid of th… them. " I managed to say.

Basil flinched then gritted what teeth she still had. "Those crazy ponies that took over our home… no, we can't, our patients trusted us to look after them. To save them."

Mint rolled her eyes. "They're too gone for us to save, Basil. We've tried everything, and twice. They're already dead, mentally at least, you need to realize that." She then looked at me again. "I'm sorry about them young miss, my friends are a bit traumatized from when the raiders attacked, and we were forced back here. Both Aloe and Coriander nearly lost their heads because of it. So thank you for bringing them back to us before they were beyond recovery."

She then grabbed a nearby ministry of peace saddlebag and put them on. "I'm willing to help you, but I need you to agree to help us. There's more of us here, still sane, but if they stay here any longer, that's going to change badly. Can you help us leave this area, and to someplace safe."

I nodded, causing everything to ripple and become disorientating. "I can… at least guide… you out. I'm sure that… the NCR will… take you… in."

Mint let out a sigh, "good enough. So how do you plan to get all our lost to even follow you… without eating you?"

. "Need to... poor some of... this were all the... feral ghouls can smell it. Then use it to... lure ghouls out of the... shelter." I told her.

She sniffed the bottle and looked as though she was about to puke. "I don't want to know whats in that. But if that's all, I'll take you to the room ventilation room… just be warned, it's not a pretty sight." Mint told me, then paused for a moment before addressing Basil. "Can you gather the other survivors, with these two back to their old selves, it's time we move on."

With that, Mint then guided me further into the shelter. The further we went the more colors would swirl, and then we entered a room of chaotic rainbows. An ancient and damaged machine clunked away as it sicked in air though a crack and pushed it through vents. But to my horror there were two half melted ponies next to a warped barrel.

Mint clicked her tongue. "Fucking doomsday cult got us. Before we even knew what happened, it was too late. Death would have been better than what happened to us."

I opened the bottle, and poured it all into the crack in the machine. "I… must leave… guild ghouls… feral ghouls… to the raiders."

Mint nodded. "Alright, though they don't…" she was interrupted by many roars from deep within the shelter. "Well that's new… and terrifying. Now let's get you out of here before younl9os that beautiful mane of yours."

All of the feral ghouls had awoken, and now they moved about all over the place. I don't know how, but my body managed to not touch one of them, like they and I were naturally avoiding me. But this seemed to be fading, as every now and then a feral would look at me with its lifeless eyes. One even stopped to sniff me, and I recognized her. It was the housewife I saw earlier, now nothing more than a husk of her former self, her baby nowhere to be seen.

My own senses startec to return as well, and I began to realize how putrid and stagnant the air was. I was also being pulled back into my body, the disconnection between it and myself was growing less and less.

But Mint had quickly gotten me out, and though the air was not much better, I still felt relieved to have open skies above me. Outside with us was the doctor, the two other nurses, along with several other ghouls who looked quite worried. Strangely a few of them looked far more intact and lively, despite clearly being ghouls.

Basile trotted over, looking panicked. "Wh… what did you do, the patients, they all went mad?"

"Ghoul bile wine." I said as I splashed some at the entrance. I was feeling more myself again, and with it, panicked. There were hundreds of those things in there, maybe a thousand or more, and soon they will be coming out. "You folks better get moving, because things are going to get… bad."

Coriander then spoke up. "But where would we go? We don't even know if there is a place safe for us out there."

It wasn't my responsibility, but I couldn't just abandon these unfortunate ponies. I had to be better than that. "You can come with me. I don't know what I can do for you, but I can at least guide you to Ursa's Rest, it's the place with the big bear building."

Coriander nodded. "Yes, I know the place, my daughter loved to… no, never mind that now. If it still stands, then we might as well go there."

The collective groan of hundreds and hundreds of ghouls from inside the shelter sent a chill up my spine. "Then let's go, you can wait outside the raider base, and I'll come for you once it's done. But I need to move, or those ferals will eat me."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Four

_______________________________________________________

It turned out to have been a good idea to bring the ghouls with me, as doctor Coriander insisted I keep drinking the Radaway. I had no appetite after the chems wore off, and had been light headed. Seems that even thought I was immune to dying of radiation poisoning while in that trance, it didn't mean I was not soaking up rads.

Rattlebones and I were going to need a talk.

But I followed through with the plan; pouring a bit of the ghoul bile wine along my way back. In the faint moonlight I could even see the horde in the distance, a trickle at first, but every time I checked, there were more. The pegasus among them were going to be a real surprise, and something to watch out for myself.

Along the way the still sane ghouls explained to me why they were there. As it turned out the four of them were from the war, and had ghoulified inside the shelter, then later returned to Happyville. "Well as part of the Ministry of Peace, we tried to understand and cure the ghoulification." Mint explained. "But the radiation had damaged almost all our equipment, and with ponies going feral by the day, things became… difficult. We kept those who lost their minds in the shelter, as well as any feral we managed to find, hoping that one day they could be cured. Then and refocused on keeping the others from becoming lost. I don't know how long it was like that, or what was happening outside, as healthy ponies tended to run away as soon as they saw us. Well that was until those… raiders you called them, showed up and started killing everypony. Though a lot of us managed to escape, the stress proved too much for most of us, and they too quickly turned feral."

"I'm sorry for your loss. And I wish I didn't need to use them like this." I told mint.

"Thanks, and it's fine." Mint said, as she looked up at the dark sky. "It's not like we've done anything good for them, keeping them locked up for so long. I'm sure 8f we did manage to cure them, all they would want is to die, or not enough of them would be left to be considered a full pony. At least this plan will make good use of them, and rid Equestria of those evil ponies. But still, sending in a ghoul instead of you would have been smarter, who knows what kind of mutation you might have gotten in there."

I smiled at Mint, who was genuinely worried about me. But with the chem having run its course, both her beautiful form and lovely voice had vanished, and a worn down ghoul remained. It made me sympathize with her more, as not a hair of her mane had survived the last two hundred years, and I don't know I could be so strong to keep on living if that happened to me.

"Well there weren't any ghouls available." I told her.

Mint sighed, "Still, having a young mare like you do all this has to be stressful. You look like some of the soldiers we've had to help. Back during the war I mean. Every pony part of the M.o.P. had to be able to deal with Wartime Stress Disorder victims."

Aloe then spoke up. "Oh yes, I remember. Miss Fluttershy had all of us undergo that training. And doctors had to take advice training. It was sadly useful in the last few years."

Basile then trotted up next to me, the only one who still had a mane and tail, though just barely. "You should let the doctor look you over, if you let something like Wartime Stress Disorder, W.S.D. in short, go on untreated, other disorders can develop."

I looked back at Coriander, and he shrugged before saying. "Professionally speaking, it's best to not speculate until you've had a chance to get examined. And since its a bad idea to get close to me for an examination, I'll refer to the girls on this. They have had years of experience with ponies suffering from W.S.D., and years after with helping ponies dealing with their ghoulification. If they think you have W.S.D. you probably do. Is there any traumatic event you have had, or long periods of stress?"

"Have you been through any traumatic events 8n your life, maybe recently?" Mint asked.

I don't know why, but I felt like being honest. "Been raped three times now, two of them happed just yesterday" My voice seethed with anger as I said it.

I felt a squishy hug as Aloe held me. "Oh, it will be alright."

I wanted to sake her off me, but she held me tight, quivering.

Mint and Basil both carefully peeled Aloe off me. The Mint said to me. "Sorry about that. Aloe means well, and… lets just say she understands your pain."

Nothing more needed to be said about that. "Mint, Basil, Aloe and Coriander. I'm going to try and rescue some of the ponies captured by the raiders. They are going to need all your help once they're safe."

Mint nodded, then looked back at the other ghouls following us. "Alright, but their safety comes first. If somepony starts yelling zombie pony and grabbing their guns, were out of here."

"Fair enough." I told her as we trotted over a hill, and the raider base came into sight. Even from here the fires they had lit showed their cruelty and madness. Several corpses had been hung up by chains in a way so that a lone fire barrel lit them up.

There were several gasps from the ghouls, but Mint just clicked her tongue. "I know my house is still there, but with those… things, there. I don't want to know what they did to it." She then turned to me, sorrow in her milky white eyes. "Once the raiders are gone, I think it be best if we had this place burned down.

I nodded.

A piece of me saw it as a waste, that so much could be salvaged. The rest of me didn't care, and if possible, have it burn with the raiders inside.

As we got close, I saw two ponies trot to me; Molo and Cauterize. They both drew their weapons as we got closer, and the nurses hid behind me.

"Don't shoot, they're friendly." I told them.

They both relaxed, and Molo trotted over, a nervous smile on her face. "You okay, and what's with the crew of ghouls?"

"Aside from a bad chem trip and radiation poisoning, I'll recover. And as for the ghouls, they're from this town, found them taking shelter in the… shelter. Anyways, the four right behind me are medical ponies, so we're going to need them in case anypony gets seriously hurt."

Molo eyed the four medical ghouls, then shrugged. "Right, if you say so, but I hope they're not coming into the town with us." I shook my head. "Okay, then if everything is going to the plan, how long until the shitshow starts?"

I glanced back, but was not in the best position to see the hoard of feral ghouls, but I had a good guess on where they were. "Their slow moving, so it may be an hour, maybe a bit more before the first few trickle in. Then things might quickly speed up. There are hundreds of them, maybe over a thousand, so once the bulk of them hit, well… you'll know."

"Good, that should be enough time. " Molo said as she passed me a gas mask. It was painted to look like some neon colored monstrosity. "Low Pressure is waiting for us, and can get us in the estate house. Not sure how, likely sucked a few dicks, but he just needs two guards to make him look the part of an important pony. He seemed quite confident, but it doesn't smell right."

"How so?" I asked.

Molo rolled her eyes. "The idiot was just given a pass in, and told to bring two female guards. From what the other raiders have said, you don't just get a pass."

"Bandsaw." I said with a sigh, then put on the mask.

Molo also put on a mask. "She'd know who Low is, so it's possible, but why?"

"It's the Baelfire Friends, they don't intend on sharing the power." I explained.

A chuckle came from Molo. "Ya, that sounds like raiders. Well, let's not disappoint the bitch shall we."

I then turned to Cauterize. "Can you take these ghouls to a safe hiding spot. Some place where we can bring other ponies as well, we're going to try and save any captives we can after we get the info."

The big stallion huffed in annoyance. "I ain't a foal sitter for zombie ponies."

Molo then butted in, telling him. "Just do it, not like you can go in. If Short Fuse is there, she's going to sniff you out right away. Anyways, you can come back to join us once the fighting starts. So just find a place for us to gather before we head back to Ursa's Rest."

"Right, right. You two really get the bitch part down, you know that." Cauterize said mockingly.

I didn't give into the taunt, we were already losing time.

As we separated from the group, Molo got closer and whispered to me. "Are you, you know, still holding up?"

I let out a huff, "no, far from it. But I'll get through this, so stop worrying."

"Alright, but let me know if you need some time alone." She told me.

I nodded, but then had to ask. "How did you deal with it?"

Molo sighed. "Lots of chems and then just taking things day by day. When you come to understand that it's just something that happens out in the wasteland, you learn to just deal with it. The worst thing you can do is let them know you're hurt by it, otherwise it becomes their main form of torment. It also helps to become something that they see as too much trouble to mess with. Ya they get their rocks off, but ain't worth it if the bitch sets their shaft on fire the next day."

"Or an axe to the head." I added.

A chuckle came from Molo. "That's the spirit. Now let's get some old fashioned, cold hearted revenge."

_______________________________________________________

As Molo said, Low Pressure had been waiting for us, looking rather worried as several raiders eyed him from all sides. Upon seeing Molo and I, he let out a long breath and trotted to us.

"Oh thank goodness. If you were any longer, I feared I was going to become the roast part of a surprise spitroast." I physically shivered at his familiar and all to true worry. Low then looked at me, an eyebrow raised. "I know my auditory skills are quite magnificent, but to make you quiver amaze even myself.

Molo then kicked him in The fenlock. "No, you're just an idiot who needs to shut up. Now let's get moving, or I'll pay those raider assholes to spitroast you aggressively."

Low looked insulted as he pivoted around, and weekly stomped his hoof. "Fine, as I do have a dinner date to be very fashionably late to."

Following the self-important ass, we trotted up to the estate. It was a rather large building that was half boarded up, and half rotting, but managed to maintain a feeling of importance. Mainly the walls with guards at the gate, and that from where we were, I could see that it had electric lights on inside.

Before the guards even got a chance to stop us, Low got to work. "Unless you like the idea of eating your own balls, choose your next words carefully. I am an expected guess after all. By Celestia having to be around so many unwashed invalids has my mainline receding, I even saw a gray hair the other day, and my mane is my life."

The two guards looked rather confused for a moment, then asked. "Got a pass?"

Low shoved a ratty piece of paper at them. "Ya, ya, I got the stupid pass, since your incapable of recognizing important unless written down."

After a short moment one of the guards rolled their eyes and let us pass, and we entered. The ground inside of the estate walls were rather clean, where some effort had gone into even cutting the browned grass. There were a few more ponies on guard, their eyes on us as we trotted to the large building, each armed with a Redeye rifle.

"What's with the attitude?" I asked Low.

"Just keeping up the act, and to make sure they don't look closer at us." Was his response.

It made enough sense to me, so I didn't press any further.

Standing at the front door was a rather well dressed stallion sporting a long pencil mustache and a slave collar around his neck. The slave gave us a bow and stepped aside before informing us. "The mistress is in the ballroom, entertaining guests."

Low didn't even acknowledge the pony as he trotted by, and Molo and I simply followed. We couldn't save him just yet.

Inside was a rather clean building for a place that was rotting and threatening to fall over in some places. There were a few guards, but most were placed near the entrance, leaving the rest of the estate free for us to roam.

Molo was first to quietly speak up. "Right, knowing how these assholes work, anything important will be kept in some office, behind a safe or some shit. Their bedrooms are for some other weird shit, so we can write that off. But where is this office?"

Low surprisingly had an answer. "Passed the ballroom. From what the priest told me, Onyx keeps everything close to where she can keep an eye on things. That and half of the estate is unlivable due to rot."

I sighed. "So into the mole rat nest then."

The sound of music greeted us as we got closer to the ballroom, it was not hard to find, with most other ways blocked. I was rather displeased to see a somewhat sizable crowd as we entered the ballroom, they all bunched up as they watched a stage.

"It's still a work in progress, but given time, Tripwire will have the spell perfected. Then never again will some upstart threaten our rightful place." Onyx spoke to the crowd, dressed up in her red dress and holding a mezmetron.

Next to her were two bodies and one rather beaten pony. One body was missing a head, where the other had several stab wounds. The third pony looked catatonic as she looked at their blood covered hooves, tears rolling down their faces.

One pony in the crowed spoke up. "And how long until it stops blowing up a ponies head, a dead slave has no value other then as feed for other slaves."

"Soon." Onyx said confidently. "The exploding head problem is just a side effect of the imperfect spell, and too much power being used. Tripwire had informed me that he has reduced the risk, though it comes at the effectiveness of the spell. But by the time you get your own mezmetron, this issue will be a non issue."

Another pony in the crowd then asked another question. "And the time limit, any way to make it more… permanent?"

Onyx smiled. "Unfortunately the mezmetron is not capable of permanent mind domination. But there is a method in which to do so, though it requires the use of more tools and spells which are limited in supplies and knowledge. But we have developed an alternative solution to this, and once we have a fair supply of slaves available, we will start processing truly loyal slaves who obey only to ones who hold their leach. It is a time consuming process, but Tripwire is quite sure that everypony that joins him will be satisfied with the results."

A third pony spoke up. "This includes combat capable slaves?"

"Those are the first we are producing, after all, our enemies surround us.." Onyx answered, then turned her attention to the weeping pony on stage. "We already have a few prototypes among the smelters, and they have proven most satisfying as loyal guard dogs." She then pointed the mezmetron at the weeping mare and fired it. The mare fell silent as her eyes became empty. "We have, after all, already solved the self preservation problem. They will die on command if you so choose. Now observe; you, bitch, slit your throat."

We watched as the mind controlled pony then pulled a knife from one of the corpses, then proceeded to saw at her own neck, blood spurting from the cutting. Even as the mare fell over, even with her last strength, she continued to cut at her neck until she went limp.

I wanted to rush right up there and beat Onyx's face in until it was mush. No, I wanted to make her feel the same pain I felt, but worse. To drag her into a pen of ravenous raider and have them rape her for days until she died, but even that would be too good for her.

"Easy, Lottery, you will get your chance." Molo whispered. Her words settling me down.

Onyx was just one pony among many that needed to die, and I could not risk it all on my first opportunity. Right now we just had to focus on getting any info on where Tripwire's operations are in the wasteland. Then I can get some revenge. Though if possible, killing the rest of the ponies here would be a great consolation prize.

That then got me to quietly ask, "Low, who are those ponies Onyx is talking too?"

"From what I've been told. Plantation owners and other pro slaver ponies with some power. I think it has something to do with the NCR's rise to power, and their anti-slave policy, that this ponies are here." He told me before straightening up.

One of the ponies from the crowd had trotted over, a rather portly stallion that was far out of place among all the raiders. "Ahh… Low was it? Lovely show, though a bit too on the messy side if you ask me. But it will help keep the lesser in line, don't you think?

"Most certainly." Low responded without missing a beat. "It would put an end to all the chattering behind my back, always conniving and complaining."

"Oh yes. Not to mention the filthy raiders. Maybe some real use can be made from them now." The stallion continues.

"Yes, like getting them to bathe for once in their life." Low joked and the both of them shared a laugh. Fortunately the portly stallion got distracted by another pony and finally moved on.

The door to the other side was just in reach, and we had managed to stay under Onyx's attention. But we were stopped by the priest from before, he trotted over with a pony I recognized, a pegasus. "Ahh, mister Pressure, glad you have finally made it. It is the providence of the great and powerful Goddess that we arrived when the demonstration was happening. I was afraid that they would have already moved to visit New Unity."

"And a most interesting display, something the Enclave could have made great use of if we knew of its existence." Colonel Flyright said with a chilling tone. "Isn't that right, Counter Sedition Deputy, Low Pressure."

Molo and I became on edge, ready for trouble

Low Pressure smiled with pride. "There is no doubt about that. It would have made a lot of ponies lives so much easier. Maybe even helped keep the fall from being as bad as it had."

The older pegasus mare paused for a moment, looking confused, but then sighed. "Right, all beauty and no brains." Flyright then eyed Molo and I, asking us, "which of you two are the brains? And before you do anything rash, I have several of my ponies keeping an eye on things." She motions up, and through a broken window was an Enclave pony armed with a magical energy rifle. "Their trained professional snipers, far superior to any dirt kickers like you two."

"Oh major!" Onyx called out cheerfully, and flanking her was Pink Haze and Short Fuse. "I see you've made a new friend here. And it's somepony I don't know."

"Indeed. Somehow one of the less than favorable sons of an esteemed family of the Enclave has found his way here. I'm sure you're acquainted with his sister, the angry one." Flyright said flatly.

Onyx raised an eyebrow as she said " High Pressure?" She then chuckled. "Ahh, so this is Low Pressure. I must say, beauty really does run in your family. Now before I shoot you, tell me, how'd you get in here?"

Again Low smiled. "I'm just that important of a pony."

"He's an idiot, best ask the two mares behind him." Flyright told Onyx.

A loud sigh came from Molotov and then she pulled off her gas mask, letting her mane fall free. She then made a kissy face at Smelter boss. "Hay Short Fuse, you heard you're going to be an aunt."

The Smelter leader growled out, "Molotov!"

All eyes were on my friend, so I took the opportunity and grabbed Mire Frost from thin air and swung her at Onyx. But a pink blur stopped me, and a big smiling face was all I could see.

"No no, you can have fun with me first!" Pink Haze giggled out, then kicked me in the gut.

I flew back several hoof steps, my mask flying off as I hit a table. Getting up, I saw that Low had run off to hide, and Molo was squaring off with Short Fuse. My eyes then locked onto Onyx one eye, and oh did it become wide as she looked back at me.

"Lottery!" Onyx said in shock.

I snarled at her as I reached for my gun. "I'm going to kill you and make it painful!"

Pink Haze blocked my vision again, forcing me to jump back as her hooves hit the ground in front of me hard. "Only one dance partner at a time, silly."

I squared up with the raider, and fortunately both of us hadn't drawn any weapons, so it was hoof to hoof fighting. Though I knew I was still at a disadvantage, pink Haze was too fast to let me draw a gun on her. Molo on the other hoof looked to me holding her own against Short Fuse, the two giving and taking blows.

I wasn't given any more time to think as Pink Haze charged in. Her first jab connected to the side of my face, but I managed to block the second. Something had come loose inside my jaw, and upon spitting it out, I saw a bloody tooth. "You bitch!" I growled out and swung my own hoof.

"Too slow!" Pink Haze mocked me as she easily dogged my attack, and then quickly hit me in the gut as she did a cartwheel. I stumbled back, unable to even hit the violently zippy mare. "You know you can just give up and let me have some fun with you."

"Rather die." I told her as I prepared for the next attack, hoping Mire Frost had already moved to me.

"Oh too bad." Pink Haze said as she picked up Mire Frost. "After watching Spine Breaker make you his bitch, I wanted to do the same. Make an even better show of it too." She then smiled wide. "Ya I'll, have you dragged before every pony in this town, and let every one of them have a turn with you. Probably need to cut off your legs for easier access."

Heat filled my head and I charged. First I was going to strangle this bitch, then Onyx. Kill every damn one of these raiders.

Before I could hit Pink Haze, my world was spinning. Hitting the ground with a heavy thud, the air was knocked out of my lungs. But a friendly hoof had reached out to me, pulling me up. Molo looked as though she had a marginally better time than me, spotting only a few welts on her face.

"Well this went to shit and fast." Molo said with a chuckle.

Getting ready for another attack, we were surrounded by ponies with guns, all aimed at us. I chuckled back. "You think the ghouls will cause enough trouble to save us."

Molo shook her head. "No, but I have a plan."

With a gasp, Molo quickly pointed at the above window. "By Celestia! What's that!

None of the ponies ready to shoot us even looked and I just face hoofed. Was this how I was going to die?

A loud crash caught everypony by surprise as one of the power armored pegasus guards hit the floor, cracking the floor in a graceful landing. His two energy weapons glowed with power before spitting out green globs that sent everypony ducking for cover. One raider got hit in the face and I watched as he writhed in pain as he melted into a green goo covered skeleton.

Flyright then tossed two metal cylinders out as she snarled out, "traitor!" and with a bright flash and a loud bang, I became blind and deaf for a few seconds. By the time I could see again, Onyx, Flyright, and Branding were gone.

"Well it's too bad, but I can at least let some pony skull fuck you're rotting head." Pink Haze said as she put a knife to my neck.

*BANG*

Pink Haze rolled away, blood trailing from a hole in her leg, the knife falling to the floor, and landing blade first.

Pink Haze hissed, her smile all gone. "Danm fucking party crashers, I'll skin you and make flesh confetti!"

"Redeye was too lenient in letting your kind run away." My eyes widened as Spell Circuit trotted forward, a revolver pointed at the raider boss.

The smile on Pink Haze's face returned. "Oh, Mystic Whips failure of crotch fruit returns, dig the unkempt look, really jives with the fuck all you accomplished."

Spell fired five more shots at Pink, but she managed to dodge both them and several shots from the power armored pegasus. She then vanished through the window, laughing maniacally.

With a sigh, Spell Circuit holstered his gun and addressed the Pegasus, "Cold Trails, we need to move, Pink Haze is likely to return with her Forty Two Smiles, and soon. We need to locate the captives before they burn this place down trying to kill us." He then turned to me and offered a hoof. "Good to see others aren't playing Tripwire's game, miss… wait, Lottery?"

I looked at his cybernetic hoof, and chose to get myself up without help. "Hay Spell, good to see you're alive. And thanks for the save."

Cold Trails trotted over, the pegasus was quite intimidating in his armor. "You know this mare?"

Spell nodded. "She was hired by my brother as a scout, and…" he looked at me for a moment, pain in his eyes. "She turned down his offer to join all this."

The pegasus paused for a moment, looking at me. "Wait, I remember, she was there when those raiders were exterminated."

Molo then pushed her way into the group, dragging Low over by his tail. "Yes, big reunion, much joy. Now can we get moving before the bullets start flying. The Smiles love their automatics, and they have lots of ammo they love to waste!" She then turned to the stallions, ready to quit something, but she then seemed to turn pale when her eyes fell onto spell.

Not having the time to ask questions, I refocused on the mission at hoof. "Let's continue this outside, when we both get what we came for."

I got a nod from Spell. "Yes, we can talk after this is over."

We then rushed in different directions, I kicked the doors open to the next room.

There we saw piles of junk and several headless bodies, but passed all that was another room with a rather big desk in it. "That must be the office." Molo pointed out, and ran past me, still dragging Low.

Inside was a heavy looming safe next to the desk. Fortunately Low didn't need to be told, and he got right to cracking the safe. Molo and I jumped to the desk, pulling open drawers and taking out papers. Other objects were tossed aside, such as knives, guns, a rather large dildo, and so many photos of Tripwire that it disturbed me.

Molo quickly scanned the documents, looking quite annoyed. "Her sending a complaint, more complaints, bitching, moaning, oh this one is different… and it's poorly written porn of her and that Tripwire's jackass. This bitch has problems, serious problems."

I pulled out another photo, this one of Onyx with Tripwire and what I guess was their foal. I remembered when Grizzly said that she and Tripwire likely had a kid together. I decided to keep the photo just in case.

Molo looked at the photo as well, an eyebrow raised. "Wow, he looks a lot like Wiretap."

I cocked an eyebrow at Molo. But before I could say anything, a scream came running from the ballroom. It was a raider that was charging in at us, pulling out a pipe revolver.

Molo and I pulled out our guns and fired, turning the raider unto mist.

A click then came from the safe, and Low said, "open sesame seed."

Molo quickly rushed over, pulling out a few papers. "Let's see… Inventory reports, delivery logs, smuggler routes, and bingo, location to three places in which must not be revealed. This is what we're looking for, Lottery!"

A bullet then whizzed over Molo's head, and we all ducked behind the desk. Two more raiders had joined, and fired wildly at us, but thankfully the desk was thick, and their guns weak. Pulling on the lever of my shotgun to rack the next shell, I then peeked out from the side and aimed. With a blast, one raider fell over, one leg getting peppered with a shot. Molo then popped up to finish them off with a hail of bullets.

"C… can we go now?" Low Pressures asked, in his hooves a tin that rattled with caps, clearly taken from the safes.

I nodded. "Ya, let's get the fuck out of here."

As we then galloped out, the three of us skidded to a stop. In the middle of the ballroom was a Forty Two Smiles, the overly pink unicorn stallion had a battle saddle that held two pipe SMG's, and in his magic, two more.

"Well... fuck that's cool." Molo said flatly.

The Smiles, smiled wide. "Well fuck indeed!"

We prepared to dodge what was to be a hailstorm of lead being sent at us this time, only for everypony to freeze as we heard a screeching from above. Everypony looked up, including the raider, and saw a light from above getting brighter and brighter. A flaming pegasus then crashed through the ceiling above, and then plummeted to the ground. The clearly dead pegasus then slowly got up, still on fire.

"Hey now, wait your turn to die." The Smile raider said, then chuckled to himself.

The now, clearly a ghoul, snapped its head to the raider and dashed at him. We all dove to the ground as he screamed and fired wildly, ventilating the ghoul with everything he had. The ghoul was ripped to pieces, its flaming flesh sent everywhere.

With that distraction thoroughly destroyed, the raider turned his attention back to us, and pulled his triggers. All four SMG's clicked.

"Oh… give me a moment." He asked.

Molo and I looked at eachother, then drew our guns at him and fired.

_______________________________________________________

Exiting the Estate, the sounds of gunfire and screams played out as fires erupted in the distance. The feral ghouls had arrived on time, and from the looks of it, were already getting in deep.

Molo then gave a mildly surprised sounding whistle "Well color me surprised, it's actually working. If we get out of this, I'm sucking Hogan Highborn's withered dick."

I scanned for where I saw the fires, and fortunately they had not reached the market or bar yet, so the slave's were likely still safe. Now the problem of finding out where Onyx went, and watching out for a pissed off Pink Haze.

A raider then when flying passed the front gate, limply rolling along the ground as Cauterize trotted into view. "Looks like I'm just in time for the party. Did you get what you're looking for?"

"Ya, it's mission successful, now it's time to get those secondary objectives." Molo said joyfully.

"Care if we join you?" Spell said as he trotted out with Cold Trails, two more pegasus in Enclave uniforms and five foals. "We're going to need a place to take these foals."

I looked at Cauterize, and he scowled at me. "Hay, I already moved those ghouls, I'm not sitting out this bash for some foals too."

"Just tell them where to go, okay." I told him,.

Cauterize rolled his eyes at me. "Alright."

Turning my attention back to Spell and Cold Trails, I then told them, "Right, were going to save who we can, and kill any raider that gets in our way. Also keep an eye out for Onyx or Pink Haze, they need to die too."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Five

_______________________________________________________

The sound of combat was all around us as we rushed to the market. Cold Trails and the two pegasus having taken the foals away to the meeting spot, with flying being the safest way to move right now.

The rest of us set off on hoof.

The raiders were taken completely by surprise, some still standing around looking confused. When one tries to stop us and find out what was going on, we told them that one group when crazy, and to go back to sleep. We could only hope they were that dumb to believe us.

Entering the market, we saw a heavily armored smelter trotted around with two ghouls ripping into his armor. The raider set a third ghoul on fire as he attempted to buck himself free. But the ghouls had latched onto the raider tightly, which forced him to then roll on the ground.

The two ghouls were dislodged from the raider, along with ripping off his armored gas mask. He then managed to get up in time to set another one on fire, but before he could take out the third, the ghoul had rushed him. The raider stumbled back as the ghoul mauled his exposed face, forcing the raider to fight it off with his hooves. By the time he had killed the third ghoul, it had torn off half his face, causing blood to flow from it, down his armor and splatter onto the ground. He managed to trot a few hoofsteps before falling over, wheezing with each breath

Off in nearby caged shacks were the slaves of the raiders, watching with eyes filled with fear and some amusement. One cage was being attacked by a ghoul, but fortunately the monster could not get in through the bars.

So we rushed in the kill the ghoul and free the slaves. But they seemed to be just as scared of us as they were of the feral ghoul.

"We're not raiders, we're here to help you. Now where's the key so we can get you out of here." Molo told the slaves.

They seemed unsure to accept our help, but one rather mare stood up and pointed to a nearby booth. "Over there, they keep the keys in there." It was the mare I helped yesterday, the one that had been taken by the Brain Nails, her eyes were still fierce and filled with determination.

I turned to my friend, "alright, Low, you get the keys and free the slaves. The rest of us will keep an eye out for the feral ghouls and raiders. We should also look for any other ponies in need of help."

With that we got moving. I trotted over to the mare who pointed out the keys, seeing if she can help us out more. She was dirty, covered in bruises and was cuts all over. Some fresh, some not. I was sure I could see tally marks on her flank, much like the ones the raiders gave me. "Are there any more ponies trapped here, or is this all?" I asked.

"It's most of us." The mare said. "The raiders shove us all here at the end of the day. The lucky ones that is. Some are taken by raiders to… be played with… the ones who are sent to the estate never come back. And there there are a few cleaning the brothel, though the boss there just makes them fucks him instead of cleaning."

I nodded. "We got whoever was at the estate, and those who are with the raiders… I don't know…" I then looked over at the scrap brothel. "As for that place, I'll be right back."

"Make it painful." The mare told me as I trotted away.

The brothel was a cramped and horrendous place, stains of beer, blood, and body fluids were all over. Some rooms looked more like torcher chambers, where others simply had a moldy mattress and lots of rope. It was nothing like the Red Light, though both had air filled with lust, this place didn't feel fun or inviting, but gave off a depraved feeling of malaise.

A forced moan from the back was all I needed to hear, and I rushed forward, kicking the door ahead of me down. The raider inside didn't even pay it any mind, she went deep into a stallion with a strapon on, sniffing a line of white powder off his back. The poor stallion had a chain collar on, of which the raider held tightly, slowly strangling him.

I tapped the raider mare on the shoulder with Mire Frost to get her attention. The raider looked back at me with bloodshot eyes and a bleeding nose, saying to me with a sneer "Wait your turn, bitch!"

With Mire Frost, I swung the spike down into her leg, causing the raider to scream in pain and flail out of the stallion. With a crack, her hoof broke off which freed Mire frost for me to turn the blade to the raiders throat. "You know, I'm now really pissed. I was hoping for a stallion to gut after the fuck all of a day I had. Only for you to remind me that all of you are rapey bastards, mares and stallions." I pushed my shotgun's blade to her neck, and a light frost formed around where it touched. "Now how to kill you?"

"Bitch!.. how about bygones be bygones. You know, forgiveness, like that light bitch." The raider spouted at me.

I looked over at the stallion, blood trickling from his anus, it had a scar that looked very much like the one I now had. "Naw, that's for ponies who deserve it."

The raider lunged at me, causing the axe blade to dig into her neck, stopping her in her tracks. Falling back, the raider began to choke and gurgle. Feeling like this was a waste of time, I swung Mire Frost back, and then down onto the raiders head, killing her.

Turning to her victim, I helped him up and out of this place. He flinched at my hoof touch, and quivered in my grasp. But once we got moving, I could tell he was determined to not stop trotting. We both could not stop trotting. To stop now is to give up, to give up is to let them win. If they won… that would be a fate worse than death. On our way out, I made sure to knock over a few candles, starting a few fires in this damnable place.

Back outside I helped the stallion to the now sizable group of freed slaves, where two ponies tearfully embraced him. "Is that all?" I asked my friends.

"All we could find." Molo said, her expression looking quite upset. "Found several more foals… but their in no condition to move on their own."

I gritted my teeth. "Bastards… all of them."

A chuckle then caught our attention. "So you found the cans, ain't it grand!" Pink Haze said as she trotted into view, she now wearing a battle saddle with two rather large looking pipe SMG's. Flanking her was four other Smiles raiders. And even more appeared all around us, blocking every exit, and standing on the rooftops. "Good oll game of kick the can, with extra fun inside."

Molo growled with an intense hatred. "Those are foals you monster!"

"Which is why it was fun. But if you're worried about the foals, we did give them some of our chems before the game started." She laughed through her teeth like a mad mare. "Oh the sound they made, the things they screamed."

"DIE BITCH!" Molo screamed as she drew her SMG's.

Cauterize joined in as the Smiles scattered. Fortunately Spell Circuit was already getting the slaves behind cover, they all staying low to avoid the now roaring gunfight. He even produced a magical bubble to protect them from stray shots, but it looked like the spell was draining him fast.

I had jumped to cover myself, taking aim at any raider I could see, but finding them to be too fast to get a hit on one. Rolling to avoid a flying knife, it was quickly dawning on me how fucked we were, the rolling again to avoid even more knives.

Both Molo and Cauterize join me, the big stallion with several throwing knives already stuck in him. "So who thinks they were waiting for us?" Cauterize asked.

Both Molo and I looked at each other and face hoofed, then had to dogged a few more knives.

"And now their fucking with us." Molo said in frustration.

"Let me go!" A pony yelled, and we turned to see one of the slaves rip themselves from the grasp of another pony, and run for it. We watched as he managed to make it passed a Smile, out an exit, and vanish into the darkness. Dumfounded, we then watched as a second then did the same, but as she made it to the threshold of the market she was hit with an overkill gunfire. The poor mare was ripped apart into a bloody mess.

More laughter came from pink Haze. "Look, look. You see the look on their faces. They actually think there was a chance! We control your fate, and you better entertain us!"

"This is why everypony hates the Smiles." Cauterize grumbled as he pulled a knife from his leg.

They had us outgunned and surrounded. The worst position to be in… but remembering what happened to that last Smile, I also smiled, then shouted. "Hay Pink! Let's play a game." Both Cauterize and Molo look at me confused. "Just trust me, we need to buy some time." I whispered.

"I love games!" Pink Haze shouted. "What game is it, and it better not be watching paint dry. I have nightmares about that."

"Group trick shooting." I told them. "Some pony tosses a thing in the air, and one group tries to keep it there by shooting their guns. Looster gives up a pony."

There was a pause for several seconds, then Pink Haze said. "Sounds dumb, I like it."

"Okay, we go first." Grabbing a knife, I passed it to Cauterize. "Fire everything, doesn't matter if you hit it."

With a shrug, he tossed the knife high into the air. The three of us fired wildly at the thing, our guns making as much noise as possible. The blade hit the ground soon after.

Pink Haze laughed. "Prepared to lose a pony."

Following our lead, the Smiles tossed a knife, and fired everything they had at it. The noise was deafening, and they managed to hit the knife a few times.

The twisted blade hit the ground with a grim chime.

"Looks like your loss." Pink Haze gleefully said. "Lottery, you die first."

"You don't have to go." Molo tried to stop me, but I was sure this would work out.

Trotting out, I saw that pink Haze was now standing on a roof, with a burning barrel behind her, and looking down at me. "So how do you want to go out? No, wait, do a dance for me first!

I needed to stall for time. "What kind of dance? I know how to exotic dance, and square dance. Or maybe some kind of fusion?"

Pink Haze scratched her chin, an even wider smile forming as she said. "No, I've got one in mind. It's called the lead Dance." She aimed her guns at me.

Gunfire from another Smile interrupted the dance before it could start, soon followed by another, and then another. A feral ghoul then burst into view, wrestling with a Smiles raider. Not just from the ground, but pegasus ghouls also descended from above, zoning in on the loud and brightly colorful Smiles. Some of which flew over the burning brothel before starting their attack.

"What, no, I didn't invite you, go away!" Pink Haze angrily shouted at the ghouls, one taking several shots from her large SMG's, which blew off the ghouls legs.

She was distracted, but I had a feeling that drawing my gun was not going to work. She was too zippy for that… so I needed to slow her down. Grabbing my bear trap, I placed it behind me, set it, and then kicked it back to Molo. Then I prayed to Celestia that this worked. I then made eye contact with Molo, giving her a nod before turning around with my own smile on my face.

"Hay Pink Haze, you still want to make me your bitch! Then come get me, I'll struggle real fucking good." I taunted the raider boss as I dropped Mire Frost to the ground.

She looked at me, a hungry smile in her eyes. "A throwdown, ya, I'll dance!"

In one hop, Pink Haze was on the ground and then leaped at me like she hit a springboard, her head colliding with my own, causing me to stumble back. I tried to counter with a hoof strike, but she easily dogged, and kicked my legs out from under me.

She then jumped onto my back, leaning in to whisper into my ear. "Where Spine Braker fucks to breed, I fuck to hear beautiful music, the best kind. So far nothing beats breaking bottles inside a pony!"

I reared up to try and knock her off her own hooves, but Pink Haze was too fast, and simply trotted over me like I was some kind of ball to play on. When I kicked up, she simply hopped, and landed on my raised hoof like it was nothing. Smiling down at me she then kicked my head as she jumped, knocking me over to the ground.

Scooting some dirt from the ground as she landed near me, I tossed it at her face, which fortunately caught her off guard.

She stumbled back, rubbing her eyes as she screamed at me. "YOU FUCKING DIRTY NO GOOD CHEETING BITCH!"

I knew this victory was short lived, so I quickly got up and changed at her. As she finished wiping her now bloodshot eyes, her smile had a hint of surprise as I tackled her. We both hit the ground and she forced me into a roll. Kicking at her, the mad mare still managed to doge, practically walking on me as I was forced to roll under her.

Forcing my forehooves strait, I managed to stop my roll, where Pink Haze now stood on my back hooves, looking down at me as I was on my back.

"See, now this is fun. Struggle all you like, but you will never catch me." Pink Haze mocked me.

But I was not out of tricks yet, and pulled my back hooves in to roll. "Go fly you bitch." I snarled as I then bucked with as much force as possible as soon as the bitch was standing on my hooves. Pink Haze laughed as I launched her into the air.

"NOW!" I shouted, and Molo burst out and kicked the bear trap.

It was only a moment, but I saw the smile drop from Pink Haze, and true shock form as she landed onto the beartrap.

*Snap!*

Pink Haze let out a blood curdling scream as the beartrap all but bit off her leg, it dangling free in its jaws by just strands.

"BITCH! FUCKING WHORE! I WILL RIDE YOU ALL NIGHT LONG WITH A SPIKED STRAPON. THEN USE USE AS A BREEDING BITCH WITH THE SICKLY OF THE FORTY TWO!" She screamed loudly at me in an ear piercing shrill voice.

As Pink Haze continued to scream at me, she also began to drag herself along the ground to me. A trail of blood followed her, along with something much much worse.

Soon she was surrounded by feral ghouls, likely attracted by her screaming, and maybe the blood. "Oh… fuck." Was all she could say before they descended upon her like a pack of hungry animals.

I turned to my friends and sighed. "Right, I think it's time to go, I'll cover the rear, Cauterize, you lead the way."

Molo grinned wide as she held Pink Haze's guns. "Ya, let's cut a path for the others." she then turned to the slaves and told them, "follow us, we'll get you all out!"

She and Cauterize then charged, firing their guns at any Smile Raider that wasn't currently fending off a ghoul, and a few that were. With them so distracted with the feral ghouls, they were easy targets, and with more feral ghoul arriving by the second, they would soon be overrun.

As I watched the slaves rush as fast as their week bodies could push themselves, I picked up Mire Frost and aimed it at where Pink Haze was being eaten alive. Half expecting her to jump up at me, and half waiting for the ghouls to stop. The sound they made as they ripped flesh and broken bones, it was… horrible.

A hoof pressed onto my shoulder nearly gave me a heart attack. It was the scared up mare who pointed out the key. "We need to run or we're going to die." She told me, bringing me back to my senses.

Nodding, I told her, "Right, I'll cover you."

_______________________________________________________

It was chaos as the raiders now fully understood their situation and were all out fighting, but the feral ghouls were already too deep in, leaving the raiders with few defense, and no way to regroup. The dead were all over the place as gunfire went off with abandon, the raider shooting at each other just as much as they shot at the feral ghouls. .

The slave that had gotten away first had not gotten far, as we found the pony being eaten by a feral ghoul.

Fortunately this meant there were plenty of guns and ammo laying around, letting us arm the freed slaves as we marched them out of this place. Though we told them to not use the guns unless absolutely necessary, as we had the fighting covered.

"Hay! What are you doing with those slaves?" A raider shouted at us, his armor only half tied down and flapping about. A few others soon joined him.

Cauterize acted fast and pulled the raider into a headlock. "Getting the fuck out of this shitbag, how about you?"

The raider looked at everypony, and then at a dead ghoul. "Ya, I never liked it here in the first place." He was then let go, and turned to the other raiders. "Who's open for legging out of this joint?"

An answer came as the raiders head exploded, causing everypony to scramble for cover. Above us on a roof was a heavily armored Smelter with a rather large rifle. "By Lady Onyx's command, they must die!"

He aimed the gun at me, but a green flash hit him, and the armor collapsed as green goo seeped out from the inside. Cold Trails then landed right next to where the raider was and fired a few more shots, killing another raider. "What's taking you so long, I'll cover you by air, so go, go, go!"

Nopony needed to be told any more as we all rushed to the way out, with Cauterizes leading the way. Cold Trails had taken flight and covered us from above, forcing any nearby raider to keep their head down. Feral ghouls on the other hoof were taken out with prejudice, unless they were fighting a raider.

We took a quick detour, hoping it would be quick, making our way to the Drunken Slut. Turning a corner, we saw the bar engulfed in flames, and surrounding it were charred corpses. I saw a cage with a still burning pony inside, the poor pony likely dying in agony, unable to free themselves.

With no reason to stick around, we moved on, and made our way to the exit. Its defenders were missing, likely having run off or joined the fight with the ghouls. To our fortune, a simple cart had been left behind, with only a few small boxes in it.

"Get those boxes out of the cart and load as many ponies in as possible!" I ordered.

Quickly we got the worst looking slaves loaded into the cart, along with the foals and a few likely pregnant mares.

As Cauterize got ready to push the cart out of her, and we loaded the last pony in, that ponies head then exploded, causing the slaves to scream and duck down low.

"Lottery, you're not getting away this time!" Onyx's amplified voice echoed through all the violence.

Everypony stayed as low to the ground as possible, all except for Cold Trails, who flew up as he said, "I'll get this bitch."

We then saw streaks of tracer rounds raced up at him from what must have been several machine guns. The power armored pegasus easily weaving through the bullets as he went in for the attack. He then sent a flurry of green plasma down at the tallest building in town, a clocktower, setting it ablaze with plasma fire as sparks flew off his armor.

Passing over his target, Cold Trails stayed low to the ground as he flew back to us.

*Crack*

One of his plasma rifles exploded, and Cold Trails lost control. We watched in horror as our new ally hit the ground and tumblr violently, unable to stop himself until he hit a mailbox, knocking it off the concrete it had been bolted to.

"Fucking pegasus, always so confident that it's easy to get them to expose their back to my rifle." Onyx spoke out, still very much alive.

Sticking to cover, I held our breath as I watched Cold Trails lay there, thinking he was very much dead. But he began to move, and with a loud grunt and a kick, he managed to throw himself around a wall just as another gunshot smashed the ground near him.

"I can get him." Spell Circuit said, then frowned, "but we can't go anywhere until she's taken care of."

"Can you get me close?" I asked him.

The messy looking Unicorn closed his eyes for a few seconds before responding. "Yes, but are you sure?"

"Ya, even if the bitch wasn't shooting at us, I still need to go after her." I said with a nod.

He then inched over to me and reached out his hoof. "Alright, if you're sure of this, take my hoof."

I breathed in deep and slowly exhaled as I looked at his hoof. Then I did what I should have done long ago and accepted his help, taking Spell Circuit's hoof.

My world shifted in a flash, and I found myself in a new spot, Spell Circuit was how breathing heavily, looking drained.

"Okay… the rest… is up… to you." He said, sounding like he just ran a mile.

Looking around, I was right outside the building Onyx was on top of, her barrel just hanging over head. "Oh do come out and play, or are you going to just let your pegasus friend suffer there, all alone." She mocked, clearly not knowing I had moved under her nose.

Entering the tower was easy, as a wall had a big hole in it, not causing a noise, that was impossible. On the first floor were three hairless dogs, covered in scars and geared up in spiked armor. The raider dogs immediately started barking, and one charged at me.

Pulling Rime Frost to do an overhead swing, the axe blade split the first dog's muzzle, causing it to scream in pain.

The other two had followed right behind the first, and were too fast for me to counter. I was immediately thrown back, knocking Rime Frost out of my grasp as the dogs tackled me and bit onto my legs. My armor protected me from their teeth, but not from their bite, as I felt them clamp down and begin to tug at me. It was as though they were trying to pull me appear, both dogs tugging at me from different directions, and preventing me from getting to my shotgun.

But I was not disarmed, and with my muzzle I dug out my revolver, Whiskey Shot, from my hidden chest holster. Aiming at the second dog I fired three shots into it, and then did the same to the third. Freed, all that was left was the first dog with the split muzzle, it would likely soon be dead from blood loss.

Not wasting time, I quickly reloaded Whiskey Shot, and picked up Rime Frost. I did wish I had taken Last Dance with me, as the rifle would have allowed me to snipe back at Onyx, but it had been too big to hide. Though killing Onyx up close will be far more satisfying.

"How! How did you get down there… fucking Spell Circuit! Kill her, kill her now!" Onyx's amplified voice shrieked.

I charged to and up the stairs, a loaded Whiskey Shot in my muzzle. Charging down at me was a burnt pony in Grinders uniform, with heavy armor on and a spiked bat in his muzzle. He swung at me, and I blocked Rime Frost, locking us in a stalemate… except I had a muzzle fire revolver in my muzzle. It took a second for the slaver to realize the position he was in, a half a second too long.

It took one shot, the .45 entering his eye socket, and how it didn't come out the other side, likely bounced off his helmet and back into his skull. As he went limp, I pushed him off the side, sending him falling down the tower.

A frantically bobbing Will-o-Wisp appeared before me, and zipped up the stairs. Not even questioning why the blue flame did that, I raced after it, only to have the stairs behind me be obliterated by machine gun fire. The storm of led then followed me as I picked up the pace, causing the walls to crumble and fall, the slavers not caring what they destroyed. But the shooting soon stopped and as I ran up, I soon saw why.

Both slaver machine gunners were reloading their crud looking machine guns. through off a belt and grabbing another one to load in. I took this opportunity to aim Rime Frost at them, where one of them saw me and jumped behind the other slaver. The third slaver then took several 00 shot as I unloaded into him as I aimed Whiskey Shot for the second slaver to appear.

Kicking the now dead third slaver off the tower, the second slaver aimed at me with her fully loaded machine gun. But before she could fire, I did with Whiskey Shot. The first hit caused the slaver mare to fire wide, missing me and losing control of her machine gun. She fired wide, sending bullets all around, with only a few coming close to me. So with careful aim I fired the remaining four shots in my revolver, each hitting the slaver.

She then slipped, and fell off the edge to her death.

Now with the minions gone, I hoped, so I quickly reloaded my guns and ran up the stairs. The top of the tower was still on fire, some of which was still green, but most was a normal orange yellow now.

A glint hit my eye and I ducked just as a deafening boom shot out at me. "You fucking whore!" Onyx shouted. "After I'm done with you I'm going to drag your corps to Tripwire, and then I'm going to fuck him in front of it!"

Rolling out from cover I fired a shot from Rime Frost, but she ducked back and I missed. "That sounds like the shit raiders would do!" I yelled back.

"As long as you're dead!" She responded.

I looked around and whispered, "a bit more help would be nice, Will-o-Wisp."

The blue flame sparked to life and floated over to an ammo box.

Then Onyx fired again, her bullet puncturing through my cover, missing me by a hoof.

Yelling back, "missed me bitch!" And bent down to the ammo box, inside were two rusty apple shaped grenades, and I immediately knew what to do with them.

Onyx fired again, now where I had just been. "How's that you raider dick slut!"

I didn't answer, just pulled the pins on both grenades and dropped them back in the box, closing it before tossing it over to Onyx as hard as I could.

She then fired again, and I was surprised to see the ammo box be torn to shreds, not expecting her to do that. Onyx screaming, "FUCK!" Clearly meant she didn't expect two active grenades to then fall out of the box.

As soon as the two grenades detonated, I charged out, my ears ringing from the blast. Jumping over her cover and pointing Rime Frost at Onyx, she was on the ground bloodied and her rifle, Desert Rose, far from her grasp. Around her were several dead slavers, some nothing more than chard bones surrounded by green goo.

As I trotted up to the bitch, she turned around, a polished pipe revolver in her muzzle and fired it.

*BANG!*

The shot just barely missed me as I managed to smash her in the face with the butt of my shotgun at the same time. Onyx let out a scream in pain as I hit her again, nocking the revolver from her mouth..

"It's over, Onyx." I told her.

She laughed as she spat out a tooth and pulled herself up. Looking me in the eyes, her glare filled with pure malice. "It's never over, whore." She growled at me as her eyepatch then fell off, and from under it I saw the symbol of Redeye branded over her own. "I have survived worse than you, and I'll be back, but stronger than ever."

Pointing Rime Frost at her head, my hoof on its trigger. "Nopony comes back from dead."

She smiled. "I surrender."

My grip on my shotgun loosen a little. "Wh… what?"

The slaver bitch rolled her eyes. "I said I surrender, I am now your captive to take back with you."

I spat at her with disgust. "And why would I do that? Your worth-"

"Everything!" She said, cutting me off. "I'm in charge of logistics, so I know every route the smugglers are taking, and I know exactly where Tripwire is sending what, to support who. Kill me and you lose all that information. Then you will have to explain why you killed a pony who surrendered, just like a raider."

Gritting my teeth, I wanted to kill her, I needed to kill her… But she was right, she was more valuable to me alive than dead.

Lowering my gun, I then said, "arlight, but you will see justice, I will see to it that you get everything coming to you!"

Onyx pulled herself up, and stood on four wobbly legs. "Yes I'm sure you will, or whatever. Now call your… friends, and get me out of-"

*BANG!*

Onyx's chest exploded, and she fell over, gargling blood before letting out a gasp and going still.

"What a shame. What. A. Shame." Bandsaw said as she materialized from thin air, holding Desert Rose. Behind her was a tall dark blue pony, with both wings and a a very long horn. It was an alicorn, one of the Goddesses creations.

Using the sniper rifle, Bandsaw picked up Onyx's eyepatch, and took off her own. Where an eye should have been was an empty socket covered in scars. "Now I said to kill her, not drag her back with you, is that so hard to understand, Lottery?"

I growled at the raider. "I ain't one of you raiders!"

Bandsaw laughed, "Why not, it's so much fun. Being free to do what you want, when you want. Well, so long as you're strong enough to take it. And you're certainly strong, a pony to tell Mother Madame about. But that's for later, so you should think about it, long, and hard. But for now, I got places to be, ponies to kill."

I pointed Rime Frost at her, but was then hit by a wave of magic from the alicorn.

This got another laugh from Bandsaw. "Oh, before I go. I'll be seeing you in a week or more, so do keep that mane pin on. And do enjoy that gift of mine, spice up that love life of yours. She then turned around and trotted to the alicorn. "Let's get out of here, Majestic."

The alicorn huffed. "Don't assume you can just order me around scum."

"Ya ya, you're a big strong alicorn. Now are ya going to get us going, or wait for the fucking ghouls to show up." Bandsaw said back in a mocking tone.

The two then vanished, followed by the sound of flapping wings.

I let myself fall back to my haunches as I caught my breath. Pain crept back to me as my adrenaline cooled off, and now I could smell it, death and decay, all burning around me. My body hurt all over, some spots from where I likely got shot, but my armor had saved me, others possibly from when the wood was blasted apart around me. The tower was still burning, and I had no way down without seriously hurting myself. Looking over a ledge I was next to, I could see the town burning, many small fires all around, and the dead all over.

It was hard to tell who each pony was, but it was clear from here that the 42 Smiles were done for, pink bodies decorating the market. The small raider encampments were in ruins, and the raiders that had not gotten away in time were being surrounded by the hoard of feral ghouls. Even those who looked more than capable at fighting their way out were not prepared for the pegasus ghouls, descending down from above.

The ponies we had saved were already out of town, crammed into the cart as Cauterize pushed it, and Molo killed the encroaching ghouls that had gotten that far. They would be free, and soon, safe.

A crash near me didn't even make me flinch. One of the feral ghoul pegasus had finally come here. The thing looked at me with soulless milky white eyes, it's putrid mouth filled with sharp broken teeth that could rip me apart. I could take it on, but my ammo was running thin after this fight.

A second crash from my other side did startled me. Then another.

Pulling Rime Frost up, I got ready for another nasty fight, one that at least I was not going to get shot at.

A green streak of plasma then slammed into one of the ghouls, setting it on green fire and melting it into bones. Cold Trails flew down, firing more, killing a second ghoul before smashing into the third with his power armored hooves, crushing it like an overripe tato.

As he turned to look at me, the right side of his armor was wrecked. The plasma rifle was gone, along with a few plates of his armor. The exposed parts of his fur were either burned or missing entirely, with wide scars in its place. And when he trotted over to me, his armor gave a pained whine with each step.

"You… don't look so hot." I told him.

He smiled, his teeth stained with blood. "On med-x, so I don't feel a damn thing."

"What about healing potions?" I asked.

Trotting right up to me he offered his hoof. "Gave them all to the ponies we saved, so I'll just have to deal with it. Now let's go before more of them show up."

Nodding, I took his hoof and he picked me up, then lifted me into a carry as he jumped off the tower. I held onto dear life, it was far more terrifying than the death box, yet strangely exciting.

We flew through and out of the burning town, leaving this tainted place to its fate, the screams and gunshots fading the further we went.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Seven

_______________________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________________

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."

_______________________________________________________

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!"

_______________________________________________________

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.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Eight

_______________________________________________________

Wiretap bounced around in her rather cute looking camping gear, it was of course bear themed, even had the ears on the hood. Somehow Plasma had gotten roped up in this as well, which was supring due to her having admitted to being afraid of open places. But she seemed determined to go.

"You sure?" I again asked the mare.

With all the dirt and grime gone, and properly groomed, she was actually a rather cute looking mare, beautiful even. Her coat was a creamy tan covered in freckles spots, and her very curly mane was a rust red. Though most of her was understandably hidden under her olive green jumpsuit and a bit too big military helmet she had on.

"Yes I am." Plasma Cutter confirmed. "Actually, being around so many ponies has been a bit more nerve racking than open empty places. I keep feeling like somepony is watching me, that the nightmare I had last night might come true."

She then leaned in to whisper. "I also want to get away from any stallions… to help clear my head."

I nodded knowingly. As yesterday went on, the effect of my aphrodisiac cursed scar became harder to ignore, and if anything touched it, even the wind, felt annoyingly good. In the end both Plasma and I had to take some numbing agent that Doctor Helga provided to ignore it. But I had to even drag Plasma to my room as she started nervously flirting with Cold Trails.

"What about, Silver Bristle Brush?" I asked.

"She is spending more time with Coriander and the griffin doctor, they want to see if she can help with her amnesia, and study the Venus root problem." She explained.

"That's good to know. Well then, just stay near me and help keep an eye on Wiretap." I told her.

Wiretap huffed out, "I don't need looking after!"

"We all need to watch each other's backs out there, unless you think you can fight a Yougui on your own?" I told Wiretap.

She patted the revolver on her chest and smiled. "Maybe I can!"

"And maybe you can stay in your room." Grizzly said sternly as she trotted over to her filly.

As the mother and daughter began to argue, Plasma leaned in and again whispered to me. "Will you be fine… you seem to have quite the nightmare last night. I do too, but yours sounds really bad."

"I always have really bad nightmares." I said with a sigh. "But ya, I'll be fine. I just need to be away from any…. Excitement."

I then looked at her saddlebags, seeing the junky crossbow sticking out of it. "Been meaning to ask, but don't you steel rangers like… bigger guns?"

She let out a quiet laugh. "Ya, but I fight smarter, not with bigger bullets. There was an old schematic I always wanted to make, low tech, yet high-tech. This crossbow is just the framework."

Well it was better than going unarmed, I guess. "Do you at least have a gun?"

Plasma nodded. "Got a 10mm in my bag, just in case."

A groan then came from Grizzly as she trotted over to us. "I swear, that filly just likes to aggravate me. Anyways, thanks for agreeing to take her away for the day. Hopefully this will help her to calm down."

"On that, am I just taking her out to the middle of nowhere?" I asked.

Grizzly shook her head. "Not quite. There's a place reasonably safe and secluded you can take her. Though you will need transportation there and bring along a guide. The transportation is the easy part, with new pegusi arriving by the day, air transportation has become quite cheap. As for the guide, Sorry that I didn't say who it was."

"And so the prophecy came true!" Rattlebones spoke up, causing both Plasma and I to jump.

Wiretap then squealed and rushed to the old stallion, yelling "grand uncle."

"Ya, sorry about that." Grizzly apologized. "He was the one to suggest the camping trip, and knows most of the good spots."

I took a moment to catch my breath before responding. "It's fine, though we would rather not have a stallion around."

Grizzly nodded. "Doctor Helga told me some of it. But you can trust the old bastard. Despite the weirdness, he is a gental stallion. Also he can answer a few questions you might have."

"I also have a few tribal remedies that might help both you mares once we're up there. I was shocked, but not surprised when Helga told me about the Venus root problem." Rattle Bones said with a smile as he trotted over. He looked surprisingly normal now, looking more like an old stallion than a creep shaman .

"Who is he?" Plasma asked.

"He is a tribal shaman, and Grizzly's uncle." I told her. "He was the one who supplied me with the chems to get around and move the feral ghouls."

Plasma then rolled her eyes. "Right… a shaman."

Rattle Bones then chuckled. "Oh, not a believer, that's fine. We are not all meant to trot the same path, but merely cross each other's." He then tossed me a bag, which clanked with metal. "Also, I felt you might like these Miss Lottery."

Opening it, inside were three smaller bear traps. Which looked brand new!

"You have an affinity for being a trapper, so I had my ponies get them for you. As a prize for a job well done." Rattlebones then smirked. "Anyways, I'm going to want to hear about what you saw when you trotted among the ancestors."

"Maybe, give me some time to think about it." I told him as I attached the three traps to my saddlebag.

He nodded. "Yes, in due time. But we should head out before too long, or little Wiretap might run off without us."

Plasma then spoke up with a question. "Say, where exactly are we going?"

"The mountain rang to the west of here, a long journey by hoof, so it's good fortune we will be flying there. Once there I'll take you girls to an ancestral camping ground." The old stallion told us.

A bit of me wanted to back out now, but I didn't want to disappoint Wiretap even more. Anyways, Rattlebones might be able to explain to me more about the things I have been seeing. Maybe about Strife.

_______________________________________________________

For an old stallion, Rattlebones was surprisingly quick on his hooves and full of energy. Even Wiretap eventually lost her energy a few hours into going up the mountain, and Plasm simply struggled to keep up from the start. I was used to trotting long distances, but going up a mountain was far different from trotting over a hill, and my legs were not happy with me the further we went.

Just when I was sure Plasma was about to pass out and I needed to stop for a rest, we came to the end of the trail, and found some ancient campsite. There was a gravel circle with a firepit at the center, and several stone benches around the circle's edges. Off to the side and away from the cliff was flat land covered in green grass, looking very soft.

Looking over the cliff, I could see everything. Which happened to be Ursa's Rest and a whole lot of nothing. So much browns and grays, it was rather depressing to see.

With a thud, Rattlebones dropped his bag, and let out a satisfied sigh. "A long hike is good for the body, don't you think?"

I shrugged. "Maybe, my Pa and I would trot out far now and then, but never up any mountain."

Both Wiretap and Plasma had finally dragged themselves over, both painting with exhaustion.

"Good news, you two can take a rest." The old stallion told them.

"Yay…." Wiretap said weakly.

Both then tossed their bags down and just flopped onto the dirt.

Taking a moment to sit down and catch my breath, finding the air here to be pleasant. Surrounding us were more trees than I had ever seen, though nothing as dense as what I had seen in old magazines, they were living trees. I could even hear all sorts of critters around us making a lot 9f pleasant noise.

"So, Rattlebones, why is this place special?" I asked.

He pulled up a tarp that was hidden under some dirt, revealing a stockpile of logs, then tossed some of them into the fire pit. "History for one thing. When the bombs dropped and the old world burned. Several families safely lived here for years, watching the ponies below turn to violence and cannibalism to survive while they lived off the land. Their descendants would become the rulers of Ursa's Rest, bringing order to a place gone mad."

I cocked an eyebrow "You mean, Grizzly's ancestors?"

Rattlebones nodded. "And a few others who helped re-establish order in other parts of this wasteland. One would think the stables would be the source of much of the civilization rebuilding, but that promise proved more false than true in the end. It was small places like this where the seeds of new civilizations would germinate."

I trotted over and sat on one of the stone benches, with Wiretap and Plasm joining me. When Rattlebones looked satisfied with the logs he collected, he trotted to the firepit and dumped some paper in it. He then pulled out flint and steel together, banging them together, making sparks as he talked. "Here they would live, not just survive. Watching the madness below, there was no denial to what needed to be done if they ever left, they would need to be ruthless to survive. Nopony dragging their hooves, or making excuses. They all had to work together, or they would all suffer the same fate as the ponies below."

A spark finally turned into a flame, and soon a fire was going. Rattlebones then finally sat back and smiled, relaxing as he continued his story. "Here they learned many lessons, both the easy and the hard. None were allowed to be ignorant to the world they now lived in. Though they were hiding from the world, the world was not hidden from them. So when it became time to descend the mountain, they had everything they needed to survive and dominate the wasteland."

"I can relate." Plasma spoke up as she warmed her hooves by the fire. "Not the dominant part, but not being ignorant to the world. The Steel Ranger dedicated themselves to protecting the technology of the old world, and keeping it out of the hooves of those who would repeat the same mistake as our ancestors."

Rattlebones nodded in agreement. "Though I have my misgivings about the Steel Rangers, they are often right in the end. Though they are quite heavy hoofed about it. But when your foal thinks playing with a baelfire egg with a hammer is smart, you don't feel bad about beating them black and blue. But still, just being right most of the time doesn't mean they are free from mistakes and atrocities. And I have seen plenty of times where inflexibility has been a ponies downfall."

Plasma looked longingly into the fire and sighed. "I… can't disagree. They didn't even try to talk. By the time anypony really knew what was going on, there was shooting. And you were either for the codex or for the mission." A tear rolled down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.

I gave her a hug, it was all I could do for her. Wiretap looked at us with a confused look, but then also gave Plasma a hug.

After a moment, the fire cracked and our attention returned to the old stallion. He had his bag open, and was setting up a grill, where he placed a pot and pan onto, pouring water into the pot. "Let's get cooking and relax, we'll be here for a few days, so it's best if we get our energy back with a meal and tea."

He then got up and trotted to a strangely organized patch of stubbs, and pulled a few out. He now had a collection of strange roots and leaves that he placed in a stone bowl and began grinding them down with some stone tool.. "But first, you two mares might want something to calm your nerves."

"I should be avoiding chems." I told him, having a feel of what he was making.

Rattlebones then chucked. "Nothing of the sort… well maybe a little. What I'm making is a classic potion, the ingredients cultivated here for those seeking peace and a clear mind." He then pulled out a strange green weed like plant that had a strong pungent, grimy smell. "And something for fun. Don't worry, nothing I'm adding is strong or harmful to your body. It's also safe for both Wiretap and the unborn foal." He then looked at Plasma and smiled. "I'm glad to hear you have the strength to accept it, unfair as it is and all, the one inside you is an innocent."

Plasma meekly nodded, "I… know. Though I do wish it never happened, and sometimes there's nightmares. But I'm just glad I'm free, that I can finally start a new life. And if I'm lucky, Doctor Helga might be able to not just suppress the diseases the raiders gave me, but cure me."

Quacksalver had told me about that, saying that Plasm had seven different STD's, along with some more normally spread illnesses. Fortunately Ursa's Rest had a stockpile of both old world and wasteland medicine, and so long as Plasm regularly seeks treatment, she'll be cleaned up. The only problem was that it's expensive, so I'm flipping the bill. Strangely Silver was completely clean, which might mean she had been inoculated before her capture.

As for the foal, it was too early to tell, so all Doctor Helga advised was for Plasma to stay away from chems. As I thought about the unborn foal, I instinctively held my own stomach, hoping I would never suffer the same fate of bearing a raiders foal. Though the dread still crept in the back of my mind. I was sure I was safe, had to be.

"You okay, Lottery?" Tripwire asked.

I snapped out of it, and looked at the filly. Her father was a monster, but she was a good filly, if a bit rambunctious. I couldn't break down on her like this. "Ya, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."

"Well, if you're ever troubled, I'll shoot it like Six Gun Red!" Wiretap said with a smirk.

"I'm sure she will." Rattlebones said as he poured the mixture into the now boiling pot. "Now just drink this and relax your mind. There are forces that wish you to remain confused and stressed. For, to overcome their plots, one must be clear of mind, but not empty headed."

He then pulled out a tin cup and poured the strange tea into it, letting it cool off before passing it to me. "The wasteland is a cruel thing, like a wicked goddess that favors suffering and conflict. But so long as you don't let it break you, you can be forged stronger."

"Sure. Though I'd rather have it leave me alone." I sipped the tea, finding it tasting like...medicine.

"Sadly, like all evils in this world, the wasteland cannot just leave things alone. It desires to see suffering, even if it harms itself. Evil is as evil does after all." As Rattlebones talked, I began to feel… relaxed. Like I was lighter, in both body and mind.

"Are you sure this is safe?" I asked.

He then hoofed over a cup to both Wiretap and Plasma. "Like I said, none of this is anything strong or harmful. At worst, you will just get hungry. Back home we use this along with other medicinal herbs to help with the recovery process, or as an aid for acolytes in meditation. Up here it's mainly used to counteract altitude sickness." He then drank some of the tea himself. "Not the best flavor though, better with some pear brandy added."

I took a second sip, finding it easier to drink now. Wiretap on the other hoof was having a hard time even tasting it. The filly then huffed, and complained, "will we be drinking this the whole time we're here?"

"Only if you want to." Her grand uncle told Wiretap.

Plasma on the other hoof had finished hers off. "It's okay, but not as good as coffee."

Feeling more relaxed, and curious, I then asked him. "You seem to know a lot about this place, are you also a descendant of ponies from here?"

"Me, noo… well maybe." He said with a smile, then further explained. "Hard to keep track of those times, but I do know that many members of the families here did later join up with my ancestors and form the Pear Valley tribes. If the old tales are true, they were relatives and family friends who eventually made their way to an agreed meeting spot. Though some clearly stayed here to clean up Ursa's Rest."

"What's it like with the tribes… wherever they are?" I then asked.

Rattlebones sighed. "Could be better, could be a lot worse. Most years we are able to support ourselves, and live in relative peace. Not much excitement goes on in our lands like it dose here, but that's to be expected when everypony can see each other as family. Then some years the crops die, or the radiation storms come, and we must choose to either suffer, or take from our neighbors. You might have heard that we're sometimes called raiders, and it's true in the literal sense, not in the chem addicted thugs sense. And certainly not like the damned Bailfire Fiends from down south."

I then realized what Grizzly meant by answering a few questions. "So you know them… what kind of raiders are they?"

"Their… a result of twisted ideals and bad intentions." Rattlebones began to explain. "And they existed before the war even came to a close, though by another name. The Foal Welfare Agency, as it was called."

"Wait, I think I know of them!" Plasma spoke up. "There are the ones who wrote much of the textbooks for early learning, and other educational programs. The Steel rangers still use those for our own education even today. Your saying they became raiders? With all the education they'd have at their hooves?"

"It's not just education they were in charge of." He said in a somber tone. "But also assessing if a family was stable enough to even raise their foals. From the tales of my ancestors, the Welfare agency would take foals from homes of families who protested the war, who didn't support the war, or were just seen as undesirables. It didn't matter if they were good parents or not, but that they were good little ponies who supported Equestria and the war. Then hide away those foals to be educated solely by them, so that they too would believe in their ideals."

Something seemed off about this that I need to be clarified. "From what I know about them, the Bailfire Fiends are hyper mare… supremacist I think the word is. You know how come?"

Rattlebones nodded. "They always were, if the old stories are true. Something about how mares are more caring, more attentive, and better at raising foals. Words that likely were used to convince the mares of the Ministry of Peace and Image to give them the power they wanted. There is logic to their argument, but it's a deeply flawed logic, as a foal doesn't need a mare to raise them, but a mother to neuter them, with a father to protect them. From the old stories, they actually fought a lot with my ancestors, as they were against the war and not a fan of the Ministries. Something to do with an old rivalry with apple farmers if the stories are to be believed."

He then began putting food on the grill and pan, which let out a satisfying sizzle. "When the war came to an end and everything burned, some of my ancestors went out for revenge. As was a common thing at the time. Only a few returned, and with as many foals they could save, but the story they told was a true nightmare. A School turned into a fortress laboratory that mentality tormented the foals. Unending propaganda, and food that was nothing more than chem laced pink slime. Many foals there had become mini tyrants themselves, molded into the ideal pony by the hags that had sunk their fangs into them. A generations later we would hear of the Baelfire Fiends, and how they would steal foals from anypony they attacked. We knew it was them, that madness, it couldn't be anypony else"

I felt Wiretap hold onto me tightly, looking a bit scared, so I patted herself on the head. "Don't worry, we'll protect you."

"But she must still remain vigilant… or repeat her mothers mistake." Rattlebones said, his voice resonating with a slight quiver of sorrow, getting my full attention. "Grizzly told me what she told you, then began tossing her empty bottles around. It's an old wound now, but it still runs deep into her heart."

"What happened?" I asked, a sense of dread welling up within me.

The old stallion began flipping the cooking food in the pan, getting it cooked evenly as he remained quiet for several long seconds before telling us. "She… accepted their help. Grizzly is prideful and greedy, traits well suited for a leader of Ursa's Rest, but also open doors for others to get in and blind her. Ye see, she was not originally chosen to take over the Ursa's Den, and sadly she never received that honor, she was simply the only one left."

I slowly held onto Wiretap tighter as I came to realize what he meant. "You don't mean?"

Rattle Bones nodded. "Yes, they killed her entire family, except for Sparkling Delight and Wiretap. They were fortunately somewhere safe at the time. How it happened, you see, was that she wanted to prove herself worthy of being in charge, needed to show that she could accomplish so much more. The Bailfire Friends offered her that chance. As it turns out, you can accomplish far more than a pony that is dead. My brother, his wife, their sons… all in the Elysian fields now. And Grizzly's lives with knows she was the one who let them in."

He then poured the food into the pot of the still simmering tea. "They nearly destroyed Ursa's Rest, but thanks to a vision I had received, our tribe arrived in time to save at least the family I still had left. They knew we would come, hoped we would, as old hatreds don't die easily. But we arrived sooner than they expected, and with a fierce determination they had not predicted. It was… a tragic day for all. But in the end they were driven back to the hole they crawled out of."

"And it's ponies like them why the Steel Ranger exists." Plasma said solemnly. "But… the longer I suffered in the wasteland, the more I have come to think that Steel Hooves was right. Maybe if we start trying to help ponies, trying to make things better, maybe tragedies like that wouldn't have happened."

"I can't argue with that. And it was sad to hear about Steel Hooves death, an asshole he might have been, but I owned him my life." Rattlebones said as he stirred the pot. "But his vision it would have required more than just the Steel Rangers, but everypony in the wasteland to join forces. One pony tried this years ago, but faced hardship and scorn. So much so it drove him mad."

I raised an eyebrow. "You mean Redeye, don't you?"

"Yes Redeye, though He went by a different name then, but none remembers now." Tapping on the pot, he filled the now stew into his cup, then offered it to us. As he filled our cups, he continued, "He actually came to visit the Pear Valley to seek wisdom, but sadly we had none he saw to value. Though we have survived, and have found a connection with Equestria itself, we were as separated from others as his tribe was, most seeing ourselves as the superior ponies, just like his had. Just like the Steel Ranger, and so many others."

Lightly blowing on his food, Rattlebones sipped it a little and smiled. "But the winds have changed, or should I say, have finally begun to move again. This stagnant air we all breathe has seemingly lifted with the parting of the clouds, and so many who kept to themselves now mingle in celebration. Old hatreds still linger like scars, but I believe that with the return of the sun, Equestria can finally start to heal."

I sipped on the stew, finding that the medical taste had mellowed, and something sweet and flavorful filled my mouth. "This… I've never had something this good before!"

Even Plasma and Wiretap looked absolutely enthralled by the stew.

Rattlebones laughed, it filled with a bellowing joy. "I know right. It's an old family recipe that took me ages to remake. I'm thinking of having my tribe offer this as charity to those in need. It will take time convincing them to go out without spears at the ready, but somepony must be the first to take an honest step forward."

I finished off the stew and pressed my cup forward for more. "Ya, that sounds like a wonderful idea."

We then quickly finished off the stew, enjoying it in silence, and letting it warm our bodies. Soon after, with our heads clear and energy to burn, we began setting up our camps. The cool mountain air mixed with honest work felt good and right. As though I was no longer in the wasteland, but someplace better, someplace… clean.

The sun quickly dipped low, and soon the only light came from the moon, the stars, and our campfire. Both Wiretap and Plasma retired to their tent, the day having drained them dry. But Rattlebones was still up, sitting at the mountain ledge that overlooked the region.

Trotting over, the dark land was dotted with lights, just like the stars in the sky, and like the moon, Ursa's Rest was the biggest of them all. "H… how many are there?"

"Hundreds at least." Rattle Bones told me as we looked down at the many lights dotting the wasteland.

I sat down next to him, looking at the scene before me. "It's strangely beautiful

"E'yep. It used to be much darker, so many ponies hiding from the slavers and raiders that they dared not shine a light in the darkness. No sun, no moon, no stars, nor fire to light their way. But now they fearlessly bathed in the light, it is truly a beautiful sight to behold."

Looking down at the region, I tried to see anyplace I could recognize. I was sure I could see the Duchy, and possibly Dead Pony Pass from here. The large bear of the Ursa's Den was still recognizable, even from here. I was even sure I could see a few caravans on the move, their light bobbing and flickering.

I then sighed. "You wanted to know what I saw, right?"

"When you're comfortable about it. Most acolytes rest for several days before they are ready." He told me.

"What did you see?" I then asked him, feeling curious.

He fell silent for a long moment, staring out into the distance.

"I saw a business pony desperately trying to make a sale, it was so stressful that he had to retreat to the bathrooms to puke up his food. Then he secretly snorted mentats to clear his head before heading back out. Sirens started soon after and he began running." Rattle Bones told.

That story caught me off guard, "Really?"

"Yes really," he confirmed.

I sighed and then explained. "Well I saw a mare cheating on her Stallion with one delivering… milk I think. When the sirens started, the milk pony ran out without her as she had to grab her foal."

Rattle Bones nodded. "Sounds about right. We peer into the past, see a vulnerable moment in the lives of the ancestors before their world ended. It dispels much of the myths that surround them, and reminds us that they were once normal ponies, flaws and filled with fear." The old stallion then cracked his neck and stretched his legs. "After that we see a future, or some places in the present. Something we have no control over, something that will come to pass. I didn't know it then, but I saw the rise of Redeye, as did other of my fellow acolytes. So much death in the name of the greater good. Innocent ponies rendered skin and bones to feed an engine made from twisted virtues. Then she came."

"She?" I asked.

"It's all I know, as nopony seems to see the same thing, but in most cases it's a she. Some see a black mare with golden eyes, others a skeleton in a dark cloak. A few swear they were visited by Pinky Pie herself. But all are then shown the truth, that the wasteland is more than a place, more than a time, its-"

"Strife." I said, cutting him off. "A thing that lives, and has desires. Like as though it is a-"

"A god itself." Rattlebones finished my open thought. "Yes, we are shown that the wasteland is a living thing, and that it is evil. That we ponies gave birth to it through our hatred and now it rules over us as our god. Strife is its name, and so long as she lives, so will the wasteland, and with it monsters like raiders will be born."

The memory of a dream came back to me, of Strife emerging from a mound of corpses and offering me power. "She… she came to me herself… wants me… desires me. I want to fight her, but she wants me to fight her. She wants to see war, death, and suffering."

I then felt a gentle hoof on my shoulder, Rattlebones still looking off into the distance. "Evil is as evil does. It can't help but indulge in causing suffering, even when it forges the tools which will bring about its end. Because if you don't break, or accept life as misery and keep your head down, you become desirable to her. The more you fight and struggle, the more Strife will seek to throw you into the fire. It will not end until you either shatter or be forged into steel. It's enough that knowing this can cause a pony to seek the peace of death then to live under Strife."

His words twisted inside my mind, as though like a snake ready to devour me from the inside out. "And what are raiders?"

"Ponies who shattered under her loving embrace, then reborn as something less than a pony. Not all, as you have seen with Miss Molotov, she is like steel, strong and flexible. Keep her close, as steel sharpens steel. But for others, once shattered, they can never come back. Their only true escape from their pitiful existence is to see others shatter, to make more ponies like themselves."

"Yet why does she want me to kill them?" I asked, feeling confused by all this.

Rattlebones then finally looked at me, his own eyes filled with a sympathetic worry. "I cannot say but to suggest that she is a mad god. That there is no end goal in her mind, only the continued existence of the wasteland and the suffering it brings. For as long as she exists, as long as there is Strife, there will always be more ponies like the raiders."

He and I then looked out into the wasteland, again seeing the sea of stars, and of the life below.

"No one pony can defeat her can they?" I asked both Rattlebones and myself.

"No, no they cannot… but maybe one day, if we can all finally work together." He said with a tone of hope in his voice.

I couldn't help but agree. Though that day seemed so far off, and the path ahead filled with horrors. Even now, it felt like I could shatter at any moment, all while Strife watches, waits.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty Nine

_______________________________________________________

I watched from our hiding spot, waiting for the right opportunity. The Geckos were seemingly singing, their loud calls having made it hard to enjoy the peaceful mountain, but today it ends. As they crawled along the ground, they inched closer and closer to the right spot.

Finally they were right where I wanted them. Standing up, the dry leaves covering me fluttered off, making wrinkling and cracking noises. "You Geckos! Y'all want dinner!"

The three beasts roared in surprise, getting up on their hind legs, and prediably charged at me.

A loud snap was followed by a cry of pain as one gecko was lifted into the air, held by a leg caught in a smaller beartrap and rope. Another snap and a second gecko was flung into the air, screaming in pain. The third single mindedly kept charging, not once looking back to see its fate. With its dagger-like teeth bear, ready to bite into my flesh, its hind legs dug into the ground to ready itself for a leep.

*Snap*

The third gecko was hoisted into the air, screaming and snarling at me.

Rattlebones then stood up from his hiding spot, laughing with amusement. "Brutal, but effective. I'd feel sorry for them if they didn't keep us up all night. Now what to do with them?"

"Meat! I want meat!" Wiretap demand as she popped out of her hiding spot.

"I could do something with the leather." Plasma said as she peeked out from a pile of leaves.

With our dinner decided, Rattlebones pulled out his knife and one by one slit the gecko's throats, letting their blood nourish the ground.

The days had gone by fairly quickly up here, as we either kept ourselves busy with maintaining the camp and hunting, or relaxed by hiking or simply resting… Rattlebones called it meditation, but I only managed to fall asleep. With clean air and good food, a sense of peace had come to me, like a soft blanket keeping me warm.

It didn't end my troubles, but in a way, I felt more able to keep trotting now. That I can keep myself up without another pony holding me up. My hatred for the raiders and Tripwire still burned, so much so I could explode, but now the fire was like this fire pit. Strong, hot, but controlled.

The wood log cracked, and an ember danced around the gecko meat before drifting off, seeking freedom, but finding only a long stretch of rocks, where it faded and died.

As Rattlebones said, fire is useful, just like magic, and emotions. We can live without them, but the world becomes dull. But if they are not kept in check, it can destroy everything around us. One little ember can burn down a forest.

I was, I guess, like an ember. Not important, and short lived. But the amount of damage I could do if I were to fall in the right spot, at the right time, could hurt a lot of ponies. Or that's what I surmised Rattlebones was telling me.

Turning the meat, it was already done, and the old stallion had the stew set for its addition. Plasma was already finished hanging up the gecko skins, with several other skins left to the side. Wiretap on the other hoof was lifting rocks with her magic, training as she put it. The rest of us were earth ponies, so we were utterly useless with helping her, though Rattlebones did know some bits of advice about magic.

When the food was ready, we all gathered around the fire to have our little feast.

"Did you know, before the wasteland, eating meat was extremely uncommon for us ponies." Plasma Cutter said as she looked at the stew.

Rattle Bones chuckled. "I think I did hear something about that from my grandfather."

"It's why most of the ancient foods that are still around have no meat, and the ones that do are either for griffins or for pets." Plasma then ate some of her dinner, letting out a cute little moan of joy before continuing. "And actually, from what other scribes have surmised, were not really meant to eat meat. But because of how poor the nutrition is in the wasteland, meat helps make up for that lack of nutrition. There was even a rumor that most ponies out in the wasteland have been changed because of it, becoming more omnivores naturally."

Wiretap took interest in this topic as she then asked "how so, what makes them think that?"

"Our teeth actually." Plasma then opens her mouth, showing two rows of perfectly white teeth, with most being flat, but both above and below were a small fang that broke the line. "In the old textbooks ponies only had flat and straight teeth, likely for grinding food. But now we seem to have more… jagged teeth, and a fang. Nothing extreme, but enough to be noticeable. And it does make eating meat easier."

"So… were all mutants?" Wiretap then asked with concern in her voice.

The question caused Plasma to stop for a few long seconds, clearly mulling the question over in her mind. "It's… the leading theory. If we could study a stable pony, or one not from the wasteland, then we could compare. But most scribes have concluded that with the radiation and taint everywhere, mutation has unfortunately become the normal. Though for most ponies it's just a minor change, like with our teeth, so it's nothing to be worried about."

Wiretap then breathed a sigh of relief. "Good, because mom would tell horror stories about mutants."

"Like the ghost hounds, and the Moth pony." Rattlebones said with a chuckle. "Still scared of them I see."

Wiretap puffed up her cheeks and pouted. "No I'm not! They're not real anyways."

The old stallion smiled. "Are you sure about that? I've seen some mighty strange things in my time."

"Same here." I added.

The filly's confidence faded as she then quietly ate her stew.

"But that's why you're learning to use a gun." Rattlebones added, "when the stranger things cone, you'll be ready.

I patted Rime Frost, the shotgun having joined us by the fire.

We then began talking about old myths and legends, about hero's and villains, enjoying this peaceful moment. As the sun set and night blanketed the land, both Plasma and Wiretap again turned in first, leaving me alone with the old shaman.

"It's beautiful, isn't it." Rattle Bones said as he looked over at the ledge, the moon high into the sky, and at its fullest.

I nodded.

"Old legends say that Luna was once banished on the moon, that she had become possessed by a demon, and Celestia had to stop her. Have you heard of the tale?" He asked me.

This time I shook my head.

"Not surprised." He said in a sad tone. "Supposably the ponies from the old world had forgotten to, had thought there had only ever been Celestia. It makes me worried that one day....our descendants will forget the Equestria of old and start to believe that there was only ever the wasteland."

Rattlebones then stretched his back and got up, picking up his staff. "But that's why old ponies like me exist. Now, I think it's time."

I cocked an eyebrow, "time for what?"

He smiled. "Your going to stop evil right, then you should take a warrior's trial. And it so happens that one can be found here. All you need to do is take in some sacred drink and challenge the black ghost."

Now I was even more confused. "I… what?"

He rolled his eyes. "Do drugs, fight bears." He said flatly.

"Ohhh… but why?" I then asked.

Rattleones pulled out a flask, and opened it. The stuff smelt of acrid and sickly alcohol. "One, to fill you with strength, and two, to earn a weapon in which to take into battle with you."

My nose scrunched up at the smell "And is that… safe?"

"Ehhh, mostly. So long as you don't have any other chems in your system, it will not cause you harm." He explained it to me.

I then narrowed my eyes at him. "And why do I need this weapon?"

Rattlebones then smiled, clearly sure of himself. "A weapon is a weapon, so no, you don't need it. But it will also be a symbol, a sign of strength, and something to gain the favor of old gods who still care for us ponies. At the very least it will be but another tool in your arsenal."

"And will I really fight a bear?" I had to ask.

He shrugged. "Maybe. This is a trial that predates Equestria itself, old magic you can say. Frankly, all I know is what a vision gave me, and that I myself have gone through it and felt its power. But there's no guarantee that what you face will be the same."

I looked at his staff, the bones on it were thick and covered in scratches. The skull on top looks a lot like that of a Yougui.

Thinking about it, I already had guns, and Mire Frost, with plenty of ammo, but that didn't save me from Spine Breaker, or the other raiders. Only slowed them down. More weapons was not a bad Idea, though I was concerned with what I might have to fight to get it.

"Alright." I said, giving in. "I'll take drugs and fight a bear."

_______________________________________________________

I was already regretting this decision as Rattlebones took me to a grove deep in the mountain. Between it being off any trail and in the middle of the night also meant that I would never find my way back without his help. It had me at edge with every step.

The grove was thankfully illuminated by the full moon, framed by trees that appeared to be absolutely ancient. I had never seen trees so thick before, not alive at least. It was a ring of them, and at the center was a massive stump, so massive that a house could be built on top of it. And stranger, it looked to be clean, and quite flat, except for something sticking out of the center.

Rattlebones trotted onto the stump, and I joined him, our hooves clopping loudly on the wood.

"What is this place?" I asked as I looked around. From the shadows I could see an uncountable number of small eyes watching us.

"Unfortunately I do not know. For there are so many mysteries that have been forgotten, and many more lost." He then stopped at the center of the stump, where some kind of aulter had been cut out from the tree that once stood here. It was as though the tree had been cut down to make just this thing. "But I have been granted with some knowledge, now come here."

Trotting up, I saw that the altar had a bowl like an indent with a small hole at the center… like a sink?

Rattlebones then poured the strange alcohol onto the altar, and it flowed down the hole. "Oh ancients of ancients, one of ours seeks your favor. For there are wicked things about, and we are but weak mortals. Let her prove her worth and be blessed."

It was weird hearing him pray to whatever gods he believed in, and weirder that I followed him. Truthfully I was even more worried about my own sanity that I even came here.

As I thought to myself, I noticed that everything had become dead quiet. No birds, bugs, or even the rustling of trees. It was as though time had stopped, yet I could still move. Opening my mouth to ask another question, I paused as a bubbling sound came from the altar, and a liquid flowed up.

Even in the moonlight I could tell it was blood red, almost glowing.

"Drink in and see, Drink in and be challenged." A voice boomed out, seemingly from everywhere.

Rattlebones took a few steps back, and motioned for me to drink.

I had already come this far, and likely drank worse.

Trotting up, I lowered my muzzle into the bowl and drank the liquid. It… was surprisingly good, like the sweetest wine I ever have had. Before I could stop myself, I had consumed it all, not even stopping to take a breath.

Turning to Rattle Bones, there were three… no five of him. "Wow… this is… strong."

He didn't move, or say anything as I stood there, now feeling very confused.

"He can't hear you, little pony." The voice of a stallion spoke up as he, a dark red pony, trotted out with an impressively curly purple mane, tail, and bearded. Vines with some kind of berries attached to them entangled the stallion. "For only you have accepted my wine."

I struggled to not fall over as it took me a moment to focus on the pony. But the more I looked at him the more I saw; he had two horns on his head and his back legs looked like they belong to a dear, or a-

"Goat." The not pony finished my thought. "Yes, well that happens after a few thousand years of mostly only having goats and deer worship you. But I do boast having pony worshipers here and there, even if they have forgotten my name."

Within a blink of an eye, he was in front of my face, looking deep in my eyes. "Ahh, I see it, small as it is, you do have the spark, and a healthy one."

Stepping back, I was shocked to see that his head was floating without his body… where was his body?

I then felt a hoof on my shoulder as though comforting me. The body was behind me, well half of it, the goat half was dancing about.

"Hey now, don't be afraid, you did come to have fun!" The not pony said as his body danced back together. "I am Dionysus, god of wine and parties!"

Then from the shadows came the forms of ponies and other creatures, all dancing and partying to upbeat music, all while speaking in a language I didn't recognize. The smell of wine was overwhelming, and the music thumped in my chest. Among them was a pink pony with a frizzy pink mane, she was ever just out of view.

Dionysus then danced over to me, holding a rather large cup filled with the same sweet wine. "You can feel it, you can smell it. The party never ends as we celebrate a glorious full moon. Look, look! It's like a glorious jewel in my wine."

Lowering the cup, I could see the moon in the blood red wine, shining beautifully. I could almost see it around my hoof, and the wine was like a dress.

"Yes, you can see it!" Dionysus said, and pushed the cup closer to me. "All you need to do is drink, and it's all yours. Never will you need to worry, for worries are a thing of the past, and the past is to be forgotten. Drink and forever join my party, for it has been too long since another has joined, and we all do love to see a new member. Drink and never be sad again."

I stared at the wine, its strong scent dancing in my nose. Looking up at the shadowed ponies, they became more clear to me. All were beautiful in their togas, smiling as they enjoyed themselves with not a care or worry on their faces. It would be nice to be like them, happy. Could I forget it all, drink and find happiness.

No… I already tried that, and ended up becoming a miserable slut. There was no happiness in the bottle, just another stranger in my bead, and a hangover to greet me in the morning.

I gently pushed the wine back to the god. "Sorry, but I have things more important than my happiness to deal with. Maybe once it's all over I'll take you up on this offer."

Dionysus paused for a moment. "What's so important that you would deny me? Me, a GOD!"

His voice caused the world to shake and the party to stop, making me feel small and insignificant.

"Because you are small." Dionysus began to grow, getting bigger and bigger. "And insignificant. What is so much more important, little pony? You, a thing of clay, molded into dolls to be the play thing of children! What is it that drives you to be more than what you were made to be?"

He was more than intimidating, he was terrifying to the point of making my legs weak in fear. But I swallowed those fears and told him, voice cracking. "My friend, and a pony that must be stopped. I must do something, anything. So I can't just give up now. Even if it kills me, even if I'm violated again and again. I must keep going."

"Foolish." Dionysus said, then smiled. "To the point of near madness."

He then popped, as though made of bubbles, showering me with wine.

He then reappeared, sitting on my back. "But I am also the god of madness, so I can respect that. But it does distress me that you will not be joining me, so many ponies have embraced the freedom of madness, but not its joy. Not why we let ourselves go mad, but just the madness in itself."

Dionysus clapped his hooves and the party continued and then hopped off me only too began to float to the altar. "I'll accept your determination, Lottery, and hold a place for you at my party, but I have no boon to give you that you can use. I am not like my brothers and father, may they rest peacefully, for conflict and war are not in my nature. But I can grant you something fun."

I felt disappointed, but curious. "And what is this… boon?"

A wide smile formed on the gods face. "I'll grant you the ability to drink to your heart's content, and never suffer addiction or hangovers. Even have it that good fortune finds you when wrapped in its sweet intoxication. That's two boons actually, but only because you're cute."

Dionysus then vanished again, only to appear in front of me, giving me a kiss on either side of my cheeks before vanishing in a storm of wine bubbles. And like a distant whisper, I heard him say. "And remember, life is not worth living if you can't laugh or smile. Find the joy in the little things, and you will find all you need to stay sane."

Everything spun around me, feeling like I just drank more alcohol than I ever have had before, my legs feeling like rubber before giving out on me.

"Lottery! You alright, Lottery?" Rattlebones shook me from what felt like a dream.

Actually, everything still felt hazy and dream-like. "I'm okay… just give me a moment, that trial was weird."

"I don't know what you're talking about, but the trial has only started." He told me, and I quickly got to my hooves.

Fog surrounded us and all things were quiet. The groan of a large beast drew my attention to the edge of the grove, where a yao guai stepped out from the thick forest. The bear looked old, with its body thin and its sparse fur gray. Many scares covered its body, and one eye was blind. The beast looked like it could die at any time, so sickly that I felt sorry for it.

"Feel not pity nor sorrow for the proud warrior, for it has lived a full life, and now seeks its rest." A ghoul in a clean black suit trotted out, a glass of red wine floating next to her. She then sipped the wine and smiled at me. "Ambrosia wine, one sip is enough to enthrall a mortal to the point of no return, a most pleasant way to die. Good to see you again, Lottery."

"Lethe!" I was surprised to see the mare here, but somehow I felt like I should have known it would be her.

She then looked at Rattlebones and yawned. "And a shaman, though one filled with life. I can see him holding onto that life to the bitter end, not a pony I have much interest in."

"You must be a spirit of death, will you be the one overseeing this trile?" Rattle Bones asked Lethe.

"Me, no. I am but trotting beside this noble beast as it searches for its death." She then patted the yao guai on the side gently. "One never truly suffers alone."

"I'll be overseeing this trile." A beautiful voice spoke out, and with it a pony made of lite trotted forth from behind the Yao guai. Life seemed to bloom around her as bugs producing lite flew all around her. As she trotted the grass grew, and as her hoof left the ground, it died. "You did good turning Dionysus down, his offer would be impossible for most ponies in this wasteland to deny. By showing your determination, you have earned the right to this trile, and to look upon my form."

The light dimmed and I could see the most beautiful mare I have ever seen. She was an earth pony with a rich wavy brown mane and a vibrant green cote. Vines and leaves draped off her like a magnificent toga, decorated with flowers of all shapes and colors. On her head was a crown made of branches, of which butterflies restid on.

"I am Persephone, wife to Hades, queen of the Underworld, the goddess of vegetation and the harvest." The god then looked at the yao guai and touched it. As though time itself reversed, the bear then became younger, stronger, and exceedingly more impressive. "Grant this noble warrior a worthy death, and his power will become yours. Then you, one who has been granted life past your destined time, can move forth and stop what has been allowed to start by those who mettle."

She then glared at Lethe, who seemed to roll her milky white eyes back at her.

I found Mire Frost by my side and I picked her up ready to fight. "Get back Rattlebones."

The old stallion did as I said, quickly trotting off the large stump.

Persephone then looked back at me and smiled. "Do well to survive and find victory, for few are souls left truly untainted by the Strife. But do not think a victory is to win over that thing. To play by its rules is to play an unending game, but to quit is to give it a victory over you." She then tapped her hoof on the ground, causing the glowing bugs to swarm out, lighting up everything in a blur. "Now pony, defy fate as your ancestors had done long ago, prove why you still exist where we have become forgotten."

The yao guai stomped onto the massive stump and roared, the sheer volume of it shaking my bones.

It then charged at me, and I tossed one of my bear traps in front of me and dashed back. The yao guai stomped on it and the bear popped like a bubble. Around me roars came, and more, smaller yao guai's burst out from the blur of bugs. I tossed my other two bear traps out and fired Mire Frost, hitting one bear in the face, sending it to the ground, and causing it to explode with light. Two other bears got to me, both with a bear trap on a paw each. Jumping forward, both missed me as they slammed on the ground, hitting each other and exploding.

I then found myself under another bear, who roared at me and with a powerful swipe, knocked me across the stump. Using Mire Frost to stop me from flying off the stump, I quickly got up to see it charge at me. Taking aim, I fired a few more shots, but this bear didn't go down easy. Once the last shell was spent, I prepared for melee.

Dashing to the side, the bear belly flopped where I had been, and taking the opportunity, I charged myself, digging Mire Frost's axe head into its back. The yao guai roared in pain as it got up and thrashed. Using the axe as an anchor, I pulled my revolver out, and with my muzzle I aimed and fired. After the six shots the bear fell and like the others, exploded in light.

The big yao guai returned, and I quickly loaded Mire Frost, preparing for the next attack. But it began pacing around, and as it did, more large yao guai then formed behind it. I was surrounded, and I didn’t know if they all were real or not.

One bear charged, and I fired at it, the shot doing nothing as it simply passed through me. I was then knocked to the side as pain washes over me, the feeling of my blood spilling. Quickly getting up, I saw the yao guai return to the edge of the stump, disappearing among what had to be fake yao guai. Looking at myself, it had hit my flank, it claws getting through the armer and putting three gashes in my flesh.

Another yao guai charged, but this time I was not going to be fools and turned around for the surprise attack. But there was nothing.

The world spun as I was knocked into the air, and then slammed onto the ground. Muzzle to muzzle with the yao guai, it roared in my face and stomped on my chest. I could feel my bones crack under its power and blood filled my mouth.

Then it ran off again.

Painful I got back up, full knowing I had no way to know where it would attack next, or if I could stop it. This fight… It was hopeless. No pony could help me.

No pony… but something else could… maybe.

"Will-o-Wisp, help me!" I called out.

The small blue flame danced into view and bobbed before disappearing. Looking about, I saw it over one of the yao guai's, and I knew it was the real one.

Two of the fake yao guai's burst out, but I paid them no mind and took aim. I fired at the real bear as the fakes harmlessly passed through me, each shot finding its target. All the fakes then vanished as the real yao guai looked at me, blood dripping from many holes in its flesh.

It again roared at me, and charged. I had one shot left, and I needed to make it count. So when it beared down at me, I stood my ground, aming. Taking a deep breath, it was like time slowed down and nothing existed but me and this beast. Closer, ever so slowly, closer. My eyes locked with its one, and I could see my own reflection in it. I was vuntable, battered, bleeding, and not dead yet.

*BANG*

_______________________________________________________

"Hay… Lottery… you alright?" Plasma asked as she hugged me.

I slowly stirred, rubbing my eyes as I noticed light was on me. "I'm fine." I told her as I then noticed that I was on my back, on the ground, yet still sitting on the stone bench.

Getting help from Plasma, I found myself back at camp, still around the now dead fire. As I rubbed my very unhappy back, I saw that Rattlebones was across from me, asleep as he was hugging his staff.

"What happened? How did we get back?" I asked myself.

Plasma cocked an eyebrow at me. "You didn't go anywhere, you two just drank some weird stuff, giggled all night and then passed out. Trust me, I saw you."

"Oh… right." I remembered the flack of booze Rattle Bones shared with me, them… fighting a bear, dancing shadows… gods? Whatever that was, it really messed with my head. "Sorry about that."

Plasma just shrugged as trotted over to the woodpile and tossed in another log to the fire.

Stretching out my legs, I then noticed something was attached to my fetlocks. Thich hide with beautiful brown fur was strapped to all four of my legs, and it extended down to my hooves where it ended in large claws. It was the claws of a yao guai, but the fur was too thick and clean. Stranger, I had them on all four of my legs. "Plasma… where did I get these?" I raised one of the claws on my hoof.

She looked confused, and her response was even stranger. "How should I know, you never told me. I mean, you've always had them since we first met. Did that chem give you amnesia?"

"Don't worry, that happens, and no, it's not permanent." Rattlebones said and yawned.

"Seriously, we're recovering and you give her something like that." Plasma huffed, "I'm going to get some water, can you start cooking the meat?"

"Already on it." The old stallion said as he trotted to where we had our food stored. "Lottery, let's get breakfast ready, I think we should eat most of it before we head out of here."

Feeling confused I pulled out the metal skewers to cook the meat on. "Did I realy… you know… forget?"

Rattlebones smiled, "Possibly, that yao guai did knock you around something fierce."

I froze for a moment, remembering it all clearly. "So it did… but how, and how are we back-"

"Magic." He told me as he passed over some meat. "There are things beyond our understanding out in this world. Some old, some new. And in this case, a power that can rewrite this world in small ways, and bestows artifacts from times long forgotten."

Rattlebones then extended his staff and tapped my new gauntlets. "We have something like that in the tribe, call them berserker gauntlets, worn by warriors who know they're heading into fierce battles. Helps with running, climbing, and gives nasty cuts when hoof to hoof fighting. Also quite protective as armor gose."

It did look rather nice, and reminded me of the hoof guards that Stronghoof the barbarian wore. I could only imagine how jealous my brothers would be if they ever saw these, as that comic book was their favorite. Personally I rather have Stronghoof them be him myself.

I then moved my hoof, and saw the claws moved with it, as though an extension of myself. I then felt compelled to sniff it, finding the fur to faintly smell of sweet wine. With a sigh I put my hoof down, and asked one important question. "So, Rattlebones, what makes berserker gauntlets so special?"

He scratched his beard for a moment, then smiled. "Our belief is that the berserker gauntlets would give a pony the strength, ferocity, and bravery of a yao guai. Though that was all just symbolism to boost the wearers spirit and make them look more terrifying. But there's power in belief and symbolism, a power not to underestimate. But you, one the other hoof, might just have true berserker gauntlets. If I remember correctly, they were called the Grizzly Claws." Rattlebones then began to laugh. "Which would mean that the gods of old still have a sense of humor."

Then I realized that I now have another bear themed piece of clothes, and this one has a similar name to the boss. "Wait, why grizzly?"

Slowing down his laughter, he then told me. "The yao guai's, they use to be called grizzly bears, that's why."

I felt a crack on my stoic muzzle as laughter began to bubble up within me. It was dumb, so dumb that it was funny. My boss was called bear, in a building called a bear, in a town called a bear, and now I had weapons called a bear. It was just too unbearably stupid.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty

_______________________________________________________

The trot back down the mountain was a lot easier, with even Wiretap and Plasma keeping up. We all felt refreshed, and clear headed as we waved down the pegasus transporter. Though Wiretap and I were happy to see the trade hub, Plasm was clearly getting more nervous, so I offered to hold her hoof as we landed.

The town itself was still its busy self, but the defenses were now more built up, and there were more ponies on guard. Noticeable was the Pear Valley Tribes who were bolstering the guards, their body paint and more primitive looking weapons standing out next to the more slick looking guards armed with guns. Still, having more ponies ready for a fight was a calming thing to me.

But there were also more ragged looking ponies all over, with worried looks on their faces. Some begged, but others seemed to be making weapons and armor themselves.

As we cut through the crowds, entering the casino, and making our way to Grizzly's office, we were stopped by the guards at the elevator. They seemingly focused on me, and my gauntlets. I looked at theirs, they were a mix of metal and rough hide, as intimidating as they were, they lacked the same beauty as mine.

Rattlebones then knocked them on the head with his staff. "I know what you two are thinking, and you better not. This mare earned those gauntlets honorably, and with a judge greater than I. Now step aside, I need to see what my niece has been up to."

Both guards quickly stepped aside and let us in.

"What were they going to do?" I asked the old stallion.

"You're not of the tribe, so they might have thought you scavenged the claws, or made an imitation of theirs." He said as he pressed the button to go up. "The young find it as a great insult, as it diminishes how special the berserker gauntlets are, forgetting that it's the pony that makes them special, not the gauntlets on their own. They would have challenged you to a duel for honor, and likely got themselves killed."

"Not to doubt Lottery, but is she that strong? Those stallions seem… quite fierce." Plasma asked meekly.

"Lottery, would kick their flanks!" Wiretap excitedly spouted.

Rattlebones chuckled. "Maybe, she is fierce herself, but no, I was talking about how Grizzly would kill them in the end."

We all then sighed, as that made sense.

With a ping the elevator stopped and opened.

There were more tribal ponies here now, less lazing around and more busy as they were talking with talons. One tribe mare wearing the pelt of a yao guai, with its head draped over hers trotted over to us. She was an even more intimidating looking pony, and yet was wildly sexy looking. If I was into mares, I'd be drooling.

"Auntie Prickle Fruit!" Wiretap squealed and she ran over to the mare and gave her a hug.

Prickle Fruit looked at us, taking a long moment to look at my Grizzly Claws before eyeing Rattlebones. "Heard you've been gimbaling again, dad."

The old stallion chuckled. "Guilty. But shouldn't you be back home, you only gave birth a month ago, put down the spear and enjoy being a mother for Celestia sakes."

The mare huffed in annoyance. "I've already done that five times, the baby will be fine with the mike mare. What's more important is this brewing threat you tried to not tell me about. As chieftain, I should have you step down from your position for keeping me in the dark, and now the Bailfire Fiends are involved. I'd deck you if we didn't need you alive."

Prickle Fruit then patted Wiretap on her head and smiled. "Let's go talk with your mother."

Rattle Bones then sighed. "She was so cute when she was little."

Following them in, I saw Grizzly at her desk with Sparkling Delight, both doing paperwork. Hans was here too, his black armor with a few new dents and scrapes. There was also several guns now haphazardly left on the desk, both likely as protection and as paperweights.

"I'm guessing that things have heated up over the last few days?" I ask.

Grizzly gave me a tired glance, then motions for Wiretap to join her. "In short, yes. Turns out that he works fast, and our assumption that was just bolstering his numbers before making a move, proved true. Thanks to Prickly Fruit's arrival, he's army hadbacked off for now. Unfortunately, that hasn't stopped the raiders from… well, raiding. We've been getting refugees from all over, but many more have been dragged away."

"And they're well armed." Hans added.

"But not the most disciplined of armies." Prickly Fruit spoke up. "In time we will grind them down and shatter their morale."

I cocked an eyebrow at the muscular mare, then looked back at Grizzly. "Does she know?"

"My meathead cousin doesn't recognize arcano-tec threats." She responded as she glared at Prickly Fruit.

The mare just laughed. "Because nothing beats earth pony power. No cheating old world gizmo can compete with our strength."

*Bonk*

Rattle Bones knocked his daughter on the head with his staff, looking annoyed. "You lift and throw a tank once and think you're now an alicorn princess or something. Though I bet your skull is so dense that mind control can't work on you." He then returned his attention to Grizzly. "So I'm guessing the war room is ready then."

Grizzly nodded. "Just go to the meeting room whenever, but you all should get a wash first. Oh, and I got Wiretap a magic tutor "

The filly froze as her mother held her a bit tighter, and Sparkling Delight pressed a button.

A moment later a quite handsome stallion teleported in, dressed in a brown suit and with stylish looking spectacles on. He would look downright dashing if not for the cybernetic eye and hoof…

"Spell Circuit! Is that you?" I blurted out.

He stroked his now not messy goatee. "Ya… Grizzly said I had to get cleaned up, and well… you know."

Grizzly clapped her hooves together to get our attention. "Yes, yes, we will ogle the stallion later, but first, Spell Circuit needs to take my daughter off to get a wash. She smells like an old boot. After that, start her first real magic lesson."

Wiretap struggled for a moment, but her mother held firm as her uncle trotted over.

Spell Circuit then smiles at me. "It's good to see you look… more relaxed."

He then reached out, and both him and Wiretap vanished.

With the foal gone, Grizzly finally relaxed. "So I take it that you're doing better?" She asked me.

I lifted my hoof and wiggled the claws on them. "Let's just say that things happened, and my head feels clearer. So if you're worried that I might freak out if I come across some raiders, I think I'll be fine. I'll still kill them as I see them, but if there's a plan to it, I'll stick to it."

Plasma raised her hoof "I might freak out… a little."

"Well that's natural, but...whoever you are, are not being relied on for any special mission." Grizzly told Plasma, then returned her attention to me. "Still, you should let me know if you need more time, Lottery. After what you went through, and did, none will blame you if you trot out now."

I shook my head, remembering both those horrible events, and what might come if Tripwire is not stopped. "Naw, y'all need the help, and I'm partly responsible for this in the first place. Anyways, where my rape was bad, I didn't have to suffer it day in and out like others had. If I give up now, it's not like those bastards will never find me again, and all while other ponies suffer. I want Equestria to be safer, and that requires sticking my neck out… even if it means I might get caught again, or worse, die."

"The mentality of a true warrior." Rattlebones said flatly. "It's not about honor or glory, but making sure the world is a better place for those you care about."

Grizzly then tossed me a key. "Right then, go get washed and meet me in the war room in… one hours. Molo will know where it is. There will be food and drink."

"Then I'll see you there." I told her, and then Plasma and I trotted out of the office.

_______________________________________________________

It was good to get a good wash after all those days outdoors, getting all the dirt out. I had also put my jumpsuit to the side to get washed, so I threw on one of the dresses that now filled the cupboard. A simple pink dress with some dog on the trim, it looked cute so I thought, why not.

Plasma had the same idea, though her dress was a bit more worn, patched red dress, looking like a scribe robe.

She also looked a bit uncomfortable.

"You okay?" I asked her.

Plasma then frowned, at me looking rather annoyed, but also a bit flushed in the face. I quickly realized it had to do with the scars. My own had started acting up as I washed, so it must have been worse for her. Without the tea Rattlebones was giving us, we were becoming restless again.

"I'll… be fine." She strained. "But… that stallion, the one with the cybernetics… maybe…"

I stopped her right there. "I aint playing matchmaker between my friends, you got that."

She slapped herself and took a deep breath, clearly trying to get ahold of herself. "Sorry. Now that I'm away from the raiders, I've been lowering my guard. Fuck, I feel like a whore sometimes."

I trotted over and gave my friend a hug. "You're not, and it's fine if you want a stallion. Here, I know a few ponies here that are real gentle."

"No… don't… I'm fine now. I'm fine." Plasma then broke away from me and took a few steps back, then pointed behind me.

Looking back, I saw a smiling Molo… in a rather cute dress, with her mane and tail all done up. Actuly, if it weren't for all the scars, she would have been downright gorgeous. "Ehhh, nice… everything.

"Ya… soooo… can you save me?" She asked.

Mint and Aloe poked their heads out from behind Molo, both in their suit dresses, clean white masks and… wigs!?

"Oh, you found the dresses, that's wonderful. You look so adorbs, Lottery." Aloe gushed.

Mint then sighed. "We kind of spent a bunch of your caps on clothes, sorry, but It's been over two hundred years since the last time we went shopping… but none of the dresses looked good on us as you can understand."

"But they looked good on Molotov!" Aloe excitedly told us.

Molo herself looked tired. "It was fun at first, but that was two days ago. Can you take these two off my hooves for a day, I need to shoot shit."

I had to hold in a laugh to maintain a stoic face, but even then a smirk snuck in. "Actually, I might take you up on that offer. But first you should take me to the war room." My gaze then drifted to Plasma. "In the meantime, you can entertain Mint and Aloe."

"Wait, WHAT!" Plasma said in shock.

Patting her on the shoulder, I then trotted over to Molo. "You'll be fine, and I know you'll look real cute."

"No, no you don't!" Plasma protested, but was stopped by the two ghouls.

Looking at them, I had to ask. "Why the wigs?"

Mint played with hers a little, a simple green mane and tail 5hat were clearly well cared for. "Never quite noticed how much we had lost until we were around normal ponies. It helps us feel… more us again."

"And the pony hair was on sale!" Aloe added. Hers was of a semi-long blond.

Looking closer, the wigs looked real… very real. "wait, are those-"

"Real, yes." Mint answered my question before I could finish asking it. "It seems that a lot of the ponies that have come out of hiding are selling what they can to get what they need. From what the gift shop pony told me, pony hair makes for good painting brushes, but more commonly for wigs or mane extensions."

"Yep, that's common." Molo said as she flipped her own mane. "I used to have a really long mane before getting kicked out of Fillydelphia. Had to sell it for caps, that and it was getting in the way. Oh, be careful if you get mane extensions, had an aunt who ended up with maggots in her mane because of it."

I was glad that I hadn't eaten anything for a long while, because I almost puked at that. "Why!?"

"Why else." Molo said, but when I didn’t give a response, she explained. "Scavengers will sometimes scalp bodies if they're fresh enough, and sometimes not even care if they're fresh or not. So if you're not careful on who you get extensions from, you might get a corpse mane."

That was a nightmarish though. Some scavenger finding my corpse, and selling my mane and tail like any other scrap.

"You know what, let's just go, I really don't want to think about this." I told Molo as I pushed her out of our room, then turned around to address the others. "Oh, see if you can get her in a nice out on the town outfit, we might go stallion hunting later."

"No, we're not!" Plasma again protested, but it fell on deaf ears as I closed the door.

Molo gave me a knowing look, a bit mischievous, but also had concern in it. "You both are still affected by that… Venus root shit, was it?"

I let out a long sigh. "Oh fuck I am. But it's under control. We just need to scratch an itch and things will be fine."

Molo rolled her eyes. "From what I heard, it doesn't work like that. And aren't you on a no chem thing. Including that contraceptive."

Lightly biting my own tongue, it helped get my head back on striate. "Right, you're right. Without something to keep my head clear, I guess my cunt took over my thinking. How did Plasma even manage to stay sane?"

"Well I'm not the best judge on sanity here, but maybe it's a good idea to have some fun. That mare is as wound up as a compressed spring. Wouldn't be surprised if she soon takes a side job as a Red Light mare." Molo said as a joke.

My own mind wondered, remembered that it was an option…

I killed the thought by biting my tongue again. "Then let's keep an eye on her so that doesn't happen."

_______________________________________________________

Hogan Highborn pushed several chess pieces along the large map. "My scouts have relayed to me that the slaver forces have spread out along the main routes. Raiders running ramped between them and us. If we make any push, the slavers will close in around us, and no creature wants a fight on two or more fronts."

Rainbows End placed several checker pieces on the map as well. "He has also secured a strong and decentralized supply route with the Fillydelphia smugglers. To do any real damage would require us to hit them all at once, but we only know of a hoof full of them. Hitting Dead Pony Pass has unfortunately taught them a lesson. Worse, I fear that as Gawdina pushes further into Fillydelphia, more and more of Redeye's remints will come here to join Tripwire."

"Then there are the Baelfire Fiends." Prickly Fruit said with clear disdain in her voice. "Both among the raiders and the refugees they are likely hiding among them. It's likely how the enemy has managed to read our movements."

I then felt real stupid, remembering what Bandsaw told me. "I can confirm that. They actually knew we were plotting something before we hit the raider base. Could have stopped us if the Bailfire Fiends didn't want Onyx dead."

"Likely their group suffered the least from the feral ghoul attack, so it's safe to say they're still at full strength." Grizzly added. "But unless they tell anypony who they are, it's next to impossible to root them out of Ursa's Rest. Anyways, I rather pretend we are ignorant on this subject, let them stick to the shadows and play their game."

"What are you planning, Grizzly?" Hogan Highborn asked her.

She smiled a wicked smile as she tossed a poker chip onto the map. It landed on a spot separated from the rest of the map by a red line and the Bailfire Fiends symbol. "Their home has always been a no pony land, too many raiders to even think about attacking. But now with them actively taking part in this war, I bet that their base is less full now. If they can be further drawn out, then we could finally rid ourselves of them once and for all."

Prickly Fruit slammed her hooves on the table and excitedly yelled. "I AGREE!"

Both Grizzly and Prickly then got bonked on the head by Rattle Bones. "Though I do agree myself, but alas, revenge must be woven carefully into this tapestry. We must see to it that Tripwire's ambitions are crippled before we drink on sweet revenge." He then pointed to three locations on the map. "The town of New Unity, its location being the Surmount Mining Unlimited gem and mithril open mining pit. Clearly it's where he is obtaining the materials needed to make more mezmetrons, and where all the captives are being sent. Then there's the Braking Grounds, location Fort Rock Hoof. It's safe to assume it's Tripwire's military barracks, and where most of the guns and ammo are being kept.

His staff then moved to a set of mountains on the map. "Naysayer manor, its location being the cursed mountains. Tripwire and the mezmetrons will be found there."

"Then we just go and kill the bastard," Prickly Fruit suggested aggressively.

She got another bonk on the head. "No, my daughter. Though ending that threat is our top priority, going after him first is a poor decision for all those who live in this region."

"I agree." Hogan Highborn said calmly. "Right now Tripwire is keeping all the raiders and slavers organized and under his hoof. Without him they will take what they can and scatter. We will be dealing with heavily armed raiders for years to come if that happens."

"Let's not forget all the ponies already captured by them," Rainbows End reminded us. "I dare not say what will become of them if they are not recovered before we make any real push."

"And the possibility of rogue alicorns is also a threat." Hogan added.

Prickly Fruit let out an annoyed huff. "Alright, I concede to your wisdom in this."

Hogan Highborn then began moving the chess pieces, making a parallel line of black and white pawned. "With the troops we have, we should be able to make a battle line and hold it for a week, maybe two if we water down the food." He then flicked one of the checkered pieces off the map. "We can even organize the refugees into a militia to drive out the raiders. They're willing, but they'll just need guns. If we can get this accomplished, then we can make a push for the Breaking Grounds, forcing all their attention on that battle and opening blind spots."

"Yes, then we send a team into New Unity." Rattlebones said as he slowly nodded. His eyes then looked over at Molo and I. "Though I doubt the same trick will work twice, don't you think, Lottery."

I furrowed my brow as I looked at the map and thought about it.

"I guess they would be expecting an attack, not like we killed everypony with the ghouls. Also, I doubt that pretending to be raiders would fly. Also the ponies there likely know magic, as Angle and his minions could make barriers." I spoke out my thought.

Molo then chimed in. "Also, Onyx Heart seemed to be sending that place a lot of small arms and melee weapons. Along with lots of armor. It's the kind of shit Fillydelphia slavers used around any labor slaves. They're the kind of ponies who have a keen eye, are assholes about rules, and love to issue punishment. Pretending like we belong is liable to just get us enslaved, worse if we pretend to be a slave. Best if we sneak in unseen, and then stay unseen."

"That I can confirm." Grizzly spoke up. "And if Onyx's documents are right, they have strictly controlled who goes in or out. The best option is to sneak in under the cover of night, and observe them until we can figure out how to save the captives and shut the mine down. But where do we even start?"

"I might know." Spell Circuit spoke up from the corner of the room. I hadn't even noticed he was here. Taking three checker pieces from the map, he placed them around New Unity, each one closer than the next. "I've had plenty of time to read the books in my family's library, including the journals and old property documents. Though the gems and mithril are valuable, my ancestor Pentagram, was more interested in the places around it. First and foremost was one of Twilight Sparkle's hidden libraries. Though my ancestors didn't seem to get along with the ministry mare, they did respect each other as scholars."

"And how are books supposed to help us?" Prickly asked.

"Books are always helpful… but in this case it's the library itself we can use. Pentagram had turned the library into a shelter in case things ever got worse. He didn't go into detail, but it seems he ran into remnants of the Equestria military there and helped them out. It should be able to safely hold the captives for several days if nopony has used it since, and I'm sure nopony has."

"But wouldn't Tripwire know about this place?" I asked.

Spell Circuit shook his head. "Pentagram's journal was one of the books I took with me, there's no way he knows about the library, or any other secret within it. The only secret knowledge my brother really has is about the mezmetron and other projects from the war."

Grizzly looked pleased, her eyes carefully studied the map, likely looking for anything she misses. "Then we have a place to hide the captives in, but what about the two other places? Are they from that journal too?"

"Right, yes. They are points of interest Pentagram left for his descendants." He lifted the second checker piece with his magic as he then explained. "Well there should be a cache of guns nearby, left by the military to be kept out of civilian's hooves. Not sure where it is but Pentagram mentioned helping an important pony recover them and reprogram a robot to guard them. If we're lucky, the guns should still be in good condition." He then lifted the third checker piece. Which brings us to the subway tunnel, which happens to be connected to the mine by accident. My ancestors had theorized that SMU may have known what Four Stars was doing, and helped them, as the mining corporation had mov their home office out of Equestria years before. Likely due to-"

"Less history, and more getting to the fucking point!" Grizzly told Spell.

"Oh, sorry." Spell said, his head bobbing up and down. "Well what I'm saying is that we could both rescue the captives and recover the guns you need."

I saw Grizzly Deal, Hogan Highborn, and Rainbows End all smile wide.

"That's some solid information, and a good plan." Hogan said as he reached over and grabbed the checker pieces in his talons. "But there's a flaw and." He then dropped the checker pieces on the table, letting them bounce away. "We can only do it once, and if we don't manage to end New Unity, there will be more captives and over time we will be back at square one."

The old griffin then leaned back, a dower look on his face. "Unfortunately rescuing the captives is secondary, though I loathe to suggest leaving them behind. But New Unity must be shut down, if not permanently, then at least long enough for us to get the upper claw. We need to assassinate its leader and then burnt it to the ground."

"I'm unfortunately in agreement with mister Highborn." Rainbows End added. "Our top priority must be to deny Tripwire the resources he desires, and remove Angle from power. Without the cultists on Tripwire's side, it should make things all the harder for him."

This time I smiled as I placed my hoof on the table, now fully visualizing this mission. "Alright, so we sneak in, scout around, and find out how to blow shit up. If we can, save as many ponies as possible, but above all else kill Angle." I then looked back at Molo. "Sounds like a plan to you?"

"Easier said than done, but ya, sounds like a solid plan. Though we will need to bring some good explosives with us." She said in agreement.

"I can help with that." Hogan said with a grin on his face. "We so happen to be sitting on several high explosives and plenty of flamer fuel. It was going to be donated to the NCR, but I'm sure Gwadina will understand."

Hogan then held his talons up, showing four digits. "But it's going to take four days to prepare, and four more to get this operation properly going."

Rainbows End nodded. "The logistics alone have been a nightmare. If we rush things, it's going to all fall apart on us."

"Then a timeline is set then." Grizzly spoke up. "In eight days this operation will start. We will make a push to the Breaking Grounds as Lottery's team sets out to destroy New Unity. Rescue any pony you can, but Angel must die and that town wiped off the face of this map. So until this operation starts, none of this must leave this room, no notes, no chatter. We know the Bailfire Fiends are watching us, so let them think we are dumb and blind."

She then looked at me with a steel glare. "And Lottery, if the Bailfire Fiends contact you, make them think you're on their side. I don't care what you must say or due, so long as they grow to trust you."

I nodded, "ya, if it's setting a trap, I'm your mare."

_______________________________________________________

I had to say, it was actually kind of fun just trotting around Ursa's Rest in cocktail dresses. Though I had become used to the hungry stairs of stallions, and some mares, it was clear that Plasma wasn't. Though after a while she just let her guard down and began to enjoy herself. It was likely due to Molo, Mint, Aloe and I keeping an eye out for her. Spell, Low and Cold Trails had also joined us, acting as a bit of a buffer between us and any Stallion getting funny ideas.

Though it was clear that Plasma's head was not the clearest after some time of trotting around, and had resorted to talking egghead to distract herself. Fortunately for her, both Cold Trails and Spell Circuit could understand some of the nerd talk.

"And you see, the reason why all spell matrix are so similar is because they are based on the Starlight Glimmer's layering spell technique. It mostly just on and off switches for spells carefully layered together, but Twilight took it to the next level. But that core idea is still the same." Plasma prattled on.

"Right, I remember reading something like that, though only in old unedited books. Actually I think megaspells are based on the same concept as well, which always puzzled me how Fluttershy managed to make one with all the complexities it involves. Stranger is that I think there was a book that had an interview of Fluttershy in it about megaspells. She said something about it being like knitting." Spell added to the conversation.

Sitting next to me, Cold Trails chuckled. "I think those two have left me behind. The Enclave education is good, but not that good. Maybe I need to read up on it."

"Not that books would ever help me." I said with a sigh. "Ma and Pa tried their damn best, but reading is just beyond me."

He nudged me with a smile. "Doesn't stop you from doing well out there. I don't know anypony who could lead a herd of feral ghoul to a raider base. And you took down that slaver where I was just shot down."

"About that, how's the wing?" I honestly asked.

He fluttered the wing. "Healing potions are wonderful things. Though still sore from pulling a whole bunch of mussels."

"And is why he is recommended to avoid flying for a few more days." Chain Lightning said as she joined us, wearing a rather nice black dress. Not far behind her was Silver, dressed up in what amounted to just underwear with a fishnet draped over her..

Cold huffed in annoyance. "Ya ya, stay grounded and recover. I'm not a foal."

Chain let out a giggle. "You sounded like one as we dug all the shrapnel and led out of you. Still amazed how you had been surviving with all those bullets in you since operation cauterize."

He shrugged, "I just had other things to worry about."

I glanced over at Silver Bristle Brush, whom seemed considerably relaxed now, no longer hiding behind somepony. "She seems to be doing well?" I asked.

This time Chain shrugged. "She is, remarkably so. No diseases, and isn't pregnant. Though Doctor Helga suspects she may be sterile and have one or two internal mutations. Her mental adaptation is also remarkably good too, though Coriander said something about underlining psychopathy being the reason, but I'm no psychologists."

"And the Venus root problem?" I further asked.

Chain leaned in to whisper. "Sadly I can't say much, as Mint has been leading the research, but by observing Silver, it seems to be getting worse, and fast. Such as that outfit she insisted on going out in it, or the begging for attention. How about you, how are you holding up?"

With a sigh, I told them. "Better, lots better. Though I feel like a bitch in heat sometimes. But I'm fine."

"Oh I know how that feels!" The squeaky voice of Sugar Honey butted in. "If your feeling in the mood-"

I cut my pink friend off. "No, I'm not doing sex work anymore."

She let out a long sad sigh. "Oh, okay. It's just that we're really busy right now, and could use a few extra ponies."

Putting my friend on the shoulder I just told her, " I'm sorry, as tempting as it sounds, I'm ordered by Doctor Helga to avoid sex for a month." I then eyed Cain, "how about you?"

The pegasus mare spat up her drink. "Oh fuck no. I already have a colt friend as it is." My eyes drifted to Cold Trails and Chain let out a huff. "No not him, as hansom as he is, the fucker is not my type."

"Thanks." Cold Trails said.

"Oh well. I guess I'll just hang out before work" Sugar Honey said, bouncing back and ordering a drink from the bar.

Cain then addressed me. "Say Lottery, you got a special somepony?"

"Did." I said with regret, "but let that chance get away from me."

"Oh, what happened?" She further asked.

"I didn't think I was good enough." I told her and then sipped my drink. "I was still working at the Red Light Showroom at the time, and felt he deserved better. By the time I understood how dumb I had been, we were already going our separate ways."

"Wow, that sucks. Maybe you two will cross paths again someday." Chain said sympathetically.

I nodded. "Maybe."

Cold Trails then cleared his thought, getting our attention. "Well if you're free, then maybe we can go off and do something between just the two of us. I looked around while you were out, and found this nice little place that made some good food. What do you say, you want to go out with me?" Cold asked

I raised an eyebrow a bit confused on what he was asking me about some food place. If he wanted some alone time between us… oh right, stallion do have sex on the brain all the time, it made sense. Though I probably shouldn't, he was a good looking stallion. "Alright, sounds fun." I said, agreeing to fuck him. Maybe it will help me forget those raiders for an hour or two."

"Then it's a date,'' he said with a big grin, then glanced over at Molo. "Say, I've been wondering, is your friend Molo, is she okay. She's been quiet lately, and from what others have told me, she's normally quite loud"

Looking over, Molo would now and then glance at Spell Circuit, sipping on a cocktail drink like she was a lady, and not some half crazy ex-raider. "She's… got a lot on her mind. That's all." I told him.

"Ya… I guess we all do." Cold said as he stared into his beer.

"Some more than others." Chain added

"It's the wasteland after all, it grinds us all down." I lamented as I looked into my water. With a huff I finished it off and requested. "Can I get a beer here,"

"Aren't you supposed to stay sober?" Cold asked me.

I smiled back at him. "Ya, but life's too short to stay sober. Too cruel. So at least let's have some fun."

Cold trails shrugged and then shot his beer down his throat. "Ya, life's too short!"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty One

_______________________________________________________

The feeling of dry grogginess of having too much to drink greeted me, yet strangely my head didn't pound from a hangover. It still hurt, but was so mild I could just brush it off. Even my memory was clear, which was also strange.

Deciding to celebrate for the sake of celebrating, all of us had a bit more to drink then we should have, and stopped by the casino to gamble. At some point our group split up, some retiring and others off to have fun elsewhere.

Eventually Cold and I retired to the penthouse, where things got a lot more intimate. I still had the right mind about me, with nothing vaginal had happened, not that Cold lasted long before passing out. It was damn good fun, but I just knew we were going to regret this later.

So I gave Cold a kiss on the cheek and trotted out to get washed up. Upon entering the main room I saw silver passed out on the couch, Mint giving Plasma water as Aloe was feeling the belly of one of the twins, Dust and Smoke.

"Well technically a little bit of alcohol is fine, but I implore you three that you just stop." Mint said.

Dust… I think, rolled her eyes. "Our moms smoke and drank all the fucking time, and were normal. Stupid Zompony."

"Being a raider is not normal, and her name is Mint." I told off the pregnant raider. "Now what's going on?"

"Just maternity stuff." Aloe said, head still on Smoke's belly.

"Giving basic advice, mostly." Mint began to explain. "Nicotine, alcohol, and other chems are bad for a developing baby. They can be born addicted, or even suffer from mental disorders."

This was new to me. "Are you sure, my Ma and Pa never said nothing about that?"

Mint let out an annoyed huff. "Clearly it has been forgotten by a lot of ponies. Though with how new some of the research had been at the time, it's not surprising." She then groaned out "Damn the Foal Welfare Agency."

My ears then perked, but Plasma asked befor I did. "The Foal Welfare Agency? What did they do?"

Looking at the mare, Plasma looked a bit wrecked, and clearly suffering from a massive hangover. I wasn't sure what she and Silver ended up doing last, but there were bits of neon paint on both of their bodies and faces. I was sure they were fine, but it didn't stop me from worrying.

Aloe finally took her head off Smokes stomach and sat down, looking really annoyed. "Politics." She said,

Mint nodded and then explained. "They had connections with the ministry of Peace, Image, and Moral. Used that power like a club to beat others with."

"Sometimes they used actual clubs too." Aloe added.

Mint then continued. "Well any research about foals had to go through them, and be approved by them. Which wouldn't have been so bad if not that none of them were scientists, psychologists, or doctors. Actually there was one doctor on their board, but she had lost her license for undisclosed reasons. Well because of them it took forever for new medicine to be approved, and even longer to remove bad medicine. But when they did approve something, or remove a medication, it never made sense other than some company paid them too. They would also stress out our patients who were suffering from wartime stress disorder none stop if they had a foal. The maternity ward was a warzone of paperwork that Aloe and I couldn't deal with anymore and we had to leave."

"Delivering babies as ghouls was much easier, though that was rare." Aloe told us.

I cocked my eyebrow at them. "Wait… ghouls can have babies?"

"As it turns out, yes. Though it's considerably rare. Over our two hundred year isolation and only seven ghoul foals had been born, though three didn't survive long after birth. We still don't know why, likely the chaotic magic just happened to let it happen. Miraculously enough, they come out too, well mostly. They retain the traits of a ghoul, the ability to live off radiation and such, without having the body of a ghoul." Mint then offered.

"That's... interesting. But about the Foal Welfare Agency, I know a bit more…" I then explained to them what Rattle Bones told me. The two ghoul were shocked, but not surprised. Actually then seemed more concerned than anything.

An annoyed huff came from Dust and Smoke. "That sounds like those bitches. Their base was the most creepy as fuck place we ever had to suffer."

"Wait, you've been there!?" I blurted out.

They nodded and Dust explained, "Pops had a deal with them and we were collateral. Had to live with those fucked up bitches for a year."

Smoke then continued. "Their base is a prison, or was it a school… I think it was called the Happy Re-Education Center. All concrete like a bunker, bars over the windows, a lot of watchtowers, and working turrets everywhere. Oh, and a lot of foalnapped foals getting beaten."

"Had to stab a bitch in the eye who tried to molest us." Dust added.

Smoke nodded. "Pops made sure we could fight and survive, so none of the Bailfire Fiends risked getting at us after we killed two of them."

I could now understand why nopony had finished them off, the Bailfire Fiends lived in an actual fortress. It would likely take an army to root them out.

"But he clearly didn't teach you about the basics of health and safety." Mint chastised the twins, then her eye landed on me. "You to, your supposed to be saying away from any chem and abstaining from sex. I got to learn more about that Venus root your suffering from, and it is used in more then just a salve or chem, but also for banding sex slaves. As in a tattoo branding.

That caught me off guard as I remembered the tattoos the raiders gave me. "Y'all serious?"

Mint nodded as she trotted over to me. "After comparing notes between Coriander, Helga, and Pair Valley medicine mare, the pieces came together. As it turns out Venus Root is used in a fertility ritual among some zebra tribes, to ensure pregnancy and such. But if inked into the flesh, it becomes a curse that increases the lust of one marked by it. Effectively slowly turning the pony into an animal in heat. It can only be undone by the same ink."

I felt a feeling of dread wash over me as I slowly began to understand what she was saying. "Ohhh…. Noooo." I breathed out.

"I'm afraid so. It was only a guess, but if your tattoo was burning when… you know, then it might be just that. There are ways to dull its effects, but not rid you of it unless you get your hooves on some venues root," Mint told me solemnly.

"And until then, I'm going to be like a bitch in heat?" I asked worriedly.

"No, fortunately." Mint said calmly. "But the more you have sex the worse it will get, like a chem. You can become addicted to it, even suffer withdrawals."

A sobbing came from Plasma, drawing our attention. She too had the same curse, so all this must have been too much for her. Same for Silver.

Mint trotted over to Plasma and pulled her into a hug, comforting the poor mare. "There there, we'll be there for you, whenever you need us." The ghoul then turned her attention back to me. "We've got a group therapy session happening all week right now, please do show up, and bring Plasma and Silver with you. Until we can make a counter curse, it's the least we can do.

I didn't feel like I needed any more help, but I didn't just want to tell them no, not when they were trying. "Alright, but don't expect much from me."

Trotting off to get washed off, my mind raced with thoughts of what will become of me. That if this cures is not lifted, would it mean I'm doomed to be come some sex crazed whore. Just when I got myself free from that fate, it now followed me.

_______________________________________________________

The day had gone by quickly as we all found something to do. Plasma and I found ourselves in the back rooms helping with the maintenance staff. Though it was a bit awkward for me, we all managed to get along with only a little joking about what I used to do with some of them. So much of the day I focused on gun maintenance as Plasma fixed up any armor, including Cold Trail's power armor. It helped keep our mind focused, and not thinking about other things.

Later we would meet up with the Mint and the others for group therapy. Somehow the ghoul had picked up more ponies, and a griffon for the circle. It seemed that even a trained Talon can get caught off guard by a raider, tragically. Talking about our experience and hearing others made me feel enraged, but also a little less painful to remember. Unfortunately we had lost a few ponies in the group as well, some having had committed suicide, were the others had turn to chem and were selling themselves for caps. I had wanted to help them, but my hooves were already so full as it was.

I sat away from the group as they all were hugging, some crying. Not that I didn't feel it, but it seemed so embarrassing. Also, Aloe was so insistent about it, that I couldn't help but feel a bit weird about it. Seeing a very awkward and uncomfortable looking Plasma, I knew I made the right choice.

"So, how does that, you know… help." The young Talon hen asked, having chosen to join mint and I smoking cigarettes over the group hug.

"It's a pony thing." Mint said, smoke leaking from a small hole in her neck. "We don't know how it works for griffins, but we ponies require contact from other ponies. A hug actually releases relaxing chemicals in the brain, and increases the feeling of calm and security, as well as the sense of belonging."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "Really?"

Mint nodded. "I had a long time to study all the medical text in our terminal. A long time."

The griffin let out a long puff and then put her cigarette out. "Well it was… a thing. But I better get going. Doubt I'll be back."

With that she trotted out the door and flew off.

"You know, the griffins in this age are a lot more… free I think." Mint pondered out loud. "Back then they always seemed so… I don't know, lost."

"Probably because they're at home out here." Molo said as she trotted in. "With all the violence and goare, their the bad asses of the wasteland."

Mint shook her head, "I don't think it's that. But anyways, what are you up to, Molo."

For some reason Molo then blushed. "Well, I want to talk with Lottery, about something… in private."

A nod came from Mint, and the ghoul trotted off to give us some space.

"So what's up… you aint pregnant are you?" I asked Molo.

She balked in surprise. "What, no… well I hope not. But no, that's not it. I need some advice about Spell Circuit. I managed to get him to agree to hang out with me."

"What!" I was shocked, utterly.

"Well it's just to get something to eat, and talk about the past." She said nervously.

"Does he know your Sparking Passion?" I asked.

She vigorously shook her head. "N… no. I haven't told him anything. We're just going to talk, and I don't know what to say."

I rolled my eyes at that. "Just talk to him like you talk to everypony."

She then grabbed me, a look of panic on her face. "No fucking way I can do that. You know what I am, things I've done. What if he becomes disgusted with me?"

It then clicked, and I now felt so stupid. "You're in love, aren't you?"

Molo looked at the ground, avoiding eye contact. "I don't know. He was my first after all… and well, he had barely changed since then, just gotten older. How he looks off at nothing when in deep thought, or how he fidgets when uncertain. He is also honest to a fault, and always willing to listen." She then buried her face into her hooves. "He saved me once too. Just some random raider crew had me surrounded, they wanted to drag me away. Spell jumped in to save me, got his ass kicked for it, but he drove them off."

A warm smile formed on her face. "He was actually pressured into seeing a pillow mare by some other stallions, and I stepped in to be his mare. Had to convince my mom to let me, that I was ready. We didn't even fuck that night, just talked. It was nice to just be able to have a normal conversation with a stallion, no seduction, or lying. But then they fount out who his mother was…"

Her hooves moved to her stomach, "I didn't like the idea of tricking him, being used to entrap him in a scandal just to make some caps. But deep down, I hoped that his family would take me in, that I be his."

I gave Molo a hug as she sat there, fidgeting with her hooves. "Alright, I understand. But your going to need to tell him. You understand."

"About what?" Plasma asked as she trotted up to us.

We both jumped, breaking the hug.

"Nothing! Just nothing!" Molo squeaked out.

I sighed, "just some personal matters, that's all. You want to join us, I think a trip to the dress shop is in order."

Plasma seemed a bit off. A little jittery and rubbing her leg more than normal. "Oh, sorry. I got… something else to do. Some extra work. "

I raised an eyebrow at her. "You sure? You've already done plenty of work. And well, you look like you need some rest."

An awkward chuckle came from Plasma. "Oh no, I'm fine. And the work is not hard, just… you know, work. I'll be fine."

She then pushed past us and trotted away.

Molo also looked concerned as the mare vanished from sighed. "You think she's on some chem?"

I shook my head. "No way, we've been together all day. I would have seen it."

"You sure. I know my chem addict, and that looks like a craving." Molo pointed out.

It did seem really off. But Plasma hadn't mentioned any chem use before. "I'll talk to her later. Maybe it's just nothing"

_______________________________________________________

After a quick shopping trip, I had Molo in a simple dress, cute yet sexy, elegant for the wasteland. It was also a bit expensive, annoyingly enough. If it weren't for the cute sandals I got for myself I would not have been able to continue.

Now I watched as Molo and Spell Circuit met for a meal. The two seemed adorably awkward as they struggled to find a topic to talk about.

"So… what cha dooooing?" Wiretap spoke up, nearly causing to scream in shock.

"Shhh… I'm watching this, and making sure no pony interups." I told her in a hushed voice.

"Uhh, it's Uncle Spell Circuit and Miss Molotov… they don't seem like they would work together." She said louder than I'd like.

Placing my hoof over her muzzle, I managed to silence the filly. "Trust me, there's more going on than it seems. And drama like this… it's a mare's passion!" I then dudked down as Spell Circuit's ear twirched.

I then ordered some food and juice for Wiretap and I as we kept an eye on the two. They were close enough that I could hear them, but too far to pick up any whispering. So far they were chatting… well Spell was rambling about magic… again.

Wiretap huffed in annoyance. "Does he ever shut up about magic?"

"About that, what is he teaching you?" I asked the filly.

She quickly finished off her juice in a noisy fashion. "Boring stuff. Something about the conservation of magic, and how it harmonizes with the world around us. Stupid stuff."

Rolling my eyes, I told Wiretap, "Well at least you can do magic."

She quietly blew a raspberry at me.

"What a rude filly." The voice of Low Pressure spoke up.

"Ya, that's a court martial right there," Cold Trails said jokingly.

I glared at the two and mouthed "will. you. Be. Quiet." And pointed over at Molo and Spell.

Low looked over and grinned. "Wait… are they on a-" I reached over and silenced the increasingly louder pegasus.

Cold Trails sat next to me, watching the two, and quietly stated. "Those two don't look like the kind to hook up."

Taking the other side of our booth, Low chuckled. "I don't know, it looks cute. Molo has been a lot sweeter lately. I mean she normally tells me to shut my faggot mouth whenever I explain to her about my greatness."

"Let's just say they have history." I told them, not wanting to say too much.

"If I remember correctly, they're both from Fillydelphia, right?" Cold asked.

I nodded. "Ya, so shut up and watch."

Soon the dinner came to an end, and both Molo and Spell trotted off. I knew were they were going, as Molo told me before hoof, so I was off to

Eventually Molo and Spell Circuit left, their destination known to me, the movie theater. When it was safe to follow, and I now had three ponies trailing me as well.

As we followed, I saw a rather gruff and familiar stallion trotting over to Molo. Cauterize clearly didn't know what was going on, and would ruin the date. So I bolted, running as fast as I could, and tackled the large stallion. Before he could yell curses at me, Cold, Low, and Wiretap had joined me in keeping the ex-raider quiet.

"Long story short, shut up and don't bother Molo. If you cause a scene, I'll tell Dust and Smoke that you visited the Red Light Showroom." I threatened Cauterize.

He held his hooves up in surrender, and I let him go. "Damn bitch, learn some chill. Not like I was planning to fight Molo on the casino floor. Anyways, why is she with the egghead?"

"Reasons." I only said.

Cauterize huffed and rolled his eyes. "Fine, not like I care what you bitches do. Just don't tell my bitches that I've been to the Showroom. Waist of time as it is."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Fist off, you were really went over there? Second, what happened?"

Pushing everypony off him, Cauterized stood up and cracked his neck before continuing. "Ya, but nothing happened. Big wait line to just fuck some bitches, so not my jam you know. Aint sharing a bitch like a faggot, not even of my bitches arnt putting out. But ya, the Showroom is bussy as fuck, lots of stallions needing their dick wet." He then huffed at me, and asked, "so, what the fuck are you doing?"

I remembered Sugar Honey trying to talk to me about something about that, I guess they were really that bussy. Just thinking about it made me glad I wasn't a sex worker anymore, even if they were likely making tones of caps right now. The idea of having in and out gang bangs… It gave me mixed feelings, likely because of the curse.

"Well I'm just keeping an eye on Molo, that's all. You can join us, but you must remain silent." I told him.

The stallion looked over, and saw what was being played. "Casablanca."

"Ya… no, my bitches dragged me to see that shit. And I'm not seeing it again. You have fun watching that crap." Cauterize said to us before trotting away.

Cold Trails looked at the poster all confused. "Is it that bad?"

I gasped, "by elysium no!" Trotting up to the poster on display, I raised my hoof up in parse. "It's a work of art, a true romance made early in the great war. It's a miracle that this movie even still exists."

Low then chuckled. "Lottery would watch it when she was feeling depressed, drag me to see it too. They have only three movies here, so it's played every day at this time."

"Mom loves the movie too, and made sure to copy it on holotapes a lot in case something bad happened." Wiretap said smugly. "Buy me a gun and I'll get you one."

"Tempting offer… but I'll just ask Grizzly about it later." I told the filly, who then pouted.

Cold Trails shrugged, then said, "Alright, let's go watch it. Never seen a movie before, other than the Enclave approved military information film's."

The theater itself was massive, made only bigger by how few ponies were in here. Molo and Spell were further down the rows, neither close, nor distant. Taking a seat further up in the back, the four of us watched as the movie began.

It a story of a club owner in the zebra lands, his old flame appearing one day, her husband on the run from the Zebra military. The style of the ponies were all different from what I saw in the magazine, less refined, less popping, and more… elegant and free.

I felt a tapping on my shoulder as I watched the credits roll, lost in the story. "Time to go, Lottery" Molo told me.

Surprised, I practically jumped out of my seat, only to realize I had been leaning on Cold Trails though most of the movie.

Molo chuckled. "I see you went and had fun as well."

Strengthening up, I took a deep breath before asking. "Soo… how did it go?"

She signed. "Could have been better, could have been worse. He is the same old head in the clouds stallion, but older and less filled with hope. We mainly talked about the old Fillydelphia, the not so better times."

"And did you tell him?" I asked.

Molo looked away from me and over at the screen. "I… I didn't have the heart too. And talking to him, I don't think he's ready to know." She then turned to look me in the eyes. "He still feels guilt, for Redeye, for his brother, for you, for everything. Telling him that he has two daughters, that I never told him back then, and they had been with Redeye for all these years. That Redeye probably knew as well, I think it might break him."

I could hear it in Molos voice, the slight crack, a barely audible quiver. She wanted to cry, to pour out her emotions, but instead she smiled and let out a laugh.

"Maybe once I recover my girls, ya, I'll tell him then." Molo said cheerfully, though her eyes weren't smiling.

Nodding, I got up. "Ya, I'm looking forward to your family reunion."

_______________________________________________________

With the day over, I finally retired to the penthouse, letting the others all go to sleep as I waited for Plasma to arrive. She was late and I began to get worried.

The click of the door stured me from my half asleep state. "Plasma?" I asked out loud.

She gave a surprise "eep!"

Getting off the couch and trotting over, the mare looked tired, but also a lot better then last we saw her. "You had me worried. What were you doing out there?"

Her gaze trailed down, avoiding eye contact. "Just… you know… earning caps. I am an adult, I can do that after all."

I took a step back, feeling some hostility from the mare. "Uhh… sorry, I was just worried."

"Well maybe I don't need you to worry about me." She said as she trotted passed me. "We barely know each other."

That somehow struck a nerve "Okay... what wrong, why are you angry with me?"

"I'm not ANGRY!" Her voice seemed to even surprise herself. "I… I just don't want to be questioned for doing something on my own. You understand that need… to want your life back… to… to…"

Tears began welling up in Plasma's eyes, and I trotted over to give her a hug. I did understand, terribly so. "It's alright, and I'll stop asking. If you need to do something for yourself, then do it."

Plasma's voice became quiet and meek, "even if it's something stupid, something…"

"It's fine, and you're fine. Just… tell me if you need help, okay." I gave her an even tighter hug. "You're not alone in this."

After a moment, Plasma stopped crying and gently pushed herself away from me.

"Th… thanks. I'll get some sleep." She still didn't look me in the eyes as she spoke, dragging her hooves to the room for us mares.

Once she had entered the room, closing the door, I looked down at my own hooves, seeing little glints of light. Looking closer I could see a rainbow light of glitter flanking off my hoof, along with… sniffing my hoof… the smell of cheap perfume that danced on the tip of my memory.

I was too tired to think more on this, and I did say I would not bother Plasma on this. It was best to leave her alone on this, until she comes to me.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Two

_______________________________________________________

The days had quickly gone by as we all kept ourselves busy. When there was no work to do, the Talons would have some of us join in combat training with the new recruits. So many ponies had taken shelter here, a lot of them wanted to fight back, and Grizzly's was giving them that chance. It did help show me a few new tricks, as well as ways to avoid dying when the bullets really started to fly.

The ponies in the combat training were all simple wastelanders, who had only just restarted their lives after hiding from Redeye for so long. Now they with that dream lost twice, they were so very gung ho on killing any raider they see. Most of which talked about joining the NCR just to help them end this madness. Something I could agree with.

When the training was over, I was more than glad to just sit around and talk, letting my sore muscles rest. Even if it was for group therapy.

"It wasn't just the stallions, but the mares too." Plasma said, recounting her time with the raiders. "The mares were the most cruel, and were the ones who carved tally marks into me, and used objects in me. I don't think they even got off on it half the time, they just wanted to hurt me." She then curled up into herself, Aloe trotting over to give her a hug.

Plasma had gotten more and more open over the days, but also more depressed. Mint had told me it was part of the healing process, that we all needed to let our emotions out before we could truly control them. Otherwise they would bottle up and explode. Something she called catharsis syndrome.

"When ponies suppress their emotion when under stress, it can manifest in outbursts, or in some cases uncontrolled magic. If left unchecked, it could become a disorder, which is far harder to treat." Was how she explained it.

After a bit of time was given to let Plasma calm down, the attention turned to me. I had been less willing to share, but had promised to say something today. Taking a deep breath, I then said, "alright, I think I know what to share."

Truthfully, I needed to say something, anything really, just to quell my thoughts. It had to be the cures messing with my head, but the story the other mares were telling had me feeling excited in a bad way. It disgusted me, but I couldn't help it.

"I... I guess it started slowly. I had not been jumped, or been captured in a fight. I had been lured in, tricked with half truths and lies. He was charming and I was just a stupid mare blinded by my own fantasys. So when she started treating me like a cheap whore, and he liked it, I let it happen…" it was like a trance as I explained what led to my rape, how I was being groomed, and how even my own self had been robbed. The cruelty of Onyx and Grinder. Just talking about it forced the memories back up, causing my emotions to run wild.

But then I felt something wrap around me, Aloe with her hug, and then another pony, and another pony. I wanted out, yet the hug managed to calm my swirling emotions, making me feel… comfortable.

When I was finally freed, I felt… okay. Still hurt and angry, still fearful of it happening again, but also okay.

Silver was next, the mare had disappeared for a few days, and when we finally found her she was in an illegal whore house high off Dash. She was, as far as we could tell, nearly over the edge. Now and then she would revert back to a scared mare, just wanting time alone. But more often the unicorn was more concern with looking for her next fix or fuck. Even now, after redressing her, she was somehow back in provocative clothing.

She waited a few long moments before talking, seeming confused as to why she was even here. "Oh, right… Well, I still don't remember how I ended up in Fillydelphia, and I guess I got too loud when I panicked. The slaves told me to shut up or they will make me shut up, but I pleaded with them instead. I think they normally just cut the tongue out of slaves who speak to much, but instead the slaver just took me away to suck his dick. Other slavers showed up and they all had a turn. I think I was scared, but I remember a voice comforting me, like a mother telling me I'll be okay."

We were unpleasantly surprised when Silver started feeling herself up as she talked. "Her voice was the only thing that mattered, but one day it stopped, and all that was left was the touch of others."

Mint, thankfully, trotted over and stopped Silver just as she started masterbating, getting the mare to calm down.

It was rather horrifying to watch, as I knew that could be me if I was not careful, if I gave into the cures. Though Silver was functional mentally, she was clearly trapped in the curse and was in a constant state of arousal. Thankfully the doctors had a private room for her so that both she could be kept safe, and so that they could observe her.

It felt bad that I was glad she was being kept in her own room away from everypony, but when she was still in the penthouse, she was practically trying to sleep with everypony there. Even with my own heightened limbedo, I still had no interest in mares, and Silver was making me uncomfortable.

When it was all over, all of us began to part ways, either to rest, or do more work.

Plasma again looked worse for where, but hid it better now. She also wore more makeup, which helped hide how tired she seemed. I was also sure she was wearing more clothes under her green jumpsuit, though I was guilty of that too. The panties help keep my own jumpsuit from rubbing on my crotch, and though I hate to admit it, having stockings on made me feel sexy, even if left unseen.

So I didn’t question her about it. It was not my place. But I did have some free time, so I asked her, "say, can I join you? See what this work you got for yourself?"

She froze in place and said, "n… no, it's f… fine."

"You sure?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Plasma nodded vigorously. "Y… yes. It's boring, like… uhhn… lots of paperwork, so much writing."

Ya, that sounded like the worst thing for me to go see, but a bit of a relief. "Well if that's all, then I'll let you go. Actually I'm just glad it's not something I've done here. Last thing we need is either of us becoming like Silver." I said, referencing the other cursed mare.

Plasma again looked at the ground, a worried look on her face. "Ya, I know. Last time I tried to talk to her, we ended up making out and… let's just say it was weird… but I do miss when she was more in control of herself, even though it was during the bad times. She's a good mare, and I know she's crying for help, I just know it."

I gave her a hug, making sure it was not too tight. "We're here for you, so just talk to us if you're ever having a problem. No matter what it is."

Letting go of my friend, we then trotted off in different directions. There was doubt in my mind of her telling the truth, but friends don't doubt friends. I had to trust her… I had to be the one who reached out this time. Just like how Molo and Spell reached out to me.

_______________________________________________________

With little to do, and not wanting to gamble away my caps, I chose to visit Sunset and get my mane and tale some treatment. Low Pressure seemed to have had the same Idea as me, and was currently sitting in a chair with a dryer cone over his mane. That stallion was anything if not dedicated to caring for his mane and tale.

"And you know what he said to me?" Low said in a loud and annoyed tone.

Sunset rolled his eyes and spoke in a mocking tone as he carefully brushed my tail. "Let me guess, you're too beautiful for him."

"Oh you know me too well, but actually. I wasn't beautiful enough. Turns out he wanted a stallion who looks like a mare, a mare for Celestia's sakes. Even that's too weird for me, and I actually enjoyed getting pegged by a mare." Low said with a sigh, then raised his leg up in a dramatic pose. "Oh how tragic is it that the mares love me when I don't love them."

"Maybe you should stop working at the Red Light Showroom." I told him.

Low shrugged, clearly not caring. "Hey, I make good caps there, and it's all by request too. Don't even need to work on the floor anymore with how flooded they are with clients."

"Ya, we heard." I replied curtly.

He shrugged as he then continued, "well get this, since Sparkling Delight is so busy helping with this war, it's been a free for all in the Showroom, easy caps and all. We even got some new mares, one of them has a thing for ropes and pain, and heard she dresses up as a raider to let ponies take out their aggression on her. All while selling herself for cheap." I then got a smug grin from Low. "You know, there are some ponies asking for you too, it seems your attack on the raiders has gotten around and you're quite popular. Lots of caps to be made. I even heard some ponies want to make a film with you, something about missing the opportunity with the Stable Dweller."

This time I glared at him, that bastard knowing I was not just out of that work, but can't do it because of the curse.

"Alright, fine, sheesh." Low said before changing the topic. "So I also heard that you and Cold fucked."

"Damn it Low!" I growled.

He laughed. "You know it's actually fun now. How you're getting flustered over anything about sex now. And now you're avoiding him"

I wanted to face hoof, but moving might cause Sunset to cut more than he wanted. "Ya, because I'm trying to not think about it. It feels like I'm fifteen again, flipping through the old magazines to look at the stallion. So if you keep at this, I will make you choke on your own dick."

"Which is possible" Sunset said before looking away in embarrassment.

This time I rolled my eyes. "Ya, I know too."

Low just smiled like the big dick stallion he annoyingly was.

After some awkward silence, we managed to move the conversation to more idle gossip. It seemed that Sugar Honey had started to get courted by a regular, causing a fight with one of the Talons. Something that would normally never happen, but like Low said, Sparkling Delight has been too busy helping Grizzly to keep an eye on the Showroom. It was actually amazing to me how many suitors the spazmatic chem addicted of a mare had. It made me hope she will soon just pick one and get out of the sex worker business.

In other gossip, news had reached here from the west coast that several megaspell warheads had been used, nearly wiping out a city. Something about raiders actually controlling the doomsday weapons, and using them when they started losing a war they were in. It really drove home how dangerous raiders could be if they got their hooves on any kind of dangerous arcano-tec. Stranger yet, there was a rumor that two famous ponies were involved, though only the names Blue and Red were said.

In more uplifting news, the NCR have seemed to have made some more progress with taking Fillydelphia, and rescued more slaves trapped there. And supposedly they're starting to look like an actual army from what was being said about them, though many still go in on their own. But unfortunately they still can't spare any ponies to help us here, as the slavers there are still putting up a fierce fight.

When my main and tail were done, I felt it might be best to retire for the night, get some extra sleep. Low Pressure on the other hoof had a client to meet, of which I didn't want to hear more of. Just knowing he was off to fuck some stallion was making my imagination getaway in life to work, and after I got it to settle down.

The worst part of it was that I didn't know if it was the curse or not. Was it just me wanting sex, and that I was just a doomed deviant now. Or the cures corrupting my mind. It didn't help that I knew if I had not been cursed, I might have considered Low's suggestion, or maybe tried to get closer to Cold Trails. Despite his inexperience, he had been good in bed.

"Fuck!" I breathed, now with a mind running off with the thoughts of sex. Worse was that masterbation did not help, just made the lust worse.

At least the cool wasteland air helped cool my head as I trotted down the street.

"You look like a mare in need." A soft, yet dangerous voice spoke to me from around a corner. Out trotted one of the back alley whores, one of her legs covered in scabs from med-x abuse. Her outfit was to be expected, more torn rags then anything that could be seen as a dress, yet enough that it was at least something.

"One, I don't swing that way, two, even if I did, I'm not getting it from a dirty whore." I told the literal whore.

She then tutted at me like some parent catching their foal in a lie. It only further pissed me off. "That's no way to talk to a fellow sister, is it?" She then flipped her mane, letting her gaudy jewelry clatter. Among them was one that looked both like a female symbol and that of a mushroom cloud.

I narrowed my eyes at the Bailfire Fiend raider. "Alright, I'm listening."

She cocked her head at me. "Oh, no apology?"

"You look like a dirty whore, so no, you don't get one. Now what is it you want?" I told her.

The raider smiled, and I saw a full set of sharp yellow teeth. Teeth that looked naturally pointed. "I want a ursa bear, some chocolates, and a cure bailfire crotch." She said jokingly before dropping the smile. "Follow me, bitch."

Grizzly wanted me to play along, make them think I was on their side so to hopefully get them to drop their guard. If they truly did live in a fortress, then any advantage was necessary. So I followed the raider whore.

_______________________________________________________

I was led to the more desolated parts of Ursa's Rest, where the trade hub and the wasteland blended together. The guard towers were further in, creating a visual barrier were Grizzly's rule stopped, and I was clearly on the other side now.

Here the buildings were scrap built on top of scrap, where ponies found anything at hoof to build a shelter, and then shitted on it. Pathways snaked all over, making the place a maze of rust and misery, where eyes were everywhere, always watching. Breaking up the desolated scrap were pits that the ponies would throw their trash and waist, with the smell alone making me glad they were down wind of the rest of Ursa's Rest.

We stopped at a rather large shanty house, more a big tent surrounded by scrap walls, decorated in animal bones and spray painted dicks. Then lead inside, things didn't improve, as the smell of chems and body odor was almost overpowering. Ponies laid about in piles, eyes bloodshot and used chems around them. Some piles were having sex like a writhing mass of flesh.

"Hot!" The raider said to me as she wiggled her eyebrows.

I ignored her, focusing on what I was clearly here for, trotting over to a fat mare sitting on an elevated position a few ponies high, she holding two chains that connected to two black leather wrapped stallions. Next to her was the smug form of Bandsaw, looking down at me with a smile.

"Heard you've been having fun, Lottery." Bandsaw said to me. She was dressed in rags to hide her form, and had Onyx's eyepatch over her own missing eye like a grim trophy.

Glaring at the Raider bitch, doing my best to ignore the origy happening right next me. "The fuck you want, Bandsaw?"

"Oh not much from a fellow sister, just hoping you could tell us a bit about what Grizzly is planning. Seeing if we can offer her some… help." Bandsaw said with a very devoise smile.

I wasn't sure, so I could only guess that she thought I knew about Grizzly's history with the Bailfire Fiends. It made me pissed off on Grizzly's behalf, but I had to maintain my cool and play along. But not be too giving.

"And why should I tell you?" I asked.

Bandsaw frowned. "Oh, we're trying to be generous here, offering you our help for free. Anyways, you do owe me for pulling you out of that cage after all. Imagine if I hadn't, what would have happened. I mean I could have just told Molo about it instead, have her rush to you and… well you can imagine."

I gritted my teeth, only getting more angry at her.

She then relaxed her face, it forming into a more natural scowl. "Alright, alright. I went too far, and said a bit too much. I'm sorry. But we do have the same goal here, so why not keep working together."

"We nev…" I bit my tongue to stop myself from escalating. "I'm… listening."

Bandsaw smiled. "Good. And I have a gift for too, a sign of our friendship and sis-"

The fat raider then hit Bandsaw with a cane, drawing blood. "All this fucking talk, and all I here is cunt, cunt, cunt! You promised more chems, more stallions, and all I see is this cunt bitch."

Bandsaw rubbed her head and glared at the fat raider. "Do that again and-"

Again the fat raider hit Molo. "You dare threaten me emissary, I'm the Mother Madams favorite, ace of my class, where you are nothing but a low class outsider we dragged in, who was too barren for breeding. Just because you have had some success out here in the wasteland, and was appointed as mothers emissary doesn't mean shit at the school!"

A growling came from Bandsaw, of which the fat raider hit her once again. "Defiant you stupid cunt bitch. When I return to the school, I'll make sure your fucked by the dogs. Just like last time."

Bandsaw then took a deep breath and stood up straight, a smile on her face. "Oh, what was I doing, forgetting my place."

"Good, you stupid bitch cunt." The fat raider said before turning to me. "You, cunt bitch, tell me everything or I'll have you raped until you do." The then laughed, grinning as she turned back to Bandsaw. "See, that's how you do-"

A shiv was thrusted into the fat raider's eye as Bandsaw then grabbed her by the mane and as the raider screamed, Bandsaw shoved her off her platform. The fat raider rolled as she screamed in pain, pulling the two chained stallions with her. With a splat sound, the fat raider fell at my hooves as Bandsaw then trotted down to her, holding a rather large knife.

I then felt the fat raider grabbing my hooved, both blood and tears flowing from her face. "Kill her, kill her and I'll give you anything."

Disgusted, I kicked her hooves away from me. "Kill her yourself." I said, then spat at her face."

A chuckle came from Bandsaw as she then stuck the knife in the fat raiders flank, causing her to wail in pain. "Nicely said, Lottery." She then smiled wide. "How about you do the honor, rid Equestria of this useless raider?"

I didn't get her angle, but I was feeling rather pissed off right now. "What's in it for me?"

This got Bandsaw to smile wider. "Again, nicely said. Here, I'll give you some useful information about Tripwire if you kill that fat bitch for me, and tell me what I want to know."

Thinking about it for a moment, blocking out the pleading of the fat raider, it did sound tempting. So I said. "Alright."

"Good… now crush her with your hooves." Her voice was dark and filled with malice as she said it.

"What?" I then said.

Bandsaw chuckled. "Before we can continue, you need to beat this fat bitch with your hooves. Simple. Otherwise you will need to do something else first." She then tipped her head at the now still orgy.

Looking down, it then felt… wrong. Yes she was a raider, but right now this mare was helpless, and pleading for her life. It was not like shooting through a scope, and that had been bad as well. Raiders are raiders, Ishouted in my head. Over and over, blocking out the pleading pony.

Raiders are raiders. My hoof came down, and I felt her snout brake under the blow.

Raiders are raiders. Another crack, her eye socket.

Raiders are raiders. I hit over and over, until her screams became gurgles.

Raiders are raiders. She stopped screaming but I kept hitting.

Raiders are raiders. My hoof was covered in red, slamming it down as I mixed her skull in with the dirt.

A clapping came from Bandsaw, which caused several other mares in the tent to clap. "Now that's how you beat a pony to death, really drives home a message. Should make a good reminder to Mother Madam's other daughters that they too are not above her rules. Is that right my sisters"

"Mother Madams rules are absolute," the raiders said in unison.

It then clicked. "You… wanted me to kill her?"

Bandsaw nodded, "she forgot her place, and endangered the mission. But worst of all, she wanted to leave the sisterhood."

The other raiders began to boo with intense hate.

"Nopony leave the fucking sisterhood!" Bandsaw growled out, then looked into my eyes, her stare filled with madness. "Now what is Grizzly planning?"

"Sh… she…" I fumbled my words, needing to take a deep breath before telling her. "New Unity, were going to rescue the captives at New Unity, and demolish the mine's there. Also stop any attempt at making alicorns if it's going on there. We're going to make a push at the breaking grounds to lure as many of Tripwire's forces away when we do."

"Hmmm…" Bandsaw pondered. "Not a bad ploy, not at all, and to be expected of those soft belly fools. We would have gone for the weapons first and let the slave go fuck themselves. I do know the ponies here are lacking an army's supply of guns and ammo, where Tripwire has managed to procure the Fillydelphia stashes."

She then grinned a mischievous grin. "Yes, this will do. I'll send a songbird into Tripwire's ear, get him to believe you're coming for his guns. Maybe leave the… oh I know, the Murder Ballers near New Unity as security."

A deep pit formed at the bottom of my stomach as I remembered my fight with Spine Breaker, and how that ended. Bandsaw clearly knew what was going through my head as she placed a hoof under my chin and said. "Ain't it grand, a chance for revenge. Not only did he rape you, but publicly too, and left his mark." She then trotted around me, hugging me, one hoof in between my legs, and her other hoof rubbing my stomach. As she caressed the tattoo on my abdomen she whispered something that sent a chill down my spine. "You don't feel it right now, but I know that his seed has taken root."

I shoved the bitch off me, and she agilely hopped back.

Glaring, I growled out at her, "the fuck do you mean?"

"Ohhh, you know." She said, a hoof covering her mouth as though suppressing a giggle. "You see we had a deal with Spine Breaker, helping him sire foals and the like." She then again caressed the tattoo on my abdomen, causing me to quiver. "We mark the mares he chooses, making them more fertile, and we keep any fillies. It helps strengthen the relationship between our clans, and anyways, Despite his buck-addled head, he is still a mama's colt at heart."

Everything began to swell as I started to breathe heavily, my rage boiling over. "Y… you d… did, WHAT!"

She nodded. "Well I did say the next time we meet, I would be testing the ink out on you. You are a nice and healthy mare after all, the kind Mother Madam would want to carry her bloodline. So all I needed to do is mark you with the venus brand, and let that dick pump you until he was dry."

I swung at Bandsaw, my hoof connecting to her face and sending her rolling back. But as I got ready to further attack the bitch, several spears were then pointed at me as the other raiders got closer.

"It was you!" I growled again.

"Guilty," She said flippantly. "Venus root is rather difficult to grow, and we mainly use it on our breeding stallions. That's why I practice on that steel ranger bitch first, you should see her right after, begging for more dick like a whore, wanting it raw and rough. Oh and before you go thinking that it's all a lie, those pills you had, I swiped them with venus root painkillers. You were practically dripping for more dick on your way to that gange rape party."

"You bitch!" I yelled as I took a step forward, a spear at my throat.

Bandsaw then trotted up to me again, muzzle to muzzle. "If it bothers you so much, then come and pay us a visit and I'll personally remove the curse. We will even have a special room for you and your friend to stay in until the foals are born."

She then gave me a kiss on the cheek and backed away. "But enough about that, you wanted your reward, right."

I knocked the spear away from my neck, cutting my hoof, but I didn't care. "Go fuck yourself." I spat out, and then trotted to the exit.

"Ohhh, to cowerdly to fuck me yourself." Bandsaw mocked. "Well at least take this."

I turned in time to catch a rag, it then unfolding in my hoof. My eyes opened in shock as I held my modified flare gun. Placing it into a pocket, I again turned to leave.

As I exited the tent, Bandsaw called out to me one last time. "And Lottery, welcome to the sisterhood!"

_______________________________________________________

I washed my hooves again and again, but even if the blood was gone, I could still see it, smell it, and feel it on my hooves. I had killed before, but this was different, I could feel her bones cracking under my hooves, and the moment she died, I felt it.

After leaving the slums of Ursa's rest I found the first Tallon I saw and told him to report to Grizzly about the raiders in town. Cost me a few caps, but that's griffins. Then I made my way to Doctor Helga for an emergency checkup, and to use her sink.

Again I scrubbed my hooves, my fur starting to rub off now, but I kept on scrubbing.

"Lottery stop!" Sparkling Delight shouted as she rushed over and smacked the ruined brush from my mouth, lifting it above me with her magic. She then looked at me with a deep sense of sorrow. "Oh look at you, you ruined your beautiful fur, and broke your skin."

Looking down at it I now realized the blood I was imaging was in fact my own real blood. I had somehow broken the brush and had just been stabbing myself with the splinters.

With a stern glare that only a caring aunt could do, she directed me to the hospital bed, where she began to pull out the splinters as soon as I sat down.

"S… sorry" I said as tears began to well up in my eyes.

Sparkling Delight just sighed. "It's fine, and don't apologize. This isn't even the worst I've seen my girls do to themselves. And you weren't even trying to kill yourself." I flinched as she pulled a rather large splinter from my leg. "I wasn't always there in time."

I didn't know what to say, just remaining silent as she bandaged me up.

"When I first took over the Red Light Showroom, it was bad, not the respectable establishment it is today. Simply a action house for sex slaves." Sparkling then floated over a small healing potion to me, which I drank. "There was… a group suicide the day after we reformed the rules to take care of the mares better. I had laxed the rules, and they took their chance to be free, permanently... Their deaths are on my hooves."

I looked at her, feeling confused and horrified. "Why are you telling me this?"

"To let you know that we all fail sometimes. Even when we try to do good, we still end up hurting others. And I just knew you needed to hear something bad, it strangely has a calming effect on those feeling disturbed. It's strange actually, when a creature is feeling disturbed or heavily depressed, positive things tend to only make the feelings worse." She explained to me.

Thinking about it, I was no longer feeling so… upset, like a spell had been cast to calm me down. It was disturbing in its own right, but it had worked.

"I guess you're right." I said with a sigh.

The sound of hooves trotted in from outside. "By Celestia, what's with all the blood!" Grizzly said in shock.

"What blood!" Doctor Helga said as she now poking her head in, then frowned. "Well fuck! Just don't make more of a mess as I finish up with the lab results."

I held my head low, but Sparkling lifted it up. "Lottery simply had an accident when washing herself. It's all good now."

Grizzly sighed as she trotted over. "Good, I was a bit worried that it was something worse. Now tell me, did the Bailfire Fiends take the bait?"

I nodded. "They will be getting Tripwire to reinforce the Breaking Yard. But they will also get the Murder Ballers to guard New Unity."

Clicking her tongue, Grizzly growled out, "Those raging cunts, there's no end to their mockery"

It filled me with dread to think about fighting Spine Breaker again, but also, a smile formed at the edge of my mouth at the idea of revenge.

Regaining my composure, I took in a deep breath, focusing on the task at hoof. "It's still an opportunity. If we kill Spine Braker and his Murder Ballers, that's less raiders for everypony to worry about. I also confirmed where the Venus Root came from. One guess."

"The Bailfire Fiends." Grizzly answered, and I nodded. She then spat on the ground. "Of fucking course they would do that shit."

"I would really appreciate it if you didn't spit in my office. I do try to keep it clean. Blood not withstanding. " Doctor Helga said in an annoyed tone as she finally trotted back in from her lab. She looked at my bandaged fetlocks, and a sense of understanding formed in her eyes. With a sigh, she then said to me. "When were being trained to be Talons, the veterans have us hunt and dress animals with our claws alone. It didn't make it easier when we did have to fight with our claws, but it did help put up a mental wall afterwards."

Doctor Helga then placed a talon on my shoulder. "So I got good news and bad news."

"Good news first." I said, hoping for what I feared to not be true.

She nodded and told me, "looks as though your body has quickly recovered. The toxins in your blood have cleared up and your liver is at least halfway to full recovery. Still I would advise you reframe from taking any kind of chem, including heavy drinking. But your no longer at risk of falling over dead from it."

I hung my head, full knowing what the bad news was going to be.

"As for the… bad news." The doctor took a moment before continuing as I inhaled and slowly exhaled to calm myself for what she was about to tell me. "From the x ray photos I took and testing your estrogen levels, I can confidently say that you're pregnant… well, more than just that."

She passed me a piece of paper with a strange image on it. On it in red ink were two circles. I raised an eyebrow at the strange thing. "What am I looking at, am I sick?"

Doctor Helga shook her head. "I did some research on the venue root, and it not only increases fertility, but forces egg production, resulting in a high chance of having twins or triplets. Which fits with what the raider told you." Doctor Helga then took back the picture and pointed at the two circles. "I'll check with Doctor Coriander on this later, but I've seen enough justifiably worried Red Light Mares to know what this is. Lottery, you're having twins."

I felt my head go light as I wobbled. Sparkling Delight and Grizzly Deal grabbed me before I fell over.

Taking a moment to catch my breath, I then asked the only question that mattered. "Can you get rid of these things?"

A cold expression formed on Doctor Helga's face. "I… could try… but.

Sparkling Delight then squeezed me hard and said with a great sense of loss in her voice. "It could kill you. The last mare to go under the procedure didn't survive it."

I clenched my teeth and got off the table, lightly pushing both Grizzly and Sparkling off me. "That's my choice to make."

A single talon was then pressed onto my face by Doctor Helga. "Best not to make that decision now. Not when your emotionally compromised. I will take a few days to make the poison anyways. In that time you can talk with those ghoul nurses, and most importantly, take a rest."

I glared at the good doctor. "And what, except that I'll carry a tainted seed in me, pop out more raiders!"

Again Doctor Helga sighed. "Lottery, I'm going to keep this simple and straightforward. If you don't go and cool your head, or talk with somepony about it, you're not getting the poison."

Grinding my teeth in irritated rage, I stomped my way out of the office, all while holding back tears of shame and self loathing.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Three

_______________________________________________________

The nightmare was different. I was still in the dark, but the voices were far off in the distance. Next to me was the shadow filly, Mire Frost and floating above her was Will-o-Wisp. A feeling of sadness could be felt from them.

I kneeled down to get closer to them, and asked, "are you two trying to comfort me?"

Mire nodded and the wisp bobbed.

I looked back, seeing that the vile things were not getting closer. Even their voices were distant, like scornful whispers.

"Are you doing this?" I asked the two.

This time Mire and Will-o-Wisp shook to say "no"

"Even nightmares have things they fear," the voice of Bandsaw spoke up from behind me, her sickening hooves wrapping around me in an unwanted hug. "And I can see it, the next two great warlords, only but a small speck right now."

Kicking her off me, Bandsaw landed gracefully, a wide and unnatural smile filled with black teeth on her face. "Oh, or will they become gunslingers? Fighting for whatever they want, just like Six Gun Red." She then scowled, cracks forming on her face and a arced black smoke seeping from them. "But why did she stop, so much potential as one of my children. Damn that Storm Rider, she was so close to becoming my new champion, and yet the blue flame sparked."

"Strife." I growled out hatefully.

The mare again smiled, it was so wide it tore at her face, causing it to flake off. The pitch black form of the mad god Strife stood before me. "Yes Lottery, hate me, loath me. For it is the truest form of love. And teach that love to those foals, teach them it all."

"No." I said coldly. "There will be no foals."

I could feel a sense of disappointment from Strife, then… amusement.

"What?" I asked.

Then an oppressive force washed over me, causing my knees to buckle as a booming voice spoke. "Because Strife does not care, for Strife is incapable of empathy or hope. To such a thing there is only the cruel comedy of tragedy."

The sound of barking came as several two headed dogs rushed past me and attacked Strife, she not even resiting as she was torn to pieces and vanished into black smoke.

"My apology, I did not intend to let her in for our meeting." The voice again spoke, now far more quiet and smooth.

I managed to find the strength in my legs and turn around, seeing an imposing stallion clad in very ancient looking black armor, a two horned helm covering his face.

"Who… are… you?" I quietly asked, unable to raise my voice to this stallion.

He sighed. "I sometimes forget how fragile you ponies truly are." He said, then removed his helmet. What I saw was probably the most handsome stallion I had seen in my life. Old, yet youthful, with a mischievous wisdom visage that is all wrapped up in a regal visage that almost made me fall to my knees again. Strangely, the two horns were not part of his helmet, but were actually from his own head itself. "I am the husband of Persephone, Hades, king of Tartarus, and the god of the inevitable. I am here to oversee your third trial."

"M… my third… trial?" I said in confusion.

He nodded as the two headed hounds ran over to him, sitting by his side. "Let it be known, you, who have unjustly been denied your true death, and given favor by Persephone, are not yet free from the eyes of the old and forgotten gods. One more favor may yet be yours, so long as you pass this trial."

The awestruck feeling finally faded and I now felt more annoyed, and more than a bit confused. "What is this trial, what happens if I lose, and what do I get if I win?"

He lifted up his helmet, the mere act nearly causing me to fall over. "Your trial is to not cause my wife to cry in sorrow. If you fail in this I will come to take you to the Elysian Fields, of which you belong. And if you overcome this trial, then my helm will be granted to you until your journey's end."

He then placed the helmet on, and faded from view, along with his hounds.

"Pony Lottery, I do not take pleasure in intervening in the lives of mortals like my brothers and sisters had long ago. Do not make me regret doing it now." Hades said with a booming voice.

_______________________________________________________

I woke up in a cold sweat, the memory of the dream hazy, yet the message was clear. "How do I not make Persephone cry… how would I even make a god cry in the first place?" I mumbled to myself.

I then had the same dream for the last few days now, which made it impossible to just ignore it, as it had been burned into my memory by it. Clearly this Hades wanted me to understand its importance, yet not tell me the details.

Sitting up, I found myself just staring down at myself, at my stomach. Just like Plasma, I now grow within me was the spawn of raiders. The idea sickened me, that inside me was more raiders, more vile rapists. It made me wonder that if I couldn't get that poison, then maybe I could cut the things out.

The thought became so overwhelming that I had to rush over to a garbage can and began dry heaving. Nothing came out, but I just sat there, waiting for something, anything to come out.

I hadn't told anypony about the pregnancy, not wanting them to know my shame, as it was just too far too much for me. Finding the comfort of the bed to be the best place for me. My friends did try to cheer me up, and I eventually got up and out, but any interest in things had taken time to return. As far as any of them knew, my run in with the raiders was what was bothering me, which was close to the truth. When I wasn't keeping busy, I would find myself wandering, either to a bar or to the Red Light Showroom, but I had managed to control myself and return here instead.

At my darkest moment, I found myself thinking about giving up. Just let myself become a drunken whore, it was the only thing stallions wanted from me. Just a wet hole for breeding. And if I couldn't get rid of those things… everypony will know I am just that.

The door clicked as a pony trotted in. "Lottery… you okay?" Molo asked as she trotted over. "I don't smell booze, so it can't be a bad hangover… what happened, tell me?"

I took a moment just breathing in and out before peeling myself from the garbage can, and returned to the bed to sit next to my friend. Today was the day we headed out, and I knew how I had been acting had her greatly worried. It made her distracted, and I knew that would be dangerous.

So I felt it was time to tell her, it was only fair. With a deep breath, I said "I… I got bad news…" Swallowing the bile in my throat down, I then told Molo everything that had happened last night. She had a knowing look mixing in with horror, then a bitter rage.

Molo then hugged me without saying anything as I began to cry.

After several long minutes I began to feel a bit better. At least good enough that I didn't think I would go crazy on anypony, or return to sulking in bed.

"Thanks Molo, for being a friend." I told her.

She smiled and patted my head. "Any time. Any time. But talking about time, we should probably get ready. Grizzly is here and is waiting for you."

I pulled myself off Molo, and wiped my eyes. The makeup will be done on the go.

So I got dressed, I checked out all my gear before putting it on. It was day eight after all, and even if I wanted another day to think, the war against Tripwire could not be postponed. This was all his fault after all.

"Did I ever mention how cool those gauntlets are… you never did say how you got them." Molo said as I put them on my back legs.

Like with almost everypony else, to her I had always had the Grizzly Gauntlets, and just never made it a thing to talk about them. Since getting them I hadn't had much time to truly test them out, but they did seem to help when trotting, as the claws dug into the ground. So having the opportunity to truly test them out sounded fun.

"Did some chems and fought a Yao guai. They were… in its dean." I half lied, a lie I planned to stick to. Saying that some god from a forgotten time gave it to me was out of the question. I already felt crazy, and didn't need my friends thinking I was actually crazy.

I still didn't know if all I had been seeing was real or not.

"Seriously… that does strangely sound like you." Molo said, then shrugged. "Well whatever. At least you're getting the opportunity at some good old fashioned revenge. Still, that little colt Spineless really became a monster."

I raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

"Spine Breaker, I mean." She began to explain. "Don't know much, but When I was still living in Fillydelphia, he was just some small runt running errands for the Murder Ballers, a bit cute too. Supposably he got left behind when several raider clans had a get together, and the Murder Ballers took him in as their water colt. Despite all his scars, I don't think any pony ever saw them hurt him outside of training, so it was likely his original raider clan that gave him them."

"The Bailfire Fiends." I said.

Molo nodded as she got geared up herself. "If there like how you say, I'm not surprised that Spine Brakers so fucked in the head. Then again, buck addiction does that too. Still, I can't help feeling that this is a trap."

With the last gauntlet on, and all three guns holstered, I trotted over to Molo. "You mean Bandsaw plans on getting rid of us or something."

"No, not that." Molo said as she shook her head, now having three sets of pipe SMG's on her for some Celestia forsaken reason. "I imagine she needs us to get at Tripwire, so no. I think the trap is for you, emotionally I mean. Though the Shatter Hoof raiders were rather lax on recruitment methods, there were a few times it got extreme. Mainly when slavers defected to us, the boss would have them do some stuff that insured both that they were not spies, and that they could never return to Redeye. Murder and rape being among the tasks they had to perform. Often in the disguise of revenge, where the recruit would brutally take out the one who wronged them, and in the process, mentally mess themselves up."

I clenched my teeth with seething rage. "So that's you think what's going on!"

Molo placed a hoof on my shoulder. "It's possible. But I'm only guessing. I mean your still going to kill him after all, right?"

I nodded. "Let's go."

In the main room everypony was here, almost all ready to go. Plasma didn't look all that well, but we still had some time to prepare ourselves, so I didn't bother her over it.

Grizzly Deal then trotted over, with Spell Circuit trotting next to her. "Good to see you up, Lottery." She paused for a moment, clearly not wanting to bring up why I might have stayed in bed. She then addressed everypony, "Now I would have liked to have this meeting in the war room, but time is something we don't have enough of to waste. We have the guns and troops to start this fight right now, so I'll be brief."

Spell Circuit pulled out a map for everypony to see as Grizzly then continued. "Your goal as a few of you know, will be to take out New Unity, and rescue the captives there. To do this you will be taking a back road through ruins of the settlement of Elysium, and to this hidden bunker."

"Wait, isn't Elysium the settlement that took in a lot of Enclave refugees?" Cold Trails interrupted. "And you said… ruins."

A nod came from Grizzly. "It was surrounded and destroyed yesterday, and now is a raider base. Those who escaped have taken refuge here, but from what they told us it was bad. There are some survivors there, but our scouts are sure that most of those who surrendered were being taken to New Unity."

Molo clicked her tongue. "Damn, they managed to resist Redeye for all these years, only to fall now."

Spell Circuit then spoke up. "Elysium was one of the few places that listened to Redeye before he became Redeye. They actually believed that every creature should help each other. So I'm not surprised that he left them alone."

"But Tripwire has no such ideals or virtues, as twisted as Redeye was with them, he did have them." Grizzly added, pausing for a moment before continuing. "That aside, if you do manage to save the survivors of Elysium, you are to take them with you to the hidden bunker. This will require you to kill any and all raiders there. Elysium is in a strategically advantageous spot, which will give the raiders access to several back roads to attack from, and a walled settlement to hide behind. If they are not rooted out before they can repair the walls, they might be able to hold out for years to come. This also means you must destroy Elysium after dealing with the raiders, otherwise Tripwire will just move his own troops there."

Grizzly then looked at me for a moment before again addressing everypony. "In all likelihood, if this operation goes as planned, then only one raider clan will be there. Likely the Murder Ballers. So I advise against direct confrontation if possible. But remember that time is not on our side in this."

Low Pressure raised a hoof. "Must I go, I'm a lover not a soldier."

"You're good with words." Mint spoked up. "There are going to be a lot of scared and confused ponies. Somepony who can talk to them, calm them, and help explain to them is going to be invaluable."

"Very true." Grizzly said with a nod. "This is as much a rescue mission as it is a denial mission. Making sure those captives are safely brought back here will be invaluable for morale, and potentially add to the pool of soldiers. In truth, only Lottery, Molo, Cold, and Cauterize are expected to fight, the rest of you are the support. Don't go putting yourselves in unnecessary danger, alright."

"Any questions?" Grizzly then asked.

"I have one." I spoke up. "Do we have at least enough time for some revenge?"

Grizzly looked at me with eyes full of cold empathy. "There's always time for revenge, but do remember that other ponies will be fighting and dying for that time."

Nopony else spoke up, so Grizzly smiled. "Alright everypony, you move out in an hour, we have a sky cart ready for you on the roof. It will drop you off as close to Elysium as possible, from there you're on your own."

With that, Grizzly left the nine of us alone to get ready.

"This sounds so exciting." Margret then excitedly yelled.

Spell looked at the miss nanny with concern in his eyes. "Umm, Margret, your not coming. You can't even fight."

The sphere shaped robot smiled with her eyes. "Oh don't be a silly, master, of course I'm coming, Miss Plasma updated my anti foal napping subroutine."

We all then looked at a tired looking Plasma, who nervously smiled. "After fixing the power armor, I needed something else to distract me. I even have a few things I can replace her grabbers with that's useful in a fight."

Margret then passed Spell a cup of tea. "See master, you don't need to go out alone again, I'll be with you."

I had to admit, having a robot maid helping us would be useful. If anything, she'd help keep our spirits up.

"Fine, you can come." Spell gave in.

So the ten of us quickly got ready for the mission.

_______________________________________________________

As almost everypony trotted down the hall, I waited for the last of us to make sure nopony was late. Trotting out with heavy hooves in his power armor was Cold Trails, trying to look rather regal. At some point somepony had repainted his armor in the dark purples and pink highlights of the Ursa's Den. It contracted with the serious look of the armor, making it more ready for a party than for war.

"Ya, laughed it up." Cold said in annoyance, having caught me smirking.

"Sorry, it just doesn't match your big old warrior look you like to present yourself as." I explained.

"Whenever I find the pony who did this, they will get a broken leg." He huffed.

The pegasus then looked at me and smiled a bit mischievously. "Well at least we match."

I rolled my eyes, and started trotting. "Just barely. Now let's go."

He matched my pace, his armor clunking on the ground. "So, you still don't want to talk about it."

"It was one night and we were drunk." I told him, hoping he would drop the subject.

I had been avoiding the subject since it happened. Not that I felt embarrassed about having sex with him, I was long passed feeling embarrassed about such things. It was just that thinking about it made me want it now. He understood, yet now and then he would ask if we could talk, or eat out. Always pretending it was not about sex. But I knew it was always about sex. Ever since I left home that's all stallions ever wanted out of me.

Cold then huffed in annoyance. "By Celestia, I'm not talking about that, Lottery. I know you need to avoid it, so that's why I'm not bringing it up."

"Then what are you talking about?" I stopped to ask.

"Our date." He responded.

I raised an eyebrow at him, feeling a bit confused. "Our… what?"

"Well before we got drunk, you agreed to go on one with me, but you've avoided the subject since." He explained, but I still didn't get it.

"Sorry, but I think I'm not understanding something, what's a date?" I asked, feeling that I have been acting stupid… again.

A long sigh came from Cold Trails as he then asked. "What did you think I was asking?"

"To fuck." I answered.

He then face hoofed. "Well… you're not exactly wrong, but no."

"No?" I said, feeling even more confused.

"No," he repeated, then explained. "A date is what ponies do when they want to get to know each other, you know, what Molo and Spell had done together the other day. Generally there's only sex when both ponies really, really like each other, and even then rarely it's on the first date."

I stood there stunned for a long moment, then face hoofed myself. "I'm a fucking moron."

Cold Trails patted me on the shoulder with his armored wing. "Well, if it makes you feel better, you weren't that bad in bed." He then trotted ahead of me with a chuckle.

I felt heat rise to my face as I felt something I haven't felt in a long time now, embarrassment. Swallowing the emotions down I chased after him. "Not that bad, I'm fucking fantastic in bed!"

He looked back at me and smirked. "Maybe I'm just misremembering, you could show me again."

I just knew he was winking at me from within his bug-eyed helmet. "Maybe I will, curse or not."

A frown formed on his muzzle. "I'm just messing, you know."

Catching up to him, I bumped his power armored flank with my own. "Once or twice cant hurt, anyways, if I don't get any soon i might just jump a stallion."

"It's that bad?" He asked as we stopped at the doors to the roof.

I blushed again, looking away to avoid eye contact. "Well, ya, though not so bad that I'm losing my mind or anything. But I've caught myself trotting to the Red Light a few times."

It was true, lost in thoughts I had almost wandered back into the brothel, and just the sound and smells of that place had me yearning for it. The feeling would die down after some time, but it was getting easier and easier to excite me. I knew it would only get worse if I gave in, but I had a strong feeling I would do something I'd regret if I didn't get some release.

Again Cold patted me on the shoulder with his wing. "Well, let me know if you at least need a pony to hold onto."

Somehow that made me feel even more embarrassed. "Th… thanks."

Opening the door, everypony, and one robot was waiting for us. To our surprise, two Pegasus in really nice dress uniforms were the ones pulling a rather large and very nice looking cart.

Cold let out a laugh. "The Enclave transportation service, and a VIP cart… how?"

"Money, that's how." Grizzly said as she trotted over. "And a little luck. Theis fellas had been holding up in some ruins with other refugees and wastelanders until the raiders flushed them out. When they found themselves near our border, I made sure to buy their services. So do not fuck with them, they cost me quite a few caps."

"Yes mam." I said quickly.

She then smiled. "Good. Now get on."

Both Cold and I then trotted into the sky cart. It wasn't the most spacious, but it managed to fit all ten of us quite well. Not only that, it was also quite comfortable.

A loud pop caught us all by surprise as we looked over to see Low Pressure holding a big glass bottle, foam coming out of its neck as he then poured it into a glass.

"Oh how I missed stretched sky carts, it even has a full stock of sky apple cider in it. My sister practically lived off this stuff." He then took a sip of the alcoholic beverage. "Ya, still good."

"That's going to cost you." One of the Pegasus cart pullers said.

Low just waved him off dismissively. "Ya ya, I know how this works."

The other puller then shouted. "We launch in Five…."

As it began to move, I clung onto Cold Trails tightly, finding this even worse than the death box to Grizzly's office.

_______________________________________________________

The ride had been surprisingly smooth, which was good, because we were taking the long way around to avoid any of Tripwire's soldiers from knowing where we were going. After I had gotten over the initial terror of being in a flying box, and taking a long swig of the sparkling wine, had the confidence to put on my makeup.

"Really?" Cold said in a disappointed tone.

"What, dark colors help with glare." I said as I finished putting on the dark purple eyeshadow. Then winked at him. "And admit it, I look good in it."

"Alright, but what about the lipstick?" He then pointed out.

That I had no good excuse for, not one I wanted to admit. It just made me feel more in control, and not feel as much as the ignorant little mare I had been. The group therapy had helped me understand this, as well as my tendency to flirt. I both wanted to be seen, and not wanted to be seen. Or something like that. It was a bit of a disturbing realization, that my tendency to where more alluring underwear and makeup might be a way for me to to take charge if a stallion were to get forceful with me again.

It would explain how I could be so… flirty with Cold when I had just been deeply depressed before.

"Uhh, you got me." Was all I could say.

"It's fine, I'm just teasing." Cold said sympathetically. "We all have our ways to cope when going into a dangerous situation." He then pulled out a picture from his armor. On it were four Pegasus, whom I could only guess was his family. "I used to have a bad habit of over pruning my wings. But when the Enclave fell, my sister had started helping me with it. Now… I have the habit under control."

Looking at the photo, Chilly looked younger and full of life. Far different from the battered and broken mare I found.

I didn't know what I should do, or say, but my hoof found its way onto his hoof for a brief moment. Then the sky cart bumped, and I pulled back in shock. With the moment over, we sat in silence, and soon we began to descend.

I hated the feeling of going down, it felt like falling, and I didn't know how to deal with falling. An earth pony is meant to stay on the ground after all.

Both Pegasus seemed to enjoy watching most of us hold onto dear life.

With the ride finally over, and making sure nothing was left behind, we waved at the two sky cart pullers, who quickly left, not wanting to stay near a warzone,

"You know the worst thing about skycarts" Plasma then spoke up, still a bit jittery, "their engin can critically explode."

I raised an eyebrow at her. "And you didn't tell us this, why?"

She retreated into herself a little. "I… was nervous."

"And talked our fucking ears off about shit we don't care about." Cauterize said with a huff.

Molo nodded. "I now know more about talisman integration in everyday tech then I could ever want to know."

"S… sorry. I like to talk when nervous." Plasma apologized.

Spell Circuit then cleared his throat to cut in. "Personally, I found it enlightening. My knowledge on every day arcano tech is a bit lacking. But that aside, we should get moving." He then levitated the map over to me. We should be in the red circle, and our path is dotted in red as well, along with our stops."

Looking at the map, it was clearly made with the illiterate in mind. Everything was listed with symbols, and any landmarks were drawn on. Trotting over to a ledge higher up, I could see almost everything. It would take some time to reach Elysium from here, but we should reach there before nightfall, giving us time to prepare.

"I remembered when it was all green." Mint said as she looked over the ledge. I could hear the hint of sadness behind her mask. "But now, hardly feels like the Equestria I knew, or if it will ever be that way again."

I nodded. "It does feel that way. Back home my Ma and Pa managed to turn a small part of the wasteland green. Maybe once this is all over, we can all work on making it green again, together."

Molo then jumped in between us, pulling us into a hug. "Maybe Equestria just needs as much therapy as we ponies do.

Mint chuckled. "You might be right about that, though from the little I've seen, the therapy needed may take a long time before things improve."

"Well I'm sure some good old fashioned purging will help things move in the right direction." Molo said with a laugh.

"Agreed." I said bitterly.

She then smiled at me, and got off us. "Lottery, remember that were in this together, so no running off to fight on your own."

I rolled my eyes, "I know that, Molo."

Molo then poked me in the side. "Ya you know that, but I've seen plenty of ponies still run off on their own. I'm just saying, just like when fighting Pink Haze, we're here for ya."

Breathing in deeply, and exhaling slowly, I pulled out my binoculars. "I'll remember. When the time comes, I'll rely on you all for support and not think I can do it alone. I wouldn't be in this situation if I wasn't forced to fight him on my own."

Looking down the route we were going to take, there were several small shakes the raiders could hide in, or be a nest for monsters. We would need to be very careful and not use guns or risk revealing ourselves. I had a suppressed rifle, but even that was not completely silent.

Turning to face the others, they were all checking their equipment.

Cauterize had on some padded and spiked scrap armor that was able to take some heavy blows. The spikes were no mere decoration, and in a demonstration, could rip apart a target if he were to run into them. Somehow and for some reason that I didn't understand, he had his Redeye Rifle gold plated, and a drum magazine made for it.

Plasma on the other hoof kept things simple, with simple scrap metal plates attached to the inside of her green jumpsuit. She was loaded up with even more tools than myself, all on a specially built saddlebag. Her crossbow had been further built up like she said she would, now with gears the string attached to, and some arcano-tech scope. The bolts looked nasty too, being barbed, or with long pointed heads. She was also in charge of the explosives, which were stored safely in an armored case.

Both Mint and Aloe had the same outfits on, some old medical uniform, and ministry of peace saddlebags. It seems that though they never saw combat, or expected to be in a fight, they did have some training to use guns. Both had gotten over and under shotguns that were chambered in 20 gauge, not powerful, but I was not going to complain in case we need their help in a fight.

Margaret had been outfitted with a securitron electro claw, and a mister helper mini flamethrower, both things Plasma had gotten to see if the crossbow could be combined with then. If all else fails, she'd make a terrifying trump card to turn things around. Or at least scare any pony we rescue into staying calm.

Low Pressure was annoyingly under armed and armored, choosing to go in style then look like one of us dirty wastelanders. His suit at least did look good, though ultimately useless. His engraved .45 revolver was at least somewhat useful, if I ever lost mine and needed another.

The opposite to Low, was Cold Trails in his power armor. One of his magical energy rifles had been beyond saving, so we had it replaced with a old Equestria combat rifle, a IF-64 I think it was called. The 5.56 ammo was the least expensive surplus rifle ammo we could get, so it had to do.

Spell stuck to leather armor under a jacket, saying that it was better to travel light. Other then his revolver, he had also upgraded to a IF-64 as well, after some convincing by everypony. At the very least, he could now teleport somewhere useful and shoot down at raiders with full auto fire.

Molo's armor had gone through the most change since I first met her, having gotten rid of her raider armor. Now she sported combat armor over leather, though still painted in wild colors. Her three pairs of pipe SMGs were each in a different caliber, which still confused me, but I felt she knew what she was doing.

I then trotted to my friend, in my armored jumpsuit, and the Grizzly Gauntlets over my legs. My .45 revolver Whisky Shot, was hid in my chest and my suppressed .308 battle rifle, Last Dance, and Shotgun Mire Frost hung off my saddlebags. One bag had the bear traps, and the other had my supplies and ammo.

We were all ready to do this.

So I smiled, "Ya, let's start this fight together."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Four

_______________________________________________________

From a safe distance we observed the now ruined settlement of Elysium, the bodies of its citizens now hung up as crude banners to show off the raider's dominance over this place. Now I was just waiting for the others to get back from scouting and hoping nothing bad had happened to them.

To my relief, Molo and Spell had returned unharmed, and before the sun had gone over the horizon. They didn't seem frantic, or any way worried, so it was safe to assume they didn't run into trouble while scouting.

"So, did you see anything?" I asked.

"Ya, we saw how the raiders got past Elysium's defense." Molo answered.

Spell then further explained. "The raiders managed to blow a massive hole in the wall from a strategically advantageous position, which confirms what we were told. This likely allowed them to rush in with little resistance and take the ponies inside. From the looks of the damage, they must have used several high intensity explosives all at the same time, something like Bailfire Eggs."

"What!" I almost shouted.

Both of them and the rest of my friends were now very focused on me, curious about my outburst. So I explained, "I think, no, I know what they used. It's something I helped Tripwire find, and used on the Corps Dancers."

"You mean the explosion after the train ran through the raiders?" Cold Trails asked.

I nodded. "It's a Bailfire Egg shotgun, or that's what Tripwire called it. Shoots six of them and causes massive damage."

"That would match what we saw." Spell Circuit said with a nod.

Cauterize then huffed out. "Fucking cheaters." Then took out a rather rusty pair of binoculars himself, looking at the ruined settlement. "But from what I know about Elysium, probably the only way to do it. Those wall were their best defense, and if a raider were to get passed them, well the ponies there aren't known for their hoof to hoof fighting. Must have been a slaughter if a whole group of Murder Ballers got in."

"Any sign of the survivors?" Aloe asked.

Molo nodded. "They got a few ponies repairing the wall, not like raiders to do it themselves, so it makes sense. They also look in good condition all considering."

"Probably the ones who surrendered first, and talked the fastest." Cauterize added. "Murder Ballers love their hoof lickers. There's probably a few more captives inside, likely some of the defenders being used as toys."

I didn't want to imagine what might be going on, my own memories serving good enough as an example. "Anything else?" I asked.

"Looks like a bunch of raiders were packing up to leave, one's that didn't look like Murder Ballers. My guess, they're being sent to reinforce the Breaking Grounds. They also were packing torches, so it's safe to assume they're going to travel by night." Spell Circuit told us.

Molo then added. "Probably cats eyes abusers, it has become more common lately, and makes raiders more nocturnal. Also with the sun out and things being a lot hotter, a lot more ponies have been traveling by night."

"I agree." Cauterize said from the cliff edge. "Looks like some of the ponies who just got on watch are now joining those who are leaving. Their symbol looks like a red crescent, so probably the bloody hooves or some related band. Fuckers are chem fiends, but good watch dogs, especially at night."

This was good, if they were leaving soon, it meant we would be able to sneak in under the cover of night. We just needed to wait a bit longer. "Did you see any place we can get in, unseen? We could take them out while their asleep." I asked, Spell Circuit.

"Well the breach in the wall is an obvious choice, but I wouldn't recommend it. It's well lit so the captives can work, and if we are seen, we risk those captives getting caught in the crossfire. But if the watch leaves, maybe I can teleport a pony onto a watchtower." He explained.

"I can take out any pony on watch as well." Cold Trails added.

Molo then spoke up. "Maybe we cause a distraction, have some of the raiders leave the settlement while some of us sneak in."

"Like setting up an ambush," Cauterize added. "That could be fun."

"I could help." Plasma spoke up. "I made one of my bolts into a flashbang, which would make it easier if they're blind and deaf."

"What about the captives?" Mint then asked. "Once things turn violent, they will be in danger."

"My protection protocol states that I must ensure all ponies under my care are safe. Even ponies not under my care if the need arises." Margret stated, raising one of her electro claws. "Oh, I dread damaging my dress, but I do love helping even more."

"Ahhh, I guess we will rush in to get the captives out of there once the coast is clear." Aloe said as she checked her gun. "Ya, so please get most of the raiders before then."

It sounded like a sold plan, and since nothing better was coming to mind, I was going to stick with it. "Right. So as Cold, Spell and I sneak in to take out as many raiders as we can and quietly. Molo, Cauterize and Plasma will set up an ambush for the raiders who come out. And, Margret, Mint and Aloe will wait for the guards to be removed to get the captives out. Both the ones working and any we manage to find and send to the breach."

"Umm, what about me?" Low Pressure then asked.

Right, forget about him.

"Well, we do need some bait for the ambush." I then suggested.

_______________________________________________________

A few hours after several of the raiders had left, and most of us got some rest, we put our plan into motion. The ambush party had already left to find a good spot far enough away so that they didn't need to worry about raider reinforcements. As for the rescue party, we had found a good place for them to hide and rush out once it was time. As for my party, Spell, Cold and I had snuck up next to the wall, near a spot not being watched.

Just like I had been told, the raiders were quite lazy, and the few on watch were hardly even doing that. Actually, it seemed that the only reason some of them were on the walls was to smoke by themselves.

I then watched as Cold Trails flew up, carefully getting to the edge then grabbing the raider, the bladed tail of his power armor striking out before the pegasus dragged the raider over and down. The raider choked on his own blood as he was carefully laid on the ground, absolute shock on his face.

Cold Trails flew up again and over the wall before quickly returning. "There weren't any more nearby, and none below. The walls are as thick as a motor wagon, so be careful when teleporting." He informed us.

"Good, now let's hold off on killing any more until after Low Pressure draws a bunch away." I told him.

"Roger." Cold said as he saluted, then smiled. "You know, I never thought I would ever conduct any kind of real mission. Before we came down, it was all drills and providing security. Actually, I'm not surprised that the Enclave lost to you wastelanders, hardly any of us ever saw real combat before."

"That and the Enclave managed to piss off every pony down here in a short amount of time." I retorted.

Cold nodded. "Ya, the upper brass were almost all made up of morons."

Spell then trotted over, his horn glowing. "I'm ready, Lottery, just stay close to me."

Trotting right up to him, I had to ask, "why the wait time for the spell?"

"Well, between teleporting another pony, and making sure we don't fuse with a wall or garbage, it takes a bit of time to prepare the spell. Unfortunately, we all can't be like Twilight Sparkle with magic."

"Alright, let's go." I said.

"Good luck." Cold quietly said to us, and with a flash, we were gone.

Appearing on the other side of the wall, both Spell and I found ourselves a hoof length off the ground. Landing while trying to not make noise was easier said than done, it was harder when you're an egghead that needed thick glasses. Where I managed to land on all four hooves, Spell simply hit the ground and knocked the air out of himself.

Helping the stallion up, we fortunately didn't make too much noise, and no pony had come to investigate.

Sticking to the shadows, Spell and I spied on the few raiders who were out and about. It was clearly the Murder Ballers, the large ponies armored up with spikes, many of them having the same heavy spiked helmets on that was used as their totem. Those not in armor were smaller and clearly their servants, but no less raiders than the others. The area around them still showed the signs of battle, with bullet holes, burn marks and blood stains all over. There were also a few dead ponies strung up like morbid trophies as well.

It was horrifying how quickly they turned this place into a raider den, how easy it was for their hooves to taint whatever they touched.

As we backed up, I saw a light quickly approaching the opened front gates. There Low Pressure arrived, in his nice suit, right in front of the raiders. A bit confused looking, the raiders on guard didn't even aim their guns at him.

"Hello my fellow ponies!" Low loudly called out. "I've seem to have gotten my wagon stuck, and am in need of some strong stallions to help me."

"Fuck off!" One raider just yelled

"This ain't no place for you, no place at all." Another raider told him.

Low rolled his eyes. "Now that's rude, and here I am bringing in supplies. Don't know why they wanted so much booze, but now it's stuck on the mud."

"Like we said, fuck-" the first raider began to say again, but got jabbed in the side by the second raider.

"Booze you say? How much?" The second raider asked.

"A full cart load of the stuff." Low smoothly responded.

The second raider smiled. "Well if ya are bringing it, we might as well be all friendly like and help." The raider then whistled loudly, catching the attention of several other raiders. "Oy, seems like we got a cart load of booze to… rescue. Let's go get it."

I didn't know if the raiders were that dumb, or Low was just that good, but eight Murder Ballers then trotted out the front gate. It had freed up room for us to move about now, less eyes to spot us.

Looking up, I saw one raider on guard then vanished over the wall.

It was time to get to work.

Sneaking further in, we came to the area where the breach in the wall happened, and with it, our first targets. Only three Raiders were left on guard, keeping an eye on their captives. Two were closer to the captives, and one further back, closer to us.

"Right, let's take out the first raider, then we can focus on the other two." I told Spell, then asked him, "any spells you know that could help."

He scratched his goatee. "A few, but most will make a noise, or cause the raider to make noise. Let's see. I could divert his attention, and then you can take him out before anypony sees."

"Do it!" I said, then got in place, ready to attack with Mire Frost.

Then a metal bolt, as in a bolt for holding two sheets of metal together, flew overhead. The loud clung caught the raiders attention, and with a huff, they went to investigate.

The raider got closer, but his eyes were looking in the wrong spot. Taking the opportunity, I quietly moved, and with Rime Frost, I swung at his neck. The raider froze both figuratively and literally, gurgling blood before he slowly collapsed to the ground. Both Spell and I then quickly dragged him into the shadows before the other raiders could see. Fortunately, blood stains on the ground were unfortunately common here.

"A fucking bolt?" I quietly growled at Spell.

He shrugged as he took a Molotov cocktail off the raider. "It worked, didn't it. Anyways, my magic is more academic, not for combat."

"Well, that trick isn't going to work twice, so any other spells you can use?" I then asked.

He nodded. "I can cast a sphere of silence around the two raiders. Inside no sound gets in or out, good when you need to study in a loud environment."

"And how long does it last?" I further asked.

"As long as I want it too." He answered.

Grabbing one of my bear traps, I smiled. "Alright, do that."

Spell Circuit then teleported away, and appeared not too far from the raiders, casting a spell in the area around them. He then looked over at me and nodded.

Taking a quick look around, I saw no other raiders about, and then charged.

Rushing in, the Grizzly Gauntlets helping me grip the ground and go faster, I held the bear trap in my muzzle and then leapt at the first raider. Pushing the trap forward with my hooves, the bear trap hit the raider and clamped down on the side of his leg.

A loud and pain filled scream came from the raider as his buddy turned to see what happened. I was ready, jumping off the first raider and at the second, striking him with my hooves. Blood splattered out as my gauntlets found a soft part of the armor, causing the raider to stumble back. Annoyingly that soft spot had a spike near it, and if I hadn't had my own armor on, it would have hurt me just as much as I just hurt the raider.

"Fucking bitch! I'm going to make you pay for that ya cunt!" The raider growled.

I ignored the threat and drew my revolver, putting six holes into the large stallion, ending him.

Turning to the other raider, he was already back on his hooves, flexing his legs and actually pulling the bear trap jaws apart with sheer strength alone.

With a pop, the trap was off him, and he looked at me with pure hate.

*Bang*

The raiders face turned into mush as the shot from Mire Frost entered him, and bounced off the inside of the helmet. A gory mess then flowed out from the helmet, and the raider fell over.

"You made quick work of them." Cold Trails said as he landed next to me.

I nodded "Well fighting them directly would have been dumb. They'd destroy me if I let them get a hit in. So how are the wall guards?"

"Dead, the raiders no longer have eyes above us." He informed me.

"Then I guess we move to the next stage of this plan?" Spell Circuit asked as he trotted over, the sound of the wasteland returning.

"Yes, but don't let your guard down, not until they're all dead." I said, then trotted over to four rather shocked and quite exhausted captives. "We have a safe place for you to go, but before you do, are there any others here?"

An older stallion trotted to me on wobbly legs, and when he spoke, it was a dry voice. "Yes, though most of us were taken away, the raiders got to keep some of us to do work, and some others for… other things. Will you save them?"

"Yes, just tell us where they are." I said.

He smiled. "Thank you, they're being kept in the town hall, the large building at the center. And please hurry."

"Alright, we'll be back with them as soon as possible, now get out of here, we have ponies waiting outside the walls for you." I told him and pointed out where the others were hiding, and the four ponies then quickly made their way out of Elysium.

The old stallion stopped to take a long look at Spell Circuit before catching up with the other three.

Turning our attention to the town hall, we then began quietly trotting, eyes and ears ready for trouble. Near the front was technically a guard, though it looked more like the raider had only come outside to take a piss. Unfortunately they had heavy spiked armor on, unlike the others, so getting in close would be a poor gamble. The bastard ever had a spiked codpiece covering his balls.

I shook my head as the image of the raider with his junk out formed in my head.

"You okay, Lottery?" Spell asked.

"Ya, just keeping my head straight, that's all." I told him, though the image refused to fully go away. "Fuckers got too much armor, any suggestions?"

"Well shooting might not be the best option, those helmets are actually quite strong. And all those spikes and armor make rushing in bad too."

"We can double team him." Cold suggested as quietly landed near us. "Use that spell from before and I'll tackle him, give Lottery a good shot."

I nodded. "I like the plan, let's do it."

Cold then flew up as Spell teleported away. Wasting no time, I crept over to the raider, preparing to attack.

Up close, the raider was like some of the others we took out, annoyingly big and well built. Ripped with muscle, I was sure he could pound me long and hard.

I slammed my head into the ground to clear my head, the pain helping me focus.

"The fuck was that?" The raider said as he turned around and saw me. But as he opened his mouth to call out, a magical bubble formed around him, keeping him silent, followed by the Cold smashing down onto him.

I charged in just as the raider pushed himself up, and tossed Cold Trails back. Through pure strength alone, the raider actually threw a pony in power armor.

Grabbing Mire Frost I brought the axe blade down onto an unprotected part and aiming the barrel to hit him, I fired. A literal chunk of flesh came out of him, painting the wall with his blood and gore. Looking up at the raider, I could see that his helmet had a face covering, it had an angry and aggressive face, and past it I could see his eyes. Alive and very pissed off, eyes.

The raider then kicked off, body slamming me onto the ground. I could feel several of the spiks on his armor pernitrate me as my bones bent under his sheer weight. I was quite literally pinned under the raider, my screams muted by the spell that surrounded us.

Things then became very hot as a green light surrounded me, then most of the weight was gone. The raider's armor crumpled as green goo seeped from its gaps. Cold Trails quickly pulled the armor off me, a worried look on his face as he then passed me a healing potion.

"You alright?" He asked with concern on his face

Taking the healing potion, I then checked to see if everything was in the right place. "Ya, not my first time getting pinned and penetrated by a raider." Once I was sure nothing was out of place, I drank the potion, it seling my wounds and relieved some of my pain.

Cold then sighed. "I know you have the right to make such jokes, but I don't find it funny."

"It's not funny… but what should I do, cry about it." I snapped back at him, feeling frustrated. "It's not like crying had done anything after the first time."

"Alright, I'm sorry?" He said, but that just made me more frustrated.

"Don't apologize!" I growled out, but then slapped myself to regain control over myself. "It's… it's not your fault. Okay. I'm just being… messed in the head."

Teleporting in, Spell seemed confused and concerned. "Is everything alright, what was that before I casted the spell?"

"We're fine, I'm just having trouble keeping my head on straight." I confessed. "We can talk about it later. Their ponies who need help."

We all shared glances, and then I turned to Cold. "And thanks for the save, I didn't expect the raider to keep on fighting after blowing a chunk out of him."

"Ya, surprised me too." He replied, a smile on his muzzle.

With my mind cleared again, I then took point entering the town hall. The first thing I noticed was the smell, the horrible smell. It was death mixed with bile, two things that a sane pony could never get used to. The next thing was the body hanging by the neck from across the hall. They were battered, cut up, and defiled, all clearly happened before their death. Or at least I hoped not.

Passing by a room, I looked in to see many boxes haphazardly tossed around, clothing and junk poking out of them. Much of it looked in rough shape and stained in blood.

"Their loot room." Spell said with a grimace on his face. "Likely has most of the things they stole from this place in here. Mixed together with what they took off the corpses. Anything good, or clean is likely with their boss."

We continued on, reaching the hanged corpse, and a stairwell. The sound of a slap, and a mare letting out a whimper scream sent my hairs on end with rage.

"Ya cunt ass bitch, suck it right, or I'm blackening ya other eye!" A raider yelled.

"Black it anyways, teach me their place." Another raider said with a cruel laugh.

A hoof rested onto my shoulder, and I looked back to see Spell. "Lottery, take a deep breath, we need to do this carefully."

I was about to tell him to fuck off, but found that my leg was shaking and I was hyperventilating. Taking a moment to slowly catch my breath, I managed to calm down, and think up a plan.

"Do that bubble of silence thing, and I'll shoot them all." I said.

"Not a good idea, if I have to cover a whole room, it's going to drain me fast." Spell told me.

Cold then trotted further up head, looking down with rage in his eyes. "I agree with, Lottery, just do it."

Spell nodded. "Okay, but I might not be able to cast another spell for a little longer afterwards, please keep that in mind."

I then got up ahead of Cold, and stayed low as I crept to the sound of the raiders and their captives.

The door was open just enough that I could spy in, and what I saw didn't surprise me, but it was no less disgustingly horrifying. There were five raiders laying about, all stallions and seven captives, two stallions and five mares. One mare was being forced to suck a raider's cock, half her face swollen with bruises. Another mare laid still on the floor in a puddle of blood and semen. A stallion was tied up and suspended, objects shoved up his ass. Two other mares and a stallion were huddled in a corner, collared and leashed like dogs. The last mare was like the first stallion, suspended and bound, but so painfully so that she looked more like bound brahmin meat, even her breasts were visible because of the bindings. She seemed otherwise untouched, more foced to watch, though it did look as though they did masterbait on her.

The last raider simply sat and drank, enjoying the show as he stroked himself.

It was a literal sex dungeon, and it made me sick to see it.

The lounging raider then reached out and slapped the suspended mare, laughing when she cried out in pain through her gag. "You're lucky the boss wants first dibs on you, he really likes a mare that can bite back."

Another raider then laughed. "Fucking nut shot the boss."

The lounging raider also laughed. "Ya, but didn't stop him from tearing into that mare on the floor there, who was she again? Your sister wasn't it? Well once she wakes well I'll fucker again."

The mare let out a muffled hate filled growl.

"Oh, you want your turn. That takes me not her crap! Well, I got good news for you, once the Boss wakes up you will be his mare." The lounging raider said with a cruel chuckle. "Or is it that you want some more food, remember, if you bight again, I'll just fuck your mouth harder."

I had enough of this, and looked back at Spell Circuit. He nodded and his horn glowed brighter than before. The room was rather large, so we had to make this quick.

As soon as the spell was cast, Cold and I rushed in, pulling out my battle rifle and taking aim as Cold charged at the closest raider. The raiders quickly scrambled, but were in no position to fight as they first had to pull the captives off them. My rifle found the first monster with two quick body shots ripping through him. A second found Cold landing on him as armored hooves viciously pounded at his face with murderous rage. The raider was in no position to defend himself, and quickly went limp.

A third raider charged at Cold, a crud blade in his magic. I took aim and fired at the raider, the first shot hitting his leg. The rest tore him apart.

“Look this way you cum dump bitch!” the fourth raider yelled at me as he charged in. too fast and too close for me to get my rifle at him. Too slow to avoid the torrent of bullets and plasma sent at him from Cold. The raider was dead before he even hit the ground.

A click was all I needed to hear to know that the fifth raider was armed. He hid behind the suspended mare, a strange long rifle in his hooves. “Oh, playing hero are ya, well you're going to play a different game once I’m done with ya. Both of ya when the boss comes for ya.” He then smiled as he eyed me. “Oh your that bitch the boss fancied, here to get fucked again. Those Bailfire bitches said you would be crawling back for more. Shame what happened to the bone biters, but they at least gave ya a good fucking before getting gotten. I bet a bitch like you enjoyed it too.”

I snarled as I aimed my rifle, but the raider ducked behind the mare. “Oh be carful, or you will kill the fine fuck toy.” he said mockingly.

“Fuck.” I huffed. Then quietly asked. “Willow-Wisp, is there any way you can help?”

The blue flame sparked to life, and flew over and then above the raider, resting on a tangle of ropes that held the mare painfully in the air. There I saw it, a peg holding things together, and I took aim.

With a shot, the ropes untangled and the mare fell, causing the raider to step back in shock. Snarling at me, he aimed his rifle but failed to notice Cold leaping at him in a mad dash. All the raider could do was block the pegasus with his rifle, the coalition causing the weapon to bend under Cold's hoof as he slid to a stop, guns trained at the monster. But before he could kill the bastard, I opened fire, unloading everything I had in the magazine. The raider practically exploded as the bullets blasted off legs and his head like a gore filled balloon.

They were dead, yet my heart would not stop pounding, and quickly I reloaded, preparing for the next fight.

Trotting in, an exhausted looking Spell quickly ran to one of the captives, pulling out a knife and undoing her bindings. “We need to go, and fast. I have no doubt some of those bullets made it outside the bubble, and alerted somepony.”

“Right on it.” I said as I trotted to the heavily bound up mare, and started cutting her free. It was bad, the rope digging into her flesh at some parts, and it had squeezed her so much that they left indents in her, keeping the form. But as soon as she could move, she hugged me so tightly that I could feel the blood flowing through her body. “It’s okay, were getting you out of here now.”

She removed the ring gag, and then frantically crawled to the mare on the floor. “Night Lily” she said with a dry and pained voice, slipping on the floor on legs not yet ready to hold her up. She looked at the unmoving mare in the middle of the floor, again calling out to her. “Night Lily!”

Helping her, we trotted to the mare, to Night Lily, and the mare grabbed her, held her. But the mare's eyes were empty. Spell trotted over, and checked the poor mare, his own face showing deep sorrow.

“I'm... sorry.” Spell’s voice cracked. “Shes…shes dead.”

Tears rolled down from the mare's eyes as she let out a quiet scream, it filled with a pain that I wish I couldn’t hear, as it broke my heart to hear it.

I looked at the others and simply said, “Get the others out of here, I’ll stay with her.”

They nodded and began to help the captives out.

I watched the mare as she rocked Night Lily back and forth, stroking her ruined mane, mumbling “It’s okay little sis, it’s okay. They can’t hurt you no more. I’ll kill them all for you. All of them.”

Something about it felt wrong, like I was watching something dark forming. Like a familiar voice cackling over this mare as a warm light faded. Then I saw Willo-Wisp frantically dancing over the mare, trying to signal to me.

I… understood. And I hated that. This mare was falling to Strife, becoming consumed by hatred, and losing all hope. I understood it perfectly, yet I didn’t know why I understood. But I couldn't let that happen, I couldn't let the monsters win.

So I did the only thing I could do, and gave the mare a hug from behind. “I know it hurts, I know you will never be fine, and I know you want revenge. But please, please just run, don’t throw your life away, don’t lose yourself to them.” She began to struggle, but I only held on tighter. “They want you to go mad, to become like them. And you have all the right to. I understand that. But not like this, not right now. Take your sister and run, I’ll kill them for you, but only after you get to safety, promise you that.”

She gritted her teeth, but then went slack. “I… I promised to protect her… I promised.” The mare then buried herself in her sister, muffling her wailing.

My ears twitched at the sound of bottles falling. Some pony was stirring, and I knew it was time to go, or we would be trapped here.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Five

_______________________________________________________

Not leaving the two sisters behind, I carried the dead mare on my back as I pushed her older sister out of the town hall. The raiders knew something had happened, but fortunately they had not yet figured out what just yet. But it was only a matter of time before the alarms were rung and they all will be out for blood.

And blood I will give them.

Stopping to lay a bear trap outside the door of the town hall, I then quickly moved along.

Things felt like they were going smoothly, but several gunshots ahead quickly dashed that idea. Spell and Cold were trading shots with several raiders, staying under cover as they protected the captives. Things were only getting worse as more raiders came out to take a look.

One raider spied us, a smile filled with jagged teeth forming on his face, then his head exploded. The mare I was with had used the raiders long rifle on the bastard, something I had not tried to stop her from taking or doing. It was not my place to keep her from fighting back, and having the extra gun helped. It was also clear she was an experienced fighter, and despite how damaged her body looked, she was no less dangerous because of it.

As even more raiders appeared, I drew my revolver, not wanting to drop the body just to fight, and fired. The raiders ducked for cover, giving us the opportunity to join my friends. The mare quickly took a position and let a few bullets fly, hitting a raider, but failing to kill him.

"Fucking armored bastards!" She huffed and fired again.

I turned to my friends and holstered my revolver. "Why are you stopped?"

Cold Trails then pulled me down right before a bullet whizzed overhead. "Snipers, and their good shots." He looked over at one of the captives, bloody bandages wrapped around a leg and chest. "Almost lost them. And if we try to run, the raider will just pick us off one by one."

"Fuck, I really wish these raider snipers would stop appearing and be bad shots like on the radio." I mumbled.

"Hey, I can help!" The mare called out as she kept her head down. "I know this place like the back of my hoof, so you will need me to hunt down that sniper."

I was not going to argue, and hoofed over my binoculars to her. "Names Lottery."

"Moonlight Rose." She said, taking the revolver. "Alright, we need some covering fire, and I'll lead the way."

I gently put Night Lily down as Cold and Spell then popped out and fired their IF-64 rifles, spraying the area.

Moonlight burst out and I followed her, the two of us slipping through a narrow alley. Behind the building was a crude ladder leading to a balcony, of which we clinked. She then stopped and peered through my binoculars.

"Looks like the raiders are preparing to rush our friends." She said as she aimed her rifle.

I did too, seeing two armored raiders getting closer to Cold and Spell. We then fired, blasting the armor, and knocking back the raiders. A few more shots and they were dead.

Moonlight lowered her rifle, and scowled at it. "Fucking damnit, this accursed gun is better then my old rifle." She then climbed up to the roof and took aim and fired another shot, sending a new raider back into hiding.

Climbing up myself, I had to ask as I aimed my rifle as well, looking for raiders, and the sniper. "Accursed gun?"

She pulled up my binoculars to look around, a scowl on her face. "It's a Stern Longshot, made in Fillydelphia for the talons there. Slave labor made this fucking rifle." She then quickly lowered the binoculars and dashed back, pulling me down.

The whiz of a rifle round passed over our heads, and Moonlight smirked. "Alright, I know where the fucker is now, follow me."

Dropping from the balcony, we then rushed through another alleyway. Bursting into a side pathway, we charged down it at breakneck speed, then whipped into another ally. There we ran up some stairs and again climbed up onto the roof. Loudly clattering on the metal roof, we made our way to a taller house, of which had a barrel sticking out from a window.

"The walls are weak, just slam into it!" Moonlight yelled as she then rushed forward, and I matched her pace.

We both managed to hit the wall at the same time, our full force causing it to crumble under us. With a slam, dust flew everywhere, and a raider mare in a gas mask whipped her rifle at us. But Moonlight did not even stumble as she rushed the raider and knocked the barrel away right as it fired.

Another raider rushed into the room, armed with what looked like a double barreled pipe shotgun, and quickly aimed it. Instinctively I jumped in the way to sealed Moonlight, protecting my face and neck with my armored hoof. The two barrels fired and I could feel several small hot bits of shot hit me, some hitting soft spots, and others denting my armor. But it felt far less than it should have been. The raider himself was engulfed in a cloud of smoke from the shotgun barrels.

Before he could reload, I rushed in and tackled the raider, not giving a damn about the pain I was in or his spikes as I violently kicked him until he let go of his shotgun. Then as the smoke cleared, I pulled out Rime Frost and began striking the axe head down on the raider until he stopped struggling.

I had a bloody mess at my hooves, and I felt nothing.

Looking back, Moonlight Rose had managed to kill the sniper, the butt of her rifle covered in blood and gore. She then aimed her rifle out the window and fired a shot, stopping to reload.

Rushing over, I dropped my shotgun and pulled out Last Dance. Through the sites I could see that the raiders had charged in, and Cold was doing his best to fight them off. His armor protected him from the raiders melee strikes, but I could see blood seeping from him, and a crack on his goggles.

Aiming at the closed raider to Cold, I fired, killing the bastard.

*Ping* my rifle went as the clip was ejected from it. Quickly reloading, both Moonlight and I then began thinning out the raiders around our friends. As the raiders then quickly fell back, except for one in heavy armor, that charged in. but a bright light then stopped him, and As he fell, I saw Margret floating there, who then aimed her micro flamer down and set the raider on fire.

Aloe and Mint then appeared, firing their single shots as they motioned for the others to follow them.

With us providing sniper cover, the others quickly retreated, rushing out from the breach, and out of sight.

With our job done, I quickly collected the two guns and the ammo on the raiders, and made our way out.

"Follow, we're taking a detour, the raiders must be coming for us." Moonlight said, and I let her take the lead.

Again we jumped onto the roof and then behind the building, sticking to the shadows of a back alley.

The more I watched her the more I was impressed by her. "You're really good at this."

"Not good enough." She huffed as we dashed out from the alleyway and to another one. "I was the second in command of the security for Elysium, but I failed in the end. The raiders got in, overwhelmed us before we could rout them… and the dream of Elysium is now dead."

I gritted my teeth, feeling partly responsible. If it was not for me, Tripwire would never have gotten this far, he would not have gotten that Bailfire egg launcher. Her sister would be alive if I was not so stupid and blind back then.

We then crept around another building, a few raiders in the way, but they quickly ran off through the breach, chasing our friends.

"Maybe it can be rebuilt. We're here to clear out the raiders and rescue the others that were captive." I told her, hoping to lift her spirit.

Moonlight shook her head. "No, not going to happen. The raiders got in, raped and murdered their way through everypony who resisted. But worse, they proved that our walls meant nothing in the end. Nopony will want to return after they defiled our home, it would be too painful after we did so much to keep this place safe."

She grinded her teeth as she held in a scream. "We were so proud of ourselves, and in the end it took less than a day to knock us down. I was so sure we would hold out that I voted for everypony to stay. They wanted to go, said that something was wrong this time. But we were so sure we could easily stop a band of raiders… If I had at least let them leave, Midnight Lily would be alive."

She looked at me, eyes filled with painful regret. "Elysium is dead, and it's all because we were too damn arrogant. My pride killed my sister."

There was no way to convince her that she was wrong, that this was beyond her ability to stop. Nor did I have the right to try. I needed to focus on what I can do, and that's to exterminate the raiders from here.

"My mother always said that pride comes before a fall." A deep bellowing voice spoke up, sending a chill of fear up my spine.

Before we could even defend ourselves, the meaty leg of Spine Breaker swung out and knocked us out into the open.

He laughed as he trotted out into the dim light. Clad in thick spiky armor, his helmet having a skull of some large monster over the face. "So mother always beat me whenever I outshined my sisters. Best day ever when she forgot all about me and left me with the Murder Ballers." I could see a smile form from under the skeleton mask. "Probably why I love to fuck strong mares like you. It teaches you your real place as breeders.

Getting up, I wiped some blood off from my nose, and glaring at that big monster of a unicorn. "How the fuck did you sneak up on us?"

Again he laughed. "Always had to be light on my hooves as a colt, let me get away with things I'd get beaten for even trying."

Trotting out into the open, his horn began to glow from under his helmet, illuminating his eyes in a red ominous light. Large overly designed hammer was brought out, on both hammer ends it had spikes welded to it, stained a dull red and smelled of rust.

Moonlight quickly drew her rifle and fired at the raider boss, screaming, "this time I'll do more then kick your balls you fucking scum!"

Spine Breaker was surprisingly nimble as he dashed to the side, both of us firing our rifles, but they only deflected off his heavy armor. He then leaped forward and brought his hammer down. We saw it coming, and jumped back, but I had not expected a shockwave, sending the two of us flying into and through a house wall.

"Naw, I don't think you will." Spine Breaker said with an amused tone. "But I'll let you suck them."

Getting up, I jumped forward and aimed Last Dance, but only to see the shadow of Spine Breaker above me. With a smile he brought his hammer down, giving me only a second to get out of the way, my rifle caught in the strike.

Again tossed back by the strike, but I somehow managed to catch myself, the Grizzly Gauntlets digging into the floor, letting me slide to a stop.

"And you, I'll have fun publicly fucking you raw again. Show all why I'm the fucking boss." He said as he tossed my bent rifle over at me.

My mind began to wonder again, imagining it. The thought disgusted me, yet I could feel a yearning.

Spine Breaker licked his lips and smiled. "I see that Bandsaw got that curse down right this time. Said you would crawl back to me in time for more. Once I'm done filling up again, get that belly bloated you won't be able to live without me."

*Bange*

A shot hit Spine Brakers head and Moonlight fired her rifle, but the shot only bounced off his thick helmet.

"Die, Die, DIE!" She screamed as she fired again.

The raider boss ducked and then tossed his hammer at her. I watched in horror as the hammer slammed into Moonlight's back legs, and she let out a blood curdling scream. The hammer did not stop, and embedded itself into the floor, and then through it, taking the legs with it. Moonlight's back legs were gone, leaving nothing but flattened and bloody stumps.

"Oh well." Spine Breaker said in amusement. "Not like you're going to need those soon."

Rage built up in me, enough that once again my mind was clear, but not clear enough to think. Just to attack.

Charging in at Spine Breaker, he again swung his hoof, but this time missing as I ducked down, then jumped as soon as his hoof passed over me. The claws of the Grizzly Gauntlets found gaps in his armor and let me hold on and climb onto his back. He immediately bucked, trying to get me off, but I held firm.

"This ain't going to be like last time!" I growled out, and then drew my revolver, firing all six shots into his back.

"I agree, this time I'm not just going to let you leave." He then reared back for a body slam, forcing me to jump off to avoid getting crushed.

Landing on my hooves, I turned in time to see Spine Breaker flip himself over and then ram at me with his head. I managed to avoid the spikes, but was again knocked back, leaving me breathless as I rolled along the ground and into the clearing.

I got up, now noticing that many more raiders had joined, maybe twenty or more, all watching this. It was like the arena all over again, surrounded by vile eyes, wanting to see blood.

The raider boss cracked his neck as he stood tall. "This time I'll turn you into a fuck toy, bound, gagged, and only feeding you my cum until you can't live without it."

As he got closer, I drew the double barreled pipe shotgun, and quietly whispered. “Willow Whips, stay on that bastard.” I then saw the little blue flam spark to life on Spine Breakers shoulder, and I fired.

The black powder rounds immediately engulfed the area around me, the kick of the gun almost shoving me back, likely due to the rounds being overloaded with powder. Even through the smoke I could see Willow Wisp, and with it, Spine Breaker charging at me. Jumping to the side right before the big raider could collide with me, I drew Rime Frost, and slashed him before firing everything in her at the raider.

The smoke quickly dissipated and saw a bloodied Spine Breaker, part of his bone mask had been shattered, and several parts of his armor penetrated by the shot. But he didn’t look any less betten, not even tired. Just hungry.

I ready Mire Frost for a melee fight, knowing this was going to hurt, but I was not going to make it easy for him. Not this time.

Again I could see the light from his horn glow from under his helmet, but before I knew what he was going to do, a cloud of dust and dirt was thrown at my face. Instinctively I covered my face, and then the wind was knocked out of me.

The raiders around me cheered and as I tried to get up again, a heavy hoof pressed down on me. Spine Breaker chuckled with his deep voice. “It’s been a long time since a mare has put up such a fight, longer since one has come back for round two. I will have fun breaking you, making you bear healthy foals to continue my lineage.”

“I… rather die!” I spat out.

“You say that now, but I’ve seen what venues root does to a bitches mind. I bet your cunt is all wet right now, wanting me to fuck you.” He mocked me as I was held in place. “Now why don't you take that stupid suit off, be an obedient bitch, and I’ll be gentle… at first.”

I was too angry to give up like that, too filled with rage to just open my legs. So with a snarl I said, “Just rape me and get it over with.”

He smiled, and I felt my jumpsuit tear as his magic pulled up off me. Spine Breaker then let out a bellowing laugh, and then grabbed my leg with his magic. Lifting me up for all to see.

“Look, fishnets and lace panties. Bitch dresses like a whore under all this shit!” he announced to the laughter of all the other raiders.

“Better than being a raider!” I heard Cold shout, and we looked up to then see the Pegusus dive bomb Spine Braker, knocking him over and then bouncing back to catch me.

“And it was about to get to the good part.” I darkly joke.

Through his cracked goggles I could see his eyes role. “Let's just say that is not my fetish.”

Spine Breaker then groaned as he got up, his helmet having been knocked off. One of his eyes were bloodshot, and several gashes crisscrossed over his face. “Okay, I fuck the pegusus to death first, then publicly breed the mare.” he snarled.

A bright blinding flash of light then engulfed everypony, it loudly popping. What followed was a torrent of gunfire, mixed with confused shouting and some explosions. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Molo, Cauterize, and Spell Circuit rush in, all firing at the raiders that had gathered.

The ex-raider Cauterize fearlessly slammed into a spiked covered raider, and fired his redeye rifle at two more raiders, the heavy rounds smashing through the heavy armor.

Spell Circuit Teleported to high ground, and fired down at several more raiders that were behind cover, killing them before they could understand what was happening.

Molo just rushed into the biggest group, letting loose her larger caliber SMG’s, ripping through the raiders all while manically laughing.

One raider managed to get above us, holding some large gun, but then exploded after getting hit with a bolt. The shooter was Plasma, whom hid begins some rubble with her crossbow

Even as the raiders fought back, the attack was too fast and too vicious for them to counter, causing some to panic and weather charge in or run away. But they were all taken down in the end, and without mercy.

Soon all that was left was a stunned Spine Breaker, who was now surrounded himself.

He smiled, his mouth filled with bloody teeth. “Oh hello Cauterize, how's the bitches.”

“Pregnant and twice as bitchy. How's the mommy issues.” asked back mockingly.

Spine Breaker snarled at him, taking a step forward. “I’ll crush you like the fucking faggot cunt you are. Make you a damn mare, and beg for more dicking!”

Getting out of Cold's hold, I grabbed Mire Frost and with as much strength I could muster, tossed her at the Raider boss head. The axe shotgun spun in the air, and hit him on the side of the head, slicing off an ear before falling to the ground.

The raider stumbled and then glared at me. But then he smiled. “Kill me, but I already know that in you more of me grows. I can feel it, and see it in your eyes.”

I wanted to puke right there. Stab my gut to get the things out. But instead something else came out of my mouth. “Even though, if they're born, they're never going to be raiders. Dead or alive.”

I could feel the eyes of my friends on me, as I stared down the raider who did this to me.

Spine Breaker let out a wicked laugh, low at first, but then grew louder and more manic. “We all become raiders in the end, don’t you deny it. You all feel it, the rush of a kill, the high of chems, and the satisfaction of a good fucking. Soon it will call for you all. When you find out that there's nothing that matters in this shithole world, nothing but what you can take with your own hooves. Everypony else just pretends like they're not raiders, but they all take and take, and take until there is nothing left from you the6 can to take. After that, you will understand, and take it all for yourself. And as you take back your power, and take more and more… you will know it’s joy.”

His eyes narrowed at me, and I could feel something dark and cold within him, like all, the warmth inside him had been long snuffed out, leaving but a husk. "Even if you resist, try to live as a weakling, you will teach those foals, make them into me as you show them violence. Just like my mamma showed me the joy of violence."

A firebomb then smashed into the side of Spine Breaker's head, setting him on fire. Molo then tossed another, breathing heavily with absolute rage and tears in her eyes. “And that joy is hollow, only demanding it be filled, but nothing can fill it, nothing ever can! It only burns everything!”

Again she tossed a third fire bomb, but Spine Braker didn’t move, didn’t scream or even flinch. He just stood there as he burned, staring at me. In the black smoke that bellowed off of him, I knew I could see it, see her looking back at me. Strife was pleased, and it sickened me.

_______________________________________________________

We all sat at the edge of the cliff, both my friends and the survivors of Elysium. Moonlight managed to survive her wounds, but her back legs could not be saved, yet she didn’t care about that. She had lost something far more important than her back legs, something she would give all her legs to get back.

Looking down at the settlement it burned, engulfed in flames, along with all the bodies. We had thrown the raiders in a pile, collecting what guns and ammo we could use off them. As for the dead townsfolk, they were respectfully taken down from where the raiders put them, and placed on a pile of scrap wood made from the walls, Midnight Lily among them. They would at least have dignity in death, and become ashes. And so Elysium burned, it’s may be dead, but not forgotten.

A large stone had been placed on the cliff, and names carved on it, a memorial to those who died, with space to add more . There we left the survivors to mourn and chisel in more names as we plotted our next cores. They would come with us, but right now they needed space and time. We would give them that.

“You… okay, Lottery?” Plasma reached out to me, a hoof on my shoulder. I knew what she was actually asking, and the answer was clear.

With a deep breath, I just said, “No.”

She nodded. “I… understand. It must be difficult.”

“I’m getting rid of them.” I huffed out. “There's something I can take to rid myself of them.”

“Oh…” Plasma said as she retracted her hoof.

I then felt a squishy hug from behind, Aloe now holding me tightly. “Did you know, why didn’t you tell us!”

Sighing, I then told her, “Wasn’t your business to know.”

“Actually it kindove is.” Mint then said, and then sighed herself. “And before this gets any more awkward, I already knew, I just hoped you would talk to us first before something like that happened.”

I turned to glare at the ghoul, and saw that she had removed her mask, looking at me with her hairless skin and milky white eyes. It caused me to freeze in confusion, unable to think of anything to say.

Mint then continued. “I am practically your personal nurse right now, so I need to know these things. Including needed to drink a poison to induce an abortion. Of which I’d advise against such a barbaric practice.”

“And what, just accept this!” I finally respond.

She shook her head. “I’m not saying that, not at all. Just that… well I wish there were better options. It would be safer for you to just give birth, then decide what to do with the foals after. As abortion has never been safe, even with our advanced tech at the time, it just never… worked right.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated.” Mint huffed, then explained. “First off, Equestria never really saw abortion as a thing, ponies just never got one… well until everypony started going crazy because of the war. Then things started to happen and more and more mares found themselves with unwanted pregnancies, and wanted a way out. That's when we found out that… well… magickly ponies resist such things. And it often damages the mare trying to do so.”

I felt even more confused. “So, what… we magically resist abortions?”

Mint shrugged. “Simply put, yes. Not that it’s all that far fetched. I mean our mains resist magic too, it’s why you can’t just magically grow your mane. But for foals, it’s like that magic is a hundred times stronger.”

"It also didn't help that such things were severely looked down upon." Aloe added. "The Ministry of Peace didn't support it, and the Ministry of Image would keep it out of the public eye. Also, from what I had heard, it was next to impossible to get any funding to research a safe way to do it."

"And what Ursa's Rest offers, it's more folk medicine than anything. Very deadly folk medicine." Mint added.

As though feeling the tension within me, Mint then put her mask back on, and said to me. "Just talk with us later about it. What we think you should or should not do doesn't matter, what matters is that you decide on your own with a clear mind about it."

"Alright… I'll do that." I told them, and the two ghouls then trotted off. I then looked over and saw a fidgety Plasma. She was scratching her leg while trying not to look over at our male friends. So with a sigh, it was my turn to pry into someone's business. "Fantasizing as well."

She almost jumped in place, then became smaller as she curled up into herself. "What… ahh… no…" I raised an eyebrow at her and she caved. "Yes, but I can't control it."

This time I gave the hug. Partly to help distract myself and partly because it's what friends do. "It's alright, has started happening to me too."

She then relaxed. "If I don't keep myself busy…" she then mumbled the rest, her face burrowing into my chest. Then… sniffing? Plasma then pushed herself away from me, eyes looking at the ground. "S...sorry."

Great, now I was turning her on. Though she had been through more than me, so it was understandable. "It's okay, I don't swing that way, so no worry."

"I, ahhh… don't as well." Plasma began scratching her leg again. "C...can I have some sp...space."

I didn't want to push things, so I did just that. "Alright then, goodnight."

There was another pony I needed to talk to before I also turned in for the night, she lowered down the cliff, watching things burn up close. Seeing Molo there in front of the flames, it was a sight to behold. And when she looked back and saw me, there was something there that wasn't my strong and enduring friend. She seemed smaller, more fragile.

"Hay Lottery, here to feel the fire. Nice and warm." She then reached out her hooves, as though warming them at a campfire.

Trotting over, I did the same, though the heat was a bit more than I would like. "A bit too warm I say."

She shrugged. "Maybe, I think my ability to feel heat has… degraded. Life as a raider will do that. You know. Make you numb to everything."

"But you're not a raider anymore." I told her.

Molo paused for a long moment, clearly thinking of something. "Ya, but I was. And that life, it stays with you. Always. And I fear they will know, and they will hate me for it. Just like..."

"It will be fine, you're a good pony, and I say, my best friend." I told her.

But Molo then shook her head. "No I'm not. I chased that high, and tried to fill the emptiness in my heart. But it only hurts everypony around me. I'm scared, I'm scared of being alone again, being thrown out."

She then placed her head on my shoulder, and sighed. "All I know how to do is drag other ponies along with me."

I patted her on the back, "And it saved me, will save your daughters. I know it."

Again she paused, something about her seemed tense. "You don't understand, you were a fluke, a happy and wonderful accident. And the closer I get to them, the more I feel like my luck will run out, and the raider will return."

There was a loud crack from Elysium, and we then watched as a building collapsed.

"I beat him." Molo said with a pained voice and tears in her eyes. "I beat my colt, I made him fear me. I'd get high, and once that high came down, he'd be cowering in the corner, covered in bruises. His father had to beat me to keep me from killing him. His mani mare was more of a mother to my colt then I was, and I beat her for it."

She then covered her eyes, hiding her tears. "Spine Breaker is wrong about you, but… all that is true about me. Because I am a monster, a raider, and I feel it calling me. If I don't find them, if I can't be a mother, a real mother… I know I'll go and never come back."

I didn't know what to say, or what to do. What Molo just told me left me conflicted. She is my friend, a pony who saved me. But she was also a raider, the same kind of ponies we just fought and killed.

All I could do was hold her as a blazing fire burned everything before us to ash.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Six

_______________________________________________________

I stood on a stage, the audience a mix of ponies I knew, some raiders, some the townsfolk of Ursa's Rest, all cheering. I tried to move, but found myself bound and gagged, suspended in the air and my back legs spread apart by a bar. Worse, there was a heaviness in my belly and I could feel something move inside it.

"Now look at this every creature, we have here one Bonafede breeder whore!" Onyx called out, trotting onto the stage, dressed in some strange leotard suit that showed off her legs too well. She'd be sexy if not for the hole that was her eye socket that oozes black liquid. She then smiled, showing two rows of sharp black teeth.

It was Strife, it had to be.

"Wrong!" Strife said as she appeared next to me, nuzzling me. "Oh so wrong."

It couldn't be Onyx Heart, she's dead!

"And she belongs to me, isn't that right my daughter!" Strife said to the dead mare.

Onyx then bowed to Strife before addressing the crowd. "Now for the this show, the whore will be fucked by our newest brother, spreading his seed for all of you to enjoy. Maybe later you all can join in. I know the whore will open her wet holes wide for you all.

Heavy hooves stomped onto the stage, and From the corner of my eye I could see him. Spine Breaker was a burnt corps, his own mouth filled with jagged black teeth, looking at me with hunger.

I struggled, I wanted to scream, but I could do nothing. I knew it was a nightmare, but I didn't want this, not after I got my revenge.

Everything then froze as Strife pulled on my mane, getting face to face with me, and though she was just a mass of blackness, I could see an all too wide smile. "That's it, that is it. Give me more. All of 6our fear, all of your hate. The joy of victory and the pain of defeat, give it to me and I'll reward you. Yes, just like those forgotten relics, I too can give you my boon, my… favor."

"And what would I get, why would I want it?" I thought out the question.

I then felt a pain in my belly, followed by two shrill cries. Strife lifted up two… things, blobs of black goo, both letting out the cry of a baby. "You want them gone, I can do it for you, make it all go away like it never was. I can even make you stronger, faster, more deadly. Just like the hero's you hear of in the wasteland."

She then ungagged me, resulting in me puking up viscous white fluid that smells of burnt rubber. Once the cum was out of me, I then asked, "what's the catch?"

Again I felt her smile. "No catch, none at all. Why would I need to, when this offer is free. Here, let me give you a blessing right now."

I tried to pull back as she reached out with her neck, planting a kiss on my lips. And it burned. It was like a vile fire, and I could not make it stop as I felt a tendril enter my mouth and down my throat, burning everything. Then heavy hooves grabbed my hips, and a large and meaty member pressed on my nethers.

I shut my eyes, feeling powerless, unable to stop all this.

"No more!" The voice of a mare called out, and as I opened my eyes, I found everything lit up in a blue light. "This ends now!"

Strife broke away from me, and Spine Breaker let me go, seemingly vanishing.

"Why are you here!" Strife snarled.

"Rewarding a good deed." The mare said.

Strife then vanished as the mare trotted closer, her light warm and comforting. My bindings fell away and I found myself freed.

"Not free yet I'm afraid." The mare said. She was an older gray mare with a wild black mane, and strangely was engulfed in blue fire. Theis two came to find me, wanted me to help you."

Looking down at her hooves was Mire Frost and Will-o-Wisp.

She then smiled, "they said you've been doing your best out there, and were in trouble. So I had to come and help. Anyways, I owe you one for helping clean up a mess I missed." The blue fire covered mare said as she patted the shadow form of Mire on the head.

Will-o-Wisp whips then danced around her, and I could feel great joy from it… no, not it but her, Will-o-Wisp was a her.

The mare laughed and then patted Will-o-Wisp too. "I know, I know, it's good to see you too."

Turning to me, the mare then pushed both Mire Frost and Will-o-Wisp over to me. "Now you two keep helping the young mare out, and come get me if that bitch shows up again. I'll try to help, but…" the fire around her then dimmed a little. "But I need my rest. Hope is not something I can just throw around every time there's danger. Otherwise it too will become tainted, so try and avoid Strife when you can."

She burst into a glorious blue flame, and I could swear I saw an alicorn in it. The near blinding light then faded, and then vanished, leaving me in the glow of Will-o-Wisp.

"Lottery," the mare called out from within my head. "Do take care of my old friend, I couldn't save her, but maybe you can."

"I… I don't understand!" I called out, but got no answer back. Only the soft light of Will-o-Wisp, of which I then held in my hooves.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up on the cold hard ground, the sun was already in the sky, and the smoldering remains of Elysium was still sending black smoke into the air. Next to me was my gun Rime Frost, and on top of her was Will-o-Wisp. I still didn't understand any of this, or why it was happening to me, but it did make me feel calm knowing they were with me.

As everypony got up, and we used some of the food salvaged from Elysium to cook breakfast, it was mostly a quiet meal. Low had lightened up the mood by talking about himself, mostly distracting everypony about many things we all didn't want to talk about.

Moonlight was looking better, ignoring the lost legs, she was actually a remarkably stunning beauty. Despite how messy her main was, it was clearly well cared for. Even her lips had a slight pout. It made me a little jealous with how plane I was. But her eyes were filled with a deep sadness that broke my heart, yet I knew that she was going to be fine, that the wasteland had not broken her yet. She still had a fire within her, or at least that's what it felt to me.

Mint and Aloe had gotten to work helping everypony, and it was thanks to them that Moonlight had even survived the loss of her back legs. Through then everypony knew that they could get help at Ursa's Rest, and talk with ponies who have been through the same thing. Though for most of them, it would be a poor decision to have them help rescue the other townsponys. Moonlight could, if she still had her back legs.

"Umm… Are you okay with… you know?" Plasma asked, pointing at my new dress, with my torn jumpsuit now laying on top of a saddlebag. The only thing we could find not ruined by the raiders was some strange golden yellow nightwear dresses with brown spots like it was some kind of animal print. It was both embarrassing to have on, yet strangely comfortable. My armor easily went over it, so it wasn't all bad.

"I'll be fine, and not the worst thing I've worn. And it even came with its own underwear and socks." I told her, doing my best to not sound like I knew a few ponies had been looking at me a bit too hard. The nightwear dress, though tame compared to some things I've worn, or even what I had under my jumpsuit, it still felt far more alluring. Plasma herself had seemingly calmed down from how she was last night, but only by a little. It was rather distracting with how fidgety she was, and not all that fun hearing her quietly pleasuring herself as we tried to sleep.

"Okay, well is it… well… okay if I could keep one of those?" She asked, not keeping eye contact.

I had to admit, it was rather comfortable, and it was not like she was going to show it off. "Alright, not like I'm hording them or anything. Just be careful, I don't know why but I feels like this dress catches eyes real easily."

Leaning in, I then quietly asked her, "So how are you holding up, if you're alright with me asking?"

She sighed, staying silent for several long seconds before answering. "Truthfully, not good, but I'll be fine."

"Alright, we will get through this." I told her and then returned to my meal, but kept an eye on her. I knew something was wrong with her, but I had to trust her, and wait for her to come to me.

Once everypony had their fill, we were on the move again. Fortunately the hidden library is just a day's travel away, which would give us another day until the fighting starts over the Breaking Grounds. If we're lucky, Grizzly's forces might actually break through and take the place, and all its guns. But my mind wandered to the Bailfire Egg Launcher, and I had a terrible feeling about it.

But the mission came first, and if we don't take this opportunity now, we will regret it later.

With Spell Circuit reading the map, and Cold Trails flying up to look for landmarks and or trouble, we had a relatively easy time as I lead the now larger group. It helped that the ruins were thin out in this area, giving critters and monsters less places to nest.

Flying over head, Cold Trails damaged armor squeaked as he landed near us. It had repaired itself a bit last night, but clearly not enough to look in any kind of good condition. Still, it was amazing that such armor was self repairing.

"I saw a monument dead north, it looked like a bunch of motor wagons in the middle of a field with lots of stone markers." He told Spell and I.

Spell nodded his head as he looked at the map. "That sounds like the memorial sight, the library is under the monument."

"Memorial sight?" Cold asked before I could.

"You will see when you get there." Spell said as he put the map away.

"You're talking about the Elysian Fields Memorial Sight, aren't you?" Moonlight asked, as she was sitting in a cart Cauterize was pulling. After a moment of us not saying we knew what that was, she then explained. "It's the graveyard for the soldiers who fought in the battles of the first push, early in the Great War. My ancestors were veterans of the great war too, and served as guards for the memorial site. Our home was named after the place."

"What's a graveyard?" Cold then asked.

"It is where the dead are laid to rest." Spell answered, then asked. "How do you not know this?"

"Well we just disintegrate our dead and let the winds take them." Cold explained.

Again Spell nodded. "That would explain why we never saw dead pegasus just fall from the sky, or their discarded bodies on the ground."

As though not wanting to continue the morbid subject, we continued on in silence, eventually cresting over a hill, and reaching the memorial sight. There I saw a long and flat brown land, with rows and rows of headstones. Hundreds, no thousands of them, all looking relatively clean, and hardly a weed or shrubbery to be seen. There were even several patches of green grass… grass!

"We would come here a few times a year to pay respect and maintain the graves. We even managed to keep some of the grass here from dying." Moonlight explained, reading my confused expression on my face, tears forming in her eyes. "With so few of us left, it will be impossible for us to continue to do that. It hurts to think that they will be forgotten after so long."

"You're alive, and we may yet still save the other members of your community. Maybe in time you all can return here." Mint said to the mare, conforming her.

"Excuse me, Lottery." Aloe said as she trotted up to me. "I need to go pay respects to my father, its…. Been too long."

"He's buried here?" I asked, knowing the answer.

"He was an artillery pony, who held off the Zebras from reaching Equestria soil before the great push happened. Many ponies died just to keep the old cannons firing. It was the first time the war actually got real bloody." She told me in a rough but sorrowful voice.

I nodded, "go, and I'll send some pony to go with you." Turning to my group, I figured that it couldn't be that dangerous here, so I picked the robot. "Margret, could you go with Aloe for a bit, make sure the local wildlife leave her alone."

"Can do Miss Lottery, Guardianship mode activated!" The robot proudly announced and then floated off after Aloe.

Curious, I then asked Mint, "do you have anypony buried here?"

Mint shook her head. "Fortunately no, my family was not the type to get involved in fighting. Bakers and Taylor's most of them. My brother was an anti-war activist too, always saying that if we don't make peace then we may end up killing everypony. Well at least he was wrong, but not by much."

As we reached the center, there was a large marble pedestal with a bronze structure on top. There were several statues of ponies in uniforms, holding different guns. I recognized one gun being a battle rifle, it being held proudly in the hooves of a rather large stallion, whose helmet looked ready to fall off.

Spell trotted up to it and read off a large plaque on the marble pedestal, "in memory of our fallen heroes, who stepped up in our time of need and sacrificed their lives to protect ours."

Mint trotted over to the memorial. "Tragically, this was thought to be the end of the fighting. Celestia actually started peace talks soon after the Zebras were pushed back. There was even a cease fire… for a month. I don't remember what exactly happened at the time, but I think that other groups started fighting and caused the war to flare up again." She then let out a long sigh. "If my memory serves me correctly, I don't think a year went by without Celestia trying to end the war peacefully. No pony tried harder than our princess to stop the war, and the Zebras spat in her face every time." There was a bitter tone in Mints voice at the last part, the old ghoul likely scowling under her mask.

We all remained quiet for a long moment, it revealed how silent this place was, with only the wind making any real noise.

After a bit I felt it was time to get to the library and trotted up to Spell, giving Mint a nod along the way. "So… how do we get in?"

Spell's eyes widened as though now realizing that's what we were here for. "Right, simple really. We just need to solve a puzzle that has been built in the nearby area. There's a riddle hidden here that gives out the answer if you understand it. It references a Daring Do book, and a tomb that held arcane secrets of the lost civilization of the sphinxes."

I shoved my hoof in his mouth to shut him up. "I don't know a Daring Do, or could if I wanted to. I also doubt any pony would know either."

"Daring Do, they had all her books backed up on the terminal for all Steel Ranger Chapters." Plasma spoke up sheepishly. "I've read them all several times over."

Spell seemed to light up about this. "That's fantastic to hear. Actually theirs a complete collection inside, all signed by J.K. Yerling. "

Plasma bounced over, eyes wide. "Really! Truly!"

I stopped her right there. "I get it, it's something you both enjoy. And you can gush about it… later. But we need to get inside, so lets focuses."

"Right, sorry." Spell Circuit apologized. "I'll get right on that. Miss Plasm, would you care to join me."

Plasma nodded excitedly, and the two trotted off. It weirded me out a bit over how they both could be so into a book, but I was good to see the both of them enjoying themselves over something. We then watched as the two went from place to place, Plasma excitedly trying to solve the riddle along the way.

I then turned to Moonlight, who looked absolutely baffled. "I'm guessing you don't know this Daring Do either."

"Actually, I do." She said with an eyebrow raised. "Elysium had the best open library on the east coast, only second to the hidden library at tenpony tower. It even had all of the Daring Doo novels. Strangely, now that I think about it, even when a book was lost, the elder always found a brand new one to replace it."

Looking at the others, I mostly got shrugs, and when my eyes fell onto Mint, she just said, "Was never a fan, I read mostly trashy romance novels."

There was then a loud clunk and stone slabs on the floor began sinking down, forming a staircase that wrapped around the monument. When Spell and Plasma returned, we all then descended down, entering our temporary base for this operation.

_______________________________________________________

The stairway went deep underground, and I almost feared that it would never end, forever trotting down in darkness. But a single light revealed that we had reached the end, with an ancient stone door blocking our way. Spell trotted over, solving a puzzle on the door and opening it.

Bright light and warm dry air then greeted us when the door opened, and trotting inside we found the place to be surprisingly clean. It was all brick made structures, not gray concrete, but actual brick and mortar, painted over with white lie. The inside was at least three ponies tall, and stretched out far with many connecting halls that made this place feel absolutely massive. Not surprisingly, books neatly filled every nook and cranny, and were placed behind glass.

As we trotted down into the main hall, there was a ponytron standing in front of a display case that housed several books.

Plasma gasped in excitement as she charged the display case, only to hit some invisible barrier.

"Please do not attempt to touch the books or glass protecting the books." The Robot told Plasma, then pointed to some kind of reception desk to the left, it having another ponytron there. "If you wish to check out a book, a new one can be printed for you over at the book printing station."

Again Plasma's eyes lit up. "Wait, this is the great Repository Library, you know how long the Steel Rangers have been searching for this place! All this lost knowledge, ready to be printed out and distributed!"

"It's more cultural heritage than anything" Spell said as he trotted to the first ponytron. "Librarian, what kinds of books are stored here?"

The robot then answered in a joyful tone, "Stories and tales. All the best sellers from the last few hundred years, from foal picture books to the famous Daring Do novels. We even have several basic education books to help give a foal a head start in life!"

Spell turned to the rest of us, a stoic look on his face. "Unfortunately there were no advanced technical books here. Nothing from after the formation of the Ministries is here, other than then the robots and the book printer. This place was solely made for the preservation of Equestria's culture."

"So this place is pre-ministry." Plasma said, and Spell nodded. "Still, the rangers would kill to protect such a place, I mean I know I would."

"That's all well and good, but I think it's best if we rest up and get ready for tomorrow." I told them.

Nodding, Spell then pointed off to the right. "Theirs cots over in the room there, and a stockpile of preserved foods. Oh, and be careful if you go wandering about, I never explored this hole place."

"Really?" I asked.

"Well it was far more interesting to read than explore." He explained.

Rolling my eyes at the egghead, I then turned to everypony else. "Alright, let's settle in, this place is going to be your home until Ursa's Rest comes to get you all out of here."

The large room was like the rest of this place, filled with books. But this one was more spaced out and had another ponytron guarding the supplies further in, along with another printer that could make pillows, blankets, and simple clothes. For my own sanity, it could produce a needle and thread, of which Molo gladly took, and began working on my jumpsuit. The other ponies we rescued were also glad to get something to cover them and something to sleep on.

It also helped that almost everypony had something to read, which kept them all distracted as we rested. As it turned out, Cauterize was almost as illiterate as I was, and had a disdain for books, calling them lame.

So once we all had something to eat and drink, a few of us decided to look around.

"There's actually a room for ancient books if you want to check them out. Including ones written by Starswirl The Bearded?" Spell asked.

"It's all the same to me, sorry." I told him.

Plasma on the other hoof looked very interesting. "I must see them!" She excitedly exclaimed.

That got a slight chuckle out of me. "Here, go show her them, I'll look elsewhere. Anyways, I need some time alone."

Watching them trot off, I then began to wander. Books, books, and more books, with all while ponytrons trotted around cleaning. It all held no interest to me, though it was rather beautiful in its own right. But not what I was here for.

"Will-o-Wisp." I spoke out and the little blue flame appeared in front of me. "Hello Will-o-Wisp, is there anything here I can use?"

The flame bobbed up and down, then floated off deeper into the library.

As I began trotting slowly down, hoofsteps clopped over from behind me. "Lottery!" Cold Trails called out. "Might be a bit dangerous to go off on your own like that."

I shrugged. "I can protect myself."

"I know, but still, safer in pairs as it goes. Anyways, there's something I want to talk to you about." He said as he got up next to me and matched my pace.

"About what?" I asked.

"Well… I rather not pry, not my place and all, but how are you holding up? After everything, yet you're still pushing forward." He asked me.

"Still don't know myself." I blurted out. "Revenge maybe, why are you asking now?"

He looked forward, scratching his chin with his wing. "I guess that makes sense, and I was wondering why for myself. Since the clouds fell and after my sister's death, I've… just been kind of lost. Ya I want to stop whatever Flyright is up to, but nothing just stops me from flying off and becoming a farmer like my parents."

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, a farmer… what, how's that possible in the clouds?"

"Cloud crops," he said nonchalantly. "Something made during the great war I think, and trust me when I say this, it tastes terrible… well not so much as terrible, but very bland. Well my family ran one of the Enclave controlled farms, so they didn't get to keep what they grew, not that it matters with how everything had no real taste or texture to it."

"And you wanted to grow more of that?" I asked.

He let out a laugh. "Actually, ya. I managed to save seeds and cuttings after the fall, Chain Lighting is holding them for me. We want to see if I could make the cloud crops better. Maybe having them in the ground would improve the taste somehow." His amused expression then faded a bit. "I tried to share the idea with Chilly, after the clouds fell, but she… Well, she always hated farming. Not the best memories for her."

That got me more curious. "how so?"

"It's related to the Enclave population control you see." He explained. "Every family is allowed only to have one foal, any more and the family is severely punished. But if the family has shown significant loyalty and above average contribution to the Enclave, then they can have more. Long story short, most ponies with more than one foal tend to be Enclave fanatics, or part of the inner party. My family on the other hoof won the right in a prize drawing."

Cold let out a long sign, it filled with a bitter pain. "Must have been jealousy, but our neighbors didn't like that we could have what they could not. Took it out on my sister whenever we weren't watching, always putting on a friendly mask with the rest of us. I think it caused my sister to double down on her loyalty to the enclave, wanting to show them all that she was better than them. Probably why she ended up listening to Flyright over me."

"I… see." Was all I could say. I had only known the mare for a brief moment, and at the worst point of her life, followed by her suicide. But hearing about her, it made me feel like we might have gotten along, maybe we could have even been friends. If only I had paid more attention, tried harder, been faster. Maybe if she was kept somewhere safer and distracted, she could have adapted to life in the wasteland.

Something then clicked.

"You know, I wasn't allowed to wallow in my despair… after my… separation from Tripwire. I either had to move or had to work." I then looked Cold in the eyes. "I don't know what the others had told you, or what you overheard but… things had been difficult for me for a while before you joined us. If you think I'm some innocent mare… she died over a month ago."

I looked away, at what looked like the end of the underground library. There I saw a fence with a desk, and a ponytron standing like some shop clerk. "I had been raped before, by those who started this mess, and only survived because Spell Circuit saved me. But after that… stupid me let myself become a prostitute, having so many stallions in me that I lost count, and not all because of work. I never got the chance to just let myself be sad all day, never stop doing something, sometimes not even thinking. Eventually I just got used to it. It was just life. So even after the raiders had their fun with me, I was more angry than anything, not like I was any more defiled then before."

Stopping, I let out a bitter chuckle and touched my belly. "But it turns out I was wrong. Now two raiders are growing within me."

Cold Trails patted me on my back gently with his wing. "I… don't think-"

"I don't need pity." I growled out. But the outburst sent a bit of shame to wash over me. "Sorry."

Trotting forward I came to the robot, the thing standing in the dark. Strangely it had a very straight rainbow colored wig and a fake purple horn sticking out from the wig. It made me wonder why it was here and what needed to be caged off.

"So what books are behind here?" I asked.

The robot twitched as it came to life, its legs moving in a more dramatic motion as it spoke in what sounded like a mocking tone. "Yes books, I love books, it's all I ever care about. Not like I need friends when I have books. Books are like, totally the bestest thing evvveerrr….errr….errrrr… error, personality program incorrectly…. Programed… error…. Error."

The robot seemed to power down, yet still spoke, this time it sounded like a recording. The voice was of an older mare with a bit of a scratchy voice. "If Pentagram is right, this should let me program a message into this dumbass robot-" the mare then let out several wet coffs. "Fucking radiation poisoning, thanks Celestia for power armor and rad-away. Well if you're reading this, then you must be an egghead, or one of the guards here. Either way, good job surviving. But if you're looking for Twilight, she's not here. The… Fucking bombs dropped right on her lab! There's no way to get close without getting cooked or mutating."

"Wait, there's no way!" Cold Trails said in shock. "That's-"

The recording continued. "Well… If my fame precedes me, then you must have realized by now. Yes, I am Rainbow Dash, former Ministry Mare of the Ministry of Awesome." She again started coughing, it sounded painful. "Amazing I know, but please keep the cheering down, as by the time you hear this, I'm long gone… and likely dead seeing that it will be a long time before anypony comes here again. If you come here looking for me, sorry, but no clues to my whereabouts will be found here, only my collection of Daring Do books. Please don't touch. And don't bother the ponies living near the memorial sight, they promised to keep this place a secret and I've told them nothing about what I'll doing after I move on. I only came here to direct a few more survivors, and get some rest."

More painful wet coughing came before Rainbow Dash continued. "Fortunately the amount of crazy ponies around here are minimal, so I feel safe to let the ponies above take shelter down here. Though I've advised them to not stay, just until the radiation clears out in a few day, this place was never meant to be a long term shelter, and the books are meant for future generations. They understand, as their good ponies, so please don't cause them problems. That said, if there's a problem, you can use the stash here. Me, the guard, and some really awesome biker ponies managed to salvage a military surplus, and store most of it here, and away from the looters. Once again Rarity was wrong, I told her the Desperados are good ponies, well not entirely good, but certainly not as bad as she said they are. Anyways, I'm going with the Desperados to secure more weapons and arms, keep them from being used on the innocent ponies trying to survive. I've also gotten in contact with a tank battalion further north, and plan on helping them get back several stolen tanks before these… raiders destroy another shelter in their mad bloodlust."

There was a pause, and a voice called out, it too far to hear, but then Rainbow continued. "Ya, I'm coming Arras, keep your flank on." She then chuckled. "I know it's inappropriate, but it feels good actually helping ponies again. Anyways, Twilight, if you're hearing this, if you're alive somehow. Don't come looking for me. It's time to stop, it's time to move on. We failed, and we failed hard. Just look for a nice peaceful place and settle down. If there's anypony who needs to move on more than anypony, it's you. Maybe we'll meet again, maybe not. But I know it's time to move on, and make new friends. Sorry, but once I'm done with what I'm doing here, I plan to just… settle down. My wings are tired, and I've not had a restful night sleep for years. I just… I just need a rest. Goodbye my... friend."

The robot then shut down, and lights turned on behind him. In the smaller room were many dark green boxes with the symbol of the Equestria military on it.

"Oh! This has to be what I think it is!" Cold Trails said as he flew over the robot and opened a box. Inside was a IF-64 rifle, and ammo. "Mint condition Bloomberg Rifles! Rainbow Dash must have taken these from the military reserve, it's possible they were going to be sent to the front line for the Great War. This must be the stash Spell mentioned, and there's gotta be… I don't know, but it's a lot of rifles!"

I hopped over too and took a look. Certainly there were a lot of them, and covered in oil, meaning they were likely in pristine condition. Not only that, but it looked like there were mods too, with extended barrels, scopes, and even several suppressors in the box. Rainbow Dash didn't just make sure weapons were left here, but made sure a pony would have the right tool for the job.

"This will certainly help Grizzly arm ponies to fight Tripwire. At the very least we can give them to the ponies here so that they can defend themselves. Maybe donate them to the NCR." I said as I picked up an IF-64, the rifle glinting in the dim light.

"Again this is why I've come to like you." Cold said as he turned to look at me. "You never stopped thinking of others. Where I thought we could use this in our mission, you want to get them to the others."

He then put the rifle down and with his wing, pulled me close. "What I was about to say to you, it wasn't pity. Far from it. I think that after all that, the fact that you still give a damn. That you still want to help others, I find it amazing. Yes, the pony who did this to you is a raider, and nothing will change that, but I'm sure anything made by you will have your heart. If you have those foals, they will be half you after all. So don't call them monsters, raiders or anything of the sort, because that's like calling yourself a raider. And you're not!"

"I…I…" my mind was going blank, he was so close and I could smell his sweat. Also his words… they did make some sense. Even if their father was a raider, they were also half…me. And it's not like ponies are born raiders, Molo wasn't after all. I still didn't want them, and the idea of giving birth to them disgusted me, but… maybe it was wrong to call them thing, to call them raiders. Not like it was their choice.

"But… I'm defiled. I was a whore!" I told him.

Cold Trails let out a sigh. "I can't say such things don't bother me, and frankly, I feel conflicted. But I know that you care, that you suffer because of it. You cried for my sister who was a stranger to you... and what was done to her… what kind of pony would I be if I looked down at another pony who went through the same thing."

He then let out a huff. "Ya, I don't care that you sold your body, or any of that. I care about the good pony who charged up a burning tower to protect all of us. A mare who gathered a scared herd of ponies and brought them to safety, and then made sure they were looked after. And let's not forget, you're a beautiful mare who looks good in anything."

Hearing that made my shoulders feel a little lighter. As though I wasn't as tainted as I had felt before.

Looking up a Cold, smelling his breath, I kissed him. I knew it was the curse pushing me, but I didn't care anymore, I needed the touch of a stallion. Our tongues touching, tasting each other.

Braking for air, Cold said. "Are you sure this is a good-"

He shut up when I pressed on his balls with my hoof. "Don't care, I need this right now! You don't know how much I've been going crazy."

The kiss continued as I drew his shaft out from his sheath, caressing it. Pushing him onto his back, I got to work with my mouth, engulfing myself with his smell. It didn't take long before the bitter taste of his seed entered my mouth, but somehow it didn't taste all that bad, and felt good as I swallowed.

Wiping drool from my lips, I looked down at his reasonably larger cock and smiled. "Oh I really need this!"

Pulling off the animal print panties, I climbed on top of Cold and let his member slide into me, causing my spine to quiver with pleasure. I could feel the tattoo burn, enhancing the pleasure more than I had felt before. It was euphoric.

We did our best to keep our grunts and moans as quiet as possible, fucking until I passed out from exhaustion.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Seven

_______________________________________________________

I slowly woke up, the dim light making it hard to see, and an awkward angel I had gone to sleep hurt my back. But I didn't care, I was feeling so much better now after scratching that itch. It wasn't the smartest decision, as from what I was told it would make the cravings stronger, but my head felt clear now, though I felt a bit sticky inside.

Rolling over, I snuggled next to Cold Trails, enjoying his warmth. It felt a bit strange, as I didn't know how I felt about him, other than a good laugh. I didn't know how I felt about anything right now to tell the truth, other than the need to stop Tripwire, everything was kind of a bluer. Could I actually go home, and if I did, it wouldn't be the same. I could stay at Ursa's Rest, with work guaranteed, with a nice place to stay. Actually, returning to the Red Light Showroom was an option that didn't disgust me as much as I thought it would. I mean if I can't get rid of this curse, why not indulge.

I slapped my face again, knowing where my thoughts were going. Though I wondered how much of it was the curse's influence, or how much was it just me, and how depraved I've become. Would even lifting the curse change anything?

"You okay, Lottery?" Cold Trails asked as he pushed himself up.

I let out a long sigh. "Probably not. My minds still a mess, and still have sex on it. I fear that once this is all over, I'll be left as some wasteland crazed nympho. That I'll just go back to selling my body at the Red Light Showroom because I can't control myself anymore."

Cold Trails smiled. "I don't think so. I think you're selling yourself short. You'll be a wasteland crazed nympho with thighs that saves lives."

I lightly jabbed him on the shoulder. "How is that any better?"

He laid back onto the ground. "Sorry, I mean you're doing a lot of good out there, and even if your… issue persists, it's not like it will stop you from helping others, even if you do return to well… that."

"Being a whore." I clarified for him as I pushed myself up and onto him.

He rolled his eyes. "I don't mean it that way. It's just that, I don't know. I guess I rather not stand in your way, whatever you choose to do."

Right now he seems very much not sexy, and more… pathetic? "Are you really not bothered by the fact that I've fucked likely over a hundred stallions. Is that your thing?

Cold grimaces. "Fuck no I'm not. I rather have a mare all to myself, start a family, all that stuff. But in the Wasteland-"

"It just throws sex at you." I finished his thought, a smirk forming on my face. "Confused little pegasus, all flustered at the pussy thrown your way. Was I your first?"

He averted his eyes, telling me I was on the money.

Then it hit me like a runaway cart… I had done the same thing to him as Daral did to me, minus the theft, that fucking scavenger.

Standing up on all fours, I let out a huff of frustration. "S-sorry. I think I've done things I shouldn't have done, and out of ignorance and my damn lust. You… deserve somepony better."

Turning to leave, I felt Cold Trails grab onto my hips. "I never said I regret sleeping with you. I just don't want to hold you back. It's not my place to tell anypony what they should or shouldn't do. The Enclave tried that, and looked at where that got them."

"Maybe I need somepony to tell me to stop, or make me stop." I then whipped at Cold with my tail, but he didn’t let me go. "I'm clearly to dumb to stop myself. It's how I got myself in all this mess in the first place."

With a tug, Cold pulled me back down onto his lap. "Then how about this, once this mission is over, we go on that date. I will show you that nice place I found and we watch one of those movies. Maybe we hold hooves, maybe we kiss."

I felt my face flush, causing a grin to form. "Alright, but you're paying for it."

"Naturally." He said with a smile, which then turned mischievous. "And if you're feeling that itch, I can always scratch it for you."

I was a bit confused for a moment, but then I noticed that I had begun to grind on him. He quickly took the initiative, and grinding quickly turned to a thrust and a moan.

Positioning myself to really get the full joy of him in me, I looked up only to see a smiling Molo looking back at me.

"Sup!" My friend said as she waved a hoof.

This caused me to tense up and drop my hips, getting a grown from Cold. "Wh-what are you doing here Molo?" I asked.

She leaned over and looked down at Cold, licking her lips. "Nice… but ya, followed you last night and saw all the guns you found. And…. Well let's just say you two put on a good show."

I felt mortified, being caught by my best friend like this.

Molo then smirked. "Didn't think you two would be still going at it… by the way, Everypony else is coming to pick up a gun. Best if you two… keep it down while you fuck. I'll cover for you."

I tried to get up, but my legs were too wobbly to stand. "You can't be serious!"

She then pulled out my jumpsuit from her bag and tossed it to me. "Oh ya, everypony is going to show up right about… now"

Just as she said, the others showed up, forcing me to waves at them as my hips moved on their own.

"So they kept guns here, who knew." Spell said in amazement.

"Um, you should have known, you were here before." Plasma said, jabbing him in a friendly manner. She was in the nightwear we had recovered, which looked real good on her. The mare seemed a lot less nervous now, and more like she was enjoying herself.

"Oh, Lottery, thats where you are." Mint said as she trotted over. "I was a bit worried. Now where is Cold Trails?

"He's… around." I said, doing my best to keep a straight face as my body convulsed from pleasure. "I'm sure he is coming."

And he did…

"Are you alright, your looking a bit flushed?" Mint asked as she got closer.

Molo then tossed the ghoul a mint condition IF-64. "She's fine, just woke up, thats all. Now take your new gun. And take another to give to the other ponies here.

The ghoul tilted her head, clearly knowing that something up. "Alright. It will be good to know they will be safe here, and able to protect themselves.

"Thanks." I told Molo.

She smiled back at me. "Think nothing of it. I'll get them to clear out soon, just keep enjoying yourself."

I gave Molo a friendly glare, knowing she was going to take her time.

I don't know why, but the chance of getting discovered… it made the sex feel… better.

_______________________________________________________

Once everypony had cleared out, Cold and I quickly cleaned each other off and got dressed. It was nice to have my jumpsuit back on, and my new underwear was rather comfortable under it. After that we rejoined the others, where all prepared the guns.

I was able to turn my new rifle into a sniper rifle with burst fire capabilities, making it a good replacement for my poor old rifle. The downgrade in ammunition was annoying, but it was better than no rifle. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the scope for the IF-64 was a night vision scope, using some magic inside to enhance it. The suppressor seemed to be a bit magic as well, though I had yet to test it out.

Strangely, this place also had a way to paint the guns. Along with other strange stuff with the clothes extruder. So now our new rifles had brown, tan, and gray camo, along with a similar mesh covering it for extra camo. We even had several more mesh cloaks made for everypony in our group.

The ponies that were saved didn't do much with their new rifles, opting to make a fortification near the stairs with all the gun cases, then covered them in the mesh net. It gave them a little hiding place within the fortification, so that any invader would not see them right away. Moonlight had chosen to sit on guard duty first, sitting behind the mesh, holding her new rifle, it painted in the old Equestria patriotic colors.

"Are you sure you will be fine?" I asked Moonlight.

The mare pulled on her charging handle, loading the rifle. "It's a choke point, we only need one gun to keep any attacker out. So just close the door when you leave, and everything will be fine." Her eyes scanned the rifle, studding it like it was a work of art. "Now please, save my people and bring them back here. Only then we can seek our true revenge."

"Even if I don't return, there will be some talons arriving in a few days, please don't shoot them." I told her,

Moonlight laughed. "I know, I know. You told me that already. But you better come back, and with good news."

"Will do." I said as I then trotted up the stairs.

Greeted by the cool morning air, and warm sunshine that bathed the land with light. It made me wonder how stable ponies could live underground without going insane. Ya, out in the open was the way to live.

Joining up with my team, we looked like a bunch of strange wasteland shrubbery covered in the mesh. Spell Circuit adjusted his, looking unsure about this new look. "Are you positive this will work, Lottery?"

"It will make it harder for anypony to tell we're ponies from a distance, and even up close if they're on chems. I've used something like this before so I'm sure. And with how we're sneaking into enemy territory, a little bit of camo will go a long way." I said with confidence.

Plasma then sighed. "I wish we didn't have to overuse the extruders making this stuff. The poor machine is both empty of materials and ready to break. I already told the survivors to not use it, old tech like that is so valuable and rare."

Odd thing to worry about, but okay. "Well we could bring it back with us after the mission. Though I don't see many ponies choosing to wear this weird feeling fabric." I felt the mesh covering on my rifle that felt a lot like the ancient wheels of an ancient motor wagon. With how unconfutable cloths already feel, this would be extra annoying. Though strangely I use to not feel as uncomfortable in cloths then I do now.

"It's a latex canvas, plenty useful, as you're using it for now. And I know a few ponies who would wear it." Plasma protested. "Well not me I mean. But lately this jumpsuit has been rather itchy on me if I don't keep it loose."

"Well it does make a good non reflective coating for my rifle. But as for clothes… I can only see it used in the Red Light Showroom as fetish wear." I commented.

Plasma clamped her muzzle tightly, and looked over at nothing. I raised an eyebrow at her, but before I could ask about who she's been hanging out with, Spell Circuit interjected.

"Actually I agree with Plasma. At the very least it can make good rain gear, and if I can combine it with the book printer, then maybe we can get more wasteland hardy books to distribute." He then adjusted his glasses, looking a bit proud of himself as he said. "It may actually be possible to use those machines to build brand new libraries, even add books from my family's own. Frankly, it could be possible to rebuild Celestia school for gifted unicorns, though sadly not in Canterlot."

Glancing at Plasma, she looked like she was blushing, something that would need me asking more questions. But again, before I could say or do anything Molo cut in.

"Alright, I get it, you like books. I mean I like a good read now and then… actually it's been years since I read any book like I did last night." In fact I could see a book poking out of Molo's saddlebag. "But let's focus on the mission."

"Agreed." Mint spoke up. She too had a new IF-64, along with Aloe as well. Both rifles were repainted in the colors of the Ministry of Peace. "The survivors below will be fine down there for over a week, and I managed to copy my hoof book on aiding wartime stress disorder for them to read. So we need to worry more about those who need our help now, and get moving. There may be no future for any of them if we don't stop this evil."

That got everypony to shut up real fast, and then I got a look from Mint, basically telling me to continue.

I nodded back at her in thanks, though I knew I had also gotten off track myself. "Alright, we got new guns, some more supplies, and if the timeline is correct, the fighting has started near the breaking grounds. Let's get moving, and shut down whatever Tripwire has planned over at New Unity. Oh, and let's keep our voices down, who or what knows is listening out here"

With Spell once again navigating with the map, and I taking point, we left the quiet graveyard of heroes, passing by a patch of small flowers that was blocked off by a scrap wood fence. I now fully understood why Moonlight weeded for this place, it was where her ancestors were laid to rest. And now that they were forced to leave, who knows what vile thing will move in.

As we crested over a hill, I looked back one more time at the memorial sight, so many graves marked with polished white marble, it truly was a sight to behold. Maybe I too had an ancestor here, somepony who died defending Equestria. I'll probably never know, but it was a nice thought.

Everpony continued their chatter soon after, it helped pass the time as we trotted through the empty dead wasteland. Though plants grew all over, it was more in clumps, and just the normal life but now with more sunlight fueling it.

Heavy hoofsteps came up behind me, the sound of clunky armor telling me exactly who it was. "Though brake." Cauterize said as he came up behind me.

"Fuck off." I told the ex-raider.

He laughed. "Fair, though being pissy ain't going to unrape you."

I shot him a glare that if it could kill, his head would have exploded.

"Hey now, I an't mocking, I understand, truly." He said, though in a bit softer tone. "Well can't say I've been pregnant, being a stallion and all. But I've been on the bad end of an angry raider boss. So I get that."

"Is that all ya raiders do, rape and ruin lives?" I asked as I sneered at him.

"Truthfully… probably." He said with a sigh. "It's all an excuse to just do whatever you want, and knock over anypony not strong enough to stop you. If you're not the biggest and baddest, then you're someponies bitch, as it's not like somepony will stick out their nose to stop them, or you. Well, unless they want something."

Sounded about right. "So why did you become a raider, what did you want from it?"

He let out a laugh that had a bitter hint in it. "Like fuck I chose to become a raider, I was born into that fucked up world. My pops showed me his love by giving me black eyes, and never knew my ma, but I always suspected she was some unfortunate dame that the smelters captured. Always had to prove my worth, always had to be strong, and if I ever slipped up, then I was in for a world of pain."

"Oh… that must have been hard." I said, feeling a bit guilty now.

He rolled his eyes. "Hard ain't the beginning of it, but it was also the norm for me, so I just accepted it. You see, the ponies who shoot raider foals on sight, I don't disagree with em. By the age of ten, I've had several stallions and mares have their way with me that I thought raping weaker ponies was just what a ponies dose. Had even murdered a pony by then. A raider through and through."

"So… what changed?" I then asked.

"lots." He said. "Mostly got chased out by my sister after she took over the clan. Bitch was always pops favorite, the only pony he let his guard down around, and she killed him for it. Not that I care, it's just how it happened is quite fucked up. Lets just say that Spur, my niece, also happens to be my sister."

I cringed at that.

Cauterize then continued. "But I was already on my way to leave the raider life long before that… ya see, I had a son, and not from rape… though I probably have a few of those out there from when I was younger. But she was a raider mare, all bluster and liked it rough. Dumb bitch would fight me all the time, loose and come back for more. Eventually she just joined my crew, and eventually was found pregnant. I had no doubt it was mine, and when he was born, he looked just like me." The stallion then sighed. "A few years later, after coming back from getting some shit for the clan, they were gone from our hideout, and several of the assholes were snickering like foals who got away with doing something they shouldn't."

He then kicked a rock, it flying off down the hill we were on. "Dumb bitch was told I had kicked the bucket, and ran out with our son to find my body. Ran right into a rival group of raiders. A group that thought to send a message, but were too high on chems yo know when to stop. Well that's what my sister told be with a smirk on her bitch face."

"Oh… I'm so sorry." I said, not knowing what else to say.

He huffed with frustration, gritting his teeth. "I sent my own messages, burnt all of them alive, and displayed their bodies for all to see… but after that, being a raider was never the same. The others called me a pussy fagot when ever I let ponies go, even my sister mocked me for it, but I didn't care anymore. It was all… a waste of time to me. I never liked the Smelters. They were family, but could never trust them, and whatever I did was never good enough for them. If I wanted their respect, I would have to beat it out of them, and I saw respect from them as worthless as garbage covered in shit."

I looked over at the horizon, seeing nothing but dead land and a few ruined. It really made me wonder how anypony could truly live out here on their own, much less a pony with no proper skills like a raider. "Then you were chased out."

Cauterize nodded. "Which was fine by me, though not having access to any chems was just pain for a long time. But ran into Lucky Shot and her bandits. They helped wean me off the chems, and I helped them rob a few asshole slavers. Ran into Molotov a few times, and did some not so honest work, but work that was far from raider shit.

I now had another question tugging at me. "If you don't care about the Smelters, then why are you doing this?"

"Because my sister's a bitch." He said with a smile. "And I know her. Short Fuse is never satisfied with just leaving something be, and she hates loose ends. It's why she killed our father even after becoming leader in all but name, as leaving him alive would diminish her greatness. And so long I'm alive, I'm an insult to her that must die. Probably have me ritually thrown into molten metal to appease the great fire after she commits one last act of incest."

Well that was rather grim. But raiders are like that, as I have come to know them to be psychotically spiteful.

Since he felt like being so talkative, and not grose, I felt that I might as well get his opinion on my situation. "So… I still plan on getting rid of them, the unborn. But what do you think?"

"You ain't the first or anything out of the norm for out here." He said flatly, then looked down at me with just his eye, keeping his head straight. "Like I said, my mom was likely raped and then had me. I was raised to be a raider, never knowing I could be anything else. Spine Breaker was the same, mostly. You just had the misfortune to fuck up and catch his attention, just like that mare Moonlight had. Though I can see it in her eyes that she would have chosen to get impregnated by him if it meant her sister had lived. As for the foals, if you choose to have them, I can say one thing, if you treat them like a raider, I'm sure they will become a raider. But if you snuff em out now, not my problem, just means you can keep on fucking around for a bit longer."

"That's… a lot to think about." I said to him,

Cauterize chuckled. "Don't think too hard, it will make your head explode."

"Well I originally got myself into this mess by not thinking hard enough." I told him.

The stallion shrugged. "Just saying that the decision should be simple. Do or don't. Save yourself months of brahmin shit, or rid yourself of that because you got shit to do. Not like you can't just do it again later."

"Did raiders do that alot?" I then asked.

"Most raider mares don't know they're pregnant until it really shows. But ya, seen a few try, and fewer not end up killing themselves in the process. But most of the bitches just have the foal, and then let some other pony raise them." he explained.

That was an option, no pony said I had to raise them. Though I still didn't want to bear a raiders foal.

"Well, I'm done here." Cauterize then said, slowing down his trot. "I'd rather not get into any more mare topics, just not a stallion thing to talk about."

Now I rolled my eyes as I shook my head. "What, you don't want to talk about what that time of the month feels like, or bleeding."

"Going to get it double from my bitches, ait getting it from any of you." He replied, and I let him go.

Though an asshole, he did have a point. I ain't all that special, and foals aren't the end of the world, just several months of discomfort. I mean Plasma was already set on accepting hers. I had options, and time… and friends I should talk to about this. Still, I would have rather it be Horus who was the father then a raider. Or even one of my many clients from the Red Light Showroom, as depraved as it sounded.

But right now I had a mission to complete, ponies to save, and a family to reunite.

_______________________________________________________

We finally reached the metro entrance, it was an unassuming ruin that descended into the ground. Around it were several pony skeletons bleached white by time, all crowded around a locked off rusted metal gate.

"Looks like these poor fools got locked out." Molo said as she trotted up to the gate, and aimed her new rifle at it. With a burst of gunfire, she shot the lock, and the gate simply fell off its hinges. "They probably should have done that."

"Not everypony was a gun nut back then." Mint said as she and Aloe trotted over to the bones, and gathered them up. "Just give us a moment to bury these ponies."

I wanted to say no, that we didn't have time, but I also knew that I would have wanted somepony to put my bones to rest if I ended up like that. "Alright, do that while I scout ahead. But don't take too long, we're still in Tripwire's territory."

Mint, Aloe, Margret, Plasma, Low, and Spell stayed up as the rest of us descended into the metro.

The descent was rather deep, growing darker and damper as we trotted down the steps. Turning on our lights, it felt oppressive as the darkness surrounded us, reminding me of the underground of the cursed mountain. When my hoof finally reached the bottom, I was unpleasantly surprised to find the tunnel flooded. Not all that much water, but enough to curtain the floor.

"We should hurry, my armor is detecting radiation." Cold said.

Both Molo and Cauterize got their guns ready. "Ya, this feels like a feral ghoul nest."

"Alright, I'll take point." I told them, and trotted on ahead.

Every step made a wet flop, ruining any attempt to be quiet, but I kept it in mind that the same went for anything else down here as well. I just hoped I didn't step on a sleeping feral, and get bit. At least I had the camo mesh on, so that would get bit before I do.

Entering a wider room, I aimed my light around, seeing what looked like shops, and a reception booth at the end. Unfortunately everything here looked ruined by rot, rust, mold, and just the ravages of time. There was even a ponytron standing on a stage, unmoving.

"This place is seriously frozen in time, rot notwithstanding." Cold said as he looked around.

"Maybe there's another old polytron down here in a pod. Those things sell for a shit ton of caps if they're still working, and reprogrammable." Molo said as she trotted up to the one on stage. "Hmmm, looks like this one was advertising some shit."

"Well don't touch it!" I told her.

The sound of clicking and a revving of a motor then filled me with dread as I turned my light to Molo. She had pressed a big red button that was connected to the stage, and the ponytron was slowly starting to move, and lights inside flickered to life.

Loud and out of tune music began to play as the stage lit up, with most bulbs just exploding in loud pops. The ponytron then spoke. "The future of Equestria is in danger, and there is only one pony who can save the day!" Several objects then came out from behind a rotting curtain, hanging on strings as though flying. Many looked like round rocks, but one looked like a thin silver rocket, its luster long gone. "That pony is Captain Chrome!" The robot then played a heroic, but out of tune music as it attempted to flail its grabber limbs, only to have one fall off. "Piloting an experimental spacecraft for a test flight, Captain Chrome's ship unexpectedly hits spectral radiation and he must enter cryostasis to survive. When his ship returns to Equestria, he finds himself over two hundred years in the future and in an Equestria he does not recognize. Out of place and time, Captain Chrome finds that an ancient evil threatens to awaken again, and it's up to him to stop it."

The robot flails around again as off-tune music got even louder. "Action!" The robot yelled as it made energy weapons sounds. "Romance" the music shifted to something more soft. "And a fully accurate depiction of the FUTURE!" The lights that still worked flickered vigorously, hurting my eyes. "Don't miss out on the movie of the century, playing in theaters near you, it's Captain Chrome!" The music got faster and louder for a short moment before finally dying down.

I held my breath, listening for any noise that could indicate that some had been awoken by all that nose. What I heard was the groaning and roaring of a lot of feral ghouls echoing from further within the metro, and getting louder, closer as their hooves splashed in the water.

"Fuck, ready for combat!" Cold Trails shouted.

Opening my saddlebag, I pulled out my three bear traps. "Let's set up a firing line like how the Talons taught us!" I told the others as I opened a trap and tossed it toward one of the openings the ghouls will soon come from.

Repeating this two more times, I then dashed back to the others. Molo and Cauterize had grabbed several old rusting shelves and set up a barricade. Using it to rest their rifles, of which did as well.

Cold on the other hoof stood on top of the barricade, having the old IF-64 and his plasma rifle attached to the side of his armor. I had made sure he got a new IF-64 as well, but it was kept in a saddlebag for now.

The roaring of the ghouls echoed about as the sound of splashing got even closer, our lights just barely illuminating down the dark tunnels. Looking through the scope of my new rifle, it might as well be good as day, if a bit green.

The first ghoul rounded a corner, the thing bloated and with its skin hanging off in chunks from where bugs had been nesting in it. I had to hold back from throwing up, and managed to say, "There Here!" Before firing.

A three round burst, with one bullet hitting the ghouls chest, another grazing its neck, and the last hitting its head, killing it.

That was too wide of a shot, either meaning something was wrong with the rifle, or more likely, I had not been holding it correctly. So I gripped onto the rifle tighter, pressing the butt to my shoulder. And when the next ghoul appeared, I fired, getting three tightly in the chest.

The ghoul tumbled, then got back up, but only for it to be hit by a green bolt and melting into green goo.

More ghouls then burst forth, as though a living wave, and we fired all we got into them, I doing my best to go for the head. But they still closed in charging at use in a suicidal frenzy. One ghoul flipped as it ran, a bear trap on its leg. Two more soon followed, and the three caused the other ghouls to trip over them, clogging the tunnel.

With a crash, a firebomb from Molo engulfed the clogged ghouls, followed by two more, and a few down another tunnel the ghouls were coming from. Mole and Cauterize then pulled out their main guns, and just unloaded on the other tunnel, tearing the ghouls apart.

Cold and I continued to pick off our side of ghouls, the clog slowing them down enough for me to get some precision shots to their heads.

Every now and then one would come out of some unexpected direction, and get dangerously close, but Cold took on the hits. His armor easily defended him from bites, and tail blade slashing out and ending the undead.

I lost count 9n how many ghouls we killed, but they eventually began to thin out, and now slower and already injured ghouls were attacking, easy targets for everypony.

Soon the feral ghouls stopped coming and we could take a break.

But frantic splashing behind us caused us to turn around, rifles at the ready. The others of our group were illuminated, and I let out a breath I had been holding. All but Low treading the irradiated water, the cheating pegasus slowly flying above it.

As they got closer, Plasma started to talk, but she was all muffled, causing me to tilt my head. That's when Mint got in front of them, pulling out a healing potion, then pointed at her ear, motioning her pouring the potion into it.

That's when I noticed a persistent ringing, and realized what she wanted to do. So we let the two ghoul nurse's treat our ears as we stood in the now even more fouled water.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Eight

_______________________________________________________

We were sure that all the ghouls were taken care of, and after Mint had inspected further down the tunnel it was confirmed. Well there were a few ferals, but they were trapped behind doors or had been tied up, likely the first feral.

"Looks like this tunnel was under maintenance when the bombs dropped, and not currently open to the public." Mint said, helping us move a body. "They all have construction uniforms on, which would answer why the entrance was locked off."

"If it was open, there might have been ten times more ponies down here." Aloe added.

"And we would have ran out of ammo before we shot them all." I commented as I recovered my last bear trap.

Molo let out a chuckle as she magically tossed a dead ghoul onto a pile. "Well that's what happened to those raiders when you led that horde of ferals right to them. Though generally feral ghouls do eventually wander out, so it's more bad luck that they were stuck here than good."

"To, true." Spell added, "most ghouls only gather in such groups when they can't leave, or when there is nothing around to disturb them."

"Or when other sane ghouls keep them from wandering out." Mint said with a sad tone in her voice. "I wonder how long they were down here before going feral, what the last of them was thinking, all alone as everypony around him had gone mad. How long do Aloe, I or the others have until we lose our minds."

I placed a hoof on Mints shoulder. "You will be fine, I know it."

My ghoul friend let out a sigh. "Maybe. Anyway it's not like it would be a huge tragedy, we are over two hundred years old. Far past our expiration date."

"Maybe there's a cure or something!" Aloe said, almost bouncing. "Magic does some amazing things, so why not turn a ghoul back into a normal pony."

It was an interesting thought, but far beyond me in how it is even possible, so we all looked at Spell Circuit.

He looked rather nervous being put in the spotlight like that, but still gave an answer, "well it's not entirely impossible. And I'm sure there must have been some old ghoul studying such a thing. But I do know that magic that changes a ponies form, as in fully changing it and not just casting an illusion, are powerful and dangerous magics. There's an amulet, the changeling amulet I think it was called, that could do it, but it also drove the pony who used it mad. So just as becoming a ghoul can turn a pony feral, likely turning them back to normal ponies might have some other danger to it."

Mint nodded. "Likely why there's no magic to just regrow a ponies mane. As though our bodies resist being altered like that. And when it does happen, it's never a good thing. Seemed it a few times, and the changes the pony went through often altered their mind as well."

"Well it's an interesting thing to talk about, but…" I lifted my wet hoof and shook off a bit of water. "We should get out of here before we all become ghouls."

With everypony agreeing, and the bodies out of the way, we got moving.

Treading water, we avoided touching anything or opening doors we didn't need to open, the danger of more ferals hidden from sight was on our minds. The further we went, the more decrepit things got, until everything had a coating of black mold that seemed to absorb our light. The smell itself forced us to cover our muzzles with rags.

Entering the train tunnel that should lead us to New Unity, we fortunately didn't have to jump into the likely neck high radioactive water. A walkway had been built along the side of the tunnel, just above the water. With only enough room for a pony to pass another pony, we filed in one by one, and trotted down the dark tunnel. Sounds from the tainted water kept us on edge, but it only ever was a wasteland toad, or some kind of larger crustation.

After a long and unnerving trot, we came to the end of the walkway, and an opening in the tunnel. Left half finished by the now ghoulified construction workers, with their rusted over construction tools scattered about, we entered the sight.

"Just as Pentagram's notebook said, the metro tunnel had accidentally opened up into an old mineshaft." Spell said and he looked at his map.

Low flew over to Spell with an inquisitive look on his face. "How did he get around those ghouls, anything about them in that book?"

Spell Circuit shook his head. "No, my ancestors just noted that he knew which line the mine connected to, but never felt like investigating. Things were far more irradiated back then, so it would have been dangerous to trot around unprotected. Not to mention all the ponies that had gone crazy at the time."

"Well anything more about this place then?" Low further asked.

Again Spell shook his head. "He just listed places of interest and sent small teams to recover resources. But after a time he abandoned them as he only needed so much to continue his research, with only a few ancestors returning to get a gemstone. My brother only knew of this place because it had never been forgotten, and our father would from time to time bring back gems from here. But for what Tripwire has done with this place, I cannot say."

"Well quiet down, rather not get into a fight so soon after arriving." I said as I took point, then asked, "how close are we?"

Spell Circuit looked at his map. "Not that far. This is one of the old shafts, well old compared to the wartime mine tunnels. It extends far, but is a mostly straight path with no branches. Lets just hope we don't enter into a crowd."

"Agree, now let's go. I'll take the lead." I told him, and trotted into a narrow opening, hoping that he was right and this would not take long. This mining tunnel was cramped and a bit suffocating.

_______________________________________________________

We could feel a breeze as we finally came to the end of the tunnel, finding ourselves in some old miner's shack left unused for over two hundred years. There were signs of ponies being here, but no consistent activity. The room was at least big enough for everypony to fit, and still had more ponies to join us, but it was far from spacious.

"Sooo… now what?" Low asked.

"I take a look around, that's what. See what's going on and come back here. " I told my friends.

"I'm coming too." Spell Circuit said, stepping forward. "Just like with the Murder Ballers, I can help."

I nodded. "Alright, everypony else stay here, we'll be back shortly."

"If you can, bring a pony back with you. Any information they have will be useful." Mint asked.

"If possible." I responded and then trotted to the shack's door.

Lightly pushing on it, I held my breath as it fell off its hinges, but was prevented from hitting the ground by Spell Circuit. Who levitated it back in place, then to the side. "That was close." He said and trotted out.

Following him, what we then saw was what looked like a scrap built town within a massive marble white crater, having a tower rising from the center. Along the outskirts of what was New Unity were ponies digging in the ground and filling buckets, then trotting back to the town.

"This doesn't look as bad as I thought it would." Molo said as she poked her head out.

Spell then pointed to the top of one of the buildings. "It's still bad no matter how you cut it." Following the direction of his hoof, my eyes fell onto a big green pegasus… with a very long horn. "Just as we feared, there's artificial alicorns here." His hoof then pointed at the tower, and using my binoculars, I saw several ponies with scooped Stern Longshot rifles. "Snipers, but fortunately were in their blind spot, with the sun setting from our direction." Again his hoof moved, now to a road along the edge of the crater that went up, at the end it looked like a building with some fortification, but was too far away to tell. "Likely the bulk of their defense is there as I doubt there's any other way in or out, other than our tunnel."

I looked around for any place that could give us some cover, and luck was on our side as there were several rusted over machinery left out in the open. The only problem was running in between them and not getting spotted. "Spell, are those rust buckets close enough for teleporting?" I asked, pointing them out.

He looked for a moment and then nodded. "I can, but it's going to drain me getting you from here to there."

"Do it." I told him.

Spell's horn glowed and then popped over to the closest rusted machine, then the next, and then another.

Spell Circuit was now panting, looking ready to pass out. "Give me… a moment to… rest... I'm going to burn out my horn if I do it again."

Looking around from our position I saw where we had come from, the sun reflecting off the white ground, making it hard to see. Squinting, I saw our friends as they put the door back in place, it bleached white wood almost vanishing along the side of the crater.

"Umm… finding our way back might be a bit hard to do." I said.

Spell looked over, then raised an eyebrow at me. "Did you forget that one of my eyes is cybernetic? I have the entrance marked, so don't worry."

"Oh good." Is said breathing a sigh of relief.

Turning to New Unity, it was far closer now, and actually impressive. Now I could see the town for what it was, buildings attached to some super massive machinery, making the place vertical in how it was built. Ponies going up and down stairs, in what looked like a confusing labyrinth.

"What is all this?" I asked.

"Let's see." Spell said as he scratched his goatee. "From what I remember, the main building is a Surmount Mining Unlimited mithril refinery, and all the machines are Burro Industry mining vehicles. Both were known to make things big from what I read about them. Actually I heard that the Burro Industry actually still exists, though the family are just farmers now."

Well that meant nothing to me… "wait, a refinery, as in making shit?"

"It's possible that my brother has gotten the refinery up and working, if so, all he needs to do is dig up the sand and toss it in. The ground here has mithril sand in it, so you need to melt it down to get enough you can use." Spell explained.

"Well we need to find out." I said as I looked around the town through my binoculars. Spying on a pony, they didn't seem to be forced to work, though they didn't look like they wanted to be there either. Actually they just had a blank expression on their face, not even acknowledging the other ponies around them. It gave me a bad feeling about this.

As I looked, I noticed we were actually too close for the snipers to see us, and no alicorn was in sight. "Spell, you sit tight, I'll go and check things out."

"You sure?" He asked.

"Ya, I ain't planning on doing all this alone. Just give me a few minutes." I said and trotted off.

Running as quietly as I could, I got to a nice spot out of the way and hidden. From there I kept low and got closer to one of the ponies working. It was a stallion holding several old buckets, trotting back outside of the town.

"Pisst!" I said, trying to get his attention as he got closer, but he didn’t seem to hear me. "PISST!" I then did louder, but he didn’t even acknowledge me.

As he passed by, I took a deep breath and just grabbed him. "Hay you, you okay."

The stallion looked at me with a blank expression on his face. So I slapped him.

As though waking from a dream he then looked at me in confusion. "Wh… who are you."

"Lottery, but that's not important right now, I'm here to free you and everypony here."

He looked even more confused. "Free, but I am free?"

I cocked an eyebrow. "Slave labor is not being free."

"But… the goddess says… uhhh" he held his head as though it was in pain. "Uhhh… I… I… must seek… why am I… here… where is my… uhh…"

Static blares from many speakers from all around me, and then music began to play. It wasn't anything I recognized, loud and imposing, reminding me of a piano but with horns. Then singing started, and it was not just one pony, but that of many foals in unison. It was a rather repetitive song about a great and powerful Goddess, and how she will make everything better under her rule.

As the music played, the stallions expressed when blank again, and he got up and slowly trotted away.

"Hey! Where are you going?" I quietly shouted.

Other ponies appeared so I ducked down. Watching them, they were all trotting in the same direction, all with the same blank expression on their faces.

I had a feeling that none of them were going to acknowledge me, so instead I followed them. More and more of the ponies appeared, forming an orderly crowd and funneling over to some building on the other side of this town. The large building was massively out of place, being built out of stone, and had strange windows of multi colored glass. There were stone carvings all over, depicting an alicorn standing above smaller ponies who bowed before her.

The building wasn't fully built, and I managed to find a spot I could look through unobstructed. Inside the ponies were gathering in neat tight rows, practically being packed in. At least a hundred of them, and all of them were really quiet. Further in, near a stage was some kind of booth where I saw the foals who were singing, at least twenty of them. Most putting their all into the song, but some looked terrified as they tried to follow along.

Above them all were the priests, standing on a balcony overlooking the crowd. The ones who were not covering themselves with a robe and hood were clearly mutated in some fashion or another. Some had thin, featherless wings that just hung loosely, another had a horn that bent in the wrong direction. Most of them seemed to have painful looking boils like growths poking out of their fur.

The singing died down as a robed pony trotted to the stage, and once all was quiet, they began to sing. They were clearly an adult, but had the clear voice of a young colt as they hit high notes even I could not do. It didn't last long, and once he was done the stallion removed his hood.

"Greeting my flock to another productive and faith filled day!" Angel spoke loudly. "I see that our numbers have expanded, and even some of you have joined our clergy. It fills me with a great and powerful warmth to see so many embrace our Goddesses truly magnificent love."

Light flickered to life behind Angel, though I could not see what it was, it felt familiar and unnerving. It glowed onto the crowd, pulsating and swelling in with light. All the priests then put on sunglasses and many of the foals shielded their eyes. Those who did not seem to become transfixed on the light source, their expressions seeming becoming even more empty.

Screaming could be heard from outside and I ducked down. There I saw a mare being dragged in by a blue alicorn, she was desperately digging at the ground as she attempted to break free, crying as she pleaded. "Please don't, please! I don't want my mind to go blank, I want to stay me!"

The mare kept on blubbering as she was then lifted into the air and over the crowd of ponies. She did her best to keep her eyes closed, but the priests around her used their magic to open her eyes.

"Poor stray pony of our flock, lost and confused, we will always accept you back." Angel said as the mare began to calm down, her terrified expression fading into a blank one. "Good, you seem to have returned to a more right of mind. Empty and willing to accept the Goddess love."

The mare was then lowered down, and where what little room there was, was made for her.

With his magic, Angel then lifted a large and rather thick book, placing it onto an alter. "Now I will begin reading from the great and powerful book of the Goddess. The same book the Goddess herself dictated to me about her life and rise to the Goddess she became. Chapter four, how the Goddess triumphed over the foalhardy Twilight in a completely fair magic duel, proving her superiority in magic."

I think I had heard and seen enough, so I backed out… only to find my leg floating above the ground. Looking about, I was then turned around and came face to face with a green alicorn.

"Ummm… hello." I quietly said.

The alicorn scowled at me, then said in a raised voice. "And why are you out here!"

Caught off guard, and reasonably panicked, I *shushed* the alicorn and then told her quietly, "not so loud… uhhh… Angel is having his sermon!"

The alicorn looked confused for a moment, then worried?

"Oh no, oh no, I forgot. Auntie Majestic is going to be so mad at me if she finds out I forgot. What do I do, can I hide… no, she always finds me!" The alicorn quietly as she let me go.

All my fear drained as this colossal mutant of magical might sounded more like a foal that knew they were in trouble. "Excuse me, but why are you in trouble?"

The alicorn calmed down and rubbed her head with her wing in embarrassment. "Oh ya, I'm supposed to be keeping an eye on the… flock was it? Ya, the flock. Bring them back here if they don't show up. But I found this comic, a super awesome Captan Andromeda comic my stable never had. I read it front and back so many times, and imagine traveling alongside the captain that I lost track of time."

As she rambled on, a shadow then loomed over us, and looked over to see what it was. There I saw a rather annoyed dark blue alicorn standing there. "Ben Day." She said coldly, causing the green alicorn to shut up and slowly turn to who I guessed was Majestic. "Why are you back here, and who is this?"

"I… ummm… well…" Ben Day stammered, seemingly unable to find the right words.

I then remembered the name Majestic, it was the Alicorn with Bandsaw, meaning I was fucked… unless she was willing to listen. She didn't seem pleased about working with Bandsaw, or bothered by Oryx's death, so maybe she was not as on Tripwire's side as the others were.

Removing some of the mesh from my head, I gave her a smile. "Remember me?"

Majestic raised an eyebrow at me. "The pony from the tower, Lottery was it?" I nodded. "Why are you here, and why should I not throw you in with the rest?"

Oh thank Celestia she asked questions instead of capturing me.

Thinking fast, I tried Low's tactic of random bullshit. "Well I'm spying, like Shadow Spade, doing spy stuff… ya, that. You know, making sure the bad guys don't win and such. Really important work that involves explosions."

Majestic then sighed. "First off, Shadow Spade was an investor, not a spy, and two, I know you are not on our side. Now I can only guess you're here as a scout for Grizzly Deal, is that right?"

I nodded, as my attempt to bluff utterly failed.

The blue alicorn huffed in annoyance. "Thought as much, maybe Grizzly should have not turned us away if she didn't want us as enemies, and now she is sending ponies to their doom." Majestic looked over at the hole in the wall as Angle continued his sermon, a displeased look on her face.

"You don't agree with him?" I asked.

Her eyes returned to me. "It's a matter of history, little pony. A history that doesn't concern you. Now I think it's time you join the others before you do anything rash."

"Miss Majestic." The voice of another mare spoke up. Behind the blue alicorn was a pegasus mare dressed up in tight fitting robes that covered her whole body except her face and hooves. Next to her was a raider unicorn mare who had far too many explosives then seemed safe on her. "I think it may be prudent to… let fate take charge of this mare. It's not like we're beholden to Tripwire's command, or even to Angel's dogma, don't you agree?"

"Completely!" The raider croaked, getting a glare from the two.

Majestic quickly looked around before motioning with her wing to the side. "Not right next to the church." She then trotted off to the side, and we followed, moving behind another wall. "Are you trying to undo everything I have done you Enclave stooge!" She hissed.

The raider chuckled "Oh come, you're at the bottom of the bucket as the rest of us are."

She was then slapped by the pegasus wing. "As right as you are, I rather not hear it from the mouth of a dirty dirt kicker like you." She then turned to Majestic with a smile on her face. "As for everything you have done, what has that accounted for? Are you one of Tripwire's confidents, or generals? Or are you at the beconing call of zealots, and raiders."

Majestic glared at the pegasus. "And what about you, priestess High Pressure? Aren't you one of those zealots."

I froze at the name, finding it way too similar to Lows… then I remembered that he has a sister by that same name.

Well fuck.

High Pressure let out a polite chuckle. "Oh certainly I am, all of what Angel says is the goddess darn truth. Just like how I believe that the Enclave was a wonderful democracy, and that the president was not some military puppet spouting lies." Her face then grew serious. "I know how to survive, miss Majestic, and I know that if push comes to shove, a leader always removes who they think is most dangerous to them first. Who do you think Tripwire will feel more threatened by?"

Majestic glared at High Pressure for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine, but why Ignore this… spy?"

"Because spies are useful?" High pressure said before trotting over to me, her hoof steppes elegant and light. Her eyes, staring right at me, were intense and intimidating. "And you must me the illustrious Lottery." My blood ran cold, hearing that she knew my name "oh don't fret, none of my business what you're up to, so long as it doesn't involve me… Unless you're willing to help me out with a little problem. "

"And that would be?" I asked.

She passed me a piece of paper and took a stepback. "Come see me there and I'll tell you." High Pressure then flicked my nose with her covered wing, and turned around to address the raider. "Catalyst, I think we should go check on the shipments, and make sure everythings is there."

Catalyst huffed. "Again? Sure, why not. It would be just like these dame's to cut us short. Gotta keep 'em honest after all."

As the two left, something seemed odd about the raider, her armor looking a lot like Molo's had when I first met her.

Majestic glared at me, looking just as frustrated as she did angry. "I don't know why you're here, but I'll look the other way just this once. Ben Day, come with me! We need to talk about your work ethic"

"It… it wasn't my fault Auntie!" Ben Day pleaded

Something in me told me that this might be an opportunity, so I spoke up. "Actually, if it's not too much trouble, can she stay with me? Otherwise I might run into trouble." I asked Majestic.

Ben Day nodded vigorously. "Ya, she needs an escort. I can do that!

Majestic stood there for a long moment bef9r letting out a long sigh and looked at me. "Fine, but do not take all of Ben Day's time, he may be lazy, but he is still my nephew, I will not tolerate him being used as your personal shield. Now I got buses to attend to, and if I see you again, you're joining the others. Also, tell Grizzly that

With an annoyed huff, Majestic vanished and with a gust of wind I could only guess she flew off.

Both amazed that it worked and concerned that I was already found out, I reached out to where Majestic was, finding the space empty. "Well… that shortened my life by a year." I sighed.

I was then hosted up into the air by a gitty looking Ben Day. "Wow, that was amazing, just like how Shadow Spade infiltrated the golden order… or are you really working for that evil pony? Uhhh, I mean… huuu… oh no!"

Wait… she believed all that?

So I decided to play along, "Don't worry, you're safe." I reassured the alicorn. "But we may need to go somewhere safer to talk."

Ben Day's eyes widened. "Oh I know the place. It's the secret hideout."

I took one more glance at the chapel, still filled with empty looking ponies, then gave Ben Day a nod.

_______________________________________________________

I had been led to a hidden and almost completely buried building that was clearly used to store the large machines that had been left behind outside. Only one of the machines was in here, and it was surprisingly intact, the thing being some kind of motor wagon made to pull other things. Around the machine was some makeshift fort, decorated with framed posters and some white sheets at one end.

"The adult ponies don't come down here, since they're always busy." Ben Day said as she lifted part of the fake wall out of the way. Inside was littered with toys, drawings, and other stuff foals like to do. "We can also be as loud as we want, and nopony comes to tell us to be quiet."

I raised an eyebrow. "Aren't you an… adult?"

Ben Day's happy expression faded a bit. "Well… I am.. I guess. I should be. Even Auntie says I should act like one since I've been alive for so long. But everything has been a haze… like I only just started being me again recently."

The large alicorn started to look confused and scared, making me feel like I had hit a wrong button. Knowing that my life was in her hooves, I needed to be really careful. So trotting up to her, I offered my hoof and asked. "You can tell me about it, I'll listen."

The mare looked at me for a long moment, "really?" I nodded, and she then sat down. "I… I didn't always look like this. I was born in a place called a stable, some place that protected us. Mama always said the outside was wonderful and one day we could see it, and find her sister, Auntie Majestic."

"Wait, she is your literal aunt?" I blurted out.

Ben Day nodded. "The Marvelous Majestic, she was a traveling performer and apprentice to the Magnificent Trixie. Mama even had videos of them, which I've kept safe."

"So what happened?" I then asked.

A sad expression formed on her face. "Ponies got sick. The overmare said that some rats made their way into the Stable, and caused the illness. Eventually…I got sick, and Mama left the stable to find help. She found Auntie Majestic and she came for us, saved us, but I don't remember how. When I could think again, I was like this. I asked Auntie about mama, but she said that she didn't make it to the Goddess."

"And how old were you?" I further asked.

"Uhhhh.. I think I was… eight, ya, I was eight when I got sick." Ben Day answered.

It made sense now, she acted like a foal because she was a foal in a mutant's body. I gave her a hug, making it good and tight as I said to her, "You poor dear, it must have been so hard for you."

Ben Day seemed confused at first, but then began to cry.

It was a long few minutes before things calmed down, and we could get to talking again. But unfortunately Ben Day asked a question that had been hanging in the air from the time she caught me.

"So… who are you?" She asked.

I considered lying, but Ben Day didn't seem like the kind of mare who would just turn me in. Anyways, the other ponies knew who I was right away, so there was no point playing dumb. "My name's Lottery, I'm with a group who's here to save the ponies that had been taken captive here. We're also here to stop whatever Tripwire has planned."

Again her eyes widened. "Ohhh, like a super spie, that's soooo awesome. That big meanie deserves to be knocked down after saying those mean things to Auntie!"

Well that went better than I expected.

"So you're not on his side?" I probbed.

Ben Day let out an annoyed huff. "Auntie Majestic says we are, but only because he offers us protection from the nasty ponies out there. She says there are many ponies out there who would do bad things to us, and that it's safer here. Even some of our own sisters have become dangerous, tried to harm us, even hurt Auntie, but she drove them off. Tripwire promised safety with him, so Auntie says we will work with him. But he acts like a villain from my comic books, and I told Auntie that, but she only says that I should stop acting like a foal."

I was starting to understand the situation, and a plan was forming in my head. "Say, what if some other pony can provide you with protection. One that wasn't so villiness as Tripwire?"

"Could my sisters and friends come along?" She asked.

"Friends?" I responded.

Ben Day vigorously nodded. "The foals, most of them don't like it here, miss the tower in Fillydelphia. Say the ponies in charge don't care like Redeye did."

I had to keep myself from showing my disdain for Redeye.

"Yes, they can come too. Actually that is the plan, as we want to get all the innocent ponies out of here and to safety. But we're going to need help." I told her. "Your Help."

She looked a bit taken aback. "Me, help, how?"

I hit a brick wall, unable to think of how. But I did know some ponies who could. "You will see, but first we need to get to my friends. They will want to see you."

"You sure." She asked.

This time I nodded. "Yes, we need your help saving the ponies here."

Ben Day got up and unfurled her wings. "Yes, I will help you save the ponies from evil clutches!" She then retracted her wings and had a large smile on her face.

It was strange, she somehow reminded me of… me.

Shaking off the thought I then got up myself. "Alright, let's go, I have a friend waiting for me."

As we trotted to leave, the rusted door to the outside opened up, and several foals came in. "Ben Day!" One cried out as they all rushed the alicorn. Soon she was surrounded by six of them, all bouncing around.

"Let's play!" One demanded.

"Ya, play!" Another repeated.

But another, older unicorn filly had not rushed over, but instead eyed me up and down. "Who's she, Ben Day?"

Looking back at the filly, a twinge of familiarity washed over me. She resembled Wiretap a lot, but had the same kind of mane color as Molo, and eyes just like Spell Circuit.

I had no doubt that she was Molo's daughter

Ben Day then nervously rubbed her chin with her wing. "She's uhh… well…-"

I cut in. "A friend, Ben Day and I were about to head out on an important mission."

There was whining from the other foals, but the older mare just sighed. "Fine, I'll make sure the others get to bed on time."

I wanted to say something, to tell her that her mother was here to finally rescue her, but I couldn't risk alarming any more ponies that we were here. So I lightly tapped on Ben Day to get her moving. As we left the foals behind, I saw that another unicorn filly had run up to the older one, the two looking very much alike.

_______________________________________________________

Trotting back to Spell Circuit, I took extra care to avoid the ponies who had gone back to mindlessly working. Right where I had left him, the egghead was writing something on the ground that I didn't understand.

"What are you doing?" I whispered.

He nearly jumped in place. "Oh don't sneak up on me like that." He then pointed at the jumble of letters and numbers on the ground. "Just calculating how much mithril could be processed here, and what could Tripwire be planning on doing with so much of it. I know he is making mezmetrons, but there is always the probability he could go bigger or use it for something else. He has the tools for making arcano tech, so we must be prepared."

"A mez mer whatsit?" Ben Day said in confusion.

"Mezmetron, it's a mind control device…" Spell answered, then looked up. "Say Lottery, why is there an alicorn behind you?"

In a calm tone, so as not to keep things calm, I told him, "this is Ben Day, my new friend. She's going to help us."

He looked at me, then at Ben Day, then back and forth a few more times before letting out a sigh. "If you say so, I guess she's fine."

Ben Day then let out an annoyed huff from her nose. "Why are you calling me a she, I'm a colt!"

Shocked, I then looked up at the beautiful alicorn mare, and a sense of pity washed over me. "Oh, you poor thing."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Forty Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Forty Nine

_______________________________________________________

To say that everypony was shocked was an understatement, but with Spell's help, we managed to avoid having anypony shoot at Ben Day. Among the most trigger happy was Molo, who seemed more than just spooked. On the other hoof Mint and Aloe were just surprised to even see an alicorn, of which I understood.

I then began to explain what I saw and what I heard. This gaining concerned looks from my team.

Spell then raised his hoof. "Miss… mister Ben Day, can you confirm that there are no attempts at making more Alicorns here?"

"What, no!" Ben Day quickly responded. "I think Auntie Majestic knows how, she was close to the Goddess. But she said she has no interest in doing such a thing. We're only here for safety, and to keep an eye on Angel. Auntie says that he suffers from a brain illness, and is why the Goddess never took him in."

"What kind of illness did she say he has?" Mint asked.

Ben Day again scratched his chin with his wing. "I think Auntie said that the Goddess suppressed a voice in his head, but now that the Goddess is gone, the voice is back, and he thinks it's the Goddess."

"Sounds like schizophrenia." Mint said.

"Schizo what now?" I asked.

Aloe answered. "A rare medical condition where a pony hears voices in their head, and in the worst cases they hallucinate as well. It often drives the pony insane if they don't take medication."

"That sounds like Angel, he was crazy before he became religious." Spell commented, "but that would make talking him down harder, if not impossible."

"Talk him down?" Molo said questionably. "Let's just kill him and get the ponies out of there."

"Also let's not forget this." Plasma said as she pulled out the explosives.

"Ohhhh!" Ben Day said with wide eyes. "What is that for?"

I took over the conversation before it got off track. "We're here to stop Tripwire from being able to make more Mezmetrons, and get the innocent ponies to safety."

Ben Day nodded. "The mind control device you mentioned. I thought Tripwire was like a villain, but that's right out of power ponies villainy. And you're sure there's a place safer than this, Auntie tried the Ursa's Rest before."

"Trust me, I can convince Grizzly to let you and the others into Ursa's Rest. I'm sure it'll be better for you all if your are over there then here with Tripwire" I reassured the colt in the mare's body.

But Ben Day didn't look so sure. "I guess… but I don't think Auntie will agree, and if she won't go, the others won't either."

He made a good point, so I looked over at Low. "Say, maybe you can help with that."

Low shrugged. "As long as I'm not doing any fighting."

"How about also talking with your sister, she wants something from me," I told him as I passed him the paper that High Pressure gave me.

This time Low frowned as he looked at the paper, taking time to read it. He didn't look pleased at all as his eyes scanned it over. "Ya, this looks like High Pressure's penmanship, I can even feel her steaming arrogance in the writing." For some reason he glanced over at Plasma for a moment, concern in his eyes before mumbling out, "at least she's getting something she wants."

Spell Circuit trotted over to take a look, and a concerning look formed on his face. "That's a lot of words to simply say come here." He commented.

I raised an eyebrow. "What does it say?"

With a shrug, Low began to read, "To the illustrations and elusive mare by the name of Lottery, it is good to see a pony as accomplished as you come into this quaint hovel. Be it for good or ill, I am sure we can come to an arrangement that benefits the both of us. See me in the Forman's office of the refinery so we may talk, and to keep things boring, as it is impolite to disrupt those who are working. My time is short, so do be a lady and not trot about at night."

It took me a moment to translate what was said in my head, but some words were still a blank. "Ehhh… what?"

Spell Circuit answered. "She wants to make a deal, and will wait in the Forman's office until nightfall. Also, no fighting."

"Right, makes sense… but why should I?" I asked

Low had an answer for that. "My guess, she saw an opportunity to cut somepony out of the picture. High Pressure was always competitive, and would take whatever advantage she could to get ahead. So she… had a lot of enemies."

"What work did she do for the enclave, Low?" Cold Trails asked.

"Requisitions and distribution." He answered.

Cold visibly shivered. "Of course one of their numbers is in the thick of this shit." He briefly looked at his damaged armor and missing plasma rifle. "Oh she is going to hate me."

Before anyone could ask, Low filled us in. "Requisitions and distribution was in charge of who gets what and the recovery of Enclave property… oh, and everything was Enclave property above the clouds, even ponies. The amount of bureaucratic carnage they can rain down on a pony could even end a General."

Cold nodded. "Ya, everypony in the Enclave feared requisitions and distribution. But having one of them on our side would be a good idea. I'm sure Grizzly would love to get her hooves one one of those bureaucrats."

"Alright, then I'll go see High Pressure first." I said.

"Might as well join you." Low said with a sigh. "Unlike the rest of my family, she and I actually got along. Well it's more that I didn't care about the family drama. I just hope she doesn't start nagging me as soon as she sees me."

"Good, because I wasn't asking." I told Low, pleasantly surprised that I didn't have to drag him along.

Spell Circuit unrolled a large paper, it a technical map I couldn't make heads or tails of. "Alright, refineries like this were built with a rigid inner support structure. Here, here, here, and here. Take out two on one side and the whole place comes down."

"That should be, so long as they don't know what we're up to." Plasma added.

"But again, the civilians." Mint chimed in.

"Ya… that might be a problem." I said before explaining the mind controlled slaves and the curch.

"Yes, that is a problem. We might need to take that out first. What if…" Mint paused for a moment, then nodded. "Would it be possible to use mind control to get the civilians out of here?"

"Use mind control, are you serious?" I asked, feeling concerned about the idea.

"It would help prevent a panic, keep the ponies organized until they can get proper help." She explained.

"Actually it makes sense." Plasma added, "I mean, misuse of such technology is horrendous, but wastelanders are known for their irrational behaviors. If they are freed here, they could become a hindrance."

A long sigh came from Molotov, "ya, I agree with that. We are kindove dumb… say, what about any foals there?"

Right, I need to talk to Molo about that. "Ben Day promised to get them to safety, they trust him."

"And-" Molo was about to ask, but I raised my hoof to stop her.

"I didn't have time to confirm, but I'm very sure they're there."

She nodded, and looked away, a glint of a tear in her eyes.

Cauterize then added in, "so that it then, talk to an alicorn, an Enclave bitch, set up the bombs, get ponies to safety, and most importantly of all, kill Angle Dolly."

Ben Day looked a bit dejected as he then asked. "Do we have to kill Angle? He's not that bad."

I sighed. "Only if he makes us. If he surrenders then we can take him with us."

Cauterize rolled his eyes. "That's being too soft."

"We can't all have been hardened raiders." I spat back at him, then turned to the map. "Alright, now how are we going to do this?"

Spell thankfully already had a plan. "Well until the alicorns are no longer a threat we cannot do anything. I suggest talking with Majestic after you're done with High Pressure. See what help they can give us if they're willing to. Once they're out of the way, we can move in under the cover of night and set things up. That said, Plasma and I should take out the mezmetrons at the church, and try and get those under its spell out of here. Molo and Cauterize can handle the bombs. I'm sure you two know your way around explosive. Lottery can deal with Angel, she deserves the right."

"I'll be going with my master." Margaret spoke up. "I hate to see him end up like his father after dealing with dangerous magic."

That got a nod from Spell. "Good idea. I doubt the mezmetron can work on robots.

"We can stay here and wait for the civilians. "Aloe said."

"Ya, and protect the only way out." Mint added.

"I'll cover you from the sky, in case things go wrong and you need me to kill anything." Cold Trails said.

And so we had our plan, though one thing needed to be added. "Spell, you should come with us to meet High and Majestic." I told him,

"Why?" He asked.

I looked at Ben Day and then at Low before looking back at Spell. "Well, we might need somepony smart."

He sighed. "Say no more."

_______________________________________________________

Well I have a new thing to hate, more than riding in a sky wagon or the death box called an elevator. Flying through the air on an alicorn's back was downright terrifying, as I could see the ground below. When we arrived at the refinery, I was sure that if we flew again, it would be too soon.

From above we saw another green alicorn looking down at us, a confused expression on her face. When Ben Day waved at her, the tall mare just shrugged and trotted away.

"Most of the sisters are not the most social." Ben Day explained.

"I imagine they aren't." Spell commended.

Trotting ahead, I looked around, scouting the area we were in. There were even more ponies here, some looking brainwashed doing more menial labor, and others who were more aware of their surroundings. The aware ponies were working to keep the refinery from breaking down, all while keeping their heads down.

There were guards too, some priests and some slavers, all armed. With Ben Day by our side they didn't pay us much mind. They were mainly armed with batons and small caliber guns, but there were a few redeye rifles among them. A fire fight here would be bad, as there were too many places to hide, too many choke points they could use.

"So…. Were seeing my sis first then?" Low asked as he joined me.

"I just want to know what she wants, then we'll talk to Majestic." I then stopped, realizing I had no Idea where I was going. "But before that, we need to find the foreman's office."

"This way." Spell told me as he took the lead.

We trotted through a hallway and into a large room filled with ponies at work at large drums that radiated massive amounts of heat. "What is this place?" I asked.

"I feared as much. This is the main refinery room, where they melt the sand and separate the mithril from the slag." Spell pointed to one drum that was pouring molten metal into another. "From what I've read, it requires melting several times at different temperatures to get the mithril separated. Each drum could have up to one bar of mithril each."

Low let out a whistle. "I'm Surprised this place is even working."

"SMU was like Stable-Tec before there was a Stable-Tec. You can find what they made all over the wasteland, with most predating the war by over a hundred years. Most stables are actually built in old SMU mines." Spell Explained.

"Really, that sounds so cool!" Ben Day said excitedly.

A smile crept onto Spell's muzzle. "I know right, it's not as interesting as Starswirl the Bearded, but Surmount Mining Unlimited was responsible for Equestria's industrial revolution. Through the coal and iron mining, they helped build Mainhattan, and the railroads."

"So they're the ones who built all the tracks?" Ben Day asked.

"I'm not sure, but I know that most tracks do lead to an SMU mine. This place included." Spell explained.

I cleared my throat to get the egghead's attention. "Fascinating as it is, maybe we can have the history lesson later."

The unicorn straightened himself out. "Oh, right. Then let's move. I can explain it all later if anypony is interested."

As we moved on, we came to a hallway where two ponies stood guard in front of a door. Past them, from behind the door I could hear voices arguing.

High Pressure was the most reckonable as she was the loudest and clearest voice. "No, I am not trying to hamper the construction of the goddesses house, I am trying to control the quality of the building materials. If you don't want the great and magnificent bell tower built without it collapsing and turning the church into a great and embarrassing pile of rubble, then you don't just use any random materials you pick off the ground!"

"Our faith is not so weak as to let such a thing happen!" A male spoke.

Another agreed, "The Goddess has blessed us, Angel has heard her voice. She demands a bell tower, and it will be done."

High Pressure lets out a groan. "I doubt the Goddess would want her bell tower to be built out of scrap, and to make the bell out of mithril will only piss off Tripwire… I understand that we must show the Goddess glory, but we must be patient, and do it right. Otherwise she will look down at us and see only fools. Now go, I'll see what I can do about that mithril bell. As for building materials, send a requisition form to Tripwire, he may have proper steel and wood."

One priest grumbled out, "a true believer would not hesitate."

"Get out, NOW!" High Pressure barked.

We backed up as two priests stumbled out, both malformed in some way, and pushing them out was Catalyst. "Now go and pray or something, the priestess has a great and powerful budget to balance.

As the two mutants left, the guards following them, Catalyst eyed us, she tsking an extra long look at Spell Circuit before smiling. "Oy, anger problems, your guests are here." She then backed up, and let in.

Trotting in, I saw High Pressure sitting at a desk, paperwork all over the place, she mumbling, "Maybe I should have let Wiretap shoot me."

High Pressure then looked up at us, "Good, you're here." She said, sounding annoyed. "You know how much bullshit you caused me by killing Onyx. A cushy job as her secretary, all gone, and now I have to play the part of a zealot to not become another brainwashed slave." Her disposition only got worse as she eyed Low Pressure. "And my flirtatious shit stain of a brother is here, I'd think he was your lover, but he is too pure Enclave to be interested in the opposite sex." Her eyes then looked at Spell Circuit. "And you… no, not buff enough for him."

Low Pressure let out a chuckle. "Oh you know me so well sis. Do you still let yourself be tied down and whipped, if not, Lottery here is quite good at it."

She raised an eyebrow at me and I vigorously shook my head. "No, twice no! One I'm not in that business anymore, and two, my barn door doesn't swing that way!"

High Pressure rolled her eyes. "Ya I get it, you mares are too much drama for me anyways. That shit aside, now get in and sit down, or stand, I don't care."

We all got closer to the desk, kicking up paperwork that was all over the floor.

"So what is it you want?" I asked.

"So many things, such as a partner that's not a pansy and will ravage me until I pass out. Or for my brother to stop being a faggot long enough to give me a niece or nephew to raise." She said sarcastically but when Low Pressure looked away in his terrible attempt to not look suspicious, High Pressure narrowed her eyes at him. "Oh don't tell me…" She then took a deep breath, letting her air out slowly. "Business first, then we can have a long family talk."

She then turned to me, telling me "but right now, what I want is for Angle to stop giving clearly insane decrees, and for those fucking mutants to not hang onto every word of his." High Pressure said before taking another deep breath to calm down. "But that's a problem I'm betting will solve itself, and soon." She tapped her pen one more time with her wing before pointing it at me. "But before anything like that happens, I need insurance."

"Insurance?" I asked, tilting my head.

She slowly nodded her head. "Yes. As you might have guessed, this place is a clusterfuck of a madhouse, not much better than the shitshow Onyx was running, and I barely got out of that alive. Thanks for that by the way. So this time I want to not just be ahead of the game, but get out of this on top. Unfortunately I have a rather big problem."

"It's Stormfront, isn't it?" Low asked.

High Pressure slammed her pen down, breaking it. "Of course it's fucking Stormfront!"

I looked at Low, who then explained, "he's High Pressure's stalker, and our cousin. The moron has been obsessed with her since we were foals, mainly because both our parents wanted the two to get married. Nopony has ever done anything about him in hopes she just gives up and gets married to him."

"And he has followed me here. Thankfully as a priestess, I'm afforded my own personal guard." She tipped her head to Catalyst before continuing. "Unfortunately I can't get rid of him since he is one of Flyrights goons. But if somepony else deals with him, I may be able to leave without being dragged back, and with a sizable amount of valuable materials."

"I think I get it, but what do we get out of helping you?" I then asked.

High Pressure smiled, a wave of calm seemingly passing over her. "A few things actually, among them, information. Both for here and on Tripwire. As a pony who worked the logistics of a massively bloated bureaucracy and rusty war machine, all run by unelected geriatric control freaks, I know all the tricks in which Tripwire thinks nopony knows."

I raised an eyebrow, felling a bit confused.

She then sighed. "Lets put it this way, I can't fight, can't scavenge, and I could but rather not whore my way out of a problem. But I can read, translate an wright a legal document involving the the housing and using of troops. All while setting up their replacement because it's a suicide mission, and we don't want any one knowing it's a suicide mission, but it needs to be leigal."

Low nodded. "That sounds like the Enclave, and my sister. So what's Tripwire up to that he doesn't want anypony to know?"

High Pressure pointed her b4oken pen at her brother. "Not until the job's done." She then turned her attention back to me. "But for information you might need in the short-term, I do know how you can get the slaver guards to be… distracted for a few hours. Then you can do whatever you have planned, and I can make my leave of this place."

"And let me guess, you will be using us as your escort out." Spell said, sounding suspicious.

"Ahhh, a smart one, now if you had a bit more mussel, I might consider having you take me on a date." High Pressure said in an amused tone.

I rolled my eyes. "And why would we do that?"

Spell Circuit answered for her. "Because she knows she's worth more alive and with us then dead in the wasteland. I also doubt she would tell us everything until she is safe from Tripwire's retribution."

High Pressure nodded. "Correct!"

"Okay, then what about the other thing?" I pushed.

"Fair enough." She said, then opened up a cabinet and pulled out three spheres that had a bright glowing green band around it.

"Oh fuck!" Low Pressure said in shock as he jumped back.

"Indeed," High Pressure said as she presented the spheres. I'll also give you these three overcharged plasma grenades. In the Enclave we gave these to troopers we deemed in need of an accident, or when collateral damage was deemed acceptable. Used right, this will melt everything in six pony lengths from the center, and kill anypony in another three ponies past that. Useful, no?"

"That's enough power to even brake through an Alicorn's shields" Spell said.

Ben Day didn't look happy about that fact. "R… realy?"

Spell Circuit nodded. "I've never seen something like this before, but I did read about plasma weapons. Overcharging was a problem, where most early plasma guns would explode if overcharged. Those things there are almost an equivalent to Bailfire eggs. If we ever need a backup explosive, that would do it."

"So is it a deal?" High Pressure asked.

Spell over looked at me and explained, "the information would be good enough on its own. And the grenades could prove useful. Though it can also be all lies, she is Enclave after all. But I don't see her benefitting from staying with Tripwire, as he doesn't trust any pony who is as smart as he is."

It was a risk, but I didn't come here to play it safe. "Alright High Pressure, you have a deal."

She smiled wide, showing her way too wight to be real teeth. "Good! good, I knew you were reasonable ponies. Now…" she looked over a clock on her desk, it actually functional unlike most clocks I had seen, then back at me. "I got roughly an hour and a half before I turn in for the night, though I think I'll take a moonlight flight out along the edge of this crater before heading to my room. I miss doing that, but Stormfront always shows up to bother me. Really ruins the mood. Do make sure it's for the last time."

"Right, I get it." I then patted my rifle. "Should be easy so long as your not moving all over the place."

"Nataly." High Pressure said, then returned to her paperwork. "Now do leave, I got to sort out where exactly the idiots here sent the gemstones."

We did just that, leaving the room, and into the hot refinery. Trotting off to what looked like a bairly used brake room, I stopped to collect myself, and sort out what exactly just happened. "D… did we just agree to assassinate a pony?" I asked quietly.

Low nodded. "Ya, but don't feel guilty about it, Stormfront is a real peace of shit."

"Maybe we could do something else, like send him away. Killing ponies isn't a real good pony thing to do." Ben Day protested.

"True, but that could backfire on us all." Spell commented.

Low let out a huff. "Oh, and if we don't follow through with it, High Pressure will make us pay. Truthfully, we either kill Stormfront, or kill them both, otherwise we are screwed."

Ben Day looked a bit dejected. But Spell gently patted him on the side. "Hay now, were doing this to save lives. Just focus on that, focus on helping your friends and everything will be fine."

The alicorn sighed. "Alright, get them to safety, get them away from the evil ponies. I can do that."

"And I promise that I'll talk with Grizzly Deal." I told Ben Day.

"Thanks" he said back.

"Speaking of which, we should go see Majestic, if we have time." I said and looked over at Spell Circuit.

"I can keep track of time, and if Ben Day helps us, we should be able to easily tail High Pressure." Spell informed us.

"Good, then lets have a chat with Ben Day's aunt." I told everypony.

_______________________________________________________

Ben Day lead us to a remot part of New Unity, far from the slaves and slavers, but still with in the shadow of the refinery. Here many alicorns stood around doing nothing. Some stared off into the distance, others were surrounded by empty bottles of booze, some were just lying around as though they were dead.

"They don't remember, or don't want to remember." Ben Day said.

"What do you mean?" I inquired.

"Well… I'm not sure myself, its what Auntie Majestic told me. Something about them not getting their souls back, or their souls being already broken before joining Unity. Unless auntie or the others commands them they just do nothing." Ben Day explained, rubbing his leg nervously. "It makes me feel… uneasy being around them without Auntie here."

"ya, creepy." Low commented.

"I'd be interested in studding them, the artificial alicorns have always fascinated me, but I dared not ever get close. Maybe there's a way to help them in one of my old books." Spell pondered out loud.

I then began to wonder, the sight of so many lame alicorns, why would Majestic hold onto them like this. "Ben Day, how many of you are, you know, not like them?"

Ben Day looked at the ground and kicked a rock, clearly not happy about the answer. "Six including me, and… well, they were young foals like me when they were taken in by the Goddess. Auntie Majestic is the only real adult among us."

"And how many are… lame?" I asked.

"Thirty five." He said, sounding dejected.

Then Spell Circuit asked, "and how many were there before coming here."

From behind us, the voice of Majestic spoke up. "There was over two hundred of us at first." We turned around to see the displeased alicorn matriarch. "Miss Lottery, can we talk… alone."

"Auntie!" Ben Day gasped.

Majestic pointed her wing at her nephew. "You go take those two to the game room, entertain them. And no wining, or I will confiscate your comic books."

Panicked, Ben Day nodded and said, "yes Auntie!" before opening up his wings and ushering my two friends away.

She then looked down at me, her glare making me feel like a small foal. "I was hoping you were here to just scout out this place and leave, not drag Ben Day into your war!"

"You… know?" I said meekly.

Her eyes narrowed at me. "I can turn invisible, and be very quiet. Nothing you did after our meeting went unobserved, I know everything."

I then felt my hooves lift off the ground and she then dragged me off to a nearby shack. My world spun as I was then tossed into a wall, denting the cheap scrap siding.

"Where do I begin, coming here without any real plan but wing it as you go… its almost like being with master again, but even more stupid and arogent! On top of that you dragged Ben Day along with you!"

I got up only for Majestic to lift me up in the air again. "What do you say for yourself?"

Taking a deep breath, I tried not to think about the giant magical murder pony in front of me. "I… I can't just do nothing… just like you can't leave them behind."

She put me back onto the ground, but said nothing.

"So, what happened?" I asked her

A minute of silence went by before she started to talk, the mare thinking hard on if she should tell me or not. "I… could not keep them all together. Without Trixie, there was no more control, no more order. Most just simply left, not wanting anything to do with us. Others wandered off in confusion into danger and died before I could help them. So many were so confused, so filled with sadness and hate. My sisters died to raiders, monsters, or were lynched by angry ponies looking for somepony to punish. A friend of mine who was like me, fully in control of herself while under Trixie… She committed suicide soon after Trixie died. Then there were the raiders who Trixie took in, many of them starting to remember. I had to kill them before they could harm anypony. But even that I was at times too late to stop, and the damage they did to us was horrendous."

A cold shiver ran down my spine at the idea of a raider with the power of an alicorn.

Majestic nodded. "Yes, whatever your imaging is likely true. That first month without Trixie, it was a nightmare. And many of them are still out there, those damned raiders, drunk on their power."

"You keep mentioning this Trixie, who is she?" I asked.

"Right, her name is mostly forgotten." She then took a deep breath. "Trixie is who you have come to know as the Goddess, and who most of my sisters call Mother. She was my mentor when we were normal ponies,. She saved me when I was dying of radiation poisoning, having gotten trapped on the road, with only my show cart for protection. And I know what you're likely going to say, but no, she was not evil. She was an arrogant narcissist who never thought things through, but not evil. But give a pony like that such power, you can't blame her for developing a god complex. Though she was still my dear mentor and friend"

I felt conflicted, and had a nagging question to ask. "So, you want the Goddess back?"

"Fuck no!" Majestic blurted out, then sighed. "Trixie can finally be at rest, can finally stop putting up the act and be free. She couldn't move, or feel, and all the voices screaming out had driven her insane, yet she could not stop, so more and more voices were added… The raiders are what tipped things for the worst, not at first, not until Redeye came and delivered them by the cart load day by day. Before that Trixie was content with keeping our numbers reasonable, and our presence subtle. The ponies like myself would seek out ponies who wished to join, or those foolish enough to make a deal for power."

She trotted to a rather ratty window, looking at a purple alicorn that was simply sitting down and looking at nothing. "Now we're broken, fated to die off bit by bit, the dream of becoming our own race died with Trixie, all because of Redeye… the dambible fool."

"You could always join us, I heard that many of your kind joined Velvet Remedy." I suggested.

"They can because they are innocent, where I am very much guilty. They will know who I am, and they will kill me for what I've done. As for the rest here… I dare not even imagine what horrors will befall them." She said in a somber tone.

"And what about Grizzly?" I further aske

She looked at me with a hint of annoyance for several long seconds. "Ben Day already told you that I tried to ask for her help. She already knew of me, and was going to sell me out to Gwadina, who would gain great influence for executing one of the Goddess overseers. And you think you can change her mind? I have lived for over two hundred years, and watched as Equestria rotted from the inside as ponies turned into true monsters. My mentor was experimented on by the ministry, my sister sent to be a guinea pig in a deathtrap all while Stable-Tec lied to her about wanting to save their lives. The raider, the Steel Rangers, the Slavers, I've bear witness to it all. And I know that whenever you think a pony cannot be so low…" Her lips quivered as she then said, "I've witnessed ponies eating their young just to survive… then explain it away by saying that they can always make more."

That made my stomach churn in disgust, but also I began to understand. "I can't say I don't disagree… My own experience in the wasteland had been a nightmare. And I will not pretend to act like I know better, but I do know one thing. Staying here, helping Tripwire, it will only continue the horrors of the wasteland. It will prevent things from getting better and repeat the tragedies of the past. Tripwire cares for nothing but what he can control, and sooner or later he will come for you and your sisters. I know he will not tolerate a pony like Ben Day, who understands right from wrong."

A magical grip wrapped around my neck, and I was lifted up into the air by Majestic. "And what, join your side because you asked nicely. Pretend that I'm one of the good ponies now, turn a blind eye when Gwadina or Grizzly decides that cruelty is not just an option, but their first choice. Or is it just that victory is written by the winner, and you just want to make sure you're the one who gets to write the history books."

"Yes…" I choked out, struggling to breath. "But… all I want… right now… is for you to… leave."

She let me go and I took a deep breath. "Join us or don't, I don't care. But the more important thing is that you don't help Tripwire." I then looked her in the eyes, now noticing that they were the eyes of a mare who had seen too much, done too much, and was filled with regrets. "It's my fault, all of this. If I had not helped Tripwire reach his family manor, he might have still been stuck in the wasteland, unable to take the next step. Maybe in time he would get there, but by then maybe Gwadina would be able to stop him, or maybe Spell Circuit could have convinced his father to destroy the research. But that's not what happened, because of me Tripwire now has the ability to turn the wasteland into his plaything, to make everypony his slave. Every death from the time I lead him to his family manor is my fault. Their blood is on my hooves. But I can still stop it, and you can at least get out of my way!"

Majestic closed her eyes and took a deep breath, slowly exhaling before saying, "You remind me of my sister. Both that fire… and that guilt. It's just like back then, when she died trying to save the ponies she unwittingly doomed. Working all those years with Stable-Tec, keeping their secrets, helping them with their twisted experiments, thinking it was for the good of all. Only for her to become a victim to it as well. She… let herself die, I could have saved her, forced her to become like me, but there was too much guilt in her to let me save her."

She then unfurled her wings, causing me to flinch in surprise. "Alright, I'll consider your request, I don't have to help you, but I don't have to oppose you either." Then she said something that caught me off guard. "Now get on my back."

"Wh… what?" I stammered.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty

_______________________________________________________

I held onto Majestic for dear life as she flew far faster than Ben Day, and worse, we were invisible. I could see everything, even with my eyes closed I could see it all. It was a terrifyingly bizarre feeling as I was forced to watch New Unity get smaller and smaller.

Then it stopped and we were floating in the air.

"Y… you're n… not doing to d… dro-" I attempted to stammer out my fear, only for Majestic to finish my sentence.

"Drop you, that depends." she said mockingly. "If you choose to further include Ben Day in this madness, then yes, you will die."

"Right, keep your nephew out of it." I blurted out, but then remembered why we needed him. "But what about the foals?"

"Ben Day protecting them is fine, what I don't want is you drawing him it a Celestia damned fire fight, much less a murder!" Majestic chastised me.

"Oh… then what about High Pressure?" I then asked.

Majestic sighed. "That's why you're with me. Unlike Ben Day, my hooves are already stained with blood. And I know that those Enclave ponies deserve everything they get. Also, I'm curious about what High Pressure knows about Tripwire. He is rightfully paranoid, and has surrounded himself with Fillydelphia hounds to sniff out intruders. Even the changelings can't get near him with their tricks."

"Okay, cool." I said, nodding my head before asking, "can we land now."

Somehow I knew she was smirking. "Not yet, there's a few things I need to know from you first?" I didn't like this, not one bit. "One, can you really talk with Grizzly Deal, that bitch is more stubborn than a donkey? Two, How am I to know you mean the foals, and by extension, the other ponies here no harm, or that you won't abandon them whenever convenient. Lastly, what makes you think another Tripwire won't show up, or Redeye, are you so great to be so incorruptible?"

"Uhhh… well, Grizzly and I sort of became friends. I can't make any guarantees, but I can talk with her. Anyways, what's your problem with her in the first place?" I then asked.

Majestic let out a huff. "Because she's a two faced hypocrite. Pretending that she was never for the slave trade when her family were the ones who helped start it so long ago. Always going about upholding deals, but when I come knocking, suddenly those old deals mean nothing anymore. We had been promised shelter and aid by her ancestors if we ever needed it, in exchange we helped recover much needed medical supplies, tech and textbooks, things they still use today. The only reason Ursa's Rest is not a shit hole like the rest of Equestria is because of Trixie's generosity. But Grizzly told us that the deal was with the Goddess, not us, and turned us all away."

That did seem rather harsh, and unfair. "Ya, she can be like that, but I'm sure she can be convinced to uphold that deal, if you give me the chance. As for the foals and the others, we have a place they can stay for a while. And plenty of work is needed at Ursa's Rest. Also… the foals, well two of them, I'm here with their mother. She's been wanting to see them since the day Redeye took them away."

"I… see." Majestic said, her voice now a calm tone. "Redeye did a lot of that, seeing himself as the only pony able to give them the best possible future. Even if that meant ripping foals from their parents. But all tyrants are like that, seeing their way as the only and best way for everypony."

"Ya, I'm starting to see a connection with ponies who think they know better, and mass murder." I said bitterly.

"That I can agree, miss Lottery." Majestic said somberly.

"Then… I guess I have no answer to that last question, I barely even know what to do with myself." It might have been all the stress, or just the terror of being up so high, but I started to cry. "Fuck, right now I got two unwanted foals in me, and I want to get rid of them, but… is that the best choice. I can keep fighting if I get rid of them, but they're innocent, not some raiders waiting to be born."

Wiping off the tears, I figured that since I was already here I'd might as well keep going. "Is it selfish of me, for not wanting to be a mother when it is forced upon me. My friends all have their perspective on this, and it confuses me. Cutarize was born a raider, and yet he's rejecting that life. Molo is desperate to be a mother again. Cold told me that they are part of me. And Plasma has been through so much, and yet she's just accepting it."

"Miss Lottery," Majestic said clearly and with a cool calm. "Unfortunately I missed my opportunity to be a mother a long, long time ago, so I can't share your worries. But I do know something you should do, and that's to change your perspective. You're clearly conflicted because of the injustice of your situation, that no matter what you choose, somepony will be harmed.

She then took a deep breath, "You want to know what the Goddess's ultimate goal was, it was to have a family. Under all the bravado and the crushing god complex, Trixie was lonely. She never had a home, and never knew how to make friends. Even when I was with her, I could never pierce through that loneliness that had built up in her. Her mastering invisibility and then accepting Twilight's offer to be experimented on… it was all because of her depression to make a connection with a pony she saw as an equal, and along with her committing a long drawn out suicide. When Trixie became the Goddess, she was happy for a time, until it was clear we, her daughters, were all sterile. We tried to convince Trixie that we didn't mind, that we were content, but she couldn't see past a failure she couldn't control. Instead she doubled down and demanded more daughters, thinking that eventually things will work out. And it eventually drove her mad."

"Heavy, but why tell me this?" I asked.

Majestic stayed quiet for several long seconds before giving me her answer. "Whimsy, and I haven't had any pony to talk about this for so long. Not since Nightseer lost her mind within Canterlot, and the other Overseers left to spread the Goddess influence. But that aside, I wanted to convey this to you, since I still feel like having this heart to heart. Where Trixie went wrong was that she was never willing to commit to a goal, always reaching for something just out of reach, and it destroyed her. These unborn foals, their existence is not what makes you pull out your mane, but what they represent."

"And what do they… represent?" I further asked.

Majestic then said in a sad tone, "That the wasteland is forcing you to make a choice you never wanted to make. That, whatever you choose, that choice will follow you. And it might break you. That choice broke Trixie, broke many of my sisters. So many broken ponies found their way to us, too afraid of death to die, but not wanting to be themselves anymore. It is unfair and cruel to have such a thing forced upon you, and it is you alone who must decide which cruel fate you must trot down."

"I think… I need to… sleep on that." I told her.

"Yes, that would be best. But unfortunately you have things still unfinished." As Majestic said this, my stomach lurched up as we descended, and once again I held on for dear life.

The wind blew through my mane, threatening to take my mesh cloak, all while I saw New Unity become ever so much bigger. I feared that we were going to crash, but as we were about to hit the refinery, Majestic turned into a glide.

"Was any of that necessary?" I quietly asked, still holding onto the alicorn tightly.

A light chuckle came from her, pissing me off a little. "No, but free falling is one of the few joys I can still feel. Did it when I was still a unicorn. I find it good for clearing one's head."

"I find it an act of insanity." I huffed back at her.

"And agreeing to commit an act of murder is so much more sane." She chastised me.

I sighed. "Fair enough."

As Majestic flew, we got further and further away from the town, and closer to the edge of the open pit mine. There I could see her, High Pressure trotting along the edge, and with a second pony, I guessed it was Stormfront. He was in a suit of pegasus power armor, it painted in a mess of black and red splotches

"You know that attitude of yours is why no other stallion wants to stay with you!" The stallion said to High Pressure.

"Clearly it's not bad enough since you're still here." High Pressure scoffed at him.

"Oh come on my sky candy, unlike all those useless fools, you and I were meant for each other." He said in a smooth, yet eerie way.

High Pressure glared at him. "I've told you before to never call me that, Stormfront, we are not a couple, we haven't been engaged for years, and I despise you. Much worse, you're an ambitious moron who's only gotten anywhere in life by hanging onto your mothers tail. I bet your planning something stupid with Flyright, right now."

Somehow I could sense him grinning. "It's only stupid if it fails, which it won't. The air Marshall is a pony who gets it, she really does. Once we cast down these savage wastelanders and take the tech for ourselves, she's going to rebuild the Grand Pegasus Enclave. You and I, we will make up the new founding families, together."

A look of indignation formed on High Pressure's face. "Air Marshal! So Flyright is not going to pretend to be a General first, oh this is rich. Let me guess, you're going one of her general's."

"As a matter of fact, yes, Flyright actually recognized my greatness. So why can't you?" Stormfront then poked High Pressure with his armored hoof. "You're so smart, yet why can't you see my greatness? You and I, together we can own everything, not even Flyright could deny us!"

"Listen here, and listen well." High Pressure glared at Stormfront, the look on her face telling me that this conversation was not the first time. "You and me are never going to happen, and that General rank Flyright gave you, it's a joke. Your her loyal court jester who is too dumb to see the chain around your neck. And rebuilding the GPE, that's an even worse joke. The Enclave never existed, it was all smoke and mirrors meant to keep every pegasus ignorant and scared. But now, they can see all the lies, and their fucking pissed!"

*Crack*

High Pressure hit the ground after having been back hoofed by Stormfront. "What do you know! I served, I fought, and I bled. You stayed up in your office writing acquisition forms while I did the real work. If you ponies didn't abandoned the Enclave at the first sight of trouble, we could have won, we could have put those no good, dirty, dirt tredding, mud fucking, wastelanders down!"

I had enough of this and lifted up my rifle.

A soft chuckle came from High Pressure. "Work? For the last hundred all you troopers ever did was bully the rest of the enclave into fallen in line, or lay around and bitch about not getting to retake the surface. And when you finally do get the chance, you limp back to safety after getting your ass kicked by a single farmer."

"How were we to know she could weald over six fucking guns with dead accuracy like that!" He shouted

I then whistled sharply, causing Stormfront to freeze.

Aiming down the sight, my night vision making everything as clear as day. I had a feeling that I couldn't break through the armor, not without hitting a soft spot. But unlike the steel rangers, pegasus power armor had a clear weak point.

Then I let out a short and sharp whistle to get his attention.

"Who's there, show yourself!" He demanded.

I held my breath as he turned around, his muzzle exposed to the world. Slowly I pulled the trigger, doing my best to not jerk the rifle. Making sure it was all one smooth action. "Who ever that is, I'm going to-"

Three suppressed shots burst out of my rifle. All three hit their mark within a half of a hoof of each other, entering through his mouth. Stormfront stumbled back, making a gurgling sound. Blood oozed not just from his mouth, but even from his vizor, likely a ricocheting coming out through his eye. Stormfront tried to talk, but it was clear he couldn't, and soon fell over, clenching his throat.

Trotting over, I became visible again, stopping at the still struggling Stormfront. "Will this do?" I asked High Pressure.

She had picked herself up, and as she trotted over, she kicked some dust at Stormfront. "Could have done it before he slapped me." She snarled as a dark bruise was already forming on her face, but then she smiled. "But ya, with this fool dead, I can finally sleep well again. Though I'm sure Flyright will figure out that I was involved, but that's why I don't plan on sticking around." She unfolded her wings and patted two saddlebags on her hips. "And what better time than now. Oh, and best if we take the armor with us."

She then looked past me, as spoke out. "So you also decided to make a move, Majestic?"

The big blue Alicorn became visible as she trotted over. "I… decided that maybe, siding with a bunch of psychopaths again might be a bad idea."

High Pressure rolled her eyes. "That I can sympathize with that."

Majestic then looked at me, a calm expression on her face. "I'll call Ben Day to bring your friends back to your hiding place, now let's go, you still have much to do."

_______________________________________________________

It was awkward as our group now had expanded by two more, the two alicorns taking up a lot of space. We almost had two more alicorns join in, but fortunately Majestic sent them away, needing them to watch out for their lame sisters, and to not arouse suspicion.

"So… most of you are literally… retarded?" I slapped Molo on the side of the head for the rude comment. "What, that's what it sounds like!

"It's fine." Majestic said, having kept a calm expression. "Though a bit crash, she is unfortunately not wrong. Those sisters are the unfortunate ones to have never regained memories or a sense of self, they are effectively soulless. And even if they do gain a sense of self, they will be nothing more than oversized fouls."

"Foals capable of crushing a full grown pony in power armor." Plasma commented. "Steel Hooves was not called the Mighty Alicorn Hunter because they were harmless. Just saying."

Majestic nodded her head. "No, you're right. Even unintentionally they can do great harm. It's why I cannot leave them be, in case one remembers, and were…"

"A raider before becoming one of you." Molo said.

"Among other dangerous individuals. There are also cases like Ben Day, where they were foals, and will be lost and confused if they are ever to remember." Majestic further explained, then took a deep breath and sighed. "That's why while Ben Day and another sister keep the foals safe, I and the others will herd the rest of our sisters out. We will not join your fight, it is… too dangerous. But I will help you get started, get you all in, unseen."

"Truthfully, that's more than we could have asked for." I told Majestic before turning to High Pressure, who was counting bars of mithril. "As for you?"

High Pressure looked over at me and then pulled out the three grenades. "As part of the deal, here are the explosives."

Cold Trails whistled loudly. "You can probably destroy the refinery with those."

"Among other things, but I'm guessing you want the other part of the deal." She responded.

"Just about this place, any info on Tripwire can wait until later." I told her.

High Pressure gave me a nod before explaining what she knew. "Right, I guess it's no secret that Angel is brainwashing the ponies here, and that the church is using a form of the mezmetron to do it. You probably have plans to tamper with it too, I bet. Well don't bother, the real mesmetron device is not here."

"What!" Spell Circuit blurted out. "But how is he using it if it's not here?"

"Same way Tripwire plans to use it against the population of the wasteland. It's being remotely transmitted." High Pressure lifted her wings up, waving one, then another. "From his hiding hole he is sending out the Mezmetrons signal, and whatever magic it does is sent through a receiver. For Angel's case, it's several TV's and radio. Then the creepy bastard plays the pipe organ whenever the signal comes in, thinking it amplifies its effect. I doubt it does, but it is able to trigger the mind control conditioning, effectively giving Angel another way to control them. Worse, he also has a recording of the signal on a holotape, not as powerful, but still works well enough."

Spell Circuit didn't seem to like the sound of that. "Well that changes our plan, and means that my Brother is further ahead in his research then we feared. So then how can we get the innocent ponies out of here?"

"You mentioned recordings, can we use those?" Plasma asked.

High Pressure shrugged. "Possibly. Angel uses it to call ponies back to the church, before the real signal comes in. But I've also the recording used to direct the slaves to follow the slavers around. All you need to do is play it with the right command. Only one problem, Angel keeps the holotape with him all the time."

Spell Circuit nodded. "So as long as we get that recording, the plan stays the same."

"Except we have to deal with Angel first." I pointed out.

"And that could start the fire fight before we're even ready for it." Molo added, who then clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Mint then stepped up. "Let's not forget that we still don't understand how those commands work. You're assuming that you can even reprogram this thing on the fly. Or if it can be reprogrammed. "

Doubt set onto Spell Circuit's face. "If it was the Mezmetron, I know I could do it… Damnit, my brother must have predicted this.

"You said that the pipe organ triggers some conditioning right, could we use that?" Plasma asked High.

Higher Pressure shook her head. "No, it only calls ponies to the church, nothing more."

"So there's no way around this then, we need that recording. But how do we use it?" Plasma asked herself.

As though a light went on in Spell Circuits head, he jolted up. "That's it." He then turned to Margaret, trotting up to the robot. "Margaret, How loud can your music function play?

The robot smiled with her eyes. "Quite loud, I also have several alarm systems and a megaphone function that can be used for search and rescue."

Spell then looked over to Plasma. "Can you reprogram Margaret to play a holotape?"

Plasma thought about it for a moment, then nodded. "Ya, all miss nannies should have a holotape compartment. So it should be easy to get it working."

He then turned to me and trotted over. "Right, the plan is still mostly the same, but now we must protect Margaret as she rounds up the captives and leads them to safety."

"After we get that holotape from Angel." I again pointed out.

The final plan was coming together, as messy of a plan it was, we at least knew what we were to expect.

_______________________________________________________

As Majestic dropped me off near the top of the refinery, I ran through the plan over and over in my head. It was simple yet so much could go wrong. Kill Angle and get the holotape, deliver the tape to Margaret, were Cold Trails would bomb the church with the grenades to cause a distraction. Once the slavers and zealots are on the other side of the town Margaret will draw the slaves out, and once everypony is a safe distance away, we blow everything up.

Yet so much could go wrong. The fighting could start too soon, Margaret could get shot, the bombs not going off!

"Lottery!" Cold whispered to me. "You alright?"

I nodded, "I'm fine, just worried"

"Ya, same here, but if the worst comes, I got your back." He comforted me. Though not liking the idea, Cold was currently using Stormfronts armor, so as not to arouse too much suspension as he flew about. We tried to clean out the blood, but we didn't have the time to get it all.

His job was to watch out for me as I snuck into Angel's bedchamber, making sure nopony caught me.

"Alright, let's go." I told him and Cold then flew off. Then I turned back to address Majestic, "you sure this is alright, we promised Ben Day to at least try to talk with Angle."

She shook her head. "That's because he was protected from most of the horrors of the wasteland, and does not understand its dangers. He also didn't know Angel from before Trixie touched his mind, or the things he does in private. Killing him would be putting him out of his misery and closing a very dark chapter in the wastelands history. Trust me, it will be for the good of all that he dies."

I nodded, feeling that it was best if I didn't probe any further into what she knew. "good luck, and I hope I see you again."

"We will see." She told me before vanishing.

Now it was up to me, and if I can get that holotape without alarming everypony in this place.

Looking around, it was more of the scrap built structures I've seen all over the wasteland, though here it was built on the side of the refinery. It seemed odd that they would build here, but now that I thought about it, why was there a refinery in this mine in the first place?

The ponies from the great war were weird.

There was one difference, this area was decorated with the images of alicorns, some made of scrap, others painted, all with a twisted sense of regalness. It made me uncomfortable to trot through it all, their eyes seemingly following me.

Angel's door was no better, the door completely covered in mad decorations of a blue alicorn with a floppy hat. They practically flowed out of the wall, all forming a bigger alicorn that stood above the door, and looked down at me with a disapproving glare.

Taking a moment to collect myself, I then tested the door, finding that not only did it not have a doorknob, but no lock whatsoever. Entering the dark room, I quietly trotted in, careful to not step on anything or knock something over. The light from a window gave me enough light to get a good image of the room itself, large but not that large, a large and twisted statue of an alicorn in the middle, and a bed at the far end.

Angel was there in the bed, sleeping peacefully, motionlessly, as though the ruined lives of so many were not staining his hooves.

Creeping forward, I considered using my rifle, but dashed that idea. Though even with the suppressor, it was still relatively loud to fire, so Rime Frost was my best option. The shotgun was cold in my mouth as its blade reflected what little light the outside provides.

The unicorn in the bed was unmoving as I took Rime Frost into my hooves, ready to strike. Angel was so unmoving that he looked as though dead… if I ever could be so lucky. Yet he didn't even seem to be breathing.

*Crack* the pick of Rime Frost came down on Angel's head, and he was dead. Yet it felt… too easy.

I knew it was a bad idea, I should just go and get the holotape, simple. But something compelled me to check. Resting Rime Frost onto my shoulder, I used my free hoof to uncover the now dead Angel.

Suppressing a scream, I found a dried corps of a unicorn stallion in the bed, its body thin, and a moldy rope around its neck. The dead unicorn was dressed in fine clothes and decorated with jewelry, all well cared for. Even the corpse mane was still intact and groomed.

"Shhhhhh, you will wake him." Angel said from behind me, his voice alone nearly causing me to jump in shock. "My brother has had a long day, he needs his rest."

Turning to look at Angel, what I thought was a statue was actually him standing on a pedestal, in some sort of pose that looked painful to hold. From my position I could see the light reflecting off him, and without his robes on, I could see how thin and mest up his body was. He seemed more skeleton than pony, every bone and rib visible through his thin fur. Scars covered his body, reminding me of some of the raider slaves, but far older and uniformed, as though perpusly cut into him. He also had two grotesque wings, no feathers, just fur and cancerous growths over bone. My eyes lowered to see that like Onyx had once told me, he was smooth down below, other than a crossed scare where his dick and balls should have been.

His eyes were unfocused, not looking at me or anything as he stood there. His horn now glowing, and then the blanket was returned to covering the corps. "There you go brother, nice and warm."

This… was not going to be easy.

Slowly I again crept towards the real Angel, this one was still unmoving, but the slight signs of breathing were there. The closer I got, the more the hairs on the back of my neck stuck up, and the more everything felt wrong.

His body then twitched and he changed poses. "Yes. I hear you, all of you my goddess. They will know your greatness, how can they not. You will fix this world, just like you fixed me." He mumbled.

"Brother knows too, your love and mine." He again mumbled, creeping me the fuck out.

Angel's horn glowed again, and objects began moving about the room, forcing me to stop.

"Yes you're right, always right. They are foolish for not seeing your greatness. Maybe if I open up their skulls and let the light in, they will see." Angle was smiling as he rambled on.

I was done, and quietly lowered Rime Frost down, and took aim. Fuck it if other ponies hear, this creepy bastard needed to die. But as I aimed and pulled the trigger, all Rime Frost did was click. I knew it had ammo in her, I just knew.

Several shotgun shells then floated between Angel and I. They dance as though to mock me.

His eyes then focused on me, and a cold shiver ran down my spine. "You!... Who are you?"

"Im…." This was bad, I already fucked things up. "I'm your new… p.. priest… test." I stammered out.

His eyes widened, and with a flash, teleported right in front of me. "Oh you see it too, don't you? Her greatness and powerfulness. How can you not, not when it's so obvious!"

"Ya… she is great and powerful after all." I said nervously.

Angel nodded vigorously. "Yes, the Goddess saved me, saved me. The voices were too much and my brother couldn't speak to me. I did my best to care for him, wash him, oil him, keep him warm at night, but the voices would not stop mocking me. But then her voice silenced it all, made it all clear." He grabbed my hooves, squeezing them tight, causing me to drop Rime Frost "I heard she could fix ponies, so I brought my brother, but she told me I was already doing a good job with him. Saw my devotion and let me become one of her voices, to share her greatness to the world."

The old stallion was strangely strong as he held my hooves. "Oh, yes… very great."

"Then pray with me, and be blessed by the Goddess." Angle told me, but then began mumbling incoherently.

I thought about pulling Whisky Shot, but that revolver would be way too loud. But then I realized I had my Grizzly Gauntlets, all I needed was to get in a good hit. He was an old stallion, so he shouldn't be all that resistant.

Digging my back hooves into the floor, the claws anchored me as I then lift Angle. He was rather light, making it easy to then throw him over my head, all while he still held onto me. But when I hit the floor, he did not.

Getting up, I saw Angel floating in the middle of his room, eyes wall white. His glare seemed to go right through me, it was filled with hate. "You, you're one of them! Doubting me, calling me mad. You made my brother hurt, made him hang! You, you, you, you!" The room became a storm of objects flying about, several of them nearly hitting me.

Again digging in I charged, taking hits from a few books and a small statue, but when I got closer to him, he again teleported.

"You mock the Goddess, you do not see!" He growled at me.

"All I see is a crazy old stallion." I spat back at him, trying to keep my voice low.

He then squinted his eyes at me, "you, I know you… yes, your Tripwire little harlot! What, didn't get enough attention, typical low born mare." My body then froze as I was lifted up, and by Angel's magic, pulled to him. "They never change, always trying to dig their hooves into their betters, wanting to steal the wealth. Greedy little harlot."

I tried to move, to speak, but I was trapped. I needed help, any help!

Angel then smiled, what teeth he had were yellow and rotting. "I know, you can try to take on the Goddess blessing. Tripwire has forbidden me from using the slaves, not yet he said, that the Goddess blessing come next. Oh, but you, I doubt he will care if you are baptized in her most holy waters."

A blue light flickered from behind me, catching Angel's eyes. Will-o-Wisp then floated between us, Angel losing focus, his eyes now tracking the blue flame.

"What is this, it's beautiful, magnificent." I was dropped, along with everything Angel controlled as he got low to the ground. "Oh great and powerful Goddess, have you come to bless me with your light, to finally make me one of your children!"

Not wasting the opportunity Will-o-Wisp gave me, I got up and charged. With Rime Frost finding her way back to my hooves, I swung down at Angel. His skull gave a satisfying crack, and frost formed around where I hit.

"Do I feel a chill?" Angel said, bolting up, as though there was not an axe in his head.

In shock I took a few steps back, and Angle turned around to look at me. "I… I can feel i… it! The Goddess deems me wo…. Worthy!"

Angel's eyes began to bloat, cracking as the frost took hold, leaking a putrid fluid. He looked about to puke, but what came out was a grotesquely long tongue that whipped around wildly. The already poorly held together skin sagged even more, parts of it forming boils.

Above him was Will-o-Wisp, curling around Rime Frost, and I knew what to do.

Dashing at the rapidly mutating Angel, I swiped at his tentacle like tongue with my claw to knock it back before sending a hoof at his face. The strike connected and the Grizzly Gauntlets ripped off his jaw, but to only have a second tongue lashed out, cutting my cheek as I was knocked back.

Jumping back up, the first tongue struck my leg, harmlessly scratching the armor plate inside. I charged again, this time going around to avoid the tentacle tongues, and jumping onto his back. Managing to grab Rime Frost, and planting a back hoof onto Angel's back, I pulled the axe head free and raised it up high.

In a brief moment I found myself back on top of the mound maker, but this time Rime Frost was in my hooves, this time she was not the evil thing. She was going to stop this evil!

"Time for you to go join your damned Goddess in Tartarus!" I shouted.

With all my strength I brought the axe down onto Angel's growing neck. Again and again, each strike sent a wave of frost over his body as he continued to mutate. Tendrils wrapped around me, pulling on me, but I managed to keep on attacking. Finally there was a crack, and Angel's head fell off, shattering onto the ground. His body continued to thrash, but soon settled down and fucking died.

Putting Rime Frost into her sheath, I shook off the tentacles that were trying to pull me off, and turned around. My jaw dropped as I saw that Angel's misshapen wings had become like a tree, in which the tentacle dangled off from.

I then noticed as Will-o-Wisp moved about franticly, telling me to look over at the door. There I saw three priests looking at me from the door, all with shocked expressions on their faces.

"Uhhh… let me first say that this is not one of my kinks." I nervously told the priests.

Loud stomping came from behind them, and the comforting and commanding voice of Cold Trails spoke up. "Move it, get out of the way!" He demanded as he then pushed away what had to be more priests. As he stomped through, the power armored pegasus then froze. "Uhhh… please don't tell me that's your kink." He said nervously.

A blue light then illuminated the room, and Will-o-Wisp landed on my head. I was confused for a moment, until the priest began to mutter. They could see her, even Cold could see her as I felt his gaze look just above my head.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I knew what to do next. "Here me! Angel had been corrupted by evil, and led you all astray. As you have seen, he became a monster, the true form of a false Goddess, and I ended it before his evil could go on to fully corrupt you all."

There was a pause for a long moment, but then a priest and priestess leapt into the room, both thin as rails and with signs of mutation. The two then prostrated themselves before me, getting as low to the ground as possible.

"Miss saint, tell us!" the stallion said.

"Yes miss saint, lead us!" The mare pleaded.

This was unexpected, but a good unexpected. I just hope I don't have to give any speeches anytime soon.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty One

_______________________________________________________

Having a cult of ponies now seeing me as their holy leader was far from comforting, but it did make things easier. The cult quickly found the holotape for us, and made going to the ground floor far easier, though a bit loud.

"Is there anything else we can do, madam saint?" The priestess asked.

"Stop calling a saint, that would be nice." I told her

"Anything our lady of the holy flame, slayer of monsters, and bearer of the frost axe." The priest gushed

I sighed. "Saint is fine, but I'm not a madam."

"Lady saint." The priestess said with a smile.

Cold trotted up to me, concern clearly on his muzzle. "You alright? You're still somewhat pale."

"Hardly, Angel was a really fucked up pony, and he almost got me… but I don't have time to freak out, ponies lives depend on me getting them out of here."

"I expected as much. What about that weird blue flame thing, was it from Angel?" He then asked.

I shook my head. "No, it's not Angel's, but it's best if I talk about it later, when this is all over."

He shrugged, seemingly okay with the answer. "So then, what are we going to do with the cultists?"

I rolled my eyes. "Well I can't abandon them now, so they can come and I'll figure them out later." I then looked over at the priestess, a bit curious, as other than High Pressure, I had only seen stallions in the cult. But now there were five or six mares, where there were a good twenty or more stallions in the cult. "Say miss, why so few mares with you all?"

She smiled wide, showing off her rotting teeth with several of them missing. "Oh it's because the high priest… the former high priest Angel had us attempt the Goddess blessing first, before sir Tripwire told us to stop." She then looked sad as she said, "it was my turn next, but the holy waters were locked away before I could be baptized."

I had a feeling that this holy water was bad news if Angel thought it was a good idea. "So, then what did you do after that?"

"Angel wanted us to keep our bodies pure, and wait for the time we become the Goddess children. Avoid the cardinal sins and pray for forgiveness. So unless it was the time of prayer, we all reframed from anything that could lead us astray…" she explained.

I raised an eyebrow. "So… no sex and alcohol?" She nodded. "Well that's dumb. You all should enjoy life, otherwise you're not living."

The priestess tilted her head. "So we should do those things?"

"Well… you should be responsible when doing all that. Otherwise you start acting like raiders. So ya, enjoy life, but not at the expense of others, and not to the point of hurting yourself." I explained.

The priestess then smiled again and brushed up on the side of the priest. The priest looked confused, but not uninterested.

"Maybe wait until we're out of here, then you two can, you know." I told them, and then looked behind me as the cult followed. "Same for all of you!"

"You're really taking charge, Lady Saint." Cold teased me.

"I will whip you." I said back, but it only got a smile out of him.

"That better be a promise." He said with a chuckle.

_______________________________________________________

With the cult following, we got to the others as they finished planting the explosives.

They were understandably shocked and confused, with Molo being the first to ask the obvious. "Ehhh… weren't you supposed to not attract attention?"

I sighed, "Ya I know, but Angel turned out to be… well… lets just say he was far more dangerous than we assumed."

The priestess jumped forward with a grin on her face. "The former high priest had been corrupted by evil, and the Lady Saintes revealed his true and grotesque form before slaying it." She then shivered a little. "To think he was one of those horrors from the forbidden hospital, we are only so lucky that she slayed it when she did. The Goddess emissaries always warned us about that place and the monsters within." Her eyes then lit up. "Oh, will emissaries Majestic be coming with us?"

"Only if she chooses to." I told the priestess.

Molo then trotted over, looking at the cultists with eyes of concern before whispering to me. "You sure about letting them tag along? Just so you know, the Goddess cultists are known for being… you know, wrong in the head."

I whispered back. "Ya I can see that, but I'm not just going to kill them because it's more convenient. So let's just figure out what to do with them later."

She rolled her eyes. "You would make a terrible raider."

That put a confused smile on my face. "Thanks?"

"Say nothing of it. Now Do you have that whatchit?" She asked.

I nodded and pulled out the holotape, "is Margaret ready?"

Molo shrugged and pointed over to Spell and Plasma, who were looking over Margret. The robot having a panel open.

Trotting over, I could see that Plasma was deep in focus, though fidgeting. Not wanting to distract her, I addressed Spell Circuit, "I got the holotape, is she ready?"

"Just a few more minutes." Plasma huffed.

Spell then nodded. "Yes, we got most of the systems ready, Plasma is just doing a quick tune up on her thrusters. Margaret has been running nearly nonstop for two hundred years, so most of her parts are not in the best shape."

"Alright, then I guess we can start stage two." I then gave Spell the holotape. "You get started as soon as possible, and I'll have the cultist help gather and herd any stragglers."

He eyes the cult with suspension. "I'll trust you about them, but be careful." He then spoke low to a whisper. "There's probably a good reason why the Goddess didn't turn them into alicorns. But I guess we will deal with that once this is over."

I nodded and took a step back. "I get ya." Turning, I quickly trotted over to Cold Trails, passing him the overcharged plasma grenades. "Your turn fly colt, make sure that church can never be used again."

Cold Trails smile wide and saluted me with his wings, "would be my pleasure to wipe that place off the map." He then bolted upwards and flew off.

That left me with several priests and priestesses, all looking concerned. One then asked, "You're going to destroy the church?"

R8ght, t8me to think quickly… right the tainted stuff about Angel, I can still use that. "We need to, that place is tainted. Robbing ponies of their sense of self is wrong." I told them.

They cocked their heads. "But the Goddess freed ourselves from our ego, it was a good thing."

Fuck!

I wanted to push and call that wrong, but something inside me told me to not do it. That I needed to keep playing this role and keep them on my side. "Uhh… yes the Goddess did that, but… yes, but this is not the Goddess is it. It's from an evil pony who cares for nothing but control. That place is not a church to the Goddess, but an altar to one ponies desire for power."

Their eyes then grew wide again. "So true, such power belongs to the Goddess, not us mere mortals. Such a place is heresy, evil." A priest said, and the others cheered.

This was good, if way too easy. But right now we needed to get these ponies to move. "Alright everypony, I need you all to get all the innocent ponies out of here. Those entrapped by Tripwire's spell can still be saved, and that's the job I'm giving you. They're under evils thrall, and you're going to help save them, help get them to safety. My friends will help guide you."

One of the priestess had a serious look on her face, which due to her broken horn, made her somewhat intimidating. "So we do the Goddess's work by saving these ponies. Right we will do it, we will get them out of this corrupt place." The others cheered and then all ran off in different directions.

I was a little concerned, but I couldn't do much but trust them.

Then with two bright green flashes and loud cracking boom, Cold Trails flew back over, landing next to me with a thump and a smile on his face. "It's done." He told us.

I got my rifle ready, as the fight was about to start.

Molo, Cauterize, Cold, Plasma, and Spell joined me. The others were waiting near our exit to provide us any covering fire.

My eyes darted above us as the sounds of rapid hoofsteps on metal rattled all around.

"Good, they're all heading to the church. This should keep them from surrounding us once Margaret starts" Spell said.

"Which should be… now." Plasma said as she drew out her crossbow.

With a whirring and clicking sound, Margaret got back up and floating. "Oh I feel so much better." She said, then all the speakers around us turned on, and through them music began to play. "Alright, everything seems to be working, now to gather all the fillies and colts, it's time for a field trip." The same music began to play from her as she began singing some sort of lullaby.

"Soo… how is this actually going to work?" I asked, now realizing that I didn't understand any of this magical mumbo jumbo.

"If the spell's effect is working as I think it should. The music on the speakers will trigger the obedience conditioning on the captives, and the more powerful mezmetron spell copy from Margaret will draw them to her. Well, I hope it will." Spell explained.

Almost like on cue, the slaves started coming out of their shacks, some in rags, others in less distressed cloths, but all dirty with blank looks on their faces. They started gathering around Margaret. Not saying anything.

"This way, this way!" One of the cultists called out, with a few slaves following behind them. Unlike the others, they seemed to be just in a daze, still there, but just barely. The cult pony trotted up to me, one of the mares, and all smiles. "We had almost forgotten about these ponies. They were more resistant to the device Angel was using, so they were kept locked up and separated. The others should be here soon."

There was a loud cry, and a mare came rushing over, grabbing one of the blank stallions. "Honey! Honey, answer me!" She yelled.

"Fuck!" Molo cursed, and rushed over to the mare. "Be quiet you moron, you going to tip off the slavers before everypony is out of here."

The mare looked at molo and stumbled back, shielding her face as she shrieked. "NO! NO! NO!"

"It's alright, you're safe with us." Margaret said to the mare, offering a pincher."

Molo sighed. "Ya, we're getting you out of here, so shut up." She then turned to one of the Cultists, "Speaking of which, is this all of them?"

A priest nodded vigorously. "Aside from the foals, this should be all the ponies Angel was trying to corrupt!"

Looking at them, there was roughly the same amount as what I saw in the church, if not more. Satisfied, I trotted to Margaret, and told her, "you can go now, get them to the safe zone."

She smiled with her big mechanical eyes. "Alright, and do be careful. Nasty looking strangers have been about."

As Margaret floated away, the slaves followed her, with the cultists behind them to keep everypony together.

One of the priestesses trotted up to me, still smiling, which was getting creepy. She was the one with the broken horn. "I don't know how to say this, but we had been unsure of Angel since the Goddess's death. With how erratic he was, we had doubts, but doubting him after so many years felt wrong. Even when my sisters were baptized and… found unworthy, we didn't know how to even stop it… then you came, and showed that even the high priest was unworthy. If he was unworthy, then he must have been on the wrong path, and we were following him."

A tear rolled down her eye, it strangely rainbow in color.

"So… thanks… yes th-" as she spoke, a loud bang shot out and half of the mares face was blown off.

I stumbled back in shock, looked over to see a slaver with a stern longshot rifle on one of the stairs. My friend's counter attacked, and before the slaver could scramble away, she was torn to shreds.

Both Molo and Cold rushed over to me, helping me off the ground.

"Are you okay?" Molo asked in a panic.

"You didn't get shot did you?" Cold asked, just as worried.

"I'm… okay." I said, still feeling shocked by what just happened. I again turned to look at the dead slaver, and I could hear more coming. As the shock faded, a feeling of rage and hatred boiled up within me. That mare…I didn't even know her name, but she died, just as she was thanking me. Thanking me when I hadn't really done anything for her yet. I could feel tears forming in my eyes as I gripped my rifle, and through clenched teeth I told my friend, "let's make sure they can't hurt anypony ever again!"

The slaver had figured out what we were up to, and were now racing to reclaim the ponies we had taken, but we were waiting for them. The first wave of slavers fell quickly, giving us time to back up, running from cover to cover, but not too far back as to put the ponies we were saving in danger. Unfortunately the next wave of slavers wised up fast, and were trying to flank us while sticking to cover.

Aiming down my scope, with everything as clear as day through it, I caught a slaver trying to get around us. With a pull of the trigger, my 5.56 rounds cut into him, and a second pull finished him off.

Another slaver went up in flames, having been shot by Plasma using her decked out crossbow. Cold Trails had taken to the sky, and were keeping the slavers from going over us, sending a streak of plasma bolts down from above.

Molo and Cauterize were doing what they did best, laying down as much led as possible. But they quickly ran out of 5.56 ammo and switched back to their old guns. Though a waste of bullets in my opinion, they did make sure the slavers didn't dare rush us.

Spell was less useful with his rifle, but more than made up for it with magic. As we backed up, he would teleport out, and then a structure would collapse to block the slavers, or an explosive would go off next to a group of slavers. He even would disorient them with a spell, causing them to back off long enough for us to reposition further back.

But despite how well we were doing, the slavers were getting closer and closer, and every minute had a close call with death. Healing potions were quickly vanishing with every injury, and our ammo was depleting just as fast. But as we got to the edge of New Unity, we could see the other ponies making their way to the safe zone. Once they all make it behind several rusted machines and into a large hole in the ground, we can get out of here.

Digging out from a pocket, I pulled out my old flare gun, with it now going to be used for its original purpose.

"Almost time?" Spell Circuit asked.

"Ya, get ready to get us out of here." I told him, then bit onto my flare gun.

So as soon as the last of the captives were out of sight, I craned up my neck and fired. With a loud pop, the flare shot up and bathed everything in an ominous red light. It was our sign getting the fuck out of here, in case things were too loud and hectic for shouting. Which they were.

Spell Circuit pulled out a flask and guzzled the contents down, causing his horn to glow brightly with magic. Sparks jolted around us as the others gathered to him, and everything began to distort. With a pop, we teleported over behind the second closet machine wreckage, just a few hoofsteps off the ground.

As we fell, Molo managed to grab Spell, the unicorn passing out from moving so many ponies at once, and after all the magic he did in the fight. His horn took on a more burnt color, with a small bit of steam coming off it. It was clear that he wouldn't be casting any magic any time soon.

*Click*

I turned to see that Plasma had flipped the switch of the detonator, and a second later several loud explosions echoed out from New Unity.

We all peeked out from behind the rusted machine, except for Spell, who Molo dropped. Loud creeks and snaps came from the scrap built town, and then the refinery moved, twisting as it began to fall. The refinery dragged everything down with it, engulfing all of New Unity in a cloud of sparkly dust. Fortunately the dust didn't travel far, only a thin fog of it reaching us.

Through my night vision scope I could see several surviving slavers, all caked in dust as they ran out of the cloud. Then Cold Trails flew over them, mercilessly finishing them off with his guns.

Letting myself slump down, mouth covered by a rag, I breathed a sigh of relief, "That's it, it's finally over."

"Ya, but now we got to foalsit a bunch of retards." Cauterize said before firing his rifle.

I glared at the ex-raider, but despite how much of an asshole he was for saying that, it wasn't entirely wrong. At least with the alicorns they had Majestic, but for the brainwashed ponies, who knows how long it will be before they can think on their own. Worse, what if they get violent after recovering. But all that was fine, because we won.

"Better than sending off more dead." I said, but then remembered the one cultists that didn't make it. "I hope she finds peace, wherever we go after death."

Molo then sat next to me, looking nervous. "Ya, I hear that. Let's get everypony out of here, this dust can't be healthy." She was rubbing her hooves together, messing with a crack in one of them.

Patting my friend on the shoulder, I gave her a smile. "I guess it's time, you've earned this."

She smiled back, but she didn't look happy. "I… don't know if I have, but… I still need to see them."

With a thud, Cold Trails landed next to us, his armor now a sparkling silver from the dust. "I lapped around the ruins a few times, and saw no more activity. It also looks like everypony we came for is safe, the cult, captives, Alicorns and foals are all together."

Molo this time breathed a sigh of relief. "Good to know."

"Also." Cold then added tapping on the side of his helmet. "Low Pressure told me that Majestic wanted to talk with you, she is at our exit, waiting."

"Alright, I can guess it's about her sisters. Well we do have time for it, so can you ask the others to wait a bit. Anyways, I'm sure there's a few ponies that Mint and Aloe need to look over before having them go on a long trot." I told Cold.

He smiled and saluted before flying off, a trail of dust following him.

_______________________________________________________

After a short rest, we made our way to the tunnel, where we saw High Pressure waiting for us, with Catalyst behind her. The mare had ditched her robes, and looked rather cute. She was literally a female Low Pressure, but with a longer mane and tail, which made me quite jealous.

Strangely, Catalyst has several reenforced barrels on a two welled cart that she was clearly doing her best to keep secured. I doubt we could take whatever it was with us, unless the alicorn's decided to help.

Trotting ahead of my friends and over to High Pressure, I couldn't help but smile. "Wow, you're beautiful… well uhh… I mean, did you enjoy the show?"

"I know, that's why I had a stalker all my life." she said flatly. "And I can't say I enjoy the destruction of what could have been preserved for the future. But alas, I understand that it's better that nopony has it then the enemy having it." High Pressure replied.

"That's unfortunately true. So I'm guessing Majestic asked you to wait outside then?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "So many secret that one keeps, most of which I care not to know. But yes, she's inside. "

Molo whistled sharply as she caught up. "Fuck, please tell me she's into mares, I want to mess up that mane."

"I'm not gay enough to just fuck any mare, and you better not touch my fucking mane, savage." High Pressure quickly retorted.

"Ehh, worth a shot." Molo said with a shrug.

A chuckle came from Catalyst as she peeked from behind the barrels. "The same old Molotov. Oh, I dig the new burn scar, really sells the piro-retared look."

Molo's face scrunched up into a look of pure hate as she drew two of her SMG's "Catalyst, so this is where you were fucking hiding!"

"Molo, what are you doing?" I asked my friend.

She continued to glare at Catalyst. "That's the member of my crew I mentioned, the one who told me Angel was dead then disappeared herself!"

"You mean the one who said she was from a big family, and wanted to be an alicorn?" Dread then gripped me as I looked back at Catalyst, and realized what must be in those barrels is the shit that makes artificial alicorns. Looking the raider in her eyes, the madness in her became verry clear, along with her intent. "Fuck, High Pressure, get down!"

*Bang*

Blood sprayed from High Pressure's neck, and she stumbled forward, trying to speak but only gurgling before falling over. Molo then let loose, unloading her SMG's at Catalyst, spraying dust into the air.

My ears rang, but I could hear the clicking of Molo's guns.

"Quick shot as always, Molo." Catalyst said, the dust cleared away to reveal that she had made a magical barrier. "But that's to be expected from a barbaric whore. No way I could let you reclaim my nieces. If only you would have fucking killed yourself back then, then this wouldn't have needed to happen ya cunt!"

"What? What the fuck are you talking about Catalyst? You're no pillow mare, my daughters have no relationship with you!" Molo growled.

The others came running over, an exhausted but awake Spell with them.

"What the fuck! Catalyst is that you?" Cauterize shouted

The raider blew him a kiss. "Long time no see. How's the wife and son, did you take them down from that tree?"

For the first time, I saw true rage form on Cauterize's face as his body tensed up. "How… you!" He drew his rifle and fired what he had left, but it bounced harmlessly off her barrier. "If you were any bit involved in their death… you'll suffer!"

Catalyst yawned as her eyes then fell onto Spell. "Did he burn out, as expected from my useless little brother."

Spell's eyes widened in confusion. "Wait, but I don't have a sister?"

She rolled her eyes and let out a little chuckle. "Father was not the most faithful stallion to your mother, and both our families decided to not make a big deal of it. Only Tripwire was told about me, since he was to take over the family. You on the other hoof, well you didn’t matter. Just like how those two foals you had with the whore didn't matter, and would still not have mattered if you didn't help Redeye destroy our families." Her eyes then panned to me, the cocky look now serious. "Now tell me whore, where are the foals, why didn’t you send them here? I told that fucking retarded green alicorn to send them here!"

I smiled, barely containing my own rage. "You're not as smart as you think you are."

The already psychotic look on her face somehow became even more psychotic. "Oh, I will enjoy showing you such wonderful things."

"That's enough, Mystic Catalyst." The all too familiar voice of a stallion I hated spoke out, causing me to freeze in place. Appearing from thin air stood Tripwire, in his clean gray suit with a pink tie underneath. His mane was perfect, and so was his face… except that one of his eyes was a solid icy blue, and a streak of his mane on the same side was white. "Long time, Lottery."

Everything, all my pain, rage, and self loathing came bubbling up, and I drew my rifle, firing all I had. No shot connected thanks to Catalyst, but I didn't care, I wanted to will the shots through.

When I ran out of 5.56mm, I drew Whisky Shot, the six shots doing nothing as well. Then it was Rime Frost's turn, her blast no more effective, so I then charged, screaming as I hit the barrier with the axe head. A layer of frost formed on the magic barrier, deforming it. It shocked even Catalyst, who looked nervous, then annoyed, and then oddly amused.

"Are you done?" Tripwire asked. I went in for another attack, all I needed was one good hit at him and he would be dead. But I couldn't move, just like when I was fighting Angel. "Even if you're not, I am. Majestic, keep them like that while I talk."

"What?" I asked, only for Majestic to appear behind Tripwire, a blank expression on her face, and wearing some of the jewelry from the proto stable. "No… no you didn't! Set her free!"

"Shut her up, Majestic." Tripwire ordered, and magically my muzzle was forced shut.

I was then levitated back, where all my friends had also been held in place by Majestic. Tripwire then trotted over to High Pressure, the mare was holding her throat, struggling to stay alive, and he kicked her. "You thought you were so fucking smart, so Celestia damn clever. Always scheming like the other dregs, thinking your above your betters. Now look at who's still on top, and who's bleeding in the mud. Unless fucking mares, the lot of you."

Tripwire then turned his attention to Spell Circuit, and as he trotted up to him, he pulled out a dagger and stabbed his brother in the chest. He then took a few steps back, leaving the blade in his brother. "And you, you miserable failure. The best thing you ever did in your life was to disappear. But now here you are again, playing the hero. What a tripe. And again at my mercy, but this time I will make sure you're dead." Tripwire then grabbed the dagger with his magic and twisted it before pulling it out, blood quickly flowed out of the wound.

He looked over at Cauterize, Molo, and Plasma, then huffed. "Bunch of worthless wastelanders."

He finally turned his attention back to me. "You know, you used to be cute. Too dumb to understand, and unable to learn if not told. You were even obedient, just how I liked my mares; no plotting, just a head full of empty thoughts. But then you just had to go and try to be smart and stupidly defy me." As Tripwire got closer, I could see that his eye was not just icy blue, it was made of ice, I could even see a faded scar where Rime Frost had hit him. "And now you come back, doing all this… this… this useless resistance. But what could anypony expect from a hic from the middle of nowhere. Don't even think you've delayed me, or that I care about Angel or Onyx. Soon I'll have the mezmetron spell cracked, and then nothing you all have done will even matter."

Tripwire then sighed, pulling out his 9mm pistol. "Not that any of you will see it happen though. And Lottery, it was fun, and I'd love to bring you along. But I don't fuck defiled whores."

The pistol then levitated to my head, pressing on my temple. I wanted to scream and shout, to fight, to kill, but there was nothing I could do but cry. Green bolts hit a barrier that now surrounded us as Cold Trails passed over. A moment of hope quickly extinguished

Tripwire and Catalyst laughed, unfazed by it.

"Oh look, a plasma grenade." Catalyst mockingly pointed out.

It was one of the overcharged plasma grenades I gave Cold, it next to the barrier. Before I could even wonder if that would do anything, it exploded, and my world turned a bright green as Catalyst screamed. I then hit the ground, freed but for only a second, then a magical force pressed down on me, almost crushing me. I still couldn't move, I could barely breathe now with how heavy it felt. But my vision quickly returned and I saw Catalyst on the ground, her horn burnt out.

"Fucking feather brains!" Tripwire growled as he shot into the air at Cold Trails.

Cold turned around in mid flight, firing a few more shots at Tripwire, but then it just stopped, a spark and fizzle only coming out of his gun. Then Cold looped around and flew into a dive. I could only guess, but I was sure he just ran out of ammo, and was now going in for melee combat.

"Out of ammo hu." Tripwire said with confidence, putting his pistol away.

Dread then washed over me again, and I knew Tripwire had a trick up his sleeves. "NO, IT'S A TRAP!" I shouted, but Cold didn't stop.

Tripwire let out a chuckle, glancing in my direction. "You have gotten smarter, a shame." He then pulled out his medallion and it began to glow. A portal formed in front of Tripwire right before Cold was going to slam into him.

To my horror, Cold barely managed to turn in time to avoid going into the portal, but he immediately lost control. A line of blood followed him as he crashed into the ground, and tumbled a horrifying distance.

"Nasty that is." Tripwire said mockingly, with a smile on his face. "Those portals I mean. They can shere off a limb if you're not careful." The smile dropped, and he again looked at me. "Now where was I?"

A gunshot cracked out, landing not far from Tripwire, causing him to scowl. "More interruptions, can't you fools wait your turn! Catalyst you miserable bitch, get that barrier back up!"

Catalyst struggled to stand up, sparks coming off her horn. "No can do brother, all burnt out thanks to that fucking fuck bird." She then looked up, and scrambled for her cart. "Alicorns inbound!"

Tripwire kicked the dust, yelling "Fuck!" With rage in his eyes, looked down at me and fired wildly, several shots hitting me, adding to the pain. After a few clicks from his pistol, he then put it away and yelled, "Majestic, teleport us the fuck out of here!" With that he grabbed Catalyst and her cart of taint with his magic and dropped them next to the alicorn before joining them.

"But the foals, your foal?" Catalyst wheezed out, but was kicked by Tripwire.

"I can make more, you idiot!" He said to his sister.

Catalyst snarled. “And Redeyes filly, what about our revenge.”

Tripwire kicked Catalyst in the stomach. “Our power is more important than our revenge!”

With a slam, Ben Day kicked up a lot of dust, worry on his face. "Auntie!" Was all he could say before Majestic vanished with a crack, taking Tripwire and Catalyst with her. "No, Auntie! But why?"

I was no longer being held down by Majestic, but I felt no less heavy. It was even a struggle to get up, as my head felt light, and it was as though thousands of needles were stabbing into me. "Shes… the mez… mezmetron was… used on… her."

The panicked look on Ben Day switched to horror, then grew pale as he looked at me. "No, not Auntie, and… so much blood, no!"

"Dot panic, Ben Day!" Mint shouted as she ran over to us, tossing Ben Day a healing potion. "Go help Cold Trails, he should still be alive thanks to his armor! NOW!" Ben Day quickly rushed off, and Mint dashed to me, forcing a healing potion into my muzzle. "Drink you bitch!"

Aloe appeared soon after, and gasped in shock, but didn't slow down as she rushed to the rest of us.

My pain faded, but everything began to blur as a massive headache began to form. "Are… are the.. others-"

"They will be fine if I have anything to do with it, so just relax!" Mint told me, but the slight quiver in her voice worried me. "Here, this will help." She then pulled out a syringe of med-x, stabbing me with it, and everything then started going dark. "Oh please pull through, don't you fucking die on us!" As things went dark, I saw Mint pull out a bone saw.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Two

_______________________________________________________

As I woke up, I could feel pain all over my body, but at the same time that meant that I was alive. Bolting up, the dry musty smell was the first thing I noticed as my eyes adjusting to the light. Where I found myself in a dimly lit room, surrounded by… books?

BOOKS!

It was the hidden library, under the Elysium Memorial site. We've made it back here, thank Celestia!

I then winced in pain as my head felt like it was in a vice. "What fucking happened."

"You were both shot several times and crushed by an intensely powerful magical force. If that alicorn had pushed any harder you all might have literally thrown up your own guts." Mint told me. The ghoul had removed her mask, but now had a cloth wrapped around her muzzle. "I have good news, which is that everypony is going to make it."

Sitting up, and trying to ignore the headache, I asked a question that I knew I was not going to like. "And the bad news?"

"Not all of you are going to be okay." She said with a sad tone.

"Who, and why?"

Mint then levitated a few pills and a bottle of water to me. "First take this, it should help with the pain." I nodded and did just that. "Alright, firstly we managed to save High Pressure, but her blood loss was severe, and she wasn't breathing by the time we stabilized her. It's too early to tell, but she's likely in a coma, and the chances of brain damage are not insignificant"

That… sounded really bad. The events of the fight with Tripwire flashed through my mind, reminding me how powerless I had been. The only pony who even got close to him was Cold Trails… fuck, Cold Trails! "Tell me, how's Cold Trails!"

Mint closed her eyes and let out a long sigh before looking at me in the eyes. "He'll live, but… It's better if you wait a while before you see him."

"Just show me!" I demanded, not wanting to be treated like a fragile mare.

With a sigh, she offered her hoof, and I took it, climbing out of the cot. My legs wobbled a bit, but I managed to stand, then trot. Led by Mint, we passed my other friends, all covered in bandages, but looking like they will be just fine. When we stopped, I stood before Cold Trails… and my heart stopped.

I fell back onto my flank as all the strength in my legs left me. The entire left side of his body was covered in bandages, which would have been fine if not for the stumps where both his left hooves and left wing should be. "By Celestia!"

"We tried to look for them, as with healing potions you can reattach limbs… but they were nowhere to be found. We don't have hydra either, so regrowing them was not possible. And now too much time has passed to fix it." Mint placed a hoof on my shoulder. "He will live, but he'll never fly again."

I felt weak, and light headed. This was unfair, so fucking unfair. We had won, finished the mission and won. Yet, it feels like a hollow victory. Maybe the price was too high.

"Lottery!" Mint shouted as I fell over, and everything began to fade again.

_______________________________________________________

The dream returned, the vile voices rushing to me, seeking to violate me. But I didn't care anymore. The broken bodies of my friends surrounding me, a testament to my weakness.

Rime Frost and Will-o-Wisp were with me, I tightly hugged them, as though to not lose them too.

"If you were more powerful, none of that would have happened." Strife said to me from the darkness surrounding me. "Act faster, see things better, fight harder. If only, if only."

The form of Angel seeped up through the ground, and he spoke with a mouth full of coal black teeth. "Find faith in the Goddess, she will grant you strength!"

I only held Rime and Willow harder. "Fuck off, I don't care anymore. He's too powerful, too smart, too far ahead."

Sickly black hooves wrapped around me as Strife embraced me. "Oh don't give up now, that would be too boring. And I know that you can't stop now. Not when you have suffered so much already, the things you sacrifice, and the ponies you have saved. Oh there is so much more to do. You have ponies to kill, and places to burn."

The mad god let me go. "I'll be here, waiting. If you want power, real power. All you need to do is embrace me, to accept my love and my hate. Then you can carve a bloody scare through the wasteland, and lay low all those you hate."

She then cackled, loudly at first, but it faded as though growing distant.

_______________________________________________________

"What do I do…" I heard Molo mutter as again I woke up, still feeling terrible, but as much as last time. "Do I say, hay it's me, your mother… or… or… Oh what do I do?"

"Uhhh…" I let out as I pushed myself up.

"Lottery! Thank Celestia you're awake. Aloe here told me you fainted soon after getting up." Molo said, hugging me with tears in her eyes.

"I can't believe Mint did that!" Aloe huffed out, she standing behind Molo. "She should know better. You have head trauma, and need to take things slowly. Seriously, and she's supposed to be the smarter one."

"Ya… That was a lot to take in." I said as I looked around. We were all still here, except that Cold and High Pressure were still unconscious. "You said head trauma?"

Aloe nodded. "Ya, Mint guessed that when Majestic used her magic to press you down, it had enough power to fracture all your bones, including your skull. Well when I got there it looked to me you took a bullet to the noggin actually."

"What! How am I alive?" I asked, feeling confused.

She shrugged. "It's just a guess since it didn't penetrate. It just bounced off and gave you a nasty cut and a fracture. Seen the injury a few times, and is why my pistols are either 10mm or .45 cal, not 9mm. Fucking zebra calibers."

Aloe then took a deep breath, and forced a smile. But due to her being a ghoul, the smile didn't calm me one bit since I could see the decay of her body. "Sorry, got stuck in the past there for a moment. Well afterwards, we had to quickly re-brake and set some of your legs before the healing potions solidified the bones. Thankfully those cultists and alicorns are good at following orders, or it might have been a lot worse than it turned out to be." She then trotted right up to me, her milky white eyes carefully looking into my own. "So, how are you feeling, any headaches, seeing spots, or any ringing in your ears."

"N… no, nothing like that right now. But I do feel sore all over." I told the ghoul nurse.

She smiled. "Good. Now let me know if anything strange happens, unfortunately we don't have anything to properly look you over, so there could be problems we missed. That's also why we're keeping the painkillers use at a low, best you feel something wrong before it becomes a real problem."

"Thanks, I'll do that." I said to Aloe, then asked, "how did Majestic do that in the first place?"

"I think I know." Spell Circuit said, slowly trotting over. He had dark bags under his eyes, and the spot he was stabbed was heavily bandaged. "I asked Ben Day about his aunt, and it matches up with Pentagram's notebook. She was one of the original artificial alicorns, and had been given the freedom to think for herself from the start. Which means she had two hundred years to master her magic, along with all the secrets that the Goddess knows. This would include almost everything Twilights Sparkles knows."

My eyes widened in shock. "You mean the Ministry mare of the Ministry of Arcane Science!"

Spell Circuit nodded. "It was in Pentagram's notebook, though I was unsure it was the same Majestic at the time. It was during the years Pentagram wandered around the wasteland looking for more recourse to take back home. He attempted to find Twilight Sparkle with the mare of the Ministry of Awesome, Rainbow Dash, and the Steal Rangers. They figured out where she was, but it was clear that even if Twilight had survived, there was no way to rescue her. That's when Majestic appeared and told them that Twilight had become fused with a mare named Trixie and two others. And this Trixie was the one in charge. After that, Rainbow, Pentagram, and the rangers went their separate ways, where my Ancestor returned home and never left."

"And now Majestic is under the control of Tripwire." I growled in disgust.

"Troubling indeed." Spell sighed. "But keeping her like that must not be easy, probably why she was covered in those suppresser jewelry. If we can disrupt the magic around her long enough, she could easily break herself free. But finding or making something like a anti-magic pulse grenade will not be easy…" spell began to trail off, now lost in thought.

Plasma then trotted over, looking a tad jittery. "We've been going over ways to counter the mind control spell. I suggest an AMP grenade, since overcharged plasma grenades produce a weak AMP, which is why the barrier broke and Majestic dropped us."

"That's good to know." I said.

"Well, it's more of a start." Plasma said, sounding unsure. "The ranger archive listed that AMP weapons were all of zebra designs, so it's unlikely to find any just lying around. Also, the old Ministries likely suppressed any information about how they worked, so making one would be exceedingly difficult without one to reverse engender."

That was going to be a problem. "And the only Zebra I know works in the Red Light Showroom. Well she's more of a zony than a zebra, or something. I don't really get how that genetics stuff works to tell the truth."

"Pecan, right?" Plasma asked and I nodded, but wondering how she even knew her. "Ahh, Sugar introduced her to me, and she seems more like a mutant than anything with that almost black tongue of hers." She explained before changing the subject. "Anyways, I was actually thinking of asking Rattlebones about any untouched military sights in the tribe's territories. Or if possible, asking the Steel Rangers, there is a good chance that confiscated zebra weapons could be in the bunker. This region's chapter of rangers are the tech keepers for several other chapters after all. I was actually on my way to join them when the Brain Naild captured me."

I let out a long sigh. "Thanks, we'll just need to pass all that onto Grizzly. But until then, we have other pressing matters to attend to." I then looked over to Molo, who was twittiling her hooves. "Like checking on the ponies we rescued, is that right, Molo?"

Molo looked over at me, and I could see fear in her eyes, true fear. "I… I don't know."

"It will be fine, they're your daughters, and you're their mother. No way this can go wrong." I told her.

She nodded, but Spell clearing his throat sent a shiver down our spine. "Excuse me, but can I ask a question?" We both knew what Spell was going to ask, and that things were about to get super awkward. "About what Catalyst said… about you and I… and…"

Molo scratched her arm, clearly nervous. "Ya… you see, Sparking Passion is not my sister… she's… well… she's me." Molo confessed.

Spell's eyes widened in shock. "H… how, what happened, no that's impossible, she's…"

"She was beautiful, were you going to say…" Molo said through gritted teeth. "Well beauty is worth shit in the wasteland, and it's hard to stay that way when you're forced to live as a raider for years."

The stallion fell back on his flank. "S… sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"It's fine." Molo said, cutting him off. "I've long accepted that I'm not the pony I used to be."

"And the foals… when, how, they can't be mine, can they?" Spell asked.

Molo rolled her eyes. "You were from a well off family, and you trotted into pillow mares territory. What the fuck do you think was going to happen? I'm probably related to just as many families as Grizzly Deal is. But unlike her family, the pillow mares are paid to keep our muzzles shut about it!" Molo then sighed. "I was your honey trap, clean from diseases and well trained in the art of sex."

Spell further slumped. "And I didn't know. I didn't know anything about anything."

Molo reached out to Spell, patting him on the shoulder as she told him, "it's okay, I didn't even know that Catalyst was your sister, and she was in my crew for years. Likely laughing behind my back."

He lightly pushed Molo's hoof away. "You don't understand, as smart as I think I am, I've been ignorant about everything around me. I should have known, I should have paid more attention." He then backed up, looking defeated. "I'm sure Redeye figured it out, he was always good at digging out secrets and the like. And that means if I had not run away, then your life would not have become like this… but I did, making me the cause. A failure failure to the end."

"Spell, that's not true! Don't let your brother's words get in your head!" I spoke up.

But Spell didn't seem to even hear me, and just said. "I… I need some time alone."

We watched as he just trotted away, out of the room and around the corner. Plasma then followed him, "I'll k… keep an eye on him." She said before rounding the corner.

Molo then retreated into herself, holding herself tightly. "I knew that would happen, I knew it."

I hugged my friend, holding her tightly. "It will be alright, he just needs time, we all just need some time."

_______________________________________________________

After a several long minutes, Molo finaly settled down, and after some coaxing, I convinced Molo to at least go see the foals. To at least confirm that her daughters were there. When we left the room, which the archway into it had been covered by a cloth, we were greeted with ponies lining the hallway, most looking a lot cleaner since the last time we saw them. But to our shock and disappointment, many of them still looked empty inside.

Aloe helped one pony out of the way. "We did our best to help them, and though some recovered, many more haven't. The magic used on them, and the cultists brainwashing, it must be deeply rooted." Aloe explained.

"Is their a way to reverse it?" I asked.

"Probably, Coriander was well educated in psychological damage, so he may know how to help the ones still affected." Aloe explained.

"Lottery, your awake!" Ben Day called out from down the hall, and carefully trotted over to us. "I was afraid you might never wake up."

I tried to smile, but only managed the bear minimum. "I don't go down easily, how are you holding up?"

Ben Day scratched his leg with his wing nervously. It was still strange to think of this large mare as a young colt, but his mannerisms were a lot like my brothers. "I… I don't know. I want to cry, or run off to save Auntie, but she told me to stay strong and look after the other foals. I can't let myself be a crybaby right now you know."

That put an honest smile on my face. "Well your doing a wonderful job. I'm sure Majestic would be proud of you."

"Th… thanks Miss Lottery." He said, blushing a little.

"So, how are they doing, the other foals I mean?" I then asked.

Ben Day also smiled. "They're safe and doing well. I even managed to recover all our stuff from the hiding spot after the fighting stopped. It was… all I could do for them."

I gave him a light jab on the shoulder. "That's more than most of us could do in your situation, and I mean that."

"Is it okay if we… ya know, see them?" Molo asked.

Ben Day nodded. "It should be fine, I think. Though most of them aren't fond of strangers. It's been a rough few months for… well everypony."

"Ya, I understand that all too well." I said with a sigh.

We were then led down the hall, closer to the entrance. Sitting on a box was Moonlight, calmly reading a book. Seeing me she smiled and closed the book. "I got ta say, there was a piece of me that doubted you, and I'm more than glad that it was proven wrong." Moonlight looked over to one of the rooms where ponies were resting. "Sadly, the raiders didn't leave very many survivors, but I'm glad to see some of my neighbors again."

"Ya, I wished I could have saved more." I told her.

She nodded. "A peace of me still wishes you showed up sooner, then maybe my sister would still be alive. Or that I had taken her place. But we were fortunate enough that anypony even showed up at all, much less challenged the Murder Ballers." Moonlight then opened her book back up, with a sorrowful look still on her face. "My sister was a bitch, you know, but she was still my beloved sister. So I can at least take solace that she was avenged, for whatever that's worth."

"And what do you plan to do now?" I asked.

Moonlight flipped a page, and for a moment the sorrow faded. "Can't fight no more, but that still doesn't mean I can't protect others. Found this engineering book for beginners, so I think maybe I can help new settlements get better defenses. Recon I could help prevent what happened to Elysium from happening to others. Though nopony ever expects a bailfire egg launcher."

"That sounds like a wonderful idea. I look forward to seeing what you make." I told he

"And I look forward to seeing you rid this world of those slavers that started this mess." She said back to me.

Moving on, I caught up to Molo and Ben Day, who were just standing in the archway, looking in. Peeking in myself, the little ponies were keeping themselves busy with toys or reading books. Many of them were young, maybe less than ten years old, but a few were clearly in their young teens.

"You see them?" I asked.

Molo nodded, tears in her eyes. "Yes, that's them, no doubt in my mind it's my little darlings." Pointing at them, both unicorn fillies looked like a young female Spell Circuit, but with Molo's mane. Even I couldn't deny how much they looked like their parents, it was kinda uncanny, though the same can be said about my Ma and I.

Scanning the room, I then saw the problem foal that's likely going to piss off Grizzly Deal. A little earth pony filly that looked a lot like Wiretap, but with a Onyx's mane. Pulling out the photo I stole from Onyx's desk, there she was, the filly next to Onyx. Though I doubt it meant anything to Tripwire that we had his daughter, he didn't seem to care at all.

Then I remembered something Catalyst said before they got away, and quietly asked quietly. "Wait, which pony is Redeye's foal?"

"What!" Molo blurted out, then covered her muzzle and whispered. "you can't be serious, there is no way… no wait… that's… ya, I can guess who it is."

I raised an eyebrow at Molo. "You sure, Catalyst could have been fucking with us."

"Nope, that filly in the corner, behind my daughters, she is a dead ringer for Redeye." She then pointed to the filly sitting in a corner, who looked roughly eight or nine years old.

She was a deep crimson red with piercing blue eyes, and a dark blue, almost black mane. Her mane and tail also he had a streak of colors in it; red, yellow and blue. Which reminded me a bit of Molo and her daughters.

"Odd question, but are red, yellow, and blue coloring in the mane and tail common in your family?" I asked.

Molo sighed. "About almost all us pillow mares have that. So ya, looks like Redeye got honey trapped too."

I looked over at Ben Day, and asked. "Is it okay if I go and talk with some of them?"

He thought about it for a moment, then said, "just try and not spook them, please."

"I understand, I just want to confirm something, that's all." I told him, then looked over at Molo. "And are you okay, Molo?"

"Ya, i'm fine. I just need time, that's all." She told me.

Trotting in, some of the foals were clearly wary of me, others curious of me. Making my way to the corner, the filly we assumed was Redeye's daughter was quietly reading a book, not paying me any mind. She was rather small and thin, along with being quite well groomed, unlike most of the other foals here.

"Excuse me, might I know your name, my name is Lottery?" I asked.

She peeked up at me for a moment before returning her attention to the book.

I guess it was a bit much to expect, as I was a stranger after all.

"Hay, you leave Matrix alone!" An older filly spoke up, catching me a bit by surprise.

Turning around I saw Molo's daughter standing before me, one puffing up her chest. Molo's younger daughter was behind her, hiding.

"Oh, sorry, I was just curious, didn't mean anything by it." I told them.

The older filly scowled at me, clearly not trusting me. "Ya ya, that's what the others say. Saying they will do no harm, but it's all lies. I won't let you hurt Matrix, or any of the foals here, you got it?"

I raised my hooves up in a non threatening manner. "I get it." But this caused her to flinch and back up a step. Looking at my hooves, I noticed I still had the clawed Gauntlets on, so I lowered my hooves. "Sorry, forgot that I still have these on."

She clicked her tongue, clearly annoyed. "Typical ignorant wastelander."

That annoyed me a bit, but quickly calmed down, as she was just a foal, well more a young teen. "You mentioned the others, other ones who lie. I'm guessing you're talking about Tripwire, right?"

The filly remained silent for several long seconds before saying. "Maybe, why do you care?"

"Because we're trying to stop him, we're the good ponies." I told her.

But the older fill didn't look convenient. "They all say that, but as soon as we don't do as they say, they show their true colors." She then gritted her teeth. "So leave Matrix alone, she hasn't done anything, why do you adults hate her so much! I don't care if you hurt me, but leave Matrix and my sister alone!"

"WHAT!" An uncharacteristically shrill tone came from Molo as she trotted over. "Whoever hurt you, tell me Crown Glass and I will kill them!"

The older filly, Crown Glass, turned to Molo in shock. "H… how do you know my… you!" Her ears flattened as she made sure her sister stayed behind her. "You stay away!"

Molo froze, clearly confused and a bit worried.

"Sis, whose that?" The younger filly asked Crown.

"Nopony important." Crown answered.

Shock was clear as day over Molo's face, she a loss for words, her eyes darting around in confusion. Thankfully Ben Day stepped in, putting himself between them.

"Miss Molo, maybe it's best if you get some more rest." Ben Day suggested.

Looking defeated, Molo nodded and trotted out. It hurt to see my friend like that, and as I went to follow them. Then I saw Spell Circuit standing in the archway, he too looked confused.

As Molo and Ben Day left, I stopped at the archway, addressing Spell. "You want to see them as well?"

He rubbed his leg with his cybernetic hoof. "I don't think that would be wise."

I sighed. "Probably, everypony has been through a lot recently."

"That's putting it lightly, after what my brother has done… it's going to take time for any of us to be fine." Spell said, clearly blaming himself.

"Dad?" A young filly asked as she trotted over to Spell, tilting her head as she squinted her eyes at Spell. It was Tripwire's daughter. Her eyes then widen in joy as she hopped up to Spell. "Dad, you've finally come for me! It's me, Cable! Where's mom? Can we finally be a family like mom said we will be?"

Spell looked absolutely confused and very lost as she grabbed his leg.

It broke my heart, but I knew this needed to be cleared up quickly. "Um, Cable was it." The filly nodded excitedly. "I'm sorry, but that's not your Pa." Her ears then flopped down, clearly in shock. "But he is actually your uncle, your fathers younger brother."

She tilted her head again. "My… uncle?"

I nodded. "Yes, and we're taking you somewhere safe."

She still didn't look happy. "Will my mom be there?"

That was like an arrow to my heart. Onyx Heart was an unredeemable bitch, but to this innocent filly, she was mom… and I saw her mother die, her head getting blown open. She was going to find out eventually, but not here, not yet. "Sorry, but she's somewhere else, but where you're going, you have an older sister there."

Her eyes lit up. "I… I have a sister!"

"Yes…" Spell said, looking more calm now. "I'm her magic teacher actually."

"Ohhh, can I learn magic?" She asked, practically bouncing.

Spell looked nervous, then sighed. "Unicorn magic, no, but I know how to make a few potions, which I can teach you."

Several other foals started to gather, curiosity on their faces. One then said out loud "His eye is like Redeye's!"

That got everypony's attention as more foals gathered.

"Did you know Redeye?" One asked.

"Where did you get that leg, it's super cool?" Another asked.

Ben Day again came to the rescue, putting his wing between us and the foals. "Sorry, most of them were basically raised by Redeye, see him as like their father, so it's been a bit of a problem when he is brought up." He told us, then turned to the foals. "Hey now, don't mob the grownups, you know how they can be."

I let out a little chuckle, "you're quite mature, Ben Day, all considering."

"Maybe…" he said, sounding a bit confused. "Might be because I do remember the last two hundred years, but I only just fully remembered who I was. Anyways, I'll get them to stop bothering you."

"Actually," Spell spoke up as he gently pushed down Ben Day's wing. "If it's okay If I talk to them about Redeye. Maybe the father they know was like the friend I lost."

Ben Day tilted his head, clearly now more confused.

I decided to clear things up a little. "Spell here knew Redeye, before he became Redeye." In the lonely corner I saw Matrix's ears twitch, along with Crown looking over. So I placed my hoof on Spell's shoulder. "Go, but leave out any… extreme stuff, okay."

Spell let out a huff. "Certainly I would not do something like that! It would be irresponsible of me if I mentioned things they are not ready to hear." He then sighed and smiled. "Anyways, It might help me to think… I hope."

Folding his wing, Ben Day let Spell pass, and the foals started gathering around him.

"You sure he will be okay, they can be quite aggressive?" Ben Day asked me.

I shrugged. "Ehh, can't be worse than anything Tripwire has done to him."

"That may be, but I'll keep an eye on them for now. It's the job Auntie gave me after all." Ben Day said.

"We'll get her back, that's a promise." I told him.

He just smiled at me and then trotted off to join Spell and the foals.

It was rather strange, seeing a bunch of foals gather around Spell Circuit, all ears as he said. "Well, I first met Redeye outside of Fillydelphia, still ignorantly believing that I was superior just because I was a Unicorn. Then a strange red stable pony trotted right up to me and said…"

I trotted out of the room, leaving them be. That's when I noticed several ponies looking at me with less than friendly glares. I cocked an eyebrow at them and trotted over. "What?"

One mare rolled her eyes at me. "Oh nothing, just that you seem keen on saving just as many Redeye lackies as you are to save his victims."

Looking at her, I don't know why, but they reminded me of Moonlight right after we save her. Yet unlike the raging fire that was quickly burning away, they were like a flickering flame, barely holding on. As though they were… losing hope.

Hope, was that what drove Strife off before? Maybe… I'll talk to Rattlebones about it if there's time, but first I need to clear things up here before somepony does something stupid.

"If they are Redeye's lackies, then they will be turned over to Gwadina. I heard she's been putting those ponies and griffins on trial. But right now that's not why we're all here, and not what you need to worry about." I told the mare.

A stallion then spoke up. "And what's that? Are we to just pretend that some of these ponies here didn't throw us in front of a mind control machine? Or how they were complicit in the raiding of our homes and the murdering of our friends and family?"

Another mare then spoke up. "And the abuse, should we forget any of that. Oh, Miss hero, who doesn't know the pain we feel! those monsters deserve no less than death, we all know it!"

*Slap*

The mare stumbled back from getting struck by Plasma Cutter, who took a few steps closer, almost getting muzzle to muzzle and growling out. "Don't you fucking dare pull that card, not to her and not to me! I get it, after spending a month as a raider clans play thing, I get it. But that's no excuse for acting like them. So instead of berating her for trying to save as many ponies as possible, maybe focus on what you can do to help. This shit is why the Rangers can't trust any of you with technology, with how you are always thinking about how to drag each other down."

After a long moment, the ponies who seemed to have a problem then trotted away. Still looking unhappy, but less likely to cause a problem.

"Thanks, Plasma." I told her.

She sighed, returning to rubbing her leg nervously. "Well, It just pissed me off, that's all. Using their pain to press for revenge when we all have been hurt. Some of us more than others."

I gave Plasma a hug. "Ya, I understand."

She hugged me back. "Lottery, if you don't mind me asking, but do you think we have a chance at stopping him?"

"Stopping Tripwire? I… I don't know. But he must be stopped, otherwise he's going to hurt even more ponies." I said, feeling unsure, yet determined.

Plasma nodded, telling me. "Ya, if not us, then who?" She then shook her head, as though trying to throw off a thought. "I'm sticking with you on this, to the very end, okay."

"Thanks, it's good to hear that." I told her. Everything was draining, but knowing I had a friend watching my back, it made it all the more bearable.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Three

_______________________________________________________

It had taken them a while, but several large and beaten up sky wagons landed near the entrance of the library. All of them had a neon pink "X" over the enclave symbol. Pulled by two pegasus, and had what looked like two gunner seats on the sides, though lacking the guns.

With them were over ten heavily armed Talons, who looked as though they were just recently been in a fire fight… then again, they might have been.

To my relief Hans was with them, with a bloody bandage on the side of his head.

"Please don't tell me the fight was that bad?" I asked.

He cocked an eyebrow at me. "You look worse than I do. But ya, the fuckers has a lot of well armed and well trained soldiers. Real shitshow. So, what the fuck happened to you?"

"Their boss showed up, and everything went tits up before we could do anything. Fucking Tripwire read us like a book." I told Hans.

Hans then looked at my new gun, smiling a bit. "I guess you had some success… I hope?"

I nodded. "Mission successful. Angel and Spine Breaker are dead, captives recovered, weapons cash recovered, and some extra." I then took a deep breath, exhaling slowly into a long sigh. "But Cold Trails is… no longer able to fight, and Tripwire has a very powerful alicorn under his control."

"If he is alive, then things can get better." Hans said to me as he placed a claw on my shoulder. "Take it from me, a messed up friend is bad, but nothing worse than a dead one." He then turned around, addressing the pegasus and griffins in his group. "Alright, we got civilians and supplies here that need immediate extraction. Both will need to be done swiftly, and with care."

They all saluted, and began making their way into the hidden library. I looked back to see Mint and Cauterize give me a nod and head on down ahead of them.

"Oh, one more thing." I said to Hans. "We have a few ponies that may need… special care."

He again raised an eyebrow at me, and leaned in.

Whispering, I told him. "Well it's the foals we recovered, one being Tripwire's filly, thus, Wiretap's half sister. But that's not all, though we are unsure if it's true or not, but one of them may be Redeye's."

Clear shock showed on his face, but Hans kept his voice low. "If true, that's going to be a problem. I'll have the foals all be taken under guard, and kept out of view. Best if none are single out in case it tips any idiot off."

"Thanks, and maybe have Spell stay with them. He's surprisingly good with foals, and some of them already seem to like him. Also there's a green alicorn by the name of Ben Day, he's… well she's their protector right now, it'll be a problem if they're separated. " I requested.

Hans nodded, and then stopped a young Talon, whose uniform just barely fit him. "You, there's a bunch of foals down there, take them to the heavy armored carrier, along with a unicorn named Spell Circuit and an alicorn named Ben Day. Consider them all VIP's, got it!"

The young griffin saluted. "Sir yes sir!" then quickly made his way down the stairs.

This time I cocked my eyebrow. "He seems… young?"

"He is, but he's also a fully trained and combat tested Talon. The kid is also talented, enough so that Gwadina's been demanding his contract, offering good caps for him too." Hans explained.

I let out a whistle. "Impressive. Lucky that you have him."

"For now." Hans said sternly. "Grizzly is considering taking that deal, if Gwadina sends us more aid. But she's hoping we finish this fight with Tripwire before then. Good soldiers are worth their weight in caps you see." He then looked over to the stairs. "Now speaking of good soldiers, why don't we check on Cold Trails, I want to see the damage."

_______________________________________________________

The Talons and Pegusi were now organizing the ponies down here, keeping them calm as they were led back outside. They seemed relieved to finally be moving again, well though still not trapped in a daze. We also passed Cauterize as he was helping move one of the weapons crates out, looking like he really wanted to get out of here. Not far behind him was Plasma directing the other alicorns, as they levitated several more of the weapons crates.

Trotting into the makeshift medical room, Aloe, Low, and Molo were waiting for us. Seemingly out of character for him, Low seemed genuinely worried for his sister as he sat next to her. Then again, I might have been selling the narcissist short.

Molo and Aloe on the other hoof were with Cold Trails, whom to my surprise was awake. He looked over to me, clearly exhausted from just surviving, and smiled with a half bandaged muzzle. "Hay Lottery, heard you fainted after waking up." He lifted his hooves to shrug, but saw the stump where his left hoof should be, and could not take his eyes off of it.

Quickly trotting to him, I gave Cold a hug. "Sorry, I'm so sorry!"

"It's… not your fault. This just happens sometimes." Cold tried to comfort me, but it only made me feel worse. So much worse.

"No, I should have seen this coming, I should have warned you sooner. You saved us all, and you didn't deserve this!" I told him, tears welling up in my eyes.

Cold gently pushed me away. "No, I deserved this." Strangely, there was guilt in his eyes and voice. "So please, don't cry for me. I don't deserve that, not after some of the things I've done."

I felt confused. "Wh… what do you mean?"

The large claws of Hans then grabbed me by the collar of my jumpsuit and lifted me away from Cold. "What do you think, Lottery, he was an Enclave officer."

Looking over at Cold, who averted his gaze from my own, and then I released. Like an idiot, I never asked, never wondered. When the Enclave descended, they killed a lot of ponies, and destroyed so much so quickly.

"Oh… right." I said, and Hans put me down, where Molo then put a hoof on my shoulder.

The Talon then trotted up to Cold, and addressed Aloe. "Is he safe to transport?"

The ghoul looked rather annoyed. "I know what you're going to do and no. Well yes he is as healed as he can get down here, but between the blood loss and a need for a trotting aid, he should not be moving around."

Hans then grabbed Cold and hoisted the pony onto his back.

"Or you can do that." Aloe said with a sigh, then huffed out. "Every time with you soldiers."

"Well it's not like we got the time to sit around and wait for things to get any better. Grab the other injured pony, and load them up in the sky cart." Hans said coldly.

I didn't like the sound of that.

But before I could ask, Molo asked, "How much time do we have?"

"Not nearly enough for a safe trip back." Hans told us. "It will take an hour before Wiretap's forces come down on this place like a hammer, but we'll get out of here in time before that. The problem is the pegasus strike team on their way here."

"Flyright!" Cold Trails growled.

Hans nodded, "there's not many of them, but they did the most damage when the fight started."

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked.

"Because panic makes ponies dumb and slow, better that we get you all organized before you know about the attack." Hans said before trotting to the archway.

A rather banged up Talon pushing a weapons crate was then stopped by Hans, and asked. "How many more crates are there?"

The griffin saluted Hans. "Almost all of them sir, a strange group of ponies are helping us get the crates out of the cage."

"Good, get ready to fly out as soon as everything is loaded." Hans told the Talon, he then turned around and told us before trotting out. "If you're able, grab what you can and move."

"I'll help move High Pressure." Aloe said, and ran to the two pegasus.

"Lottery, what about the foals?" Molo asked me, sounding worried.

"They're fine, they're getting the VIP treatment." I told her.

She sighed in relief, "then let's get the rest of the guns out of here."

Rushing to the back of the library, we passed a few more griffins hauling weapons crates, wasting no time getting out of here. Reaching the back, I was greeted by the sight of the cult working together to push the remaining crates out, all while being directed by Mint.

Trotting up to Mint, I didn't waste time with niceties. "Were about to be attacked, go join the others."

She huffed, blowing her fake mane out of her face. "I figured as much." She then turned to the cult. "Alright, grab what's left and get the fuck out of here. Your saint says the time is now!"

The cult of mutants then cheered, and collectively began pushing the rest of the crates out.

"How?" I asked.

"I know psychology, and they're a bit soft in the head." Mint expanded as she lifted a smaller medical crate onto her back, and ran off.

"Last one!" Molo said as she pushed a larger crate out with some struggle. Joining her, we both pushed onto the crate, and joined the train of cultists as they made their way to the exit.

Already the hidden library was looking empty, with mostly garbage and books left behind. The robots were still marching around, cleaning what they could. There were ponies ahead of us, but they were being hurried forward, and those who could not move were being carried.

Quickly reaching the stairs, the cultists worked together to push the crates up as soon as the remaining ponies had gotten out. I had to put the large and heavy crate onto my back, with Molo providing stability and support as I then began climbing up, thankful for the Grizzly Gauntlets that kept me from slipping.

It didn't take long getting back outside, though now my legs now felt like shit, but we had made it. Already a sky carrier had lifted off, being pulled by two pegasus each and guarded by a Talon.

Hans landed next to us and pointed to a nearby carrier. "Get on that one!"

Helping us, we three made it to the carrier just as the others lifted off, and waiting for us was another Talon who helped pull the crate into an already cramped carrier as soon as we arrived. Jumping in ourselves, the two griffins closed the door behind us and slammed on the side.

Lurching forward, I felt the carrier move and then soon came the sensation of us flying.

Trotting to the front, I had to push past several ponies, where I found Plasma already there. She was looking at some tech on the sky wagon with great interest.

"What's that?" I asked.

"It's the data read for the cloud wagon. It lets us know if there's something wrong with it or not." She explained.

Looking at it myself, it was all gibberish to me. "So, is there anything wrong with it?"

Plasma shrugged. "Not sure since I never worked on one. Most cloud wagons were in the clouds when the war ended, and those down on the ground that the Rangers could get were disassembled and placed into storage. So aerospace engineering isn't well known by Steel Rangers, but we do know not to go near any rusted ones out in the wasteland. Their cores, if damaged, would easily become unstable and explode."

That actually surprised me. "Wait, this can explode!?"

One of the two pegasus pulling us laughed. "No mam, you're safe. The Enclave made sure all our tech was well maintained. Though after two hundred years, I can't imagine these babies are going to last much longer now they're back in use again."

There was a thud above us, and then Hans stuck his head over from the roof. "They're not going to last an hour if you don't pick up the pace. A wing of Enclave shock troopers are inbound, Lottery, Plasma can you provide support?"

"From here! How? If you mean those gunner seats, there were no guns on them!" I asked, feeling a bit worried about fighting in the sky.

The other pegasus then spoke up. "This is a Flying Troop Transport Model 3, it's made so that you can attach standard rifles or M.E.W.'s to the gunner seat. Snap on, snap off kind of thing."

I took a deep breath, knowing I was going to hate this. "Alright, we'll do what we can."

"Y… yes, and we're already loaded up on ammo too." Plasma added.

Hans pulled up a rather interesting looking rifle. "Good, we'll do what we can to keep them off you, but if they get too close, open fire. We can't let the bastard claim the cloud wagons or what's inside them." He then jumped off, wings spread wide.

Plasma and I trotted to the mid sections where either side had a small door. As I opened my door and the outside air rushed in, a pony grabbed my leg.

"Are we going to be alright?" A very scared looking mare asked.

"I'll do what I can, so please just stay calm, and we will get through this." I told her and she let me go.

Stepping into the gunner seat and closing the door, my vision spun as I looked down to see the ground far below me.

We were so high, too damn high!

Slapping myself and taking a deep breath, I managed to calm myself long enough to pull out my IF-64 rifle and put it into the turret, it literally snapping in like the pegasus told me it would. Securing the gun with a latch, I then strapped myself into the seat, making sure the belts were extra tight.

"Lottery, come in!" Plasma's voice faintly and strangely came through some strange headset hanging off the turret. Putting it on, Plasma's voice came through loud but not clear, it sounded very tinny as she spoke. "If you're hearing this, flip the green switch on the turret, it will let you talk over the coms."

I did just that, and my headset began making a low static sound. "Is.. is this working?" I said into the microphone on the headset.

"I hear you, and this is amazing. The coms are literally voice powered, which are not the best quality, but can't be disrupted or spied on. I thought only the naive used them on their warships!" Plasma said with glee.

Then the voice of one of the pegasus spoke up. "Actually most cloud ships have them as backup coms, along with multiple command rooms. Works even when the ship's power is turned off. Anyways, hate to be a buzzkill, but can you check behind us, the gunner seats can extend out a bit, so you should be able to look behind us. There's a lever you can pull on your side."

"Found it! This is amazing!" Plasma said, strangely enjoying being so high up.

Looking around, I found the leaver and pulled it. With a jolt, the gunner seat pushed out a pony length, nearly causing my heart to jump. "Found it, and I hate it." I told them as I looked behind the cloud wagon. There I saw seven black specks quickly growing bigger, and the griffins trailing us. "I see them, seven pegasus, all in power armor I think."

"Looks like the same armor coloring that Pegusi you killed had, Stormfront I think his name was." Plasma added.

One of our pegasus then laughed. "Stormfront is dead, good riddance to trash. The fucker is why I got stuck as enclave transport and never promoted. All because he wanted to show off how strict he was to his superiors. It's why I didn't join Flyright. As soon as I saw that Stormfront was with her, I knew it was going to be a shitshow."

"Ya, same for most of us." The other pegasus chimed in. "The Enclave was already bad enough as it was, but having the punitive bitch be in charge, no fucking way we were sticking around for that shitshoa. Lucky us that your boss found us, now we can stick it to those lying bastards."

Gunfire rang out as the Talons engaged in combat with the Enclave. We watched as the griffins flew around with agility and grace all while shooting their guns. The pegasus on the other hoof were like flying tanks, firing their magical energy weapons without care if they were hit, shrugging off the bullets like they were nothing.

Very quickly the two forces collided. Literally with Hans as the pegasus slammed into him, stabbing Hans in the shoulder with the bladed tail. But Hans counters with a blade of his own, shoving a large knife into the ponies armors joint, and then pulling it out with a lot of blood following. The two then dropped as the likely dead pegasus was still holding onto Hans.

Seeing it caused my heart to sink, but my eyes quickly shifted as another griffon was hit by a MEW, and disintegrated. Literally glowing pink before turning to ash, and then the pegasus flew through it. Throwing the Talon armor to the side and scattering the ashes before turning to us.

"Fuck, one, no two pegasus coming for us!" I said over coms.

Another pegasus had broke through the line of Talons, the griffon they had been fighting holding their neck as they fell, a trail of blood following them down.

I took aim and fired. The attacking pegasuses placed their hooves in front of their muzzles as they charged. Both Plasma and my shots connected, the turret making it easy to fire, but it was no use. The 5.56 rounds simply bounced off their power armor, not even slowing them down.

"Fuck we need bigger guns!" I said in frustration.

"Evasive maneuvers!" Plasma then shouted.

My stomach then lurched as the cloud wagon made a sharp turn just as the pegasus fired at us, one shot nearly hitting me.

As we leveled out, the pegasus passed me, and time seemed to freeze as I saw that it was Flyright glaring back at me. She then opened her wings wide, and let herself fall back, right onto my gunner seat. With a smooth motion, she ripped my rifle off the turret, throwing it to disappear far below.

"We meet again, Lottery. How's Major Cold Trails doing? Just so you know, I'm using that traitor's left wing as a paperweight." She said with venom in her voice.

I went to grab Whisky Shot, but Flyright pushed my face back with her power armored enhanced strength. "No, I don't think you'll be doing that." She growled at me, the pressure from her hoof under my jaw making it hard to breathe. "No, you should suffer. Once I avenge that idiot, and bring your head, along with the head of that traitor, all will know why I should never be crossed!"

"Y… Your fucked in the head, you know that." I managed to croke out.

Flyright smiled, and the bladed tail of her power armor lifted up, pointing at me. "Even so, I'll still win in the end."

The door behind me was then forcefully pulled open and a hail of gunfire burst out, forcing Flyright to let me go and cover her muzzle. A crack formed on her goggles before she jumped off, and I was able to finally take a deep and pained breath.

"And fucking stay away!" Molo shouted, holding her two heavy SMG's in the air.

"Th…that was too close." I said with a sigh, but panic then washed over me. "Shit, is Plasma-" there was an explosion from the other side of the cloud wagon, and then a flaming pegasus fell, flailing wildly, a trial of smoke followed.

"I'm good." Plasma said over the coms.

I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank Celestia, I'm grabbing another gun."

Pulling the lever, the seat jolted closer to the cloud wagon, and I unbuckled. With help from Molo, I was pulled in, where I was glad to not see the ground from inside.

Turning to my good friends, I let out a nervous laugh, "I thought I was a goner there for a moment."

She laughed too. "Ya, if Plasma didn't tell us, you might have..." She then stopped and looked down at her back leg, where the bladed tail of Flyrights was sticking through it. "Oh fuck off!"

Before I could do anything, Molo was pulled out of the door and then she was… gone.

"You ignorant, retarded, dirty, mud lickers!" Flyright said as she climbed in, the blood covered bladed tail swishing around. She then glanced back at the door for a moment before looking at me with a grin. "Did you know it's not the fall that kills you, It's the sudden stop at the end."

"You… BITCH!" I screamed, and charged at her, she lifted her hooves up to stop me, and our hooves locked.

The smile on Flyright's face then faded for a as she was pushed back a few hoof steps. My rage encompassing my every being, I wanted to stomp her into pulp!

The smile returned to her face as her two MEW's then moved on their own, aiming at me. "Advanced technology ya savage." She said with malicious glee.

Pushing back off her, all I could do was shield myself with my gauntlets as Flyright let out a torrent of pink beams. The sound of her gunfire almost drowned out the screams of the other ponies on board as the beams ricocheted off my guantletsand into the rest of the cabin. Each shot from them felt more and more like my hooves were set on fire.

When she finally stopped, ash hung in the air, and I could smell my own burnt flesh. "You don't even have the decency to disintegrate." Flyright huffed in annoyance. "Fine by me, I did say I'd take your head."

She got closer, and I took a deep, slow, and very painful breath. Then I felt her bladed tail caress my cheek, it was still warm with Molo's blood. She then stopped, and I could hear pounding behind me, likely Plasma trying to get in, but I think I was blocking the door. Would she die next, maybe, but only if I didn't stop Flyright right here!

It hurt to move, but I pushed myself with everything I had, and when my eyes locked with Flyright's, I could see the shock through her cracked goggles.

"How are you-" the now bright orange claws on my gauntlet racked over her face, digging through armor and flesh like it was paper. Both the armor and Flyright let out a scream as steam jetted off of her face, and she stumbled back.

As I stood upright on all four, my legs still felt like they were on fire, but I didn't care, I was going to kill her. Charging in again, Flyright avoided locking hooved, instead aiming her guns first this time, so I reached out and struck the MEW's, the front ends melting from the now glowing white claws touch.

I was then knocked back by Flyright's tail as she spun around and used it like a club. "Monster, fucking monster!" She shouted at me. Four claw marks traced over both her helmet and her muzzle, where they were already cauterized and smoldering. The smell of burnt flesh sent a sense of viscous glee thru me me as I wanted to add more, burn her more, to fuck up that face and show everypony my work!

"Says the murder!" Hans said, appearing from the doorway, having grabbed Flyright's tail. Firmly holding the tail with his other claw, the Talon then said, "let's take this outside!"

Using his natural strength, Hans quickly dragged Flyright out of the cloud wagon, her hooves scraping on the foor as she feutaly resisted.

Feeling confused, I managed to drag myself to the doorway, each step filled with pain. But before I could look outside, I was then tackled by a purple mass.

"Lottery!" Molo yelled with joy, but then gasped in shock. "Oh fuck, your on fire! We got to get those things off! Somepony help me!"

It was a bit of a blur as Molo and the others began tearing off my gear, my jumpsuit nothing more than burnt scrap, and leather plates not much better. The smell of burnt flesh became even more pungent. Thankfully everything then faded as I began to pass out again, and with it the pain.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Four

_______________________________________________________

I found myself sitting at a larg and long table made of the darkest wood I had ever seen, black as wood could be while being entirely natural. Its edges were decorated with the dark black iron, forming images of snakes, dogs, and ponies, along with other creatures. Strangely 8 felt drawn to it, I couldn't help but touch it, feel its cold and smooth surface. This led me to look further up, and see a polished to a shine silver bowl, in which held fresh fruit that I had never seen outside of a book, if ever, making my mouth water at the sight of it.

"Best if you don't even think about it, the food grown here is only for those who belong here. To eat it is to declare yourself a resident, and never again can you go home." Spoke Hades. The proclaimed god, dressed in a brilliant looking black robe, which looked to have gold and silver sewn into it.

He then tilted his head to the side, where I looked and saw two withered stallions in tattered toga sitting in iron chairs. Horrifyingly they were still alive, but bound to the chairs themselves, the iron that wrapped around them looking like snakes that grew out of the chairs, and digging into their flesh. "I can tolerate much, far more than my younger brothers ever could, but fools who think they can take what is not theirs I neither have the patience nor mercy for."

The god sighed as he looked back at me. "Not to say you are guilty of such things, but best be warned from making easily avoided mistakes."

"Wh… why am I here?" I asked as I sat up straight.

"Deus Ex Machina" he said and I tilted my head. "Divine intervention, as in I decided to intervene, and make it easier for the doctors to keep you from dying. But you only get one, and only because it would make my wife upset if you were to die right now. Not to mention that it was her boon that saved you in the first place."

I lifted my hoof, seeing that though I was naked, I still had the Grizzly Gauntlets on. "These?"

Hades nodded. "Gifts from the gods are not so easily destroyed, though the ponies who wield them are… not as invulnerable."

"I… see. Is everypony else alright, did they make it?" I then asked.

"Most, but not all." Hades said solemnly. "Valhalla will see a few more honorable warriors in their hall, and more will see their families in Elysium. I'll also see to it that more of the wicked face punishment… but regrettably, Strife also has her claim of souls in which I cannot claim."

I remember the griffins who died, and being surrounded by ash in the cloud wagon. How many did Flyright kill? Did she even care?

"For ponies like her, they only care when it involves something close to them. No empathy for strangers, but for their pet dog, all the love in the world. It's a pitiful way to live, to simply ignore the wrong one dose because it was done to some who they think doesn't matter. It reminds me too much of my brothers and sisters." He said, as though reading my mind… Oh wait, he could read my mind.

I let out a sigh myself, feeling even less sure of myself. "So you have family too, where are they?"

"No longer here. As it turns out, the gods were far more fragile than their creations." He said with a sad tone.

"Oh, sorry for bringing up sad memories." I said apologetically.

Hades waved his hoof dismissively. "No need, I had forever and a day to come to terms with their ends. Truthfully, they brought it upon themselves, and I fear for this world if they were to ever return. They for one, would only add to the strife in which enthralls this world. In fact the pony I miss most is Celestia, the poor fool stumbled in the end, but only because she cared too much, and still suffers for it."

I lowered my head giving a little prayer. "Oh Celestia, please find peace."

Looking back up at the bicorn god, there was only one thing to say now, to ask. "So, what happens next?"

"Same as always, Lottery, a new day will start, and you choose how to live it." He told me.

"I know that, but-" a cold wind blew past me, sending a chill up my spine.

"What are you supposed to do next is what you meant to ask?" Hades corrected me, and I nodded. "That is up to you, not me. As are all things, for I am not the god of fate, or even of you mortals. Though in the end all will be mine, be it if I will it so or not. But if you want direction, I can give it, for I did bring your soul here on my own whims."

Hades then tapped the table and sand of black iron formed into figurines of my friends and I appeared on the table. They moved around as though alive, with the one of me laying on the table, motionlessly. "Your struggling is not yet at an end, that is to be sure, for your opportunity to simply leave had long closed. Not that I expected you to run, you're too stubborn and caring to quit now. But you do have several choices to make, each one will have consequences for you and others."

With a wave of his cloven hoof, the scene of figurines changed. Now Molo and I stood together behind a door, her foals on the other side. "A broken family is not so easily fixed through words, as a poisoned pony is cured by simply rubbing their leg. Caution is required, for even the strongest of steel can shatter like glass if incorrectly cared for."

Again the scene changed and now Cold and I stood next to a slumped over Plasma, the mare looking in bad shape. "When a friend is lost, how you help matters just as much as how you help them. Too strong and they run away, too week and they drift away"

The next scene I saw Matrix, Grizzly, and Rattlebones, all with their backs to each other. "The past has deep scars, but who you turn to to heal them decides the fate of an innocent filly."

Several ponies I didn't recognize then appeared in front of my figurine, all holding weapons. "Taking the initiative is fine, as the wicked must be punished, but hasty actions may lead to dire consequences." Further away was another pony, one that looked like Bandsaw. "Never forget that eyes are on you, always."

"And lastly '' Hades said, showing me in front of Doctor Helga. "The future is yours to choose, and it matters most that you choose it yourself, but do mind the advice of others." The figure of Helga, switching quickly from one of my friends to the next, all looking like they were telling me something.

Some of that I didn't get, and others I had a good Idea. Then it all disappeared, the figurines turning to iron sand and flew away. Hades then continued, "I'm, as I've said, am no god of fate, so my vision is murky at best, but even I can see the suffering that may yet come to you. And you will be at its center, either suffering, or placing the ones you care about in your place."

"I would never!" I protested.

"And I didn't say you would, not intentionally." Hades told me calmly. "But as time grows short, your enemies will become more vicious and cruel." The iron sand returned, and formed an image of a pony I knew and hated, Grinder. He stood over a mare, dick out and grinning wide. "It may yet be avoided, but I fear that your success is reliant on this coming to pass, though who suffers this fate is not yet known."

I glared at the image as hatred and fear mixed. "But why must it be?" I asked.

The image vanished and Hades sighed. "For Strife wills it so. And so it will come to pass, or at least it must to avoid an even worse fate."

"Then what must I do?" Further asked.

"Be decisive, but not foolish, cunning but not cruel. When you have come to make a choice, understand that a heavy burden comes with it and though you may regret making it, do not let that regret dominate you." Hades told me.

He then smiled, tapping on the table, which made a deafening knocking sound. "And one more thing, trust in my wife's boon, for those gauntlets are more than a tool or weapon. For they are touched by the Goddess of life and death. Not of just you mortals, but the gods as well."

Everything began to fade as I lost the strength to move, and as things went dark, Hades said one more thing. "I wish you luck, Lottery, and that the next time we meet, I pray that my loving wife smiles on you."

_______________________________________________________

Again I stirred awake on a stiff bed, the smell of medicine and sanitation chemicals assaulting my nose. Strangely I could feel nothing, I felt utterly numb.

Getting up was a struggle and so was opening my eyes, but I managed to do it and I found myself inside a large tent with a lot of other ponies on cots. The other ponies were bandaged up, some looking worse than others, with a few missing limbs. I myself found all four of my legs bandaged up, and soaked in some sort of fluid. Reaching out to feel it, though numb, the touch still sent a cold sensation up the leg.

"I wouldn't mess with that." Doctor Helga said as she trotted into view. The older griffin hen looked very tired as she stood there with her lab coat covered in blood splatter. "The stuff your legs are soaking in is very flammable and is quickly becoming scarce."

Remembering the fight on the cloud wagon, along with the pain in my legs, I physically shivered. "H… how bad is it?"

"You'll survive, and you should be able to trot out of here soon. But that's where the good news ends. I'll fill you in on the bad news once you're ready to go. Until then, I'll call your friends, so they can stop pacing around and making every creature nervous. "

The Doctor then trotted away to the exit of the tent, and stepped out. A moment later, Molotov burst in and rushed to me.

"Hay Molo!" I said to her, trying to raise my hoof, but found it hard to even move more than a hoof length.

"You!" Molo said before giving me a tight hug. "You had us all so worried! I thought you were going to die!"

"I thought I lost you when Flyright threw you out of the wagon!" I said back to her.

She eased up on the hug at that comment. "Y… ya, I thought I was dead too. Falling with enough time to regret everything I have done. Only to be snatched right out of the air."

"Pure luck on my part." Hans said as he trotted in, sporting an eyepatch. "Was flying low, trying to catch up with your cloud wagon. Saw that bitch attack you and dubled timed it." From his back he pulled out my IF-64 rifle, and placed it next to my cot. "This bitch hit me in the face, and then soon after I saw Molo get thrown out. Grabbed her and flew as hard as I could to the cloud wagon."

"Scared the shit out of me." Molo added.

"I owe you a ton." I told Hans.

But he shook his head. "No. I was just doing what I was paid to do. Anyways, I should have never had you use the turrets without a bigger gun." He then pulled out his own rifle, bulky gun with a carrying handle. "I thought you still had your .308 rifle, Should have given you my Griffinstone Service Rifle for the defense."

"Griffinstone?" I asked.

Hans smiled a little. "My ancestral homeland. Some of us Talons make our trip there to remember where we came from." He then patted his rifle, "This rifle was used by the Griffinstone Honor guard, and is strong enough to at least knock a power armored pony back. Anyways, enough history, I'm glad to see that you made it through, even if you were extra crispy."

"Oh, Lottery!" Mint shouted as she entered, with Aloe and Basil behind her. All three ghoul nurses looked like they've been working hard for days. "Just after you recovered, you had to go and get hurt again."

I tried to wave my hoof dismissively, but it was just too stiff to do it. "Well, It could have been worse."

Mint frowned. "Damn straight. You almost lost all four legs permanently!

"Permanently?" I asked.

Mint then nodded. "They were cooked to the bone, unrecoverable, and the rest of you nearly got cooked with them. I don't know what those gauntlets are made of, and thank Celestia for them, but they were clearly not meant to protect you from energy bolts. If Molo had not forced all her healing potions down your throat and over what was left of your legs, then not even hydra could have saved them."

Again I tried to move my leg, it was still stiff. "Ya, I remember feeling like I was on fire."

"And that's what worried me. Hydra can fix almost anything but burn wounds, and you were severely burnt when you arrived." Mint's voice cracked as she told me. "I thought we had lost you. Thankfully Doctor Helga had a cure for such an injury, something about Talons getting set on fire all the time, and thank Celestia for that, as disturbing as it is."

The mention of creatures getting set on fire then reminded me of something else important. "Wait, how's Plasma doing?"

"She's fine. Though Flyright's attack melted the hatch on the door of your cloud wagon, so she was stuck outside the entire trip." Mint expanded.

"She also managed to hit her attacker in the face with an inclination bolt from her crossbow. That mare has some strong combat instincts" Hans added.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good to know."

"We got very lucky." Aloe said with a sad tone. "But not all of us, almost half the passengers on your cloud wagon were killed by Flyright. And four of the griffins died in keeping those Pegusi from getting to the rest of us."

Basil patted Aloe on the back.

Doctor Helga then returned, along with Doctor Coriander, who was still in the radiation suit, and still glowing. "Good, now that you're all here, we can remove those bandages, and see how much they've regenerated." Helga said as she tossed a bag to Hans.

Doctor Coriander trotted over, and passed me a potion. "This should help with any discomfort you're going to feel. Burns like that go deep, so deep that healing potions aren't enough."

It was an odd green color, but if the doctor says it will help, then bottoms up. Uncorking the potion, I drank it all, finding the taste to be utterly fowl, yet not forin to me. "Fuck, what is this, and why dose it taist familiar?"

"Best if you never know. But it will aid in this particular healing process. And as to why it's familiar, we've been feeding you it for the last three days." Coriander told me.

"Three days!" I shouted.

Coriander nodded. "The damage was so severe that we were forced to put you into a medically induced coma before amputating your legs and applying the regeneration serum. I'm honestly amazed this place even had the medical supplies to do such a thing. I mean we had Hydra way back when, but even that had its limits."

I then looked over at Hans, who pulled out four braces from the bag. "And those are for?"

"You, yes." Helga said. "Your legs are going to be stiff and unbalanced as they regrow the nerves, but if you just lay down as you recover, it will become a different problem. Unfortunately you're going to need to move around to recover faster, otherwise the rehabilitation will take over a month." She then pulled out a pair of rubber coated gloves. "Those new legs need to be trained to move right, and the sooner the better. Breaking them in while they are still regrowing will insure the nerves are forced to connect with your brain."

"Oh, so you're using that Talon medicine on her, rough, but it will do the job." Hans said.

Coriander shook his head disapprovingly. "You griffins realy did develop some barbaric medicine. Mixing hydra and other such dangerous chems for such a procedure, I'd lose my medical license if the M.o.P. ever found out. But I have to admit, anything I can do would take months of recovery at best."

Helga nodded. "Well we Talons can't afford to just sit around for months to recover, or waste valuable medicine on just one creature, as both time and supplies are money after all. That and Talons who don't have the protection of a company like the one here, tend to get killed if they're unable to fight. We do have a lot of enemies in the wasteland."

"I see." Was all Coriander said, his expression hidden under his suit.

Then Helga grabbed one of my legs. "Alright Lottery, keep calm, you might not like what you're about to see."

I looked over at Aloe and Mint, Aloe shrugging as she said. "I told her it's a bad idea, but Doctor Helga won't listen. It's why you were given that strange potion."

"It also calms your nerves, made for those who don't have the stomach to be a Talon." Doctor Helga said as she removed a few pins from my bandages.

Unwrapping my first leg, a pungent odor assaulted my nose, filling me with dread. What I then saw was a grossly misshapen skin in a barely recognizable form of my leg. Fleshy and pink, and covered in boils, it reminded me of Angel's mutant wings. Exposed to the air I felt an ice cold sensation on the leg, along with the feeling of pins and needles. It didn't hurt, but I could feel it.

"The good news is that your legs are regrowing nicely, and don't mind the boils, that's natural. Though the skin will be discolored from this, your fur should cover most of it, so long as you follow my instructions." Helga told me.

"And the bad news?" I asked.

With her rubber glove covered claw, she pointed at a ring-like scar that wrapped around the flocks of my leg. It was strange, looking more like a braid than a scar. "Those should not be there since the legs with the burn scars are not your current legs. Do you know if those gauntlets you had on are magical in any way?"

"Ahhh, maybe." I said, not sure if I should say anything in case they thought I was crazy. So I stuck with the bare minimum. "Rattlebones knows more than I do, all I know is that I just got high, fought a yao guai, and woke up with them on."

A long sigh came from Hans. "That sounds like the Valhalla shit from Griffinstone. Wouldn't be surprised if they branded her soul itself. "

"I'll just take that as a yes, and it would make sense." Helga said as she pointed out parts of the strange scar that smoothed in the middle of the ring. There I saw a strange symbol on a smooth part of the braided brand, which looked like a yao guai claw. "I've only read it in my medical books, but they say MEWs tend to act strangely when hitting older magics. Something to do with when two different magics interact, they both boost and change the nature of the magic. But stranger is that the injury is often more than physical, and can even jump from one pony to the next. Or in this case, from your old dead legs to your new legs."

"Oh yes, Ministry Mare Fluttershy warned us about that." Coriander spoke up, adding to the discussion. "It seems that her own eye magic ability, and the magic of Twilight Sparkle were once used to change the behavior of a group of fruit bats. Something backfired and Fluttershy turned into a feral bat pony. She got better, but she uses that as an example in which to never mix magic without proper safety precautions."

I gasped, and looked at the scar. "Please don't tell me I'm going to turn into a yao guai!"

Helga furrowed her brows at me. "I hope not, but I think it's safe to say that's not going to happen. Of course we will need to check up on you every day, as other things can and will go wrong when magic is involved. Now let's get those other bandages off, and your legs cleaned up."

As Helga got working on my other legs, the ghoul nurse got to cleaning them off. Just as I was worried about, all four of my legs had the same braid-like branding around my fetlocks. All my legs also felt ice cold, with the pins and needles feeling, but I was feeling too numb to be bothered by it. I just hoped that Helga was correct about my fur regrowing over it, since they looked like ground meat.

They then began applying a slave over my burns, and then rewrapping my legs up in clean bandages. The feeling in my legs numbed again, but the bandages made it harder to move my legs. After that, braces were attached and tightly fastened on.

Once it was done, Helga explained to me. "Allright, the last thing we need is for you to hurt your legs while still healing, but you need to move around or risk losing motor functions. That's what the braces are for, they will help you stand with those soft legs, while protecting the bandages. Still you'll need to be careful. Now get up and try to move around."

I nodded, and slowly moved my legs. Everything was stiff, and the tight bandages didn't help. Placing a hoof onto the ground, it felt strange, as I barely felt it at all. A second hoof, and I wasn't sure I was stable. With the third I slipped, almost falling over, but Molo caught me.

"Easy now, slow and steady." Molo told me.

"Says the mare who rushes onto gunfire." I snarked back.

She smiled. "Ya, but you're not me."

"Fair enough." I said.

After that, I had to trot around in circles for a while until I could trot on my own. It was annoying, but the sooner I could take care of myself, the sooner I could get back into the fight.

_______________________________________________________

When Doctor Helga said I was good to go, she directed me to return to our penthouse to get some more rest. It was also where the rest of my team would be waiting for me. And where others would go to find me.

The ghouls had to stay behind to help the other injured ponies, so it was up to Molo to help me out.

Leaving the tent, I had found myself in what looked like a tent village on the outskirts of Ursa's Rest, with so many injured ponies it was disheartening. Hans had really tried to take the Breaking Grounds, and many ponies were either hurt or lost their lives in the fighting. All just so we could destroy New Unity.

Further into Ursa's Rest was a training ground, where Talons were instructing wastelanders on how to fight as a team. Though crude, every creature there had something close to a uniform, mostly just color coordination where they all had something purple with a white star on it.

The guns we brought back with us were also being put to use, the wastelander running drills with the guns and dry firing them. I cringed a bit at the dry fire, as from what Horus told me, it was bad for the firing pin, but I understood why the Talons didn't want them firing live ammo in the middle of town. Oddly enough the guns had been painted purple with a white star on them as well, clearly marking them as Ursa's Rest property.

From what Molo told me, Grizzly had officially called this little army the Ursa's Militia, which annoyingly made sense.

Other than the militia, other ponies had been put to work by Grizzly. Mainly small things such as getting a wall up, and helping maintain the equipment. It really looked like everypony was coming together to stop Tripwire.

The inside of the casino was no different, with half the place now being used as a barracks. I even saw a few of the ponies we rescued in here, already wearing some purple pieces of cloth as a uniform. The rest of the casino was still up and running, and they were as busy as ever.

I guess everypony needs a distraction in these dark times.

By the time I made it to the penthouse floor I was really starting to slow down. My legs didn't hurt, but it was getting hard to move them.

"You okay, Lottery?" Molo asked.

I nodded, "ya, but I think I'll need to sit down for a while."

"Right, they said something about that. Well if you can't move, I'll just carry you." She told me.

That sounded embarrassing.

"No, no, I can make it, it's just a bit further now." I said, looking down the hall. We were close, but it seemed so far away.

My eyes drifted to another room, it had two armed guards, the same kind that guard the elevator to Grizzly's office. "What's going on over there, is there a VIP?"

Molo looked a bit nervous as she awcered. "Well ya, it's where, you know… where Grizzly is keeping the foals we rescued."

Made sense. "So… have you talked to them yet?"

"Crown and Flashed… no I haven't." Molo looked quite depressed as she said their names. "Actually, I was a bit scared too. With how Crown looked at me, I didn't like it. It… it terrified me."

She then took a deep breath, forced a smile and pushed me along. "But no matter, they're safe and that's all that matters to me. But right now you need to move, move, move!"

I didn't have the strength to resist, and barely managed to not trip over myself as I was pushed into our door, hitting it with a thud.

As I straitened myself out, slowly, the door then opened, where Sparkling Delight stood, looking a bit run down and a little sick. "They told me you were coming, now get in and sit down, I bet you're thirsty."

"Thanks, and ya, my throat is feeling dry." I told her.

Trotting in, Molo and I flopped down on the couch as Sparking trotted over to the bar and pulled out a mug from a fridge. When she passed me the mug, it smelled strongly of fruit and a bit of booze, but strangely, it glowed red?

"It's called Radical Rum. Mainly just Sparkle-Cola and rum, but I like to throw a bit of Mutefruit juice and honey into it." She explained.

I took a sip and the back of my mouth tingled with delight. It was so sweet, almost sickeningly so, but the rum managed to mellow it out a little. "This is… strange?"

Sparking chuckled a little. "You think so? My sense of taste has been getting a bit strange lately, been adding honey into everything and had the strangest food cravings. My sister has been a bit worried about me because of it and thinks it's the stress. I have too, but i think it might be because of my mutation."

Molo laughed out loud. "Well if getting a sweet tooth is the worst that happens from a mutation, I say you're lucky."

The door in the back opened and a familiar older filly trotted out. "Is that you, Molo?" Wiretap asked, her eyes going wide when she saw me. "Lottery!" She squealed as she ran over to me.

I slowly raise my hooves up to stop the filly. "Hey now, I'm still recovering."

She listened to me, looking at my bandaged and braced legs, a guilty expression on her face. "Cauterize told me… my father showed up, and did bad things."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. Of course he would tell her about that.

Letting out a sigh, it was too late to avoid the subject. "Well ya, but he didn’t do this to me." I said, stiffly waving a hoof. "But he got us good, some worse than others. That aside, how have you been holding up?"

This time she clicked her tongue. "Got stuck babysitting." She huffed out.

I raised an eyebrow at that statement.

"I'm not a baby! I'm a lady." Cable said as she trotted out of the back room, flipping her platinum pink mane. "And I refuse to believe a mare as uncultured as you is my half sister."

Wiretap looked at me with an exhausted look in her eyes. "Please tell me I don't have any more little sisters like her?"

I shrugged and said, "well you could have little brothers instead."

She visibly shivered. "That sounds even worse."

I then looked at Sparkling, "so why is Cable not with the other foals?"

"Well, it seems that even the other foals didn't like her. I think it's because she is not one of them, or one of foals taken together by the raiders. It also didn't help that she talked too much and told everypony who her father and mother is." Sparkling explained.

"And why not, my father is an important pony. Mom said he will be king of Equestria soon, so you better treat me nicely." Cable boasted with undeserved pride.

Wiretap rolled her eyes. "Ya, she's also dumb, like really dumb."

"I am not!" Cable pouted. "I'm not dumb, not not not!" She then puffed up her cheeks and held her breath.

Confused, I then asked, "what is she doing?"

Sparkling answered, sounding annoyed. "Throwing a temper tantrum. It seems that Onyx spoiled her to no end, Cable even had her own personal slave up until recently." She then took a deep breath. "Turns out Cable has an older brother among the foals we recovered who explained their situation to us. The poor colt was more than happy to have his sister taken away, as it seems he wasn't loved by Onyx but showed Cable with everything. But it makes sense since the colt is likely from when she got sold off as a slave. Doesn't make it right what she did, but Onyx was always deranged, even before Redeye took over. Which probably made it easier for Tripwire to manipulate her."

Looking at Cable, her face was starting to change color. "He manipulated everypony." I then looked over at Wiretap, who had a concerned look on her face. "Don't worry, Wiretap, as much as he is a part of you, so is your mother. And in the end, it's you who you decide to become, not anypony else."

"I know that!" Wiretap huffed.

*Thud*

We all looked over to see that Cable had passed out, and Sparkling trotted over, lifting the younger filly up with her magic. "Don't worry, this is the fifth time it's happened. I'll put her on a bed and she will be up in a few minutes."

Wiretap let out a laugh. "Thank Celestia I was never like that."

This time I rolled my eyes, "no, instead you stole my gun and got foalnapped by raiders."

Molo chuckled, "She's got you there."

Wiretap just pouted, saying nothing more about that.

I took a seat while my legs could still move and rested there, falling into a half awake, half asleep state. The peaceful moment was occasionally interrupted by Wiretap asking a question or Sparkling rushing to the bathroom to puke. The poor mare must have eaten something bad.

Later, the front door opened, and both Plasma, Sugar Honey, and one other mare trotted in. Plasma looked pleased to see that I was awake, and trotted over, saying. "You had everypony worried, you know that!"

"You and everypony else has told me that already." I said as I stretched my legs, finding that some energy had returned to them. "Still, this treatment is really weird."

"Well your legs did get literally cooked to the bone, I mean you're lucky that you didn't get disintegrated. And even more fortunately, If the Talons didn't have a way to treat it, there would be no way for you to ever trot again. Franky we're all lucky that Ursa's Rest has such extensive medical supplies." Plasma explained to me.

"I think I remember Majestic mentioning something about that. Speaking of which, how's Ben Day, and the other Alicorns?" I asked.

Sparkling trotted back into the main room, wiping some puke off her lips. "The five who can think are with the foals, the other ones are kept in a warehouse for now. Grizzly's not happy about it, but if we can't use Alicorns to our advantage, we will just have to tolerate them."

I raised an eyebrow at the half Changeling. "What is Grizzly's deal with them anyways? Majestic told me that she came to her looking for shelter, invoking some old deal." I slowly lifted up my leg to make a point. "Because of some medical stuff I think."

"That's… true." Sparkling looked a bit ashamed as she admitted to it. "But, that was well over a hundred years ago. Since then, a lot has changed, and the… Goddess… had changed for the worst from what my brother has told me. Before what had been an oddity, alicorns looking for ponies to convince them to join their unity, became them just dragging unicorns away. It also didn't help that they had tied themselves so closely with Redeye. Majestic knew this well enough, and still barged her way into Grizzly's office. My sister has not just our family's reputation to think about, but all of Ursa's Rest, so she had to turn them away… but once again, that turned out to be a mistake."

"And now Majestic is under Tripwire's control." I added.

Sparkling nodded. "True, one of a many mistakes my sister and I have made. Velvet Remedy proved to be far more high minded in her approach with the alicorns. But what's done is done, and it's better to look to the future."

"Speaking of which, I asked about the Steel Ranger bunker, since we need anti-magic pulse grenades." Plasma said with a nervous smile. "From what the Talons have told me, they're one of the chapters who joined the Applejack Rangers. So they're at least likely to listen to our request."

I rubbed my neck, remembering the last time I dealt with the Rangers.

Sparkling let out a sigh. "Are you sure there aren't any alternatives, the Rangers are a pain in the flank to deal with, Steel or Applejack. Ursa's rest never had a good history with them due to all the tech we are sitting on. There have also been a few times they have forced us to give up tech we recovered ourselves, and some we had maintained since the end of the war."

Plasm rubbed her legs nervously, but overall seemed far less jittery. "Ya, that sounds like us. We haven't been the most understanding of ponies for a long time. The schism probably was going to happen with or without Steel Hooves. As so many Elders had become quite radical, and outright hostile to Wastelanders that it was a bit scary. Worst of all, when I was with them, I never saw the problem, only agreed with them because they were the elder, since that's how things were."

"Well you Steel Rangers aren't the only ones." Sparkling added in. "Almost everypony in the wasteland had developed a hostile mindset. It's only recently that everypony has started thinking about cooperation. It annoys me to say this, but Redeye was correct in this regard, making himself into such a villain that the wasteland will unite to stop him. If only he didn't develop that god complex from meeting the Goddess, then maybe things might not have gotten as bad as they did."

"Speaking of which, did they ever recover Redeye's body?" I asked.

Sparkling shook her head. "No, it's still missing. Some ponies suspect he's actually still alive, though considering where he had been left by the Stable Dweller, if he did survive then he would wish he had died."

I raised an eyebrow at Sparkling, and she explained further. "He was surrounded by taint, the stuff that makes you mutate. From what I have heard, he was trying to turn himself into a new Goddess along with the Stable Dweller and some Enclave pony. If he is still alive, I have no doubt he is horribly mutated, and likely insane. The Stable Dweller herself is lucky she got out without growing a tentacle or a third eye on her flank."

Plasma then trotted over to the other couch and took a seat, with Sugar Honey flopping next to her. It was strange seeing them get along like that, but then again Sugar got along with everypony. Then I looked over at the third pony, and finally recognized her. It was the zony, Pecan, one of the most popular mares from the Red Light Showroom. The pale pink mare with dark blue stripes was considered exotic amongst the brothel mares, and was often hired as an escort for wealthy ponies outside the casino.

I cocked an eyebrow and she rolled her eyes at me, saying. "Hay, can't I visit a former coworker? Since you and those other dommy mommys left, we've been forced to bring in new mares, and they're not as good, sadly."

"Maybe I should go back and supervise." Sparkling suggested.

But Pecan shook her head. "Y'all got this damned war to settle, so don't stress yourself more then you are. Anyways, it's nothing we can't deal with, even if Sugar keeps complaining about wanting you back."

This time I rolled my eyes. "Ya, I'm not going back, ever. Anyway, why are you here?"

"Grizzly wants me to help look after the foals, since I got my own, and she can trust me not to fuck around." She said, "Also heard ya got your own coming, I can always help ya out with that."

I lifted my hoof to stop her right there. "It's not decided if I'll be keeping them, okay."

The zony sighed. "Ya ya, I get it. Not every mare can deal with having a foal conceived that way. I mean, my little Carya has been such a blessing to me despite how I got him."

"Please, stop! I don't want to hear about that again." I told her.

Pecan shrugged. "Alright, but if ya ever decide to keep the baby, I'll be around. And ya'll know where to find me."

I watched as the mare trotted back out of my place, a strut in her step. "Seriously, how is she the Showroom's most popular mare?"

"Pecan is just a natural escort." Sparkling said, "and she has no sense of taste, both literally in that she can't taste food, and with stallions. Seriously, she will get lovey with stallions I even have problems with."

"Anyways," Plasma spoke up. "I've already shared the information about the grenades with Hogan Highborn. And they're holding a war meeting later today. I plan on proposing that we try to get the Applejack Rangers to join us."

"Are you sure? After what happened to you?" I asked my friend.

Plasma looked to the ground, avoiding eye contact, clearly not sure of this idea. "They aren't the Steel Ranger anymore, so maybe they will help. I mean, the Star Paladin I was under was one of the more radical of the Rangers, so it's unlikely they will be as hard lined. Anyways, we're going to need the firepower, along with the brain power. When Tripwire showed up, it was clear to me how under prepared we were to fight him. I bet if Star Paladin Steel Hooves was with us, he'd have easily won that fight."

She was right, and I hated that. As soon as Tripwire appeared, it was over and we were under his control. And our next target is Grinder, not some schizophrenic cult leader, or a smooth talking bitch. We were going after a pony who knows how to make an army, a pony whose cruelty left me with nightmares nearly every time I sleep.

We needed more power… and I knew that's what Strife wants us to do. To seek more power. But if we don't play into Strife's hooves, then Tripwire wins, and everypony suffers.

"Alright, if you think that's the best move, then I'll support you." I told Plaama.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Six

_______________________________________________________

I couldn't find Molo after that, and my legs were too weak to follow Will-o-Wisp when I asked her for help. Plasma was the one to find me instead, taking me back to our room, and letting my legs recover.

"You can stay here, I'll go to the war council." Plasma told me.

"No, no. I need to go, I'm the leader of this team after all." I already felt useless as it was, so I needed to do something. At least with what was going on with my legs, it was suppressing my cures and allowing me to think more clearly, small blessings and all.

"Well just let your legs recover a bit more, then I'll help you there." She said, passing me a pillow.

Taking the pillow I let myself flop down on the couch again. "She's going to be alright, isn't she?"

"Molo? I doubt anything can keep her down. She just needs time, that's all." Plasma told me.

"I hope so." Was my reply to her attempt to cheer me up..

The door to the hallway opened up, and the familiar voice of Chain Lightning came from the other side. "Seriously, you can just get some sleep in the medical room, why come up here."

"Better bed… and I don't like the smell of that place." Cold Trails said as he hobbled in.

The pegasus had two crude prosthetics where his missing hooves used to be, and a stump in the place of a wing. As he turned, his eyes locked with my own.

For a brief moment it was silent, but Chain Lightning trotted in, looking annoyed. "Oh, it's you. Not only did we lose another Plasma rifle, but that power armor you recovered is mostly useless now."

"Chain, stop." Cold protested.

"No I will not! I mean, look at you. What are we all supposed to do now that you're grounded? She was the one in charge, she should take responsibility for this!" Chain protest.

But Cold stopped her with a rather heavy jab to her side, causing the mare to flinch. "That's enough! You need to go back and help the other ponies. Trust me, I'll be fine. Anyway, it's, you were not there, the situation had gone beyond our predictions and I made a judgment call. Just like last time, this is all on me."

Chain let out an audibly annoyed huff. "Fine! I got enough on my plate as it is. Between helping out the medical tents and keeping the Enclave Remnants from just fucking off… " she took a deep breath, and as she continued, her voice cracked a little. "You getting grounded like this is just something we didn't need right now!"

"I know, I know. But you need to stay strong, since as of now, you're the top ranking officer, as I'm W.I.A." He said calmly.

Chain glared at Cold, saying, "this is not fair, I don't want to be in charge. I was just a damned medical student that was working for my military scholarship! " Her glare turned to me. "And you… You…" she then sighed, "you better make all this bullshit worth it!" Chain then trotted back out of the room.

Cold Trails sighed as he closed the door. "Sorry about her. She just got spooked when she saw me like this. The poor mare already lost most of her friends in the last few months, and now the pegasus here wants her to lead them since she is the ranking officer. "

"Why can't you lead them?" I asked.

"For one, they see me as one of the assholes who got them into this mess, being an G.P.E. officer after all." He said solemnly, but then huffed before saying. "Second, word got around that we are in a relationship, and some of the Remnants are not fond of race mixing."

"Anti-race mixing is a stupid, but not uncommon sentiment out in the wasteland. Even some chapters practice it, including my own." Plasma said.

"How far Equestria has fallen." Cold said with a long sigh, then trotted over to, each step clearly a struggle. Finding a spot on the opposing couch, he then flopped down himself. "They told me that you got that way because of Flyright."

I lifted a bandaged leg. "Ya, and got cooked to the bone… literally."

"Then you're lucky to be alive." Cold looked at his missing hoof. "I should have been there. I should have stopped her."

"And I should have been prepared for Tripwire. If I had not lost my cool, or waited for everypony to come with me, then our situation would likely not have gone to shit as it had." I said back to him, then sighed. "So, how are you holding up, and shouldn't they have been able to fix your legs?"

"Unfortunately too much time had passed for hydra to do anything. And since my hooves and wings were cut by magic, Coriander told me that technically my parts are still attachable if I ever found them. But I ain't holding out hope for that. I bet Flyright has already thrown them in a fire out of spite." Cold spread his one wing, and looked at the stump of the other. "Strangely, I still feel them. Even when I know they're gone. Anyways I'll survive this, I must." He then moved the leg with the missing hoof. "Also this isn't as bad as it looks. Well ya, the hoof is gone, but Coriander also said that making a fake hoof is far easier than the whole leg. Also easier to learn to trot on."

"He's… not wrong." Plasma added. "Sometimes knights would come back severely injured. Such as stepping on landmines, and losing a hoof or two. It was never long before they back out on the mission. Actually, power armor is capable of moving even with most of your legs gone."

"Really?" Cold asked.

And Plasma nodded. "Pegusi power armor should work the same with modifications, though… I'm not sure about the wings."

He folded his wing back up. "I figured as much. But it's good to know I can trot normally while in my armor." He then looked at my legs. "Will you be okay?"

"Ehh, I don't know, never had to regrow a leg before, much less all four. But Helga told me I should make a full recovery, though the legs are going to be scared." I explained.

His eyes then drifted lower before looking away, which sent a cold chill up my spine. "And the other… problem?"

I moved my forelegs in front of the tatoo, now realizing that I had been not wearing any clothes this entire time and I had been sitting with my legs open.

Closing my legs, It made me wish things were back to how it was, and I was not so embarrassed about not being covered. Well I wasn't actually embarrassed, but that wasn't the problem right now. "It's fine, I think the medicine I'm taking has dulled most feelings in me. So I'm just numb."

"Could use some… help." Plasma said as she sat next to Cold Trails, her eyes glossed over.

We both stared at her for a long moment before she realized what she had just done, and got up with a flushed face. "S… sorry. I need to change my clothes." Plasm then darted off to our room.

"I think she's getting worse." Cold Trails said, and I had to agree.

"Unless we can get some venues root, there's nothing we can do. For her or me. But maybe Rattlebones can help?" I said to him as I got up. "I… think I should get dressed too. We're going to the war council."

"I'll come too." Cold said.

"You sure." I replied.

He shrugged. "Don't know, but you might like the company"

I flashed him a smile and shook my rear. "I know something else I might like… shit, I'm doing it too." With a sigh, I slowly trotted to the back room.

For a second I had to do a double take as I looked at Plasma. The mare was out her jumpsuit, and looked… like me a month ago. She had tight fishnets on all four legs, and underwear that didn't hide anything. All that would be fine if not for the piercings at the dock of her tail. Which was something she didn't have before.

"When did you find the time to get dock piercings?!" I asked her as I found the strength to trot normally right up to her.

Plasma looked shocked as she stumbled over, and lifted her hooves up defensively. "I… it… I mean… c, can you not right now!"

I had no space to complain, even after removing my own piercing, I still remember how good they felt. But one thing I was not going to back up on was the fresh cuts on her forelegs. Grabbing one of the legs, a bit of blood seeped from it. "Fine, I won't ask about why you're trying to look like a Red Light mare, but this! Why are you hurting yourself?"

She pulled her leg out of my grasp, holding it protectively. "Because… It reminds me that I'm not dead. And reminds me of my time with… it helps okay. Okay. So can you just pretend you didn't see any of this."

After a moment I capitulated. "Alright, but at least let me help you with your makeup. You look cheap right now."

Plasma blushed, and then nuzzled me. "Maybe?"

"No, get a hold of yourself." I told her.

She snapped out of it and backed up. "Right, ya. Help me out… please."

Awkwardly I then helped Plasma put on a dress and apply her makeup, all while glad that I was mostly numb to my own desires.

_______________________________________________________

The war room was as big and intimidating as it always has been, with the four leaders standing over a map as Plasma, Cold and I stood to the side. Spell was on the other side of the room with Prickly Fruit, both seemingly frustrated as they had a privet conversion

Hogan Highborn pushed a black chess piece to a new spot on the large map. "Reports have it that Tripwire's forces are moving to take the pass here. It may be a ploy to keep us spread thin, but I don't like giving him an opening."

"True." Rainbows End said, "but can't we just have a scout watch this area, it's relatively flat land."

"Flat and dangerous." Rattlebones added, placing another black chess piece on the map. "A sniper could do well here."

The three pondered over what to do for a few minutes before Grizzly interrupted. "How about we just have a fly by patrol, or better yet, mine the fucking place?"

They went on about what troops go where for a while longer, the amount of pieces on the map was a bit mind boggling to me. It was all speculation on what was where, and where it was going to go, but I had been assured that the numbers were real. Tripwire had a proper army, and was now spread out, poking and prodding the Ursa's Militia for any weakness. Of which there were many.

It seems that neither side was in position to make any major moves since the last battle, but neither were willing to give up any ground. Despite that, it looked as though we were at a disadvantage. Grizzly had Talons, of whom were not to be underestimated, along with the triblas too. But from what I had heard, Tripwire already had a properly organized and armed army, of which was growing.

We had been able to stop his raider horde, and demolished his ability to get the materials needed for making new mezmetrons, but the Breaking Grounds still stood. Also, the Baelfire Fiends base was being reported as the staging point for the raider's increasingly aggressive raids.

As the four leaders finally finished figuring out who goes where, Plasma Cutter was allowed to take the stage. I had managed to get her in a nicer dress with long sleeves, hiding her own bloody bandages around her fetlocks.

Grizzly eyes her as Plasma then took a step back nervously. "Hogan told me about your plan, but we need to hear more details about it before we commit any resources."

She nodded, looking a bit nervous, and a little twitchy. "R… right. Though this is primarily about obtaining anti-magic pulse grenades, or other like weapons, in hopes they can be used to counter the mind control. But also, possibly, convince the Applejack Rangers to aid us in this fight."

Hogan nodded in agreement. "Having their heavy weapons and armor would help tip the balance in this fight. And we do have reports that a chapter of them have allied themselves with Gwadina."

"True, but they are still Steel Rangers." Grizzly said coldly. "Not to sound like a bitch, Plasma, but your kind have been more willing to shoot at us then help us. Applejack or not, I doubt asking nicely would do anything."

"That I agree." Plasma said as she then passed over a sheet of paper. "That's why I'm invoking our codex, mainly about dangerous technologies, and keeping them out of wastelander's hooves. Also I'll invoke the armaments clause, which allows Rangers to recruit outsiders in times of dire need. If I can convince them of how dangerous this situation is, I'm mostly sure they will come to help."

Rainbows End looked at the document closely, then passed it back to Grizzly. "You also want us to give you negotiation rights on our behalf. That is a lot of power to give you, and at a time we don't have the wiggle room to fuck around. What's stopping you from rejoining them and then putting those rangers in charge of Ursa's Rest?"

"You don't, I'm just asking you to trust me." Plasma pleaded.

"You might have realized this by now, but we don't trust anypony." Grizzly said, then hoofed back the document to Plasma. "But if you can get them to help us, then it's worth the risk. Though I can't give you full negotiation rights. That be stupid. But I can offer room and trade. If they do help us, and they're interested in not being technophile assholes, then I'll let them set up a base here. Full antimony from our rules when on that plot of land. So long as they don't start killing my ponies over toasters."

Plasma smiled. "Thank you."

Grizzly raised a hood. "Don't go running off right now. Unfortunately all sky wagons are in use right now, and we can't have you and the others trotting off for a few days when we need you here at the ready. Also you can't just knock on their door unannounced, I'll send an envoy as soon as I can, if they're even willing to talk, then we will fly you there, but it may take a day or two for those assholes to say anything back. So just sit tight for now."

"I understand." Plasma replied.

Then Spell and Prickly Fruit trotted over to the map table. Prickly reaching over and moving a chess piece on the map. "I had a talk with the unicorn about some strange cases in the fighting. Headless bodies and missing patrols to be exact. He suggests that mezmetrons are already being fielded, and used on us."

Spell Circuit then spoke up. "Likely my brother is experimenting at best, debugging at worst. But if we can capture one of those mezmetrons, I might be able to develop a countermeasure. Also if there's anypony who has had one used on them and were unaffected, we should find out why."

Hogan frowned at this news. "I'll relay this to my Talons. Last thing we need is for that bastard to start turning our own against us."

After a bit, the war council then continued their discussions, most of it about logistics that confused me. Satisfied that there was little else for me to be here, I trotted out with my friends.

Plasma still looked nervous, her eyes darting about. "Well… I got some things to do."

"Are you sure you're okay to go do… things?" I asked her.

She rubbed her leg, clearly knowing what I was referring to. "I'll be fine, and it's none of your business."

"I'm just worried, as your friend I want you to be safe. I mean you're not clearly thinking straight." I told her.

She huffed back at me in annoyance. "I think well enough to do what I just did, so just drop it."

Capitulating, I then said to her. "Fine, but please just come to me if you're having problems. Okay?"

"I… I'll do that." She replied and then quickly scampered off.

"Are you sure she's not on chems?" Prickly Fruit said as she trotted out of the war room with Spell.

Spell shook his head. "Haven't seen her use anything. It's likely the curse is causing her behavior."

Prickly snarled. "Damnable Fiends. If it was not for their fortress, I would have long had them exterminated." She then eyed me. "And you, how's the curse affecting your mind?"

"Still too numb to be horny, fortunately. But there have been moments. Actually I wanted to ask Rattlebones if he has anything to give to Plasma and I to help keep our heads clear." I said to Prickly.

The mare pondered it for a moment. "Father might have something, but curses are tricky things. Sometimes they can develop a life on their own, or be changed if messed with. Best to leave her be until she asks for help. She's a strong mare, I can see it in her eyes."

"Still, when you said she's like a bitch in heat, that's no joke." Cold added.

"And you, not going to lay in bed for days? Losing a wing is a big deal for you pegasuses, right?" Prickly asked Cold.

He let out a sigh. "I've lost worse, far worse."

"I see. Then you're a better pony then most, so don't torment yourself too much." Prickly told him before trotting off.

"Still, I am worried about Plasma." Spell spoke up as he joined us. "Since we got back here, she keeps running off to some unknown place."

"Lets just hope it's nothing, since you are fucking her." I said to the unicorn.

He looked away a bit embarrassed. "H… how did you know? And it was only once."

"Nice." Cold said, slapping Spell on the side and almost causing both of them to fall over.

"She was hanging off of you, and let's not forget about the curse." I said. "Anyways you seem to match each other. You both being egg heads and all."

Spell sighed. "I… don't know. It was just once after all, and she could do better. Anyways, there's just too much going on for me to even think about a relationship."

"Trust me, don't let the opportunity pass you by. You're going to regret it if you do." I told my friend.

"Speaking of which." Cold said as he regained his balance. "We still have that date, remember?"

"Probably when I can feel my legs again." I said with a smile.

Spell frowned at us. "For being the two most physically messed up ponies in our team. You both are surprisingly chipper."

"Med-X" Cold and I said in unison.

Spell face hoofed. "Should have thought as much."

_______________________________________________________

Cold Trails and I decided to visit Doctor Helga before we turned in for the night, since we were both so fucked up after all. She had returned to her clinic and looked rather exhausted, she was ready to crash on her own medical bed.

"This could have waited until tomorrow, you know that." Helga told us.

"We know, but we might also be running off tomorrow… or well, hobbling in our case." I said.

Helga took out a cigarette, lit it, and took a long drag before blowing the smoke in our faces. "Fine, I did have a few things to tell you two."

She then pointed her cig at Cold Trails. "You got lucky that the portal magically separated your hooves and did not cut them off. From what I read, teleportation accidents can completely disemboweled a pony, or cut them so cleanly that they bleed out in seconds. In this case you may have been able to reattach them if they were recovered. But every day they are separate, the less likely that will happen. So it may be best if you just get used to them being gone. Also, since it's just your hooves, and not the leg, a simple prosthetic boot can help balance you out. But I suggest you avoid any strenuous activities until we get a better prosthetic, which includes sex." She eyed me as she said sex. "Other than that, just keep your Med-x use at a low to avoid addiction."

She then pointed at me. "You on the other claw, like I told you, need to keep moving. I'd tell you to fuck away, but that's another problem."

"I know." I told the griff.

But Helga shook her head. "No you don't. Between Silver, Plasma and you, I've noticed some minor changes that worry me."

I cocked an eyebrow. "How bad?"

"Unknown." She said, "But there is a high chance that the curse is changing your body. Plasma already has swelling in her teats sooner than she should, and increased sensitivity, but I don't know how far it will go. Silver is unchanged, but shes an odd case as it is. You, your still normal, but let me know if something physically changes. "

I nodded and then asked, "And that potion?"

"Ready, but not a good time for it. Wait until you're stronger, otherwise It's just poison." She informed me.

"Why?" I blurted out, and Helga pointed at my legs. "Right."

She then placed a claw on my shoulder. "I understand, but you still have plenty of time. Just focus on getting better, then come back here."

"And do you think I shouldn't take it?" I then asked.

"It's not my place to say." Helga told me. "But trust me, you're not alone. Even Talons sometimes fall prey to this brahmin shit. Fillydelphia actually had a serial rapist among the slavers for a while, drugged mercenaries and had his way with them. Quite a few mercenaries quit Redeye's army because he was being protected by the other slavers. That was until he went after a Talon. That was his last victim. She actually passed through here to get the poison, having the same kind of thoughts as you do."

"And what did she do?" I further asked.

Helga put her claws together to resemble a pistol, and put it under her beack. "She took the potion and was freed from the burden, then committed suicide."

That caused me to feel rather heavy with sadness. "Oh… sorry to hear that."

"Well that's what happens when you force yourself to suffer alone. There isn't anybody to tell you that you're acting crazy. That you start thinking there's only two solutions when there are in fact two hundred solutions." Helga puffed on her cigarette for a moment as she pulled a picture from her lab coat, then said as she looked at the photo. "Trust me, there's worse things in this world than what you're going through. Still bad, but I hope you never find out what they are."

I caught a glance at the photo and saw what looked like a much younger Doctor Helga holding a young griffin kid, the two looking very much happy.

"Alright, then I'll get out of your mane… ehh, plumage. Let you get some sleep." I told Helga as I trotted out.

She said nothing as we left, just continued to smoke as she put the picture away.

Outside the medical office the two of us slowly trotted, no clue were we were going.

"Are you sure you're going to be okay?" I asked Cold Trails.

He lost pieces of himself and the ability to fly, there was no way he was fine, but I needed to hear it from him.

"Truthfully…" he said, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Probably not. But like I said before, I've lost far worse already, and it's not like I don't deserve this. Actually, if it costs me all my hooves and wings to get Chilly back, I wouldn't even think twice about it."

I thought about it, and if my own family was in danger, I'd probably sacrifice anything to save them. "I can understand that. But what do you plan to do next?"

Cold shrugged. "Not sure, but I do want to keep helping. If Plasma's right, then all I need to do is get in my power armor and I'll be able to move around normally. Except without flying."

A cool breeze brushed over us, causing me to shiver. It was the one thing I hated about no longer having the clouds over us, nights were so much colder now. I then felt Cold Trails stretch over his remaining wing over me.

"Here, why don't we get some sleep. You've had a real long day" he suggested.

"Annoyingly long." I said in agreement.

_______________________________________________________

Returning to the penthouse, we found an odd sight. That being Wiretap talking with Mint as Molo was stretched out on the other couch, clearly dead drunk unconscious.

Trotting over, Wiretap looked a bit nervous, as it was well past the time she should be wandering around. "Can I ask, why's Wiretap here at this hour."

"It's fine, Lottery, Grizzly knows she's here." Mint informed us.

Wiretap got up, and trotted over to me, her eyes downcast. "I shouldn't have done what I did, but she made me so angry."

Kneeling down, I patted the older filly on the head. "It's alright, I'm not mad. Anyways, I'm not who you should apologize to, you understand." As she nodded, I then saw she had a real pistol on her, if a bit smaller. "So Grizzly finally gave you a real gun?"

She smiled. "Ya, but it's just a .22 pistol, and for just in case something bad happens." Her smile then got wider. "Oh, I got something for you!"

Dashing off, where she would quickly return, and my mouth went slack. Holding it in the air was my rifle, Last Dance, its barrel made straight again. "I went and got it fixed."

Taking the rifle, everything was where it should be, though the barrel was clearly a replacement. Still it was good to see my rifle back. "Thanks, Wiretap."

"No problem. When You were hurt, I wanted to do something to cheer you up, then I saw Last Dance." She explained.

Putting the rifle down on the coffee table, I then sat next to Mint. "Well I guess not everything has gone bad." My eyes then drifted to Molo. "How's she?"

Mint sighed. "Blacked out drunk and passed out. She's going to be fine physically, but mentally it's hard to tell. Probably best if I look after her for a while, once her hangover passes."

"Please do. I can't explain why, but I'm really worried about her." I requested.

Mint smiled, "she's lucky to have a friend like you."

I shook my head. "No, I'm lucky to have a friend like her. I'd still be working at the Red Light Showroom if not for her."

A yawn then forced its way out of me, which passed to Wiretap.

This got Mint to chuckle, "you should get some sleep, Wiretap too. I got things covered here."

I couldn't argue with her about it, I was starting to feel really drowsy. "Alright, but before I go, I want to say this. I think I'm ready to talk about my… situation."

"Then come to me whenever you have time." She told me.

Cold Trails then trotted over to the bar grabbing a jug of water. "Same here. But take care of yourself first."

Getting up, I retired to my room, Wiretap joining me.

The sweet embrace of a proper bed greeted me, and I almost passed out right there.

"Lottery?" Wiretap spoke up, having taken a bead herself.

"Ya?" I answered back.

"If… if we don't win, what do you think will happen? Will mom be okay? Will I?" She asked me.

Images of suffering ran through my mind, things I rather not share with the young mare. "I don't know. Likely Grizzly will take you and Sparkling, then run for it. I doubt your father has any special feelings for you, and if he does, I'm not sure it's enough to convince him to change his ways."

"So he really is evil then." She said with a sigh.

"Maybe." I said, feeling unsure about that answer, so I decided to elaborate. "But I do know that he feels like he should be in control, that no other pony is worthy of it. And when you think your always right and everypony else is always wrong, I guess it makes it easier to be cruel."

"Wh… what is your father like?" She then asked.

"My Pa." There was so much to say, yet one thing about him stuck out. "He's strict but fair. Always made sure I understood why I needed to listen to him, even if he had to beat me into understanding. But in the end I refused to listen, and caused all this mess. I'm sure I have a beating waiting for me when I get home. But only because he cares, and worries. Then we'll go hunting, enjoying the silence of the wasteland together."

"I don't like the beating part of that, it sounds terrible, and like Mom." Wiretap huffed.

"I guess if you truly love somepony, you're willing to hurt them to protect them." I said, and then yawned as I began to drift to sleep.

Wiretap huffed and then yawned. "Ya, I guess. Mom can be mean, but only when I run off to do something dangerous. Then she cries, and hugs me. Or cries by herself."

She mumbled something else, but I could understand it as the two of us drifted to sleep.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Seven

_______________________________________________________

My legs felt like shit! When I woke up, they refused to move properly, causing me to wobble all over the place. So when I managed to wobble my way out of the room, and rejoin some of my friends, I was already out of breath.

Low Pressure, Molo, and Plasma were sitting at the coffee table with a big bowl of tato wedges. None of them look like they got a proper rest last night.

"You look like shit." Low Pressure stated the obvious. The normally well groomed pegasus was eating tato wedges, dark bags under his eyes and a messy mane. The look was surprisingly not bad for him.

I wanted to be mad at him, but something felt wrong. "I can say the same for you."

He rolled his eyes at me. "Even at my worst, I still look far better than you." Which he was not wrong.

"Still, what's up with you?" I asked.

He sighed. "It's just, you know, I haven't been able to sleep much at all. Ever since my sister got shot like that, I don't know, it was just too real, ya know."

"Low Pressure actually caring about some pony other than yourself." I said with a chuckle. "Well she is your sister, makes sense that you care."

He let out a laugh. "What, care about High Pressure, that's a good one. I mean she's my sister, fuck with her you fuck with me, but that's family business. If she fucks herself over by trusting the wrong ponies, that's her own fault. Fuck, she can become a chem whore for all I care. It's just that she looks way too much like me, and seeing her get shot was like seeing myself get shot. I mean, that was way too real, watching yourself chock up blood."

I let out a long and frustrated sigh as I face hoofed. "You're an asshole, you know that."

Low Pressure smiled at me. "Oh I know, and the stallions love it."

Before I could ask Molo, she lifted her hoof up a little to stop me and said, "Not now, big fucking headache to deal with."

Right, best let her recover before talking about anything with her.

Turning to Plasma, she got up, trotting to the bar, and I followed.

"Ready to tell me what you did last night?" I asked.

"Worked on Cold's power armor a bit." She said with a yawn. "Haven't slept yet."

"Then go to sleep." I told her.

Plasma nodded. "Will do. But let Cold know when he gets up, that his new armor will be adapted for ground combat."

I raised an eyebrow. "Isn't messing with tech, like, against your rules."

She glared at me with tired eyes. "Lottery, I was abandoned by my brothers and sister, wondered the wasteland alone and lost, then spent over a month as a raider cumdump rape toy. Forgive me for being pissy, but I'm of the mind that the codex can fuck itself. The Steel Ranger should have been systematically putting those raiders down like the rabid animal they are."

"Fair enough." I said sympathetically.

Plasma then grabbed a glass of water and finished it. "Now unless your willing to join me in bead and help clear my mind with some rough fucking, leave me alone."

"Also, fair enough, and no, not happening." I replied.

She let out a slightly disappointed huff. "Then I'm going to sleep now."

"Oh, before you go." I stopped her and whispered. "If you're in need of relief, just ask Spell, you two make a cute couple anyways."

Plasma blushed at that, but also looked…guilty. "No… I'm too… dirty for him." She then quickly rushed off, passing Wiretap on her way in.

The older filly raised an eyebrow and then trotted to me. "Why does Plasma smell like cheap perfume, booze, and too many cigarettes?"

That's when I realized that I could not smell a thing. "I'll ask her later, should we see your mom?"

Wiretap looked at the barely functioning clock. "Naw, right now she's likely in bed with one of her guards. Mom's been a bit too stressed out right now, so she's been having them do stuff to her, like bondage and the like."

"You know way too much, you know that." I told her.

She shrugged. "Probably, but I've heard that some fillies my age already have sex, some even sell themselves."

"I don't think that's a good thing." I replied, feeling a bit disgusted by hearing that.

Wiretap poured herself some water, sipping it. "Mom and Auntie think so too, but say that in the wasteland evil ponies just do what they want and good ponies suffer. That's why you kill them, to stop evil ponies and save the good ponies."

I nodded. "Can't argue with you there. Evil ponies do what they want if nopony is willing to stop them. Even then, the good ponies may not have the power to stop evil ponies."

"Six Gun Red did, and she was seen as an evil pony too. I know if I train hard enough, I can become so strong that evil ponies will fear my name." She said with a smile.

"As long as you're prepared for it, I bet you'll become that scarry to every evil ponies." I told her, patting the filly on the head.

But her words reminded me how ill prepared to deal with anything I was. Literally getting fucked and stolen from the first time meeting a wastelander, then falling into Tripwire's hooves. What an idiot I was… and still am.

The door to the other room opened up, and a messy looking Cold Trails trotted out, Wiretap passing him another cup of water as he got to us.

"Plasma wanted me to tell you she's modifying your power armor. Making it for ground combat." I told him.

"Oh, okay." He said calmly, then his eyes opened wide, and he became very awake. "WHAT!"

"Keep it down!" Molo shouted back.

Cold Trails whispered to me in a serious tone, "there's no way Chain Lightning will let that happen, fixing is one thing, but modifying! Plasma is going to get herself killed!"

"I don't think she cares anymore, anyways she's asleep right now, so we have time." I explained.

The panic on Colds face calmed, and he seemed to grow more suspicious. "That mares been too much of a night owl. It's making me worried."

"You and me both." I sighed.

"Me three!" Wiretap added.

The two of us looked over at the older filly, then at the rest of the company here.

"You know, maybe we should get Wiretap out of here. Bad influence and all." Cold Trails suggested.

Nodding in agreement, I then also suggested "let's check on Ben Day, and let's hope Cable isn't driving anypony up the wall."

"Must we?" Wiretap asked, clearly not liking the idea of seeing her half sister.

"If we can avoid it, but like your mother said, she is not in a position to just ignore her." I tried to explain.

Cold Trails sighed. "Even in the wasteland, we can't get away from politics."

Leaving our penthouse, we trotted over to the guarded room, the two deadly looking ponies nodding us in. Expecting a mess, we were surprised to see Margaret floating around, holding several plates of food. At the penthouse kitchen was one of the other miss nannie robots, making pancakes.

"Oh, good timing." Ben Day said as he trotted over. "We're about to have breakfast. The last time I had pancakes was when I turned six… which was like… almost two hundred years ago." The alicorn frowned, likely remembering something now long gone.

"Must still be difficult." Cold said in a sympathetic tone.

"A bit, but I have more memories being a higher functioning drone then as a foal. It makes it easier to not go crazy. Though it still feels wrong being a mare." Ben Day said matter of factly. "Now come, let's eat… unless you two have already eaten?"

Cold and I shook our heads.

Following Ben Day, we trotted to what was a meeting room. My own penthouse had it, big table and all. But before we could enter, a little red filly rushed out.

"Matrix, wait!" Spell Circuit called out.

"Oh dear, fillies are always a hoof full." Margaret said. "I can't help but feel this is my fault."

Spell let out a long sigh. "No, I shouldn't have brought up Redeye." He then looked over at me, shame across his face.

Cocking an eyebrow, I asked my friend. "What happened?"

"Just stepped on a landmine. That's all. Say, can you bring her back, it's not fair for her to not eat because of me?" He asked me.

"Alright." I said, looking over to the room she ran too, and trotted over.

The room I entered was a mess, more like an animal nest than where foals slept. But then again, there were a lot of them.

In a corner, head buried in a book, was the filly, Glittering Matrix.

Trotting over to the filly, I attempted to see what she was reading, but there were so many letters it made my head hurt. "You're lucky… being able to read." I told her, but she ignored me. "My Ma and Pa tried to teach me, but the lesson just didn't stick. Like I was looking at them backwards and upside-down."

I then sighed. "If I could read, then a lot of this mess were in wouldn't have happened… maybe. Unfortunately I'm still not all that smart. If I was, maybe I'd have listened to my Ma and Pa more." I then lowered the book, and looked into Matrix's piercing blue eyes. "What did Spell Circuit say?"

She looked away, avoiding eye contact. "Just stupid stuff."

"Like?" I pressed.

"Like he knew Redeye… that he knew my…" she slammed the book closed. "Redeye was a liar, always lying, always making promises he couldn't keep! No way he was ever good."

Well Redeye was the scourge of the wasteland, so that's not hard to believe.

"And what was this lie?" I asked.

She spent a moment looking at me, clearly unsure if she should say anything. "You're going to be like the rest, you're not going to believe me."

I let out a chuckle. "Dear, you wouldn't believe half the things I've seen. Frankly, I'm not even sure If I've just gone crazy and have been hallucinating most of it. It's possible your just another hallucination."

Matrix looked me in the eyes, a bit confused by my statement. "Miss, you're weird."

"There's worse things than being weird. Far worse things." I told her with a smile.

She then took a deep breath. "Fine, I'll tell." She fidgeted with the book for a long moment before saying. "I can remember everything."

I raised an eyebrow. "Ya, and? I remember lots of things, even some things I wish I could forget."

"No, you don't get it." She said, clearly frustrated.

I probably didn't, so maybe a different approach was in order. So I whispered, "Will-o-Wisp, can you help me?"

A blue glow covered the room as the blue flame appeared and danced between us. Matrix's eyes became wide in awe.

"Took me over a month to realize I wasn't seeing things. Will-o-Wisp here was given to me after breaking a curse left behind by the necromancer… I think he was the villain of the Long Winter that Storm Rider fought. Anyways, she's helped me out a lot. You can imagine how others would think if I said this all to them when they couldn't see her."

I lifted my hoof up, and Will-o-Wisp jumped over to it and danced on it. "So, I may not get it, but I won't deny what you tell me."

She nodded. "Alright. What I mean is… I can't forget anything. I see it, I remember it. My mothers screams as I was born… and when… she died. Father… always being cold around me, unless in front of others. All the things he talked about in private, when he thought no pony was listening. All the things in his private terminal, everything. The sound, the smell, even the feeling of his cape. I remember how it felt when he wrapped me in it when my mother died. It was the only time he cried, and the last time he was ever honest again."

Matrix put her hoof on the book. "I can remember every word in this book, every line, and what page it is on." She then looked up at me again, as though seeing through me. "I remember how the adults hate me, think I'm weird. Even… father was frightened of me. It's why he showed all the other foals love… even if it was a lie."

I couldn't stop myself, and gave the filly a hug.

"Wh… let me go!" She demanded.

"No!" I protested. "We all need a hug, including you. Anyways, I bet those adults were loathsome slavers, not even worth your pity. And I don't care who your father is, you're an adorable filly, that is all that matters!"

I felt something wet on my chest, and looking down I saw that Matrix was trying to, and failing in her attempt to not cry. So I patted her on the head as I continued to hold her. "It's okay, let it all out."

"Why… why couldn't he hold me again!" Matrix said into my chest. "D… daddy, why were you so set on dying? I didn't want you to do any of this, not for me… why couldn't you tell anypony the truth, that you wanted to see mama again… that you… you… regretted everything!"

We stayed this way for a few minutes as Matrix cried into my chest. The daughter of Equestria worst villain, nothing more than an innocent little filly who wanted her father to hold her. I didn't want to believe her words about Redeye, I wanted to keep believing he was some evil pony with nothing redeeming about him.

But he was just a pony, like me.

I could have so easily been blinded by love and have followed Tripwire when he offered to join him. Could have done so much harm in the name of the greater good. I could have been just like Redeye, paving a road with my good intentions right off a cliff.

Once she had settled down, I brought her back to where everypony was eating, Margaret giving Matrix an extra helping of pancakes.

Sitting next to Spell and Cold, my closer than a friend pegasus had syrup all over his face, smiling with a look of pure joy. Raising an eyebrow, I then looked to Spell for an explanation.

"It's his first time having pancakes and syrup. As you know, most of the food up in the clouds has no flavor, and barely any texture." Spell explained, then said to me, "thanks for bringing Matrix back."

"It wasn't much. She just needed somepony to talk to, and vent on." I then looked over at Crown and Flashed. "So… have you-"

"Talked, with my…. Daughters… no, not quite." Spell said ashamedly. "I just don't know how to… I've never read a book about parenting or what to do in such a situation. The other foals I'm fine with, it's easy to talk to them, and I actually like telling them thing… but with those two… I don't know."

I couldn't help but feel that if Molo was able to reconnect with them, everything would have gone smoother with Spell. Only if Catalyst hadn't poisoned the well. Only if I didn't force their meeting after learning that.

"Just give it time, it's a lot to take in, for all of you." I said just as a pancake was placed in front of me.

"Ya, not to mention everything else that's going on. I don't think I can deal with any more surprises and drama." Spell said, now looking considerably tired.

I let out a chuckle. "I get that. With everything going on, I'm half expecting to run into some distant relative of mine, and learn some dark history about my Ma and Pa."

A loud burp came from Cold Trails, which was rather disgusting. "Hey now, don't jinx yourself." He warned, then knocked on the table.

Spell and I instinctively copied Cold, lightly rapping on the table.

_______________________________________________________

With breakfast in our bellies, both Cold and I left the foals behind. Wiretap stayed behind to help, Spell Circuit. And I think she was starting to like having a few foals her age around, even if she did have to deal with Cable.

Ben Day decided to come with us, as we were heading down to the clinic. It's been almost two hundred years since he had seen a doctor, and Ben Day felt it was better late than never. We were heading down ourselves to get our dose of painkillers, and a change of bandages.

Fortunately the doctor was in, and was not all that busy. Leaving Ben Day outside, since he was getting nervous and worried about knocking things over, we entered.

"Right, I'll be with you in a bit." Doctor Helga told us. On her table was Silver Bristle Brush, legs spread apart as she was being examined. Fortunately Silver was being aimed away from the door, so neither of us had to see inside the Unicorn mares cunt.

After a too long of a moment, Doctor Helga let Silver close her legs. The older griffin then huffed in annoyance. "I swear, you must be a mutant, nothing else explains how you're healing like that."

"Then can I go?" Silver asked coyly.

"No!" Helga said flatly. "Last time we let you roam about unsupervised, you tried to start a public orgy." She then pinched the bridge of her beek, clearly frustrated. "If you weren't completely immune to disease, you'd be a fucking trotting biological disaster. At that, it's also good that you're sterile, because I'm sure you'd become a broodmare to boot. Celestia knows, we don't need more of you wandering around abandoning foals just for chems and a fuck."

Silver just giggled at Helga's tirade. She then looked over to us, her eyes widening at the sight of Cold. "Oh my, the dashing knight!" She said hopping off of the table and to us.

I got in the way, placing a hoof up to stop her. "Down bitch, go take a cold shower."

She then grabbed hold of my hood and nuzzled it. "I don't mind mares either."

Thankfully Doctor Helga grabbed Silver and put her back on the bed. Strangely, it looked like her tattoo had grown, there was now a second heart inside the original, along with some patterns around it. "Why must I foal sit your nympho ass." She then looked over at me, "good to see that your motor functions are starting to work right."

I moved my legs, only now noticing that they weren't slow anymore. "I guess all that trotting worked out the kinks." I said before changing the topic. "So why not have somepony else look after her, or keep her locked in a room."

Doctor Helga looked at me like I was an idiot, which she had some right to do. "Everyone has their claws full, and last time I let my assistant keep an eye on Silver here, I found Quacksalver balls deep in her. That was the last fucking straw for him, so I'm down an assist. As for locking her up, it has proven… difficult. We don't know how, but she always gets out."

"Right… I think I get it. We can come back another time once your free." I said, feeling sorry for the doctor.

Silver was about to speak, but Helga closed her muzzle shut. "No, the best time is now, before more injured ponies are brought in from the fighting. As long as one of you keeps an eye on the horny bitch here, I can do my job. That all said, how are you holding up, Lottery?"

I shrugged, "it seems that pain and numbness has been keeping my head clear. I mean the urges are there, but ignorable. Though I do catch myself acting like a whore occasionally."

Helga nodded. "Makes sense. That cures may be potent, but it can at least be suppressed. Send Plasma to me when you can, I can't imagine she's doing as well as you are."

"I wish she was. If I wasn't numb to everything, there's a few times she might have drawn me into a make out session." I let her know.

"Not the worst problem I say." Cold Trails commented, getting a glare from Helga and I.

"WelI we managed to get some medicine from Rattlebones to suppress the urges, if only a little. Has no effect on Silver, but that might be more to do with her not even trying to resist the curse. But for you and Plasma it should help." Doctor Helga told us, before asking, "Now who's getting their bandages changed first?"

It was good to know that we finally had something to help fight this curse. Just looking at, Silver Bristle Brush made my skin crawl. The poor mare had nothing but sex on the brain, even looking in her eyes I could tell, and that fait awaited me if the curse is never lifted.

Looking back at Cold Trails, he shrugged and said, "maybe let Ben Day go first?"

"Who?" Helga asked.

"Our friend, let me get him." Cold answered before trotting to the door.

A moment later, Ben Day came in, looking nervous.

Doctor Helga sighed. "I don't know what you want me to do with her, alicorns can regenerate. So unless she's got a metal pole in her head or some shit, she's fine."

Ben Day looked dejected as he said, "s… sorry. I forgot I could do that. Though it would be safe if I let myself get checked out."

"Now don't go sulking." Helga said, then pointed at the table to sit down on. "I'll look you over quickly, Not that it will amount to much."

"Oh thank you." Ben Day said as he trotted to the bed and sat down. It was a bit ridiculous with how big he was, dwarfing all of us in the room.

Pulling out some kind of wooden stick from her coat pocket, Helga cleared her voice and told us. "Might as well explain a few things." She then made Ben Day open his mouth, wide. "First off, as a byproduct of their artificial bodies, artificial alicorns have overly white and overly straight teeth, but unfortunately they are meant for ponies of a smaller size, like you two. Makes chewing hard when all your teeth are pushed to the front." Pulling out the stick, she then hit Ben Day in the knee with a small rubber mallet she pulled out from nowhere, getting no reaction from it. "Also, most artificial alicorns have no natural reflexes, and if they need to move about quickly, they move like a pony that spends all their time reading books not running." Helga then poked Ben Day below the chest, causing him to stiffen up. "Also, an artificial alicorn has a rather unstable internal plumbing. Likely because they can feed off chaotic magic, but that leaves them vulnerable to bouts of diarrhea when they do eat like a normal pony."

Helga paused for a moment as though realizing something. "The artificial alicorns are also sterile, likely due to the taint that made them." She then looked over at Silver. "Didn't you say you were sent to the Goddess?"

Silver shrugged. "That's what the others told me."

"Wait, you can't be suggesting that?" I asked out loud.

"Wait what's going on?" Ben Day asked in a confused tone.

Helga then took a step back and pointed at Silver. "Ben Day, could she be an incomplete alicorn?"

"A what, no, the mother never… Umm, let me check" Ben Day looked at Silver for a long moment, then touched his horn with hers. His cheeks then flushed red and he jumped off the bed and away from Silver. "Wh… what's wrong with her?"

"So is she or is she not one of yours?" Helga asked.

Ben Day nodded. "Yes, somehow, but what's wrong with her? Her mind is… weird."

"She's cursed. It affects her mind." I said as simply as possible. "Do you know why she's like you?"

"Maybe… I think that Mother… the Goddess sometimes would make sisters who end up as the… rejects… yes that's right, the rejected. And would use those ponies to spy on other ponies." Ben Day explained, sounding unsear of it.

"Rejected, care to explain?" Helga asked.

Ben Day scratched his head for a moment. "I think… they were resistant, or already mutated. Not good for making into a sister, despite being a unicorn. It was a more recent problem… I think. They… right, I remember now, the Goddess forbidding us from picking up unicorns from nopony zones."

"No… pony zones?" Cold asked in a confused tone.

"Places where no ponies can live due to radiation levels." Doctor Helga explained.

Ben Day nodded, "ya, where no pony can go. Places with lots of radiation, even taint. The Goddess told all the sisters that if we find ponies living in those places, ignore them. They are all considered rejected, their bodies don't change, only die if forced… some still lived, but mentally they… well not there anymore."

"How is that even possible, living in such a place?" I thought out loud.

Helga let out a long groan. "Ya, that explains everything now. So even the Goddess didn't know what to do with a Waste Pony." I cocked an eyebrow at the doctor, and she further explained. "They're a kind of mutant. Looks mostly normal, but are practical like living ghouls. Some theorize that their foals were born from ghouls, but no creature knows for sure. They don't need to eat or drink as much as normal ponies, and actually enjoy bathing in radiation. Fortunately they stay in their irradiated shelters, so it's rare to see one. If Pecan had dent trotted onto our doorstep, then I would still be a skeptic about their existence."

"The Zony, she's a… waste pony?" Cold asked.

The griffin nodded. "She didn't know it at the time, but after her son was born I finally put the pieces together. The blackish tongue and internals are likely a trait of being a waste pony. Her eyes even glow when she's around radiation." She then looked at Silver, who was fidgeting in her seat. "I guess this is what happens to a waste pony when the Goddess tries and makes an alicorn out of them, cures notwithstanding."

Looked over at Ben Day, Helga then asked, "care if you take her off my claws, since she's technical one of yours?"

Ben Day vigorously shook his head, still blushing profusely. "N… no! What that cures is, I don't want it spreading to the sisters."

I saw Helga then physically shiver. "Right, I rather not see a horny flock of alicorns. Well can you at least make sure Silver doesn't do anything, I still need to help those two."

With a head nod from Ben Day, Helga got to work changing our bandages.

I let Cold go first, and got to see the extent of the damage he suffered. I had heard his cuts were clean, and when the bandages were removed, it was, reminding me of a clean cut of meat. I almost threw up seeing it as Helga cleaned the stumps, spraying healing potion over them afterwards before reapplying the bandages. Once it was done, Cold was given two boots to go over the stumps.

"Do your best to not further fuck up those legs, and we will get you better prosthetics soon. Still a shame about your wing." She told him.

Cold nodded. "Thanks, but If I never fly again, even if I do get my wing back, or something like that… I don't think I'll care."

Putting his prosthetic boots back on, she then jabbed Cold with med-X. "Well I can't say that's the most healthy way to think, but it's far from the worst. Here, there's a few old Talons here who've lost wings, and I can have you meet up with them. Don't worry about being out of place, they love having new drinking buddies to talk about the past with."

"Maybe…" Cold said, sounding unsure about the suggestion.

Doctor Helga then ushered the pegasus off her table. "Just trust me, I've been a doc for mercenaries for far too long, and know what helps in cases like these. It may also help seeing Mint too, she may be a bit too touchy feely for my liking, but she's not a fraud." She then looked at me and pointed at the table.

Taking my turn on the table, the braces came off, then so did the bandages. After a quick scrubbing with a rough sponge that popped the boils and made a Celestia awful smell, she then washed my legs off with water. I was pleased to see that my fur was indeed coming back in, if a bit rough. Though the rings around each leg were still there, at least they didn't look that ugly.

Still the skin on my leg looked like a misshapen mass of flesh, as though there was too much skin there. Examining it, Doctor Helga clicked her tongue, which didn't sound good. "Looks like a bit too much regeneration is happening, I may need to remove some in a few days to prevent sagging."

"What!" I said in shock.

Doctor Helga shut my mouth with a talon. "It will be fine, this is actually fairly common, it's just annoying to do. And actually fortunate since we can use the excess skin to help others who lost theirs." She then let go of my muzzle as she pulled on the skin on one of my legs, it stretching out a fair bit. "Trust me, trimming this will be easy and safe. So just focus on getting better, okay."

I nodded, feeling less concerned now. Doctor Helga had never done me wrong before, so I won't stop trusting her now.

After my legs were re-wrapped and the braces put back on, I got my dose of med-x. "I could get used to that, it just feels good." I said as the wave of numbness washed over me

"And that's why I keep everything locked up." Helga said as she threw the used needle into a bin. "Anyways, the two of you are healing well. No infections, or bleeding. Cold, like I said, we should have proper prosthetics for you by the end of the week, so just bear with what you got for now. And Lottery, I know it's annoying to wait, but if things go well, you will be off the medicine in a few days, after that we can talk about the potion."

The Doctor then turned to Ben Day. "And you miss… you sir, let me know if either of these two are being idiots. Unlike you, they can't regenerate."

"And what about Silver?" I asked.

"Well now that we know what is wrong with her, all that's left is finding out how she keeps getting out of her room." Helga said with an annoyed tone.

"It could be teleportation?" Ben Day suggested, and we all looked at him. "Well technically she is an artificial alicorn, so she could have the same abilities."

Helga hit her own face with her claw with a smack, and left the claw there. "That… that would explain the rest… I'll tell Grizzly about this later. Now you all just go."

Leaving the clinic, I found my legs feeling stiff again, but not as bad as yesterday. Cold also trotted smoother than before, though still looked awkward with two boots on one side.

"Say, are you two doing anything?" Ben Day asked us.

"Not yet, but I do have a few things to take care of." Cold answered. "Though I'm no longer part of the Enclave, I still have a responsibility to my comrades that came with me. Along with the civilians who we dragged along with us. Not all of them are pegasus first, and some are a bit too interested in non-pegasus. So I'm helping Chain Lightning with them."

"Same... well not really." I said, feeling a bit nervous. "Molo's clearly not doing well, same for Plasma. But most of all, I need to talk to Mint about myself."

Ben Day let out a chuckle. "I guess we all got ponies we need to look after. I'm actually starting to understand why Auntie was so stressed all the time... Well see you later, you know where to find me." He then spread out his wings and lifted off.

"If I didn't know better, I'd say he flew off to mock me." Cold said, clearly trying to not sound bitter.

"How about we meet up later, do that date thing you told me about?" I asked him.

A slight smile formed on his muzzle. "Ya, let's do that."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Eight

_______________________________________________________

Returning to the penthouse, I found Molo still recovering as she laid passed out on the couch with a wet rag on her head. Mint was at the bar, drinking what I hoped was water.

Trotting over to my ghoul friend, I tried to be coy and said, "how's it looking doc, are they going to make it?"

She raised what little of an eyebrow she had left. "Well, they'll live, but I advised them not to do anything for most of the day."

"That bed hu?" I asked, feeling concerned.

"Hard to tell." Mint said with a sigh. "Molo nearly drank herself to death, but that might be normal for her. The problem is her emotional state, a lot of guilt in that mare, and having her own daughter throw it in her face likely brought it all up to the surface."

"She told me some of it, and it had been eating her up inside." I remembered some of the things Molo had talked about, how she had not been a good mother to her colt, and how she worried about turning into a raider again.

Mint nodded. "I can only imagine. That said, it's all up to Molo now, I can help give her counseling, but It's not going to help if she rejects that help. I'd suggest she should not go on another mission and focus on reconnecting with her daughters. But that's up to her."

"And Plasma?" I then asked.

Mint took a sip of her water, and then huffed out, "I want to say she will be fine, but it takes a long time to recover from such trauma. Worse, her trauma is manifesting in different ways, each needing treatment on their own."

I took a glass myself, and Mint poured me some water. "Like cutting?"

She nodded. "So you found out. Well I've been trying to get her to stop, but it's more of a symptom of the bigger problem. Same for her overworking herself, It's not a big problem now, but it will become a big problem if left alone."

"And the curse?" I pushed.

Mint shrugged. "Not really my expertise, but she's clearly having a harder time controlling herself. Helga has something to help her, but I don't know. It's hard to tell if the curse is progressing faster or slower without anything to compare it to. I get why you're dealing with it better, not to diminish your own pain, but-"

"She's had it worse than me." I finished her sentence.

"After month with those monsters I'm just glad she's not suicidal or crazy." Mint said, sipping on her water before looking at me with her milky white eyes. "As for you… how are you feeling?"

"Confused… guilty… ashamed… lots of anger… and thankfully for med-x." I answered.

She then asked, "are you ready to talk about it?"

I nodded, "ya… I am."

She got out of her seat, and motioned for me to follow as she took the cup and pitcher of water with her. "Then come, let's talk someplace more private."

Taking a deep breath, I followed.

We trotted out of the penthouse and to one of the unused rooms on the same floor. Entering, it had clearly been converted for storage, with both game tables and gun crates haphazardly left lying about and covered in sheets. Mint continued further in, trotting to one of the bedrooms, where I saw a really comfortable couch next to a window that overlooked Ursa's Rest.

Looming out the window, the ponies below looked like ants, normal ants I mean, not the super big ones. "Why's this place not being used for housing?"

"Grizzly said that this penthouse is not fit for ponies to live in… well it's still better than wasteland living, but not for VIP's. Something to do with bad plumbing, and some other structure problems. But she did agree to let me use it for private counseling."

Sitting on the couch, I found it to be as comfy as it looked. "Right, so where do we start?"

She pulled out a pen and a small notebook. "Well since this is about your… unwanted pregnancy, and possible abortion, lets start there. I'm here to just listen, not to direct, so just tell me what's on your mind."

I took a deep breath, trying to rack my brain about all of it, to find where to start.

"I… I… I don't know who to blame more… for what happened to me, I mean. The raiders are horrible, cruel, and deserved everything they got and more. But Molo warned me, told me not to play the hero. Yet I had too, and it didn't help anypony." I gritted my teeth. "But when I think about it, seeing Plasma like that, having not done anything for her before, I don't think I couldn't not do something. Maybe if I had stood up to Bandsaw before, negotiated with her, anything. But I was too scared, and I hated that. Being so powerless. But what did I get, exactly what Bandsaw said would happen, battered and raped."

I took a moment to drink some of the water, Mint still just listening.

So I continued. "But by then, I'd already worked over a month as a prostitute, so even as painful as it was, it wasn't as bad as what Grinder and Onyx did to me. It's not like I could be dirtied even more… or so I thought. I hated it, every part of Spine Breaker using me as a sex toy to publicly humiliated, but what I hated the most was how my body enjoyed it. It hurt, but it felt good, and that was the worst. It was the same with Grinder, the pain, and the pleasure. It made me sick. Even when those other raiders had their way with me, I want to say it was the curse, but somewhere deep down I fear it's all me. That I'm actually that fucked in the head, and want to be forced upon like that. Sometimes I catch myself fantasizing about it."

I then placed my hooves onto my stomach. "And now what they did to me has followed me. Grows within me. It shouldn't have been like this, none of it. I should have been swept up in some grand adventure, teaming up with a suave stallion where we fight off bad ponies. My first time having sex was going to be romantic and magical. Once the adventure was over, we would settle down, get married, and have a family."

I laughed bitterly as I finished off my glass of water. "But none of that happened. I got drunk with the first wastelander I met, who fucked me wile I was too drunk to understand any of it. The suave stallion turned out to be evil… I fucked him too. The fun and grand adventure turned out to be full of rape and death. Oh, and if I don't take some poison that might kill me, I'll become a single mother of twins who are a product of rape. And one of the ponies who I can blame for all of it, is myself. None of this would have happened if I wasn't an idiot! If I only listened to my Ma and Pa."

"Now I have to choose, take the poison and possibly survive, then I can pretend like none of this ever happened, or keep the foals, and live with it all." It was unfair, just too unfair. "I hate it all, but I realized something, and I hate it even more now that I can see it."

Mint finally spoke up, "and that is?"

"If I'm to blame for my own actions, then I'm responsible for cleaning up my own mess." It was a simple concept, but one I only just started to understand. "The raiders, their never going to take responsibility for anything, so why even bother giving a fuck about blaming them for anything. Not like they care, or even understand the pain they cause. Tripwire, ya I hate him, but he clearly has no feelings about me other than as an annoyance. The only ponies who even give a damn are the ones who didn't do anything to me, but they're the ones hurting the most. All my self loathing, and hatred for those who wronged me. All of it has done nothing but hurt those I care about while ponies that should be dead live on not caring."

Again I placed a hoof on my stomach. "Ya, it's unfair. But so has been keeping my friends in the dark about it. Then forcing them to take the lead in figuring out what I should do about it. All I've been doing is avoiding my responsibility to myself, and hurting them as a result."

"So…" Mint said, tapping her chin with the pen. "Have you decided what to do then?"

I shook my head. "Not yet, no. But I think I now understand I had been looking at this pregnancy problem all wrong."

"How so?" Mint asked.

"Well first off, I thought of them as just more raiders, not as innocents." I said, feeling a bit uncomfortable about this subject, but I pushed on anyway. "They may be part Spine Breaker, but they are also part me. And where Molo became a raider and left, Cauterize was born into a raider family and found a way to leave. Spine Breaker too, he was abused and abandoned, twisted into the monster he became. I saw it in the raiders, their cruelty and viciousness, something in them was dead, like they had no hope for… I guess happiness, so they found it in hurting others and in chems. Raiders aren't born, they are twisted into shape. The hope in them snuffed out and left with a void that can never be filled. If that's so… if that's true. Then the only way these foals inside me would become raiders is if I make them into raiders. Meaning all my hatred for them is wrong, unfair, and cruel. Just like a raider."

"But… if I don't see them that way, then how can I kill them before they are even born?" I asked myself.

Mint put her notepad down, and said. "Such things are never easy, and should never be. It's why what was done to you, to Plasma, is so awful."

I nodded. "Ya, that's why I've been thinking. Maybe I've been asking the wrong question. It's not that they should or shouldn't be born, but if I'm even ready for such a thing. What if I just become a monster like Spine Breaker saw in me. What if I never recover from the curse and become a whore, where they are just the first of many neglected foals. Sure I can give them away, but there's no guarantee that whoever takes them in won't mistreat them."

Letting out a bitter chuckle, I continued. "Never should have opened up my legs in the first place. Probably would have avoided all this if I didn't stupidly accept booze from the first wastelander I met. Would have kept my supplies and virginity. Likely had skipped Wiretap over as I headed west, then likely joined the NCR over at Fillydelphia. Or just ended up like Plasma."

"You never know." Mint said.

"Eyep! So many missed opportunities to make my life better, but also near misses in making it worse. Fuck, if Molo had not appeared when she did, I'd might have gotten killed by a client. I'd definitely still been selling my body to pay off that loan. I even wonder, if it wasn't for this curse, would I go back to the Red Light Showroom as a side job? Maybe, not like I'd be worried about a client knocking me up."

"Or you would be enjoying some peace and quiet, with your friends." Mint suggested.

"Maybe." I said, my hoof moving down and rubbed on the cursed tattoo. "You know what the worst thing of all this is? It's the loss of control. If It was all my choice, as stupid as it sounded, I wouldn't have felt so violated about it. Even my rape by the raiders, if it had been a choice, as absurd as it sounds, if they gave me the option, then this wouldn't feel as bad. Like when I first came across the Brain Nails, and if Tripwire was not there with me… I don't know, but as disgusting as it sounds, getting pregnant because I had to fuck my way through their toll stop, that at least would have been better. But Tripwire robbed me of my free will with the mezmetron, and Grinder used it to violate me. Spine Breaker beat me and publicly humiliated me. And the raiders after him chained me down and had their way."

Taking a deep breath and letting out a huff, I continued. "Ya, that's it. I want to choose for myself what I do with myself. Even if my decisions lead to something bad, it needs to be by my choice. I understood some of that in that raider's den, but I didn't understand how bad it can be." Moving my other hoof up to my stomach, a smile crept onto my face. "When the time comes, it needs to be my choice. Take the poison and accept that I might die in hope to be free from bearing a raiders foal. Or choose to have the foals, and everything that comes after. If it's my choice, then I can live with it."

"And I'm guessing you haven't decided yet?" Mint asked.

"No, no I haven't." I answered, and then clarified. "I still lean on taking the poison, but now I've come to understand that what's in me is innocent. It's also complicated. But what isn't?"

"Well, so long as you're prepared to accept the choice you'll make, I know that you will be alright." Mint told me.

"Thanks. But tell me, how fucked in the head am I?" I then asked my friend.

Mint sighed as she looked at her notes. "I can't say your case is anything new. The feeling of violation and loss of control is often more damaging then the actual rape… depending how violent the assault actually is I mean. There are cases where there is next to no phisical trams, but the mental trauma was debilitating. Such trauma leans to the victim seeking any kind of control over their lives, even if it means victimizing themselves. Chem abuse is common, same as for self harm. It's a bit of a split between those who reject sex and those who become more sexually promiscuous. So I can't say you're mentally healthy, but you are on the right track. Recover takes time, and you never know if there's any after effects from any of this that appear years later. But so long as you're willing to face it, you will eventually get better. Though it's a slow process."

Taking another deep breath, and exhaling slowly, I felt… better. Still not all that great, but I did feel like some wate was lifted off my shoulders.

Letting myself flop back, I relaxed. "You know, I have a strange regret."

"And what's that?" Mint asked.

"Before we met, I was in a strange sort of relationship with a griffon, Horus was his name. I should have opened up to him more, let myself be cared for by him. If I had let him knock me up, I know I would never have thought about getting rid of the baby." I explained.

"Really, can you tell me more?" She further asked.

It was strange, but I actually wanted to say more. Not just about Horus, but the other ponies I had gotten close too, or simply passed by. Talked about what kind of future I had wanted for myself, and other things I wanted to do. It was like a locked door had opened up, and all my suppressed thought now flowed out of my mouth.

_______________________________________________________

I lost track of how long I chatted on, my mouth unable to stop, but eventually Mint had to stop it. She had her own responsibilities, and it was unfair of me to take up all her time. There were other ponies that needed her help too.

So back at the penthouse, Molo was feeling better and Plasma had woken up, but neither were the two interested in doing much.

It was clear Molo still had a hangover and was feeling lethargic, the poor mare simply sitting next to the radio and listening. She weekly waved at me, and I waved back, but chose to leave her be for now.

Plasma on the other hoof was working on her strange crossbow, no clothes on, legs spread with every scar and piercing visible.

Trotting up to Plasma, I sat down, watching her work. The tattoo over her womb looked a bit… more. There was what looked like a second heart forming inside the first, and faint lines surrounding them. I was getting a bad feeling that the tattoo could possibly grow.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked Plasma.

"Mentaly or physical?" She asked back.

"Any," I answered.

She put the crossbow down. "Truthfully, I don't know. I just know that so long as I'm busy, I don't think about unpleasant things."

"Well at least it's good to know your feelings more comfortable around us to work like that." I told her.

Her eyes shifted, and then she relaxed, taking a more seductive pose. "Really, because I can get more…." She caught herself and returned to her original position. "Sorry, I let my guard down for a moment. But no, it's not comfortable. Strangely, I just don't feel as… I don't know, but coving up is making me feel off. It's strange."

I didn't like the sound of that. "Well let me know if things feel more odd."

There was then a knock on the door, and Spell Circuit trotted in. "Oh, Lottery, good you're here. Got a message from Grizzly."

Trotting over, I asked, "good news or bad news?"

"Good actually." He said with a smile. "The Applejack Rangers sent a reply, agreeing to a meeting. A bit surprising with how quick it was, but then again, this mess involves the kind of tech they would kill to get it out of the hooves of others. Well they'll meet with us tomorrow, so make sure you and Plasma are ready by then."

"Speaking of Plasma." I said, looking over at her, she was carefully listening to us. "Maybe you should look after her… and Molo as well. I got an appointment with Cold, and those two haven't been feeling well."

Spell raised an eyebrow at me, clearly skeptical. "You sure that's…wise."

"No." I said flatly. "But it can't hurt if you all hang out, have some quiet time." Then I nudged him playfully. "Maybe have some fun, I wouldn't blame you."

He sighed. "I think you're not thinking all that straight, Lottery. But I do have a few things to talk to both of them about, so you can go. But make sure you're good for tomorrow."

"Thanks, and don't have too much fun." I said as I left.

"You too," Spell said back to me flatly.

_______________________________________________________

Fortunately it didn't take long to find Cold, the Enclave Remnants had claimed a small section of Ursa's Rest, where many of them stayed higher up, not interacting with others down below. I didn't blame them, as it was dangerous down here and many ponies didn't look upon the pegasus in a positive light.

Chatting with Chain Lightning, her and Cold actually looked like a cute couple, and I strangely felt… jealous.

Seeing me the two split off and Cold trotted over to me. "Good timing, I just finished here."

"Then I guess everything is alright?" I asked.

"Better… but." He looked back at the small enclave of pegasi, an uncertainty on his face. "It's a lot for them to adapt to, even after these several months."

I let out a chuckle, finding it a bit amusing that the ponies who spent their whole lives ignorant of Equestria's troubles, now had a hard time.

Cold seemed to pick up what I was thinking, and explained. "Ya, I get it, we had it good compared to you ponies down here. Boring and safe. And if it was just complaints about how hard things are now, I'd be laughing with you."

I raised an eyebrow. "Hopefully nothing too bad."

"It varies." He said, the pegasus stallion unfurling his one wing, and using it to scratch the side of his head. It reminded me how he will never fly again, and that he lost it saving me. I really shouldn't be giving him any kind of hard time. Cold then explained. "Alcoholism is becoming a problem, along with chem addiction, which is annoyingly understandable. About almost all the mares are pregnant, likely due to nopony breathing down their necks about the one foal policy. Several have disappeared with no way to find them, which either means they flew off or were taken. Fortunately some have found jobs, with a fair few joining the militia."

"Let's not forget the ones who joined the Red Light Showroom." I added.

He rolled his eyes. "And there's them. Fortunately Ursa's Den is giving them rooms in the casino, as life with the others isn't going to be easy. Tension between the Pegusi and everypony else is quite bad, not helped by any pegasus getting close to non-pegasus being seen as a traitor."

"Wait, what about you?" I asked, feeling a bit worried.

Cold motions for us to trot and talk, "Fortunately most of them are too spineless to even try anything to me. And those who had been living in Elysium up until recently have tipped the scales a bit in favor of cooperation. Unfortunately some of the wastelanders are dead set in proving the pegasus first idea right. Frankly, I won't be surprised if once this conflict is over, most of the pegasus will leave and try to form their own Enclave. It's been no end of problem for my squad"

He then eyed me curiously. "How about you, did you have your… talk?"

I sighed, letting out some more stress. "Ya I did, and I have to admit, I needed it. I was mostly just rambling on, but just talking about the problems has helped me clear my head."

"Clear enough to eat?" He asked.

I was feeling hungry. "Definitely."

Following Cold Trails, he led me to some ramshackle looking place that didn't look special, but something smelt wonderful inside. Trotting in, It turned out to be rather spacious, using some sort of multi colored canvas as a roof, which let just enough light in. In the middle was a grill, of which two gray earth ponies worked, they being a stallion and a mare who looked exactly alike. They must have been roughly my age, probably a few years younger actually, and both had an orange and black mane that ended in what looked like a radscorpion tail.

Actually, scorpions seemed to be the theme of this place, as black banners with white scorpions were all over the place.

"Well you're brave to come here." A mare said to us, she looked just like the cooks, but was a bit older and had her mane in a spiked mohawk… She was also clearly pregnant. "That or ignorant."

Both Cold and I looked at the mare in slight confusion.

A slightly pudgy stallion then trotted over. "Keep, my love, my darling, please just sit down and relax." The mare rolled her eyes and trotted over to a big pillow, where a foal waited for her. "Sorry about my wife, she doesn't like sitting still. My name is Moody Peddler, and how can I help you?"

Cold answered. "I was told by the local Talons about this place, but haven't had the chance until recently to come here."

Moody smiled as he quickly eyed the two of us up and down. "Well you two clearly came to the right place, just find a place to sit, and we'll get you started. Oh, and you need to pay up front. Fifty caps to start, each."

Before I could dig out my money, Cold paid for the both of us.

Moody quickly took the caps, counting them like he was shuffling cards. "Good, drinks will be provided shortly."

The two of us found a nice place to sit, the place had no tables or chairs, not even a pillow, other than a big fluffy one the pregnant mare sat on. But there were several talons and ponies in similar armor. Black with a white symbol was common here, as though they were all talons.

"Hey, Lottery!" Sugar Honey called to us, the very out of place mare trotting over with one of her griffon regulars at her side. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"I can say the same to you?" I said back.

She shrugged and sat down next to the Talon sitting and told us. "Oh, I'm a regular. Havle has taken me here almost every day since it got knocked up."

Havle, the griffon, looked away seemingly embarrassed.

I then had to ask, "So what's with this place?"

Sugar Honey chuckled. "Oh this place, it's a Talon bar. Well White Scorpions, but they basically like Talons. It's one of the few places that cooks a good meat dish, though these ponies like their scorpions a bit too much."

"The White Scorpions and other related clans have close ties with us Talons" Havle explained. "So we can trust them to not poison our drinks."

"You Talons have a lot of enemies." Cold said

Havle chuckled. "We do kill a lot of creatures, so that's normal. "

With a clatter, a wire mesh basket was placed down next to us, in it were two bottles, and two bowls with several skewered meat in it. "And we know better. You need a really strong poison to kill a Talon. Seen it myself once, the poor fucked got strangled the fuck out as the Talon was foaming from the mouth after being poisoned. Now for my clan, poison is just a flavoring, the spice of life… that and everything where we live is poisonous, so if you can't eat poison, you just can't eat there." It was one of the twins from the grill, the mare winking at us. "Sorry about my big sis, Keep is too much like our mother, aside from the drinking problem, and running out on us."

"Okay…" I said, feeling like that was a bit too much information.

"Well enjoy your Scorpion skewers and scorpion venom ginger ale vodka mix." She said and trotted away.

I looked at the meat, now feeling unsure if I should even try it.

Cold Trails didn't hesitate, taking a bite of one of the skewered meat. The pegasus chewed on it curiously, as though he didn't know what to think about what he just put in his mouth. After a moment he swallowed. "I'm… not even sure what that tastes like, but it's okay… I think."

Biting into my own, the meat was rather juicy, filled with flavor that was on the spicy side. Swallowing, I found it rather… good! "It tastes kind of like chicken."

"What's a chicken?" Cold asked me with no hint that he was messing with me.

I don't know why, but I then burst out into laughter.

He looked confused. "What? Why are you laughing?"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Nine

_______________________________________________________

The dinner date lasted until the sun set, with good food, drinks, and company. It was exactly what I needed after so much seriousness. No wild parties, or competitive drinking, just a calm and enjoyable time. Sugar Honey and Havle kept us some company, but eventually Sugar had to go back to work, of which Have didn't seem the happiest about.

Had to be hard on the griff when his mare works in a very active brothel.

Once we were alone we talked more about our lives before the clouds parted. Nothing significant, just us comparing life on a farm. As it turned out, crop theft was not uncommon among the pegasus, even if their crops were bland tasting. Food rationing made any crop highly valuable on a black market. I on the other hoof had to deal with unwanted critters trying to eat our crops, the chickens, or occasionally my family.

Eventually it was time to leave the Talon bar, so feeling full and a little buzzed, we got up and paid our respects to the cooks. "That's for the meal. Didn't think there were so many ways to cook rad scorpions." I told the twins, Spire and Belfry as I paid extra.

Spire chuckled. "Ya, when it's the only thing you have to eat, you learn a few tricks in cooking it. Now trot home safely." She told me.

Leaving, Ursa's Rest was still as busy as ever, but now lit up with many lights, as though trying to banish the dark. The town itself ran on an ancient arcano-tech generator, something that was held together with an inch thick layer of duck tape and a lot of praying. Every now and then the lights flickered, ever threatening to go out and never turn back on.

"So, just an Idea, but if you didn't return to your family, or came back out here. What would you do?" Cold ask me as we trotted.

"Find a nice stallion and start a farm." I said straightforwardly. "Probably have a lot of foals, to help with the farm of course."

"Well I'll bet you can do well at both, probably be the best…" He then scrunched up his nose. "I mean at farming, best at that!"

I gave him a side glance and a mischievous smirk. "Oh come now, I'd totally have your foals. I mean, if the ones in me right now weren't raider foals, I wouldn't even be beating myself up over it. Even then…"

Cold wrapped his wing over me, his face red, likely from drinking… maybe. "You know, If I could… I'd go back in time and get myself to take out those raider bosses. Then you would not have gone through all that."

It was a nice thought, and made me feel a little better, but I understood the truth.

"Thanks, but… if it was not Spine Breaker, it would be some other raider." I said and sighed. "I went in there expecting trouble, even the possibility of being raped. Well I thought I was prepared for it. But I then let myself get swept up in my need to be a hero, not thinking about the consequences. And the funny part is that I'd do it again. I could have tried to save Plasma when she had been first captured, but I didn't, and I've hated myself for it since." I leaned closer to Cold Trails for his warmth. "As bad as it was to be hurt like that, seeing Plasma like that was worse. Just like I couldn't just ignore your sister, and nearly suffered her fate myself."

He held me a bit tighter with his wing. "Still… It doesn't stop me from wanting to prevent it from ever happening. Make it so that raider's no longer exist"

"That would be a nice dream. No raiders, or slavers. Maybe even a green Equestria where we can all get along." I said whimsically.

"It's probably why your parents lived so far away, so that they can make their own peace of green Equestria. And I bet you can do the same." Cold said as we reached Ursa's Den.

A smile formed across my face. "That would be a nice thought. Bringing some more green to the wasteland."

"I'd love to see it, I'd even help you with it." He added.

Looking at the casino, a deviant thought crossed my mind. "Say, you want to see something else I can do?" It was probably a mix of the alcohol and the curse affecting me, but who cares. "Come on, let me show you how I pole dance!"

"Wait, I don't thi-" he tried to protest, but I tugged on the lighter pegasus, dragging him with me.

_______________________________________________________

It had been a long while since I last stepped a hoof into the Red Light Showroom, and the place was now considerably more chaotic. The place had always been busy with merchant or mercenary wanting a good fucking. But now the place was packed. No seat at the bar, and a line into back rooms.

One of the mares here stopped at the sight of me, hope on her face. Trotting over, I recognized her as Paper Flowers, a more demure looking mare that had a zebra fetish. She asked me, "Please tell me you're here to help, Lottery?" Paper looked tired, and her outfit was a bit of a mess. The poor mare also looked like she had just finished a gang bang whenever she passed a black light, showing the cum stains all over her.

"No, I can't be having sex due to a curse on me. Anyways I'm out of this work for good." I told the mare, and her ears drooped. "It can't be that bad, can it?"

Paper sighed. "Yes and no. We can't complain all that much due to the caps were earning. But there's a limit to how much dick we can be pounded by, or cunts we can lick. Not to mention the ponies who want to do the more weird stuff."

That made sense. I remember how exhausting it was in my first week as everypony wanted to fuck the new mare, twice. "Maybe I should get Sparkling back down here?" I suggested

She shook her head. "Leave her be. The madam is busy enough with this stupid war to worry about us whores. Frankly I rather get fucked for caps from dusk to dawn then be some slavers toy again. I mean, I still have the whip scars."

Right, Paper had been a sex slave for years before being bought by Grizzly. "So you at least have things under control."

"For the most part. Pecan has done a good job keeping things in order, though I wish we had more ponies who know what they're doing." She said as she looked over at a booth. There one of the Red Light mares was being molested, she looked nervous but not showing any real discomfort. "The new mares have helped, but there hasn't been enough time to properly train them like you had. So they need some supervision."

She then eyed Cold, and a confused expression formed on her face as she looked back at me. "You do know this is the worst place to bring your colt friend right. Unless one of you is into getting cucked?"

I looked at Cold, who shrugged and said. "Hay, you brought me here, and your not supposed to be having sex. So if any pony is getting cucked, it's you."

My face flushed as I realized what I had done, then I face hoofed. "Ya, sorry, I was not thinking straight."

"Thinking gay then?" Paper said, fluttering her eyes.

"No you raging lesbian, that's not what I was saying." I told her.

Paper gave an exaggerated sigh, "too bad. And here I had the caps to pay you to paint stripes on yourself, throw a strap-on on, and step on me."

I raised an eyebrow at the mare, now sobering up a little. "How is it that you, who only likes mares, has a fetishist for being dominated by striped dick?"

She rolled her eyes at me. "As I told you, my first master was a zebra who liked to watch… it somehow became my kink. I mean she was rather hot, and her husband was real good at fucking. Anyways, if you're not here to help, or pay, just go to the looky-loo bar." Paper told me and then quickly trotted off to a group of stallions that just arrived.

"What was that, and what's a looky-loo bar?" Cold asked.

I sighed. "Most of the mares here have a… history. Best to leave it at that. As for the looky-loo bar, it's where capless ponies can sit and watch."

He then nudges me with his wing. "It's okay if we just leave. This isn't really a place ponies go to on a first date anyways."

"Ya you're right. I guess I wasn't as numb to the curse as I thought I was. Or I'm just stupid." I said as my eyes scanned the dimly lit place.

Mares were on raised platforms, either pole dancing or doing some other kind of exotic show. Each of the mares I saw, I saw myself in their place, having been doing all this not that long ago. If it had not been for my friends, and for being kept busy, I could have easily been lured back here by the curse. And possibly, if I didn't have Grizzly's support, I would be working here between missions to earn extra caps. I know that It would be so easy to sneak back here at night just to scratch an itch and get paid for it.

I then froze as a realization washed over me. "Oh fuck" I said, again face hoofing.

"What?" Cold Trails asked.

"I think this is where Plasma has been sneaking off too. It would make sense." I told him.

He then face hoofed himself. "If you're dragging me here, she'd definitely be coming here. Should we ask if they've seen her, or ask her about it later?"

Looking about the showroom, I saw the right pony to talk to. Sugar Honey was currently pole dancing at one of the bars. "Lets just go straight to the pony who probably first tempted our friend to be here."

We trotted over and with a light shove, got some poor bastard to move out of the way. They were about to complain, but he backed off then I glared at him.

Upside-down, Sugar Honey rotated around to come face to face with me. "Oh, so your here to-"

"No, I'm not here to whore myself out." I said, cutting off my friend before she could ask what Paper already asked me. Then I asked her, "One, did you bring Plasma here the night after my first mission, and two, is she currently here?"

Sugar scratched her chin for a moment, then with just her back legs, lifted herself up and slowly started down the pole in one rotation. "Oh Plasma cutie you mean. Ya, she was all nervous that night, but took to the Showroom like a wasteland toad to the public drinking water. Pecan even signed her up to work for us, a win-win. And she's really popular, since she's down for the rough stuff. If you need to talk to her, she's in the dungeon right now, room four. But maybe wait a bit, you know how messy it can get there."

My fears had been confirmed, which left me feeling sick. I wanted to slap Sugar for doing that, but I also knew she had warped views on right and wrong when it came to sex. No, I should have just been more vigilant with Plasma.

"Maybe we should talk to her later. You know, at someplace where the floor isn't so sticky," Suggested Cold.

"No, we need to deal with this now, or it may be too late for her." I said, then trotted to the dungeon, Cold following behind me.

The smell of sex was more pungent at the back of the Showroom, making me worried that it wasn't being properly cleaned. But that was not my main concern as I trotted into the hallway of the dungeon. The first room's door was wide open, where I saw several stallions in gimp suits as a mare in heels kicked them as another stallion fucked her from behind. The gimps looked at me, lust in their eyes as I looked back at them in disgust. I really fucking hated the gimps, and hated how they loved that I hated them. The mare in the heels saw me and we gave each other a sympathetic nod. Almost all of us hated the fucking gimps.

Fortunately room two and three didn't have any exhibitionists in them. The doors kept shut and locked, with only moaning from the other side hinting at what was going on in there. But room four was worryingly wide open, and had a loud muffled moaning coming from within it.

Taking a peek, the room was as sex dungeon as it could get, with three working mares bound up as stallions went to town on them. Among them was Plasma Cutter, who was unmistakably her due to her scars on full display. Seeing her caused a feeling of dread and disgust that hit me like a train.

She looked just like she had with the Brain Nails, but she also looked like a fetishized raider. Actually all three mares were dressed up like latex and glitter covered raiders. It was disturbing to see, and hard to believe if I wasn't seeing it myself. But as one stallion finished off in Plasma's mouth, leaving a trail of cum as he pulled out, I saw her lick at it, her mouth held open by a ring gaga, the reality of the situation solidified.

"Oh, if you're here for the raider gang banging, you need to take a number." A pegasus mare said. She was dressed up like the other three, and had clearly just finished getting fucked as male body fluid dripped down her leg. Behind her I could see a fifth mare surrounded by stallions who fucked every hole, and the rest were getting hoof jobs. "As you can, the rooms rather full."

"No, we're here to talk to Plasma." I told the soft looking mare in the aggressive looking outfit.

She seemed confused, telling me, "s… sorry, but she's busy at the moment. Maybe come back in an hour when she takes over my position." Here eyes then drifted to Cold Trails and a look of horror crossed her face.

"Hello Dancing Skies. Well at least I can tell your parents that you're safe." Cold Trails told the mare.

"Oh, fuck, please don't tell them I'm here, they'll kill me! Like actually kill me!" She pleaded.

Cold looked at me, and then back at Dancing Skies before sighing. "I don't even know were to begin with this, and I already have to much on my plate to do anything about it."

Dancing Skies then fluttered her eyes at Cold "How about doing a favor for a friend."

He then sighed and pointed his wing at her, she then stepped back, seeing that he was missing the other. "We're not friends, Dancing… but for my sister I'll do you a solid, but you owe me. So here, I'll just tell your parents that you got a job in the casino, and are just being difficult about seeing them. Now you let my friends have a chat with Plasma."

The pegasus nodded slowly. "Thanks, and for what's it worth, your not to blame for what happened to chilly. No matter what my parents say." She said before quickly trotting over to Plasma.

"What's that about?" I asked Cold.

"Her parents are the leaders of the pegasus first faction among the pegasus that are taking shelter here. So she was likely not exaggerating about them killing her if they found out she was here." He explained, then sighed. "She also went to Enclave University and was a close friend of my sister there. When I stuck with Flyright and forced my sister to stay with me, Paper ran and managed to find Elysium. If I let Chilly go with her, she might still be alive right now."

"Maybe, but we can't dwell on what ifs." I said to him, and he silently nodded back.

A blindfolded Plasma was then shoved out of the room, she unable to speak properly due to the ring gag in her mouth, or trot proper due to the spread bar holding her back legs open.

Dancing Sky then poked her head out, looking at us pleadingly. "You promise you won't tell them." Cold gave her a nod, "good, whenever you want to cash in that favor, you know were to find me." The mare then backed away and trotted to a group of stallions waiting for her. She quickly got to work, mounting one as another mounted her, then using her hooves, wings, and mouth to service the rest.

I had to admit, she was rather talented at this.

Turning our attention to Plasma, our friend was floundering on the floor, unable to properly get up due to all her bindings. It was pathetic and depressing to see… and a bit hot… but only a bit.

Damnit, I needed to get out of here before I start mounting random stallions. Or at least Cold, which I might still do later.

"I think you should untie her. The Enclave may have promoted homosexality, but it was never my thing. So I would rather not touch another stallion's jizz." Cold said, looking flustered.

I sighed, and got to unbinding Plasma. This was not the first time I had to unbind a cum covered pony, though I had hoped to never have to do it again.

Leaving the gag for last, I unbound Plasma, who was already in a seductive pose before looking at us. Her eyes were glazed over and unfocused, clearly she was high off her flank on some chem.

"Sho whoss furst?" She asked through her ring gag, clearly not recognizing us.

"You stay here!" I told her, and trotted to the gang bang room to ask, "Can I get a leash?"

A black leather leash was tossed out at me, and I caught it in my mouth. Disgustingly, it was a bit sticky, but not the worst I've had in my mouth. Hooking it onto Plasma, I then turned to Cold, telling him, "I'm going to clean Plasma up first. You don't need to stick around if you don't want to."

"I appreciate the thought, but I'm not leaving you to deal with all this on your own. Not saying I don't trust you, but knowing that cures…" he said, subtly suggesting the worst.

There was no doubt he was right, as I had dragged him here after all. As numb as I felt, and how much I hated to admit it, if somepony propositioned me, there was a chance I'd do it. My own mind wandered into that room, imagining being bound up, and the feeling of being fucked. It was faint, but I could feel my cursed tattoo warm up with anticipation.

It was almost like a thirst, or a hunger, now that I thought about it. It was minor right now, but I knew it would only grow stronger in time. Plasma's state alone was a clear example of what awaited me if I'm not careful, not that I can blame her after what she survived.

"No, that's fair. I'm starting to think having a chaperone isn't a bad idea for not just Plasma, but me as well." I told him.

"It isn't that bad yet, is it?" He asked.

I shook my head. "Fortunately not yet, but if you want to fuck later, I'm not going to say no… Actually, you better fuck me after all this! But now let's go to the dressing room, we can wash her up there."

Taking Plasma by the leash, she stumbled at first but disturbingly became quite submissive as I pulled her along. We got a few glances from the ponies on the Showroom, with one giving Plasma a hard slap on the flank, in which she moaned loudly in pleasure. It made me glad she was still gaged, as I really didn't want to hear whatever she would be saying in that state. Best to just let her drool out here then speak.

Fortunately it was a short trot to the dressing room, where several working mares were taking their brakes. Some new faces, some familiar. Among them was a mare I was ready to slap the shit out of.

Pecan nervously smiled at me as I dragged Plasma further into the back. "Lottery! Long time no see, I've missed ya sugar." Pecan said with joy before looking at me with a cocked eyebrow. "I see you discovered Plasma's side job."

Spitting out the leash I got muzzle to muzzle with the top whore. "Don't play fucking dumb with me bitch! You knew Plasma shouldn't be here, I know you're kept informed of this shit, and yet you didn't tell nopony."

Pecan didn't flinch, she never did. "We needed the extra help, and she's a natural sub slut."

"Because she was a raider rape slave ya cunt!" I growled at her.

She rolled her eyes at me, "and?"

I swung my hoof then and there, almost catching her face as she anticipated the hit, blocking it with her own hoof. The Zony still hit the ground, but pushed herself back up like it was nothing.

"Fine, I deserved that." Pecan said, as she pulled one of her fishnet stockings back up. "But she is the one who agreed to this, and I ain't in position to say no to a good flank. So if she decided to not tell y'all shit, it ain't my business to tell y'all shit either."

Glaring at her for a moment, I then took a deep breath and calmed down. "By Celestia I hate that you're right."

Pecan then winked at me. "But now that you're here, maybe you and Cold here can take a break, I'll even help ya."

"No… maybe." I said, but Cold then cleared his throat. "No, not now or ever."

"Fine, can't blame a mare for trying to get a good flank." She said to me as she trotted towards a side room. "Anyways, I'm sure you want some fixer and I have the keys to the cem case. So to get Plasma's head clear."

I nodded. "Naturally."

Pecan then fluttered her eyes at Cold. "Care to join me stud, we can have some fun wile they're busy?"

"You can go with her Cold, I don't mind." I told him.

But he cocked an eyebrow at me. "No thanks, I'm good."

Shrugging, Pecan let out a chuckle and left out to a side door.

Once she had left, Cold turned to me. "You do know trying to set a pony you just dated up with a prostitute is not normal?"

Realization then hit me again. "Oh… fuck. Sorry about that!"

"It's fine, let's just focus on Plasma before any more distractions happen." He told me, looking a bit flustered.

I nodded, remembering how messed up my view on sex and relationships had become. Was it the curse or just me?

Washing up Plasma wasn't fun, as she had been covered in spunk, both on the outside and inside. Her makeup had been caked on thick too, which turned the water she was standing into a sparkly purple. Once she was clean enough that I was sure she'd be only mildly sticky, I then removed her ring gag.

"Now call me a whore!" She lazily blurted out.

So I slapped her.

But she just smiled, saying "I've been so bad."

I sighed. "Your a fucking mastocust aren't you." I quickly checked her for any injuries or anything that could be a bad sign. Fortunately there were no new cuts, or signs of chem injections, so none of the harder stuff was in her system.

"I got the fixer." Pecan said as she tossed me an inhaler. "She's currently tripping on party time mentats, and a low level dash. So half strength on the fixer should bring her back."

"Anything else I should know?" I asked the zony.

"Well I can tell you that she's better than you at deepthroating, though not as good as me. But that's not what you're asking." Pecan then dropped the playful whore act, going stone faced. "She's had her illness prevention injections, and we have double checked her for addiction. Other than being a mental frutloop, Plasma is probably the most healthy mare here, probably could eat rocks if she wanted to."

"This isn't healthy." I said as I shoved the Fixer into Plasma's mouth.

Cold looked concerned as he asked. "Isn't more chems the last thing she needs?"

Plasma used the inhaler, breathing it in long and deep.

"It's okay, Fixer sobers a pony up no matter what chem they take. Though it doesn't fix addiction, it will alleviate withdrawal symptoms." Pecan explained.

We watched as Plasma's unfocused eyes slowly regained their sharpness, and a look of shock and horror formed on her face.

Trotting to her I took the fixer back, and tossed it back to Pecan,

I then told Plasma, "I'm not mad, nor do I blame you."

Plasma slumped out of the water, now a look of guilt and shame on her face as she began to cry. "I… I… I wanted to stop. B… but, I can't. It's becoming all I think about If I'm not busy. I hate it, but it feels too good. I want more, but I want to stop." She then locked eyes with me, huger in her gaze. "You want it too, you understand."

"Did you take the stuff doctor Helga made for you?" I asked.

"A… little. But it tastes like pears, I hate pears!" She huffed, sounding like a foal.

Really, we had something to help keep the curse in check, and she's not talking because she doesn't like pears. I'd laugh if it wasn't so damn annoying.

"Plasma, my friend, I mean this with all due respect. Your a stupid bitch!" I said flatly. "We got shit falling apart all around us, with potential mind controlled slavary in our future. Not to mention the possibility of turning into a drooling sex addicts. And you can't drink some pear flavored medicine that's meant to help you keep in control of your own mind!"

"S… sorry." She whimpered.

"No, I should have caught on sooner. And it didn't help that I was pushing you onto Spell." I then reached out to my friend. "Now let's dry you off."

She took my hoof and trotted out of the wash pal.

"I've… always been rotten." Plasm then confessed.

Raising an eyebrow, I asked, "how so?"

"Well, when I was still with the Steel Ranger's I kept myself shut away, never was the most social actually." She began to explain as I grabbed a towel and rubbed her down. "Taking apart and putting back together power armor wasn't the only thing I loved to do. I also loved to go through the archives, it was full of so many books from the golden age. Technical manuals, ancient weapons, books upon books of anything we could find… romance novels… and a mountain of smut."

"Smut, what's smut?" I asked.

Plasma blushed, then told me. "It's like romance novels, but… well… the ponies have sex in it. Sometimes the romantic happens during the sex, where the stallion forces himself onto the mare, and she resist, but in her mind she accepts him. Or a mare is captured by a tribe of zebras, and they make her all their wife, where she finds meaning. Or one story where the stallion is so worried about his mare friend who was being bullied, so he put her in a cage. It's so romantic."

"Fucked up you mean." A rather concerned sounding Cold spoke up.

"I don't know, I kind of get what she's saying. Wouldn't mind a stallion protecting me so fiercely." Pecan added, but getting a glare from Cold and I.

"S… sorry." Plasma said, retreating back into herself again.

I rubbed down Plasma's rust red curly mane. "So how does this make you rotten, it's just books?"

Shame crept onto Plasma's face. "Well… I started imagining myself in those books as I shut myself off in the maintenance bay. Not just the books, but also in the stories some knights would tell about their time outside. Imagining myself fighting a group of raiders, but instead of winning, I'd lose… and they take me… do things to me. Sometimes it be slavers, other times a wastelander would get one up on me. I even imagined my own rangers doing horrible things to me. I… I had become rotten."

This really confused me. I had clients who liked to be controlled, but this sounded like she wanted to be raped. "So when it actually happened… did you-"

"No, no fucking way!" Plasma blurted out. "It was nothing like how it was in my imagination. Nothing fucking like it. I was torture and used, made an object, a sex toy. They were all disgusting, cruel, and rather boring… I mean they did the same thing over and over, and even if I could enjoy some of it, they never did anything interesting. Just got high or drunk, then lazily fuck me and went to sleep right after."

"So… you didn't enjoy any of that?" I asked, worried about the answer.

She looked away, avoiding eye contact. "m… maybe." She then took a deep breath and sighed. "After a while, I just got used to it. I hated it, hated them, but I got used to it. What's wrong with trying to make the best out of a bad situation? They wanted a pony who resisted, and I played along. They were rough but they beat me less, even let me have some chems. What's so wrong with that! No pony was going to save me, not some rotten mare like me."

I gave Plasma a hug as her tears welled up again. "Now don't say that, you're not rotten, or dirty. You're you, and we're here for you. If anything were to happen to you I'll be there to save you. No matter how many ponies I must kill. You understand. So stop saying that about yourself!"

"But-" Plasma tried to protest, but I cut her off.

"No buts! Were going to get through this, remove the curse, and if you still want to get your brains fucked out, then you go do that." I told her, feeling weird as I told my friend that. "Until then, let's get back to the penthouse and cool our heads. We have things to do tomorrow. "

She held onto me a bit tighter. "Thanks Lottery… thank you for saving me from them." She then began to rub my back. "Umm.. when we get back… can we, you know, the three of us?"

"No… well maybe." I looked back at Cold, who shook his head.

"After seeing where she has been, no way!" He pointed.

Focus returned to me as I bit my own tongue. "Right, no… none of that."

Pecan then let out a chuckle. "Well I'm always down. But maybe later, since I got to get back out on the floor. Anyways, I'll let the security know that Plasma is not to be here until further notice." She then trotted over and winked at Plasma. "But if she's ever in need of some relief, just call me."

"So long as she's kept out of trouble, I don't care." I told the zony, giving up on controlling this mare.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty

_______________________________________________________

"Now drink." Rattlebones instructed Plasma and I. The bitter concoction was not the easiest to drink, and not even the pear flavor helped. But I've swallowed way worse than this, so there was no struggle to get it down. "Good good, this should suppress the curse, if only for a time."

Doctor Helga held one of the bottles containing the potion, looking at it with a dispassionate annoyance. "This is why I don't trust magical brahman shit, always with the uptuse rules and resistance to sound science. If it was up to me, I'd hit everything with some sort of anti-magic field to keep it gone."

Rattlebones chuckled as he began to fill two canteens with the potion. "You griffins never were fans of magic, nor that forward thinking in what comes next. If you get rid of magic, then some other problem will come around to ruin your day. It's like what we say about war and how it never changes. Oh war does change, all the time actually. New guns are made, a change in tactics, or a new threat shows its head. But why war exists, now that never changes."

"Ya ya, I know all that. I didn't become an old Talon by being ignorant." Helga said as she passed the bottle to Rattlebones. "When some creature wants something, be it a need or desire, and they are unable to get it through peaceful means, they take it through force."

The old stallion smiled and nodded, "War as politics by any other means. It really makes a pony appearance how good Celestia was as a ruler, with a thousand years with only a few major conflicts. Or so the legends about her goes."

"Ehh, I bet she was just a tyrant with seriously fucking good PR and covert organizations." Helga said pessimistically.

"Even if that is true, it makes her no less a legendary ruler." Rattlebones said, still smiling as he passed the canteens to Plasma and I. "Now if you feel your mind wandering, or your nether twitching, then take a sip from these trusty Filly Scouts canteens."

Taking the green and tan canteen, though weathered, the gold like medallion at the center still shined with an image of a young mare on it. Shaking it, the inside sloshed with the the sound of the potion, it's bitter smell lingering in the air. "Are you sure this will help?" I asked.

"For a time it should help you keep a clear mind." Rattlebones told me, then said with a chuckle. "Understandably, not many ponies do much potion research for suppressing one's sexual urges. That's why there's over a hundred recipes for love potions, and almost none for celibacy. Fortunately a potion meant for meditation does help suppress the venue root curse."

Doctor Helga then took a closer look at Plasma, looking into her eyes and mouth. "Hmmm… hard to tell, but there might be some changes. Nothing major, but do check in with me later for a full exam. We still don't know the full extent this curse will have on your body." She then backed off and turned to me. "Also I wouldn't trust that potion too much, and don't take this the wrong way, but the two of you would have been fucking around even without the curse. Probably more knowing you, Lottery,"

I felt insulted, and a little miffed. "No way I'd be slutting it up, especially not returning to the Showroom."

"But you would be fucking Cold Trails more if not for the venues root." She told me.

I looked away, finding the jars on the counter strangely more interesting. "Maybe."

Rattlebones laughed. "No shame in that Miss Lottery, none at all. Not like most ponies out here give two shits on who you fuck, or how many of them. I was actually quite the casanova back in my prime, and my first wife, a hunter, was a prostitute as side job to support the family." He then sighed. "Always feared she would run off with some rich stallion, not be taken by illness."

He then pointed his yao guai skull staff at me, it clattering with its string of bones. "That said, there is a difference between free love and betrayal. And once crossed, any relationship will crumble."

Doctor Helga grabbed the staff, pulling it up and out of my face. "No one is here for relationship advice, especially from a stallion with a thing for sex workers." She then returned her attention back to me. "What I was getting at is that, even with the curse suppressed, it's likely not going to stop either of your natural urges and interests."

Backing off, Doctor Helga pulled out a cigarette, lighting it to take a long puff before continuing. "I'm no psychologist, but I have seen enough traumatized mares to know that even when a mare has no interest in fucking, they will still due it just to faint control.” She then eyes Plasma. "Curse or not, you were likely going to end up in the Showroom to recreate your time with the raiders, of which I have no doubts. Maybe not so quickly as it happened, but you're clearly self medicating with sex, chems, and self harm. Not the first time I’ve seen it, won't be the last."

Plasma looked ashamed of herself as she held herself tightly. “Is… is there any hope for me?”

Doctor Helga shrugged. “Up to you. Most mares who self medicate like you tend to burn out and either kill themselves, or wander off and become a cheep whore before getting killed by some raider they’re fucking. You got friends, which is rather rare out in the wasteland, so rely on them.”

Plasma slowly nodded as she took a quick glance at me. “Thanks… I’ll give it some thought.”

After a moment of silence, I put the canteen into my saddle bag, then got out of my seat and threw the bag over my back. “Alright, it’s time we get going, Grizzly got a sky cart waiting for us. You ready, Plasma?”

She did the same, getting up and putting things away, if a bit slower. “Uhh… I guess. I know this was my plan, but now that I think about it… maybe I’m not the best to talk with them.”

I rolled my eyes and pushed her to the doorway. “Nonsense, we need a pony to speak Steel Ranger, and you're the only one we got who can.”

“True, but…” She tried to protest, but I was not having it.

“No butts, you're coming with us. It’s that or you stay under house arrest.” I told her as I pushed her out.

She eventually relented and we were on the move. The poor mare had a bit of a hard night after leaving the Showroom, requiring an extra scrub down after getting to the penthouse, and plenty of water to drink. The biggest problem was that even though she had been sobered up, the cures still had her like a bitch in heat, which somehow had my own cures acting up as well. In the end, I ended up tying Plasma down to the bed for the night, and I had to hit my head on a wall until my own urges settled down.

In the morning Plasma had calmed down, and after having something to eat, we headed to Doctor Helga first thing. Now with the potion at hoof, and a change of bandages, I felt a bit calmer around Plasma, a bit more in control of myself.

“So, ummm.” Plasma said nervously. “Once the curse is lifted… could you, you know… dominate me… again?”

“Oh fuck off Plasma!” I huffed out at her.

After a moment of silence as we trotted, we then began to laugh. The tension between us lifting.

“How about, I'll think about it.” I told her, still not interested in mares, but a bit curious about doing something more. Plasma was a rather good sub, if a bit too into being degraded. “I’ll talk with Cold… maybe Spell Circuit.”

“Another stallion is fine, but I don’t know about Spell… I rather he does not know about… everything, actually.” Plasma sheepishly said.

I shrugged. “Maybe, but you do really look cute together. I say if you’re going to continue to have sex despite the cures, better him then all those random stallions.”

A pervi look crossed Plasmas face, and she quickly took out the canteen and sipped it, regaining her composer. “Maybe talking about this is not the best idea… but, the fact that I don’t know them makes it more… shameful, ya know.”

I took a sip of the canteen just as memories of my first week in the Showroom surfaced. “No I don’t. Unlike you I don’t like being a cumdump.” I said flatly, getting my point across with a glare. “Anyways, you slept with Spell, so he can’t be that bad.”

Plasma looked… disappointed. “Well… I can’t say he was bad, nor lacking in anything. But I had to lead him all the way… it was just… not a big turn on for me. I want my mane to be pulled, to be called a whore as my head is shoved into the ground, and to be as rough as possible. He was just tender… and meek.”

I sighed. “Your fucked in the head, Plasma. Like real bad. Still I really want you to not to go back to the Showroom, at least not until the curse is lifted, okay. And if the urges can't be controlled, then for you to be with somepony we all can trust. But if Spell is not your type, I’ll stop pushing it. Sorry.”

“What, no!” She blurted out. “I mean… I don’t know. It’s not like I don’t like Spell Circuit. He is the only pony I’ve meant out here that I can talk acano-tech with, along with having the same love of reading books as I do… well mostly the same.” Plasma then took a deep breath, clearly conflicted as she tried to put her thoughts together, struggling to find the words. “What I mean is… well… Sex wise I’m not interested… but intellectually, I am. Does that make any sense?”

Truthfully, I was having a hard time understanding. “Soo… you just need him fuck you rough and call you a whore, and things will be all good?”

Plasma looked at me with disappointment, as though she just realized I was actually a dumb fuck hick from the middle of nowhere. Which I actually was.

She then looked away from me, and let out a soft sigh “Well… maybe… I guess. But I just don’t think he has it in him. Anyways, this stuff should be the last thing on our minds.”

I guess I was pushing things too far, maybe wrapping Plasma up in my own fantasies. Just the idea of sex was enough to get me interested, and I needed to just stop. But still, I wanted my friends to be happy, all of them. Plasma was never going to be happy at the Showroom, or with random strangers. As for Spell, I had no doubt he would end up hiding away in some library until he was old and gray. Molo and Low too had problems, I didn’t know why, but I felt that my friends were all not doing well, but there was no way for me to help them. Or maybe I was just sticking my nose in where it didn’t belong.

_______________________________________________________

I still hated flying, even with it being a safe cloud wagon, I hated it. Without any distractions all my mind could focus on was how high we were up, and how painful it would be if I fell from here.

This time we were a team of four, that being; Plasma Cutter, Cold Trails, Spell Circuit, and myself. I suspected that Grizzly wanted mostly just the smarter ponies to talk with the Rangers, with myself as representative of Ursa's Den.

Having to geared up, I felt considerably exposed without my jumpsuit and armor. They had been utterly destroyed by Flyright, and the twins had stolen many of the good dresses, leaving me with a limit in selection to pick from. So now I looked like a very dangerous casino worker. At least I had a nice pair of shorts so that my cunt wasn't hanging out.

"Look at that, I think that's the remains of Clover Town." Spell said as he looked over the edge.

I didn't need to look over myself as I could see the thin strips of black smoke from far off. But stealing myself I looked over, and saw the burnt out ruins far below. Too far to see any detail, but it was clear that nothing had been left unburnt.

Spell sat back, looking troubled as he unfolded a map. "The Talons were right, the raiders have pushed in as deep as possible and are destroying as much as they can. We can only hope the residence got away in time."

"I know I shouldn't be the one asking, but what's the point of such needless destruction?" Cold asked.

"It disrupts the supply line and increases refugees. This region mainly grows tatos due to how easy they grow. There's also a few brahmin and bighorn heard that move between settlements. Actual Clover Town did their best to make animal feed, and grazable land for livestock, clovers actually. It's edible for us, but not that good tasting." Spell explained.

"In short, Tripwire is trying to starve us out." Plasma commented.

"Yes and no." Spell said with a worried look on his muzzle. "Panic will likely kick in before starvation. Ursa's Rest is like a can of cramped ponies, most of which have little to no ties to each other. If they think the food will run out, it's going to be harder to keep order as they all start fighting among each other. I have no doubt that if we fail to stop my brother, the fleeing ponies will likely be pushed onto Gwadina to weaken what order she has managed to establish before attacking her."

A grimace crossed my muzzle as I imagined it. "Using innocent ponies as weapons, sounds like him."

"And nothing new for a member of a slaver family." Spell added. "Before Redeye, it was not an uncommon tactic to flood a smaller rival family with slaves. Having so many mouths to feed takes time to reorganize, which weakens them for attack. It was a rather effective tactic for removing upstarts since they didn't have the infrastructure for housing so many ponies. Well… that was until Redeye showed up, where that tactic proved to only add to his power. A few of his captains were actually former slaves."

The feeling of descent cued that we were reaching our destination, and after over an hour of flight, I'll soon be on the ground. Taking a nervous look, I could only see barren landscape, it cracked from the now ever present heat.

"Over there!" Plasma said, pointing at a lone mound. "That should bunker applecore."

Squinting, I could make several tents next to the mound, and the closer we got the more clear things became. I could see that there was a large crowd of ponies among the tent, many of them gathering around what I guessed was the entrance to the bunker.

With a dip and a turn, the pegasuses pulling us flew down to a clearing, where several ponies were waiting for us, one in red robes and two others in red and green painted armor.

Plasma curled up a bit, clearly nervous, so I patted her on the back. She glanced at me, pulling out her canteen to take a sip, then took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm calm, I can do this." She said, psyching herself up.

Landing, I wasted no time putting my hooves on the ground. Flying may be the fastest way to get around, but if time was not against us, I would rather trot.

With loud clunky hoofsteps, each movement aided with the sound of pistons, two towering power armored ponies trotted over to us, each having a mini-guns on one side and a big ammo case on the other. Between them was an older unicorn stallion in a red robe with a lot of pockets. Actually it looked more like the hiking gear that Rattlebones used, but was also a robe.

"Ahh good, you're finally here." The unicorn said, sounding less than pleased by our presence, but still giving us a bow. "I'm the senior scribe, Candy Apple Cobbler. You can just call me Senior Scribe Cobbler. Now the messenger said you had one of ours with you?"

"Yes, that's right." I said, feeling a bit intimidated by the angry looking power armored ponies. "I'm Lottery, and these are my friends, Cold Trails, Spell Circuit, and the pony mentioned, Plasma Cutter."

Plasma trotted forward. "Scribe… former scribe Plasma Cutter. I primarily work in armor and weapon maintenance for the chapter under Star Paladin Spritz Cookies command. Well until the schism that is."

"Right, Spritz. A true Steel Ranger if I ever saw one, though overzealous at times. Seeing that you're alive, I assume you took a neutral stance in the fighting." Cobbler asked with a raised eyebrow.

My friend looked away as she answered, clearly still embarrassed by the events. "Actually, I didn't even know the schizim had happened at the time. I was actually exiled for not answering the Star Paladins call."

Cobbler looked disappointed by that answer. "I'm not sure if that is better or worse than if you had joined the Applejack Rangers. As the codex clearly states-"

"All rangers must be ready to answer a call to arms, no matter the situation. Failure to do so puts all our brothers and sisters at risk, and must be harshly punished." Plasma said, finished what Cobbler was about to say.

The older stallion then smiled. "At least you still remember the codex, unlike these fools. If you work hard, maybe you can rejoin your brothers and sisters in the Rangers."

Both Plasma and I looked at Cobbler in confusion, Plasma asking, "Senior Scribe Cobbler, aren't you an Applejack Ranger?"

The old stallion gave an annoyed huff. "Scribe Plasma Cutter, my duties here are the recovery, cataloging, and protection of the artifacts left to us by our ancestors. If I had left with the other Steel Rangers, then there would be nopony to keep these buffoons from squandering our heritage. When the Steel Ranger returns to reclama this bunker, I'll be here to greet them, and with everything inside intact."

Plasma looked both surprised, and… impressed. "A true scribe that we all should aspire to be like."

Scribe Cobbler looked impressive with himself before looking back at the bunker. "Well as much as I like to be flattered, best if we take this inside. away from the prying eyes of savages… Present company included of course."

As he turned around, so did the power armored ponies, who were strangely agile despite being in bulky armor. Trotting along behind them, I could see Applejack Rangers tending to injured ponies, or passing out water and bar shaped food. The other wastelanders didn't look happy, some seemed to be quite upset as they gathered around the bunkers entrance.

"This isn't helping, it's just prolonging our suffering!" One wastelander shouted at a ranger who stood behind a blockade.

"Were all going to die if we stay out here! Let us in!" Another Wastelander shouted.

An Applejack Ranger addressed the crowd, the armor amplifying their voice. "Please settle down, we're doing what we can! The elder and our paladins are strategizing how to solve this issue to the best of their abilities."

"Brahmin shit! Just give us the guns!" A third wastelander demanded.

"Ya, if you're not going to kill those raiders, we will!" Another angry wastelander demanded.

Looking at them, the ponies were all dusty and thin, some dressed in rags, and a few in tattered jackets that seemed a bit too warm to have on in the sun. "I'm guessing these are all the refugees from the surrounding settlements. But why are they here?" I asked

"Idiocy and desperation." Scribe Cobbler answered, then explained. "The raiders have made sure that the only place they can go is here. And since…. Elder…" There was contempt in his voice as he said elder, clearly not liking whoever the pony was. "Since she promised to aid the ponies of the wasteland, the damn savages now think they're entitled to everything we keep safely away from them."

"Just as many feared would happen." Plasma said in agreement, then she grimaced. "But if we had helped exterminate the raiders in the first place, this would have never happened."

"Raiders are just savages showing their true colors scribe Plasma. Going out and wasting our precious resources on exterminating every little raider den will not change a thing." Cobbler said coldly, and glanced back at my friend. "It seems the savages have affected your mind, something you'll need to correct if you're ever to return to the rangers."

Plasma looked angry for a moment, but then her gaze turned to the ground, as though she was a guilty foal.

So I stepped up. "Sir, with all do respect, while you have been safe within this bunker, or protected by those rangers, Plasma has been surviving on her own. It's easy for you to dismiss my friend's feelings on the matter, but that doesn't make her any less right on that. If the raiders were not allowed to grow in the numbers they had, all this shit would not have happened and so many wouldn't have needed to suffer."

Cobbler opened his mouth to argue, but I had more to say. "And those precious resources you covet. I didn't have any of that, and still managed to kill off the greater horde of the raiders. You would be fucking drowning in raiders right now if not for what my team did to stop them. So don't look down on my friend for wanting to solve a problem that is currently your fucking problem, as you can see."

The two power armor ponies chuckled, getting a dirty glare from the scribe. "This wouldn't be our problem if the elder wasn't making it our problem." He huffed out.

Trotting forward, the crowd parted way to make room for us, the dirty and desperate ponies eyeing us. Strangely, something felt off, as though the eyes of predators were on me, waiting for their opportunity to pounce. My eyes darted about, trying to find what was giving me that feeling, only catching a glimpse; a smile of yellow teeth, a lick of the lips, and determined glares of mischief. But there were too many ponies, they all just blended together in a dirty, dusty, crowd.

_______________________________________________________

Entering inside the bunker was like entering an all new world. Less dry and much cooler, with everything lit up in lights that bothered my eyes. Everything here was made of metal or concrete; the walls, the furniture, and even the ponies. Aside from my team and a few scribes, everything had a cold hard feeling to it.

Waiting for us was a power armored stallion, who thankfully had his helmet off, showing off an impressive pony shoe mustache. "I got word you showed up. The… Elder, is waiting for you." He spoke with a deep and rather tantalizing voice, of which required me to sip my canteen.

Strangely he also mentioned the elder with an unsure tone, though lacking the same disdain as Cobbler had.

"Then let's not waste any time, as time is currently not on our side." I said to the Ranger.

The Ranger smiled. "Straight to the mission, I like that. Ad Victoriam." He the turned and trotted down the hall, with us following closely.

It was a bit strange as I viewed the Rangers busy with one thing or another. Some were training, others were cleaning their weapons or armor, though most were moving things around or standing guard. As cramped and cold as this place was, it also felt… safe here.

"Is this how it was when you were with the Rangers, Plasma?" Spell asked.

She nodded. "Yes, there's bunkers all over Equestria, in which the Steel Ranger use. Though over the last hundred years many of those bunkers have become… unlivable."

"Sad but true." The mustached stallion said. "I'm Star Paladin Radish Crostini by the way. But as the young miss says, the bunkers we call home are dwindling in numbers. The unfortunate result of only having spare parts to hold back the ravages of time, and the occasional enemy, eventually you start to run out of spare parts."

Again, Cobbler huffed. "It is considerably unwise to reveal our secrets to outsiders."

"And keep ourselves insulated and isolated. How did that help Elder Cottage Cheese or the other elders that self-destruct, taking their chapters down with them. Even now we're still getting reports of chapters ruined by infighting, or from starting fights with wastelanders. And survivors calling in seeking shelter are still coming." Radish Crostini told the senior scribe, before glancing back at Plasma. "Along with lost rangers being found."

"Fools, the lot of them. Wasting lives and resources needlessly like that." Cobbler added.

Radish Crostini grunted in annoyance. "Better it happens now when we still have friends then later when the wasteland itself becomes our enemy, and we have only but rocks to defend ourselves with."

"Spoken like a pony blinded fear and misplaced altruism." Cobbler said mockingly.

"Better than a self righteous pony who hides behind the codex to cover their willful ignorance." Radish said with disdain.

Before they could continue their argument, the two rangers stopped before a door, guarded by two ponies in decorated power armor. They both had strange looking guns that looked more like spears on a box.

Cold Trails whistled, looking quite impressed at the guns. "Are those Windchester industrial plasma casters. Those are rare even in the Enclave. I bet you can cook anything that comes down this hallway with those."

"I'm sure that's the point." Spell commented.

"Well passed here is not only the elder's chamber, but also the vault containing many sensitive artifacts. We take the protection of it all very seriously." Cobbler informed us. "Now the… Elder, is passed these doors, so you better be on your best behavior. Or at least what you think is your best behavior."

The doors opened up with the sound of pistons releasing air, along with semi rusted metal scraping on more semi rusted metal. Like everything here, though well maintained, the subtle traces of the ravages of time can be seen, heard, and felt.

Trotting inside, we came to a round table that had a soft blue light, in which translucent symbols moved around on it, some blue some red. Around the table were several old ponies, some in red robes, others in power armor. But one Ranger, who was on the opposite side of the table, was in a blue robe, and looked significantly younger than the others.

Actually she only looked a bit older than myself.

Radish cleared his throat before introducing us. "Elder Honeycrisp, these are the delegation from Ursa's Rest, and one of which is of our own."

"From Spritz Cookies company to be exact" Cobbler added.

The mare in the blue robe sighed, looking considerably annoyed. "I heard about the carnage that is Spritz Cookies company. Even if her Rangers stay loyal to the old codex, I have no doubt she will drive them to rebellion nonetheless." She then eyes us, looking at Plasma a bit longer. "I was informed about all your names, so no need to introduce yourselves. I'm Elder Honeycrisp Apple. And no need to explain what likely happened under Star Paladin Spritz Cookie, I can easily imagine, since I squired under her. The bitch loves pushing ponies past their limits, and punishes any failure severely."

Plasma nodded. "Yes, that sounds like the Star Paladin. But may I ask, how is it that a pony as young as you is Elder? Shouldn't a pony like Cobbler or Radish be filling in that position?"

"An understandable question," Elder Honeycrisp said clearly and calmly, as though expecting the question. "You can say that I'm here instead of them because of one of many flaws in our codex. Once these flaws have been fixed, and the Applejack Rangers know where we'll be standing in this new world, I'll be stepping down. As for why me, it's simple really, I'm the direct descendant of Lieutenant General Apple Flora, of the Equestria Military Steel Rangers."

Plasma's eyes opened wide in shock. "Th.. the Lieutenant General! Oh my!"

Elder Honeycrisp face hoofed. "As expected. Blood should not come before steel, yet all of you so easily forget that."

Plasma lowered her head. "S… sorry."

Feeling a bit lost, I need answers. "Care to explain to the ignorant me?"

Surprisingly, Plasma was the one to explain, and with pride. "Lieutenant General Apple Flora was the one who kept the Steel Ranger together after the fall of Equestria. She was the one who wrote the codex, and was the first elder. Without Lieutenant General Apple Flora the Steel Rangers would not be what they are today."

"And this reverence to her is why the rangers are now divided." Elder Honeycrisp said.

"Careful Elder." Cobbler spoke up. "Even if you… and the Applejack Rangers are rewriting what does not need to be changed. Even they wouldn't tolerate slandering the Lieutenant General name. Decedent or not."

"Senior Scribe Cobbler, may I remind you that we tolerate your presence only because we respect your knowledge and dedication. But we do have plenty of scribes who can take your place if needed." The Elder said coldly, then turned to me and further explained. "The issue isn't that my ancestor was wrong or misguided, but that the codex was written during a time when any kind of compromise would amount to suicide for the Rangers."

She then pressed a button on the table, which then made an image of a mare in power armor standing on a cliff that overlooked a smoldering city. Next to the mare was another mare in pegasus power armor, it was hard to tell due to the image being just shades of blue, but the pegasus looked like she had a rainbow mane. Honeycrisp then continued. "Apple Flora was overseas when the bombs dropped, and found herself the ranking officer, a all the other generals were either assassinated by Zebra agents, or were burnt in baelfire. So with all communications with Equestria lost, she chose to rally the Steel Ranger and returned home, choosing the protection of Equestria over revenge. But when she returned to Equestria, she found it ripping itself apparent. What had survived was being besieged by ponies gone mad, and the remnants of the military desperately trying to keep their weapons out of the hooves of these… raiders."

Then, the realization of who the other mare was hit me like a sky wagon. "That's Rainbow Dash! We found a recording from her under the Elysium Memorial site, where she mentions doing just that."

Elder Honeycrisp nodded. "Yes, Apple Flora had mentioned her a few times in her journal. She even attempted to make the Ministry mare the first Elder, but Rainbow Dash chose to simply disappear. My ancestor suspected that the ministry mare blamed herself for what happened, and didn't want the power."

"Wait," Spell Circuit spoke up. "I remember now, Pentagram Naysayer, my ancestor, mentioned an Apple Flora. She helped him find the students of Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns."

The elder scratched her chin for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "Yes, they became the first scribes, he was also invited to join, but like Rainbow Dash, he too vanished. Good to hear he survived."

"You might not be saying that after what we have to tell you." Spell said in a depressed tone. "The pony behind all that is happening now, he happens to be his descendent, and my brother. Worse, he plans to use an arcano-tech device Pentagram invented to mind control the entire wasteland. It's why we are here."

The Rangers other rangers began whispering amongst themselves before Honeycrisp asked, "so, what your saying is that this is no mere warlord rising up?"

"Far worse than that, Elder." I spoke up. "I've personally experienced it myself. The device, the Mezmetron, it strips you of your own will, making you unable to think properly. It's like a nightmare you cannot wake up from. Tripwire Naysayer is currently perfecting its magic, and plans on making more of them. He already found a way to send a weaker version of the spell through a signal. If not stopped, he will eventually complete it, and I doubt we will be able to stop him."

"I see." Elder Honeycrisp said calmly. "If this is true, then we have much to discuss."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty One

_______________________________________________________

Thankfully Plasma and Spell were able to fill in on anything I clearly didn't understand as I explained the situation in better detail. Which was a big help since Elder Honeycrisp had several questions, almost all about the tech I had seen.

"Sounds unlike Paladin Shortcake to be so careless." Elder Honeycrisp said, clearly annoyed. "Then again she might have been prioritizing the relics she already had in her care. That and how could she have known about the tech hidden in that proto-stable… I wish she was still around, maybe convince her to help is with this conflict."

Star Paladin Radish let out a huff. "She was always too much like her mother, headstrong and unwilling to change her mind once a decision was made. Getting her to stand down during the schism was a miracle in itself if anything."

Honeycrisp let out a defeated sigh, the mare clearly having talked about subject many times before. "You can say that twice, If you weren't her father, I'm sure she would have started a bloodbath in this bunker." The elder then turned to me, almost apologetically as she said. "It's a shame you were treated the way you were by our brothers and sisters, but if I were in her position, I'd likely throw a bomb collar on you too."

"Realy?" I said, cocking an eyebrow, then turned to my friends. "You hear that."

"Lottery, my family are slavers, bomb collars are prized possessions to them." Spell said, looking a bit ashamed.

Cold Trails shrugged. "If the Enclave had such tech, they'd probably use it too, and kill you as soon as you're no longer useful.

Looking over to Plasma for some support, but she just rolled eyes at me.

"Right, Steel Ranger." I said feeling defeated, then returned my attention to Elder Honeycrisp. "Well putting aside the fact that everypony out here is some form of shitty, would you be willing to offer us some aid, or at least let us have an anti-magic device?"

Honeycrisp tapped on the holotable, bringing up a map of the region, but in translucent blue, which was nice. "If what you say is true, and we have little reason to doubt what you say, then it's not an issue of whether we would be willing or not." She tapped a few more buttons on the holotable, and several markers appeared in read. One I recognized as Ursa's Rest, then the ruins that had been infested with raiders, along with Dead Ponies Pass, New Unity, Elysium, and even Naysayer Manor. "It's a matter of that we must aid you. Some of what you have told us matches the reports from our scouts, and together they fill in a grim picture."

"And this is why it was a mistake to open the bunker to savages. If we had kept this place a secret, them-" Senior Scribe Cobbler began to chastise the elder, but stopped when she shot him a nasty glare.

"Then they would never find out about it." Honeycrisp said coldly. "Wasn't that the same tactic the Elder of the chapter outside of Fillydelphia used? And all it took was for several scribes getting captured for that plan to fall apart. Oh, and let's not forget that Redeye didn't have a mind control gun. This is exactly the problem with the Steel Rangers, using over a hundred year old tactics in a rapidly changing age. It's only recently that we learned that Redeye had developed a bypass flamer. By Celestia's glorious cunt, those things would have decimated the ranger before we could develop countermeasures, and by then Redeye would have claimed a chapters worth of power armor for himself."

Elder Honeycrisp took a deep breath and turned her attention back to me before continuing. "It's adapt or die, and we Applejack Rangers have chosen to adapt. Let Grizzly Deal know that we will take her up on her offer. But… we will hold onto the tech, and we will be the ones who decide what will be used."

"But we need-" I began to protest, but Honeycrisp raised her hoof up, telling me to be quiet.

"As talented as Plasma and Spell seem to be, I rather trust my own scribes in developing a weapon to counter mind control. Instead I'll have an outpost be set up in Ursa's Rest, where we will conduct the research, and offer any technical aid if necessary." She then eyed the Senior scribe and Star Paladin. "I'll also leave the command of this bunker to these two old farts, and have them coamb through the vault for any useful tech. I'll be leading an attachment of rangers to take part in this war."

Before the two rangers could protest, Honeycrisp spoke up loudly. "The decision has been made!" Quieting down a little, she continued. "This is a situation that requires swift action, or risks our enemy gaining too much power before we are ready for them. Anyways, this is exactly the reason we rangers exist for. Technology such as the mezmetron must not be left in the hooves of a mad pony. Steal or Applejack, the mission remains the same, we protect ponies by safeguarding the tech in which they could greatly harm pony kind with. Do you disagree?"

Scribe Cobbler seemed to gain confidence, though still looked uptight and disappointed. "I can't argue with your logic, as this situation is the epitome of why we must be so strict about the relics."

Star Paladin Radish nodded with a slight smile on his muzzle. "No, no, you're more than correct. And so much pain could have been avoided if we rangers hadn't been dead set on hiding in our hole in the ground and guarding toasters like a dragon with its hoard."

Honeycrisp then pressed another button on the holotable, turning it off. "So that's it. it's going to take a day or so to sort out who will be going with me, as well as deal with the wastelanders outside our doors, then the march to Ursa's Rest…" she then raised an eyebrow at me. "That is unless Grizzly Deal is willing to help us with the matter of transportation."

I looked over at Cold Trails. "How many sky carts does Grizzly currently have?"

"More than enough to move the refugees out of here if that's what you're asking." He then smiled at the elder. "We do have several Flying Troop Transport M3's, they were specifically made for moving Steel Ranger around. All they lack are heavy guns for the gunnery seats."

"That would be convenient, as the ones we have are all disassembled." Honeycrisp said.

"Wait, you have your own flying troop transportation!?" Cold asked in surprise.

The elder nodded. "How do you think the Steel Rangers were able to organize in the early years? Is not like pegasus were barred from the Steel Rangers during the war. Back then we even attempted to contact the pegasus back then, but the Enclave had taken over the pegasus government and placed a quarantine on any pony that was below the clouds. Meaning they would isolate and execute any pony that came up. We lost a lot of our pegasus brothers and sisters before we realized what had happened. Many more died to radiation poisoning trying to save our stranded brothers and sisters by flying them to safety."

Cold looked as though he deflated a bit, standing unsteady on his prosthetics. "I… I didn't know."

"That was two hundred years ago, and those who are to blame are long dead. Or at least we hope they're dead. With the wasteland the way it is, you can never know." She said with a slight chuckle. "Anyways, we got four FTT M2's, and five vertibucks in storage, along with more than enough heavy guns and ammo. But putting them back together may be a problem."

"Right, I doubt any of you are well studied in aeronautics, and even one bolt out of place could be fatal." Spell Commented, and then looked at Cold. "I know that most of the pegasus are not friendly with other ponies, but some should be willing to."

Cold shook his head. "There's a few who can, but are not willing. I mean, maybe a mechanic might help, but their job was maintenance, not taking an aircraft apart and putting it back together. Such education was kept for the upper class, you know, rich kids who wanted a trophy degree, and almost all of them are in the pegasus first faction." He then paused and then face hoofed.

"What?" I asked.

Taking a deep breath, he then said one name. "Dancing Skies"

Plasmas eyes widened, "That right! She and I got to talking about acano tech mechanical engineering when we were part of the breeding stockades!" She then slammed her hoof over her muzzle as everypony fell silent. Slowly she pulled out her canteen and took a sip. "S… sorry, lost control for a moment."

The most confused out of everypony was the young elder. "B.. breeding what now?"

Then Spell Circuit, the one pony she didn't want to know about her whoring, then asked. "I thought the raiders didn't have any pegasus slaves?"

Plasma turned a beet red as she tried to hide her face behind her beautifully curly mane.

So, after taking a sip from my own canteen to stop me fantasising about a breeding stockade, I decided to salvage this cluster fuck. "Let's get back on subject, about-"

The elder spoke up, cutting me off. "No, I'd like an explanation. What happened to you scribe, I noticed the scar on your face, but was it from a raider attack?"

I looked at Plasma, who seemed more uncomfortable than before. "You don't have to, it's not important right now."

She sighed. "You know what…" she took a sip from her canteen. "I don't care anymore, well I do, but it's not like it matters." She then turned her attention to elder Honeycrisp. "About over a month ago, after wandering the wasteland as an exile, I was captured by raiders. You should know what they do to their prisoners, and I was with them for over a month."

Honeycrisp looked down at the table, seemingly uncomfortable herself. "I'm… sorry to hear that. It must have been horrible…. We should have been there for you. We… we should never leave our own behind like that."

"But it happened, and we must all live with it." Plasma let out a long sigh, and took a sip from her canteen. "But right now we got more pressing matters." She then scratched her chin, clearly thinking for a long moment. "If it's Dancing Skys, then there might be a problem. From what I learned about her, she really doesn't like to be told what to do, unless you put a leash on her. I may be cursed, but she's a real deal freak, and has some weird fantasies." My friend then returned her gaze to the elder with a smile. "Say, how many male knights are on a breeding cue, possibly ones waiting for an outside chapter to come through?"

Elder Honeycrisp's eyes went wide. "You don't mean…" she then sighed. "Truthfully, too many. It's not like the gene pool for this chapter is getting too thick, but the Brothers and Sisters thing is not far off from becoming literal."

"Thought so, almost half my chapter were my third or fourth cousins. Just make sure you bring a few of your more… aggressive stallions along." Plasma requested.

Placing two hooves on her face, Honeycrisp then said. "You know what, I give up, I'll bring several of our more energetic knights along. Maybe then they will stop trying to court me if some other mare catches their fancy. Anyways, you should go. I have a lot to do… and think about."

With that the Elder pushed herself away from the table, and trotted off out of the room.

Senior Scribe Cobbler too backed up. "I still think this is a mistake, in the long run, but it is clear we must stop this misuse of arcano-tech. Lothe as I am to admit it, you scribe Plasma, and Elder Honeycrisp have a point. Maybe we were too focused on protecting the relics of our ancestors, and not focusing on who we were protecting the relics from. Because of that, we are now in this situation."

The scribe then left out a different door.

Last was Star Paladin Radish, who let out a huff. "So much change is happening so fast, and too many of our brothers and sisters are lost to the madness. If only Star Paladin Applesauce was still with us, then we would not be in the mess we are in right now. Now let me escort you out, though we may be opening ourselves up to outsiders, we still can't let you wander into places you don't belong. Cobbler triple locked the bunker's self-destruct terminal just because he's worried that some wastelander my try to use it."

I raised an eyebrow, "you have a self-destruction button?"

"Well of course." Star Paladin Radish said, "if we can't keep dangerous tech out of wastelander's hooves, then we must destroy it… even if it means we all must die. Now let's go."

_______________________________________________________

There were still ponies crowding outside the bunker, yelling and making demands to uncaring power armored ponies. Well maybe they do care, but their helmet made them look indifferent to the world. And though I understood the demands of the other wastelander, what I didn't get was why they were antagonizing ponies in power armor who were wielding miniguns.

It just felt off to me. Maybe it's because the Applejack Rangers are tryings to be more tolerant and helpful. But Grizzly Deal was tolerant and helpful, and she'd likely have killed somepony to get them to shut up. Life out here can be cheap, so why poke the ursa.

"You okay, Lottery?" Cold Trails asked.

"Ya, but… something wrong here." I said as I watched the crowd.

"How is this helping?" A pony shouted, garthing sympathetic shouts from the crowd, who added to the question.

"We're dying out here while you hide in there!" Another shouted, also riling up the crowd with more shouting.

Cold looked at the crowd himself, concerned was on his face, and a sense of understanding. "To me everything is all wrong, but I get what you're saying. Lots of rabble rousers in this group."

"Rabble rousers?" I said questioning

"Ponies who inflame a crowd to be more combative. Happened a lot in the Enclave, oddly always in support of the government. We always joked that they were Enclave agents… Well joked in hushed tones in case it was true." He explained.

"Really now." I said, now focusing more on the ponies who were stirring up the crowd.

"I bet they're eating real pretty, and just giving us their rotting slop!" A pony shouted. It. was a mare, somewhat rough looking, which was nothing new.

"This all new ranger shit is probably brahmin shit!!" Another mare shouted, she to looking rough around the edges, but her mane look strangely hard looking, as though it had too much gell in it.

… wait, gell?

"Wait here, I need to check on something." I told my friends, trotting off to the crowd.

Moving along the edge of the crowd, I examined the ponies. Dusty, and clearly having lived hard lives, their wasn't a clean pony among them. But now and then I smelt something a bit more rancid then ponies who beardly got a chance to baith. The smell of rot, as though a pony was dead, yet not dead, but not like the stale smell of ghouls. Many of them were clothed up in some rag or some other protection from the harsh wasteland, but the few exposed had fairly normal cutie-marks. Also, many ponies showed signs of some fight or another, or at least the wear and tear of the wasteland.

One mare stuck out, who was one of the rabble rousers. "I bet they want us to suffer out here!" She shouted before pulling back and trotting to a new spot in the crowd. Her clothes were thicker, her mane looked so matted that it likely had not been properly washed for years, and had to be tied down. There were more scars on her that it was clear she had been in more than just a few fights.

Trotting up to her, I spoke up just loud enough so that she could hear me. "Hay, what's going on." I don't why, but I tilted my head in the way to show off the Bailfire Fiends mane clip.

The mare rolled her eyes at me, but then smirked as those eyes, yellow with clear chem abuse, drifted to my mane. "Well fuck me, sister you took your sweet ass time getting here." She said, showing yellowed teeth that had specks of green on it, which had been filed into points. Her breath, it was where the rotting smell came from, and it was putrid. Leaning in closer, she opens her jacket to show off a Bailfire Fiend pin, then asked quietly, "So, did ya bring em?"

I did my best to keep a strait face, not showing off my disgust at the raider. So thinking fast, I said, "ya, but only some. You know how the others can be."

The raider huffed. "Typical, always lazy fuckers. That's why stallions are inferior to us mares, we get shit done."

Typical Bailfire Fiend.

"Well if were going to do what we do, we need to get ready for it… right?" I said, not knowing what the fuck they were planning.

Fortunately the raider nodded, saying, "ya, ya, I get it. I'll get the other bitches. Anyway it's getting boring taunting the tin cans, they just won't bite, and the pissant wasters won't do shit to them. About time we make em do shit."

She then stared at me for a long moment… "what?" I asked.

The raider then tilted her head, making me a bit worried she found me out. "Uhhh, were we going?"

Right, "over there." I said, pointing in a random direction.

She nodded again and trotted off.

Moving myself, I trotted in that direction, finding myself near a trash and literal shit pile. It was away from all the other ponies, likely because of the smell, and the smaller radroaches infesting the pile.

"Sis, you sure this bitch is telling the truth. I see no fucking backup!" A second raider mare said as she trotted with the first raider. Three more raider mares followed behind them, all looking rather suspiciously at me.

"Ya, she knew what I was fucking saying… and.. ya know, stuff." The first raider said as she trotted right up to me. "Were here to do the fucking thing!"

The four other raiders looked at each other, then at the first raider. "And what is that thing?"

"Uhhh… we were too attack… right?" The first raider questioned.

The second raider sighed. "That was the fucking previous plan, with the fucking townies, not with the fucking tin cans ya shit for fucking brains!"

A third raider spoke up. "And how burnt the fuck out are you even? That's the mare who went into the fucking bunker, ya know, the one from Ursa's Rest. The ponies were trying to kill!"

The first raider paused for a moment as she slowly realized what was likely going on. "Oh… Fuck me." She said.

The second raider nodded as she and the other three raiders drew their weapons. All pipes with spiky bolts along the hitting end. "Well lets hope we got two ponies to fuck."

I then realized how flawed of a plan this was… or that I had no plan at all actually. I was outnumbered five to one, and all they needed was to get one good hit in to take me out. I wasn't a unicorn or griffin, so quick shooting my revolver was a bad idea, and so was throwing hooves until I thin them out.

I needed a distraction… I had a distraction!

"Will-o-Wisp, scare them." I said, and the cute blue flame burst to life and flew at one of the raiders.

The raider threw themselves to the ground, dogging Will-o-Wisp, and screamed, "Mothers come to eat my soul!"

As the other raiders stood around stunned, I could feel Rime Frost in my hooves, she was a good girl, so I swung her up. The first raider flinched as the axe spike buried itself deep under her muzzle, the mare only able to let out a gurgle.

Realizing what I just did, the other raiders immediately charged at me, spiked pipes at the ready. Pulling Rime Frost down and aiming her, I pulled the trigger, getting a click.

Fuck, I didn't put a shell in the chamber!

Pulling on the lever to load Rime, the first raider fell over spasming from getting spiked and frosted. One raider was almost on me, and I blasted her back just as her club scraped my cheek, knocking her back. A chunk of the raider had blasted out and hitting the other raider that was still on the ground from getting spooked by Will-o-Wisp, causing her to scream in fear even more.

The two raiders still standing were too close to get a shot off on, forcing me to use Rime to defend me. One club hitting Rime, the other hitting my side, causing me to grunt in pain.

Turning Rime to shoot another raider, she glared at me as I felt Rime be grabbed out of my hooves. "Not today bitch!" The raider growled as Rime was thrown away from me.

Shock ran through me as the other raider slipped under me, grabbing my back legs and lifting me up. She then laughed maniacally as I found myself high up before she slammed me back down.

Even with the pain killers in me, all I could feel was pain, with several spots on my back having hit rocks.

Then the raider that threw Rime jumped on top of me, straddling my waist. "I'll make this quick!" She said as she slammed a cracked hoof onto my face. "No, wait, I'll take my time breaking your face!"

As she lifted her other hoof up, I jabbed at her neck, my Grizzly Gauntlets cutting into her, and sending a spray of blood out, causing her to grab at the likely fatal wound, letting me strike at her again, and knocking her off me.

Pushing myself up, I was knocked down again by the last standing raider. I was sure this time she broke a rib with how painful the strike was. "Bitch, you don't know how dead you are, when our big-"

As she talked, I drew Whisky Shot, and unloaded into her, not caring what she had to say.

Again pulling myself up, the fifth raider saw me, and filled with terror, bolted up and ran. So I pulled out Last Dance, the old rifle held comfortably in my hooves, and as she ran past a Steal Ranger, I aimed through the scope. Firing, the shot went in from her flank, likely tearing up everything inside before harmlessly popping out of her chest with a spray of blood.

The uncaring metal face of the powered armored pony looked at me, the engine of their minigun turning on as the barrels spun. Dropping Whisky Shot from muzzle and Last Dance from my hooves, I reached up in the air. "Hay now, I can explain."

With a grunt, the Applejack Ranger said with a mechanical voice, "Explain!"

"In simplest terms, their raiders." I said just as my friend rushed over, shock on their faces. "To be exact, their Bailfire Fiend raiders, here to stir up trouble."

Another Applejack Ranger trotted over, and also with a mechanical, if a bit more feminine voice, looked at the carnage and huffed. "Fucking wastelanders!"

While I kept my hooves in the air, Spell Circuit arrived and got their attention as he used his magic to examine the fifth dead raider. "She's right, look here." He said as he opened her rags, revealing tattoos and patterned scars. "Looks like this one is a 42 Smiles that survived the feral ghouls, Lottery. She must have gotten taken in by the Bailfire Fiends."

He then motioned the Rangers over to take a look. "See the filed to a point teeth, wrecked eyes, and even scars from med-x abuse are all here. Even if she wasn't a raider, she wouldn't be stable enough to live in civilization." He then lifted out a pin depicting the Bailfire Fiends logo. "It also matches their modus operandi, if a bit crude, they love manipulating others."

Plasma trotted over and then kicked one of the other raider corpses, rage in her eyes. "Oh I know this bitch, she was with Bandsaw when they branded me with the fucking curse!" She then turned to the Applejack Rangers, telling them. "Knights, you should report this to a Paladin immediately, and tell the civilians to disperse. Who knows how many more raiders are still hiding among them."

Somehow, by just lowering their heads, the ranger managed to turn the the emotionless look of their helmets to that of disdain. "Don't presume to give us orders savage."

Plasma glared back at them, then said, "fine, but when one of your scribed is found beaten and raped, who will take responsibility. Trust me, I have the scars from it."

The female ranger trotted over to me before calling out to her partner. "I've already reported the incident, so stop trying to intimate the mare. She's one of us too, not a waster, and stop calling them that!" Turning her head back to me, the helmet betraying none of her true emotions. "You can go, but next time, let us deal with this scum. I understand you civilians have your own justice, but even one stray shot had gone wild, and hit an innocent pony. Well, you would get to see what ranger justice is like. Understood?" I nodded. "Good, now get the fuck out of here!"

Lowering my hooves, I quickly collected my guns, Rime Frost having already gone back to her holster on her own, and I joined my friend. They were all quiet as we loaded back onto the sky wagon, which felt odd, and uncomfortable.

"That was crazy, right?" I said.

"What the fuck, Lottery!" Cold Trails blurted out.

"What?" I said defensively.

"Telling us to stay there and then going off hunting raiders, on your own, in the middle of a populated area!" There was genuine anger in Colds voice as he chastised me. "What if you did hit an innocent, or what if the raiders got you. Fuck, they almost did, look at your face, your still bleeding from… I don't know, but I do think they broke your nose!"

I reached up and touch my nose, but then realized that my armored hoof was already covered in blood. "Shit, I hope I don't catch a disease from this."

Plasma Cutter then groaned. "That's what your worried about! The doc has enough medicine to cure most shit. Fuck, all the STD's I have are currently suppressed thanks to her, and that medicine is not cheep. You could have died! There's no cure for dead, Lottery!"

"Oh… s… sorry." I stammered out.

Spell Circuit sighed. "Well your fine now, and that's all that matters. But next time, please don't do that alone. None of us want to see you hurt." He then got up, trotting over to a M.o.P. box, and fished out a healing potion. "Now take this, but first let me fix your nose, and anything else that might be out of place."

It was strange, I didn't feel anything as my muzzle made a crack noise, but I did drink the potion fast once they gave me it, finding it to have an iron taste to it.

"Good, your looking better already." Spell said as he sat back down. "But seriously, how did you do so much damage in such a short amount of time. That seen was absolutely horrifying."

I shrugged. "Had to think fast… and again, sorry. Didn't realize how fucked the situation was until I was outnumbered."

"I'd give you a hug… but you're redder then a tato right now." Plasma said nervously.

I let out a laugh as I then realized I had been running on adrenaline, and it was now fading as pain began to return. My head was feeling the absolute worst. Trying to ignore the rising pain, I decided to change the topic, "say Plasma, since you're going to be more open about your activities, maybe Spell can help you with them?"

The skycart lurched as she blushed with embarrassment. "S… shut up, Lottery!"

"Oh come on, I bet Spell knows a few things, being from a slaver family and all." I suggested.

Plasma clearly didn't want me to say any more, but I could tell she was considering something.

"Umm… what are you going on about?" Spell asked.

Fortunately Cold interjected. "Something we can talk about after Lottery gets washed off." He then looked at me sympathetically. "Also, Lottery, I think you should take a sip from your canteen."

A bit confused, I shrugged and did just that. With a wave of calm washing over me, I realized what I was doing. "Oh… fuck. Sorry about that."

Plasma to had taken a sip from her canteen, several times actually. "Fuck the Bailfire Fiends." She huffed.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Two

_______________________________________________________

Returning to Ursa's Rest and washing off had been… a thing. So much blood had to be cleaned off that I was thankful for Margaret's help. The robot took extra care to scrub me down, but she also took my clothes away, as they had blood soaked into them. Annoyingly, my underwear was ruined, of which I was glad I had not been wearing my nice pair. Well it's not like ponies normally wear underwear, so maybe I'll just forgo them for now.

That said, maybe something to cover my legs would be a good idea. They were looking better, but I could still see the deformation since my fur was still rather thin. But the strange pattern around my fetlocks also seemed more… cleaner? More like a tattoo than a scar. I didn't understand any of it, but I didn't understand magic at all, so I just gave up on understanding any of it. At least Doctor Helga was able to get a message back to me, letting me know I'll be fine without the wraps, so long as I kept the braces on and didn't do anything to hurt my legs.

It made me glad that the raiders broke a few ribs instead of going for my legs.

So I decided to throw on my long pink socks to cover my still sensitive legs, proving some protection. I almost considered just going out with just socks on, but after taking a sip from my canteen, reason won out and decided a dress and underwear might be a good idea. The more covered I was, the more in control of myself I was.

Unfortunately the twins still had most of my good dresses, of which once my legs recovered, there were two pregnant bitches I was going to slap around. But I did have one outfit I kept in the penthouse safe, as it was probably the most expensive outfit I owned. The dancer's dress I ordered from Grizzly had taken its time to get to me, and upon seeing it, I understood why. The dress was made from thicker and more sturdy material, the thing being practically stylized padded armor with loud patterns that caught the eyes. Though not as flashy as the stage performers, it was still remarkably beautiful, even if it still screamed Ursa's Den.

Putting it on, it didn't feel as protective as my armored jumpsuit, but I didn't feel restricted by it at all. Better, my Grizzly Gauntlets fit on without a problem, as the decorative frills stayed close to the dress.

I wasn't sure if it was the medicine I was on or not, but I was feeling a bit itchy, but only where clothes touched my fur and skin. It wasn't much, so easily ignored, but still strange.

Lastly I fixed up my mane, but seeing the Bailfire Fiends mane clip, I just didn't want to put it back on. It would clash with the dress. Instead I just tied a purple and pink ribbon to the side of my mane.

Once my makeup was on, I felt fresh and clean. Trotted out of my room, though not planning on going anywhere fancy, but I knew I looked ready for it.

On the other hoof, Plasma was laying on her stomach on the couch reading a book, her clothes discarded. Something that wouldn't be a problem, except she was clearly exposing herself as Cold and Spell did their best to not stair.

"Um… what's going on?" I asked.

"Ran out of potion" Plasma said, glaring at me as she peeked from behind her book. "So thank you for that, by the way."

Right, my little suggestion would not get out of Plasma's head. "Again, sorry." I told her. Then asked, "but why nude?"

She huffed and hid behind her book. "Just don't feel… comfortable with them on. It was easy to ignore with the potion, but… let's just say I feel better without anything on, okay. Anyways, must I have foal sitters?"

Cold rolled his eyes. "Because we know what you're going to do if you're not supervised."

Spell looked absolutely uncomfortable, stammering out. "I… I didn't know it… had gotten this bad."

Plasma shifted, her legs spreading a little more. "It's not that bad, I mean, if you want to help I'm not opposed to a-"

I cleared my throat loudly to interrupt Plasma, then took a sip from my canteen as I trotted over to the stallions. Looking at Plasma from their angle, not only did still have her doc piercings, but currently had an Ursa's Den butt plug in her. "Seriously now?" I said disapprovingly as I tossed her my canteen.

She wiggled her ass provocatively. "It's this or one of you fucks me. And I don't care who, or how, but it better be rough." Plasma then tossed the canteen back to me without drinking a drop. "And keep that, I have enough control to know that we can't have both of us like this after I drink all of your portion."

I looked over at the other two, and Cold Trails shrugged. "We sent a message to Rattlebones, but it may take awhile for him to get more potion."

"And why are you sitting in clear view of her cunt?" I asked.

Cold sighed. "It's this or she follows us around, and I rather she stays in one spot."

My eyes swung back to Plasma. "It hasn't even been that long!"

"Well if you hadn't pulled me out of the Showroom so early last night, then maybe I could concentrate more." She said in annoyance.

Face hoofing, I knew this was going to stay a problem until the curse was lifted.

Plasma then turned over, still exposing herself, but now the tattoo was visible. Not just that, but just below it two bumps were visible. "Um… is it still too early for you to be producing milk?" I asked.

"Probably the curse." Spell said. "It's not uncommon for a curse to change a pony's body. Likely it's similar to what taint does to a pony, but less… violent."

"Helga said something about that." Plasma added.

"Grate, another thing to look forward to." I huffed. "Well I'm going to see Grizzly. Cold, can you come with me… I don't think I can trust myself."

Spell jolted up. "But! That means I'll be alone… with Plasma."

"Then tie her up!" I told him. "I bet she'll like it."

There was a long moment where nopony said anything, as my suggestion may have gone too far.

"Actually… She's right." Plasma said from behind her book, breaking the silence.

It was weird that she was hiding her face, but not her nudity. I guess some shame still remained under that curse.

Spell Circuit looked as though he was defeated, sitting back down. "You know that's not normal, right?"

I sighed and took a sip from my canteen. "Well nothing about any of this is normal. It's absolutely fucked up actually. Just do what you can to help keep her out of trouble. We still don't know how far the curse will change her, physically or mentally. So just do what you can to keep her… contained."

My attention then moved back to Plasma, who was clearly ready to lose control. It was hard to tell if this was her true self, or the curse, but without the restraint of pretending that she was in control, she now had the eyes of a hungry beast.

"And Plasma, if you must act like a slut… please just take it to the bedroom, just in case we have visitors. I'll also see if Mint can talk to you privately." I told her.

With that we left, and closing the door, we heard a yelp from Spell, then a disappointed groan from Plasma.

"You sure that's a good idea? We could have brought them along." Cold asked.

"She currently has a sex toy up her ass, no fucking way can she leave the penthouse." I then took a sip from my canteen, finding that it was getting worryingly light. "Also, until Plasma is under control of herself, just being around her is causing me problems. Thank Celestia she's not a stallion or I might have been all over her."

"Like last night." Cold said sarcastically before patting me on the back. "But I get it, just waiting for you to get washed up was… hard."

"Not one more pun, joke, or inference." I said sternly, then admitted. "Any more and I'll be tempted to push you down right now and go for a ride."

"Alight, let's go before you run out of that potion." He told me, and we trotted off, ignoring a loud thump from our penthouse.

_______________________________________________________

Grizzly Deal, despite the stress she had with this small war, looked relatively refreshed. I guess getting a proper amount of sleep has helped.

"Surprising that they agreed so quickly." She said after hearing our report. "Rangers are the most stubborn bastards in all the wasteland, they'll even choose to die then ever admit they were wrong." Grizzly then let out a huff. "But the Bailfire Fiends actions were entirely predictable. Though I doubt you got them all, so expect a reprisal attack in the future."

Sparkling Delight let out a long drawn out sigh. "And to think my Showroom has become such a madhouse without me there. Pecan knows what she is doing, but we've never been as busy as this so consistently. Anyways, I'll personally go find this Dancing Skies and talk with her. The more air power we can bring to the fight the better. Recently we got reports that Tripwire has begun to field crude airships and some salvaged Enclave cloud ships. If he manages to match our own air power, we lose our biggest advantage over him right now."

The half changeling then trotted over to me, placing a hoof on my shoulder. "Also I'll see if I can get some more help for Plasma. She has a brilliant mind, and we can't have that curse destroy it. This goes for you as well, as much as I'd love for you to work for me again, I rather it be you and not just a shadow of yourself."

"Thanks, but Rattlebones is already helping with that." I told her.

Both Grizzly and Sparkling rolled their eyes. "That fool should have seen this coming days ago. I bet he put it off to go gambling." Grizzly said in a very annoyed tone.

Sparkling nodded. "Yes, this may require some unorthodox treatment to keep the cures from progressing any further. Though you or Plasma are not going to like it."

I raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Well… the problem is that the curse is overloading you with lust. Like a stimulant chem floods your brain with endorphins or prevents it from flushing it out. Which could result in you becoming addicted to it if it damages your brain. I'm not even sure you two will ever fully return to normal after you're both cured." Sparkling explained as she averted her gaze. "And now that I'm actively feeling for it, it's hard to ignore not to notice. So I'm thinking we can call my brother to send a few changelings to siphon off some of it by feeding off of it."

"Okay… what!" I was confused by the statement, but also somewhat disturbed by it.

"It's a changing thing." She said with a shrug. "They, and to some extent, I, can feed on emotions, mainly love due to its complexity and magical power, but we can feed on other emotions as well. So I was thinking that if we just drain you and Plasma of the excess lust, it may help reduce the curse's control over you both. But the only problem is that it's both painful, and can be traumatic. It's why they try to only feed on ambient emotions, less angry ponies that way."

I thought about it for a moment, and it made some sense if true. Silver was nothing but sex craved whore, and Plasma was not far behind with her body already being warped by the curse. And for me, as my legs recover and needing pain medication less and less, there is less blocking the intrusive thoughts. "Alright, anyways it can't be worse than what we have already been through."

Sparkling looked unsure about that. "You would be surprised actually. But you're right, all of you have been through a lot, and come out all the stronger for it. Just don't push yourself too hard, everything breaks eventually."

"Including my patience." Grizzly said flatly, gaining our attention. "Since we're done with the pressing matters, and all that's left is logistics, in which you're understandably useless for, I have a few things you can do."

Curious, I said "Okay, shoot."

"Well firstly, since Molo's talk with her Daughter went so poorly, she's practically living in the bar. Which wouldn't be a problem if she wasn't currently working for me, or starting fights." Grizzly said as she pulled out a pack of cigarettes. "Second, and more an annoyance than a problem, is that Low Pressure decided to join her. It seems that his sister's condition is affecting him more than he admits, and his mopeyness is feeding into Molos self loathing."

That sounded bad. Real bad. I should not have pushed Molo to talk to her daughters so soon, not when there was clearly a problem.

"One more thing." Grizzly added. "Once you've dealt with those two, go check on the foals near your penthouse. Matrix has asked to see you, which is odd, since she doesn't like talking to anypony. It also seems that somehow she knows who I am, and actively avoids me. Damn kids, they will be the death of me."

"Thanks for letting me know. It's starting to feel like if it's not one problem, it's another." I said, trying to hide the worry in my voice as I thought about Molo.

Grizzly chuckled as she lit a cigarette. "You have no idea. Trust me, boring is best. Boring means the raiders are elsewhere and radscorpions are another ponies problem."

"Boring means you have a homestead so far away from anything, the problems don't bother to even look for you." I added, remember how boring and safe home was. If I had only listened to Ma and Pa… if only.

_______________________________________________________

The work never ends, and as Cold and I trotted over to the Ursa's Den bar, it was clear there was a lot of work to do. Molo was sitting on top of the bar, bottle of booze in one hoof, and with some poor militia pony in the other. She had somehow roped them all into a song, an uncoordinated song that clearly nopony knew the lyrics all that well to.

Next to her and sipping on a fancy drink was Low Pressure, cheering her on. He was his usual self, overdressed and overly groomed. But his poster didn't have the sameness to it, lacking the "i don't give a damn" care he normally gives off. I should know, I had to deal with it for over a month.

"Hay Lottery, join us." Molo shouted as soon as she saw me. "Drinks… are on me."

Trotting over, I realized something. "Please don't tell me you're using our war fund."

She paused for a moment, letting the militia pony go, then smiled. "Maybe, but it's for a good cause." Molo raised her hooves up, splashing some of her booze around. "See, everypony is all smiles. It's what everypony needs!"

I looked over at the bartender, and mouthed "how much?"

The mare behind the bar pulled out a notepad and mouthed back, "over four hundred caps in cheap booze."

One of my eyes twitched and then I face hoofed. "Molo… those caps are mainly going to our medical payments. Or to restock on ammo."

Molo gave a long huffing at me, then saying. "I know. Medicine to get rid of Plasma STDs, your legs, Enclave boys lack of hooves, and the likely brain damage numbers mare."

Low Pressure drunkenly chuckled. "Numbers mare, that's a good one. Sis loves her numbers, and nagging, so much nagging."

Ignoring Low for now, I kept my attention on Molotov. "Then why are you wasting our caps? You couldn't have drank all the booze in the penthouse?"

"And not share the joy." She said as her eyes darted away from me, finding the ceiling more interesting. "And Mint keeps locking them out from me."

"Booo!" Low added.

And Mint can't keep an eye on her all the time. Fantastic, my best friend is a drunkard now.

"Molo, let's go somewhere quieter, we need to talk." I asked her.

She leaned forward, losing her balance and falling, forcing me to catch my friend. "Oh, you want to do the sideways dance, fun for all, even more for us mares." Her breath was rancid with booze, and she didn't waste time feeling me up.

'Hold her!" I told Cold, tossing Molo to him.

She giggled over the short distance in the air, landing into Cold's hooves, who nearly gagged at the smell of her.

Taking a sip from my canteen, I then grabbed Low by the tail. "Yuu ooo." I said through clenched teeth as he hit the ground, not even struggling.

I wanted to head to the penthouse, but Plasma was going to be a problem I didn't need right now. So we took our friends to a nearby storage room where most of the guns we recovered were being kept. Thankfully the Talons on guard didn't ask any questions, just reminded us not to touch anything unless given permission first.

Putting the two drunk ponies down in a nice open spot, they both just lazily laid back. "Cold, can you go get them some water?" I asked.

"Alright, though I think they deserve the hangovers." He said, clearly as annoyed with them as I was.

Actually, I was surprised that Cold wasn't like them, as losing a wing must be a big deal. But I have other problems to worry about right now.

Returning my attention back to my other friends, I didn't like seeing them like this, and hoped that it was just a passing thing. But I knew this was serious, or at least I needed to treat it that way. They were, after all, my friends.

"Molo, I know this is about your daughters, and… sorry for pushing the issue." I told her.

She rolled her eyes. "No, no, I'm already over that. It's just that we got ta big fight soon, taking out the Breaking Grounds and all. I just want to keep the morale up and all. What's better than free booze to raise your spirits."

I cocked an eyebrow. "But… you were so upset before. No that can't be, not after what Crown said."

Molo finally sat up, and though her cheeks were still flush, she looked rather sober. "Lottery, I've been called far worse all my life, such words aren't going to change who I am." She smiled wide, as though forcing all her joy out. "It was all true anyways, so why let it hold me back."

"Molo?" I said slowly, a bad feeling creeping up my spine about all this. "But she called you all those terrible things."

"And it's all true." She replied.

"Not anymore." I responded.

"You would think!" She growled back at me.

I froze, not knowing how to respond to that.

"Lottery." Molo's voice became softer as she took a step back. "Just because I say I'm an ex-raider, it doesn't change the fact I was one. Just like it doesn't change the fact I was a pillow mare whore. And don't you go adding your own experience to it, that at least wasn't your choice. You chose not to join the slaver, or the raider, and yes you ended up in the Showroom, but that's because you were pushed into it. I'm different."

Looking me in the eyes, she stepped closer, and something in her eyes… scared me. "I chose it all, every mistake was made by my own hooves."

"You chose to survive Molo." I told her.

She laughed. "Yes, I chose to survive. To survive by leaching on others, and never taking responsibility. That's what it means to be a raider, or to be a pillow mare. Oh I do miss being with my sisters and aunts, but at the end of the day, Redeye wasn't wrong. What's the saying; beauty is only fur deep. Ya, we were really ugly under all our niceties. We had to be to survive… it's what we told ourselves to make it all okay."

Trotting to me, came side to side with me, shaking her hips nere my face. "The pillow mares were am much into the slave business as any other Fillydelphia group, finding lost mares and selling them off to whatever horny slaver wanted a disposable fuck. And our clients, well some couldn't pay for what they bought, so we found other ways to make caps off them… unforgivable ways. Ways that make what happened to the Pillow mares justified. No, it made what happened to them a slap on the fenlocks, I mean, if the Stable Dweller found us, it be just like Arbu. But waste nothing as everypony says, I mean, everypony does it. Or so we told ourselves. "

Molo let out a long sigh. "I didn't need to become a raider, it's not like there wasn't anything else I could have done. It was just easy. Too easy. Not like it wasn't anything I haven't done before, just with more chems and violence." She trotted to my other side, still smiling, but lacking any happiness in it. "So why not do my best to spread as much happiness around as I can. It's the best I can do after all the misery I've caused. It's the only thing I can do."

"And what about Crown and Flash? You will be doing the same for them, right?" I asked.

For a moment the smile dropped, and a look of doubt and shame formed on her face, but only for a moment. Molo smiled again as she trotted back to the spot I dumped her. "They will be fine without me, better than fine." Her voice was soft, almost lacking the harshness of her life. "I've done what I needed to do, and made sure they're safe. But how long until I mess that up, how long until I ruin their lives like I would have If I got to be their mother. Naw, not happening. They are better off with their father, and away from their raider mother."

I trotted up to her, glaring her in the eyes, "that's not true!"

Molo flippantly rolled her eyes at me again and said coldly. "Lottery, do you know how many ponies I've killed? Lives I've ruined? Yes, the Shatter Hoof Raiders weren't like the chem fiends you find in some parts of the wasteland, but we were still raiders. It didn't matter if the caravan were Redeye's hench ponies or just merchants who paid Redeye's tax, it was all the same. We even attacked settlements who had no choice but to do as Redeye says… even some who resisted him."

She then sighed and flopped onto the ground. "And It’s not like I was some poor grunt. I mean you don't get on the shit list of other raider crews by staying in the background." She laughed bitterly. "If Gwadina hadn't taken over, it's possible I could have been boss. Well, I'd have to kill a few ponies first, but that comes with being a raider."

I took a step back, feeling unsure. "What are you talking about, Molo?"

Molo rolled over, looking away from me. "Simple, all too simple, Lottery." She then bent backwards, looking at me upside down. "I was a raid leader, and I led raiders to kill anypony in our way. That's where I got my raider name, because I loved seeing ponies burn."

Pulling her head up and laying back down, Molo then let out a loud huff. "Crown and Flashed are pure and innocent fillys. Not deceptively cruel pillow mares, or mad raiders… their… like you. Before the wasteland hurt you."

"And you've done right by me!" I told Molo.

"You wouldn't have gotten fucked by the Murder Ballers if I did right by you!" She snapped at me, then added in a soft but cold tone. "I could have saved you from Tripwire actually. After you told me about him, I just knew you were being taken advantage of… worse actually… after we had met again… the first thing I thought after you told me how you ended up in the Showroom… I thought, That's what you get for being stupid."

She laughed again. "Ain't I shit, just the worst. Spine Breaker was right. Not about you, but about me, yes. I'm a raider, and given time, I'll turn my girls into raiders. It starts with small habits, or ignoring things I shouldn't ignore, but eventually by me being their mother, they will become like me. And don't go saying that it won't happen… I've seen it, over and over again. Little innocent foals become vile raiders, all because their parents are raiders. No, that's not happening, not to them."

"Molo… no, Sparking Passion. " I said, my voice quivering.

"Makes no difference. Both mares are vile, just one hid it better." She said mockingly. "Now can you fuck off… I want to be alone. It lets me hear the voices of those I've killed better. Reminds me of who I am."

"No!" I said.

"And what, fight me? Fuck me? You got better shit to do, so tell Grizzly I'll stop fucking around with the militia. They were getting boring anyways." Molo then kicked Low, who stumbled to me. "Take pretty colt too, the fuckers got annoying hours ago."

"Rude." Low Pressure said as he trotted over to me.

Again I said, "Molo." But got no response from her. And after a long moment, I knew she wasn't going to say anymore. It would be something I needed to deal with later, after Molo had some more time to think.

Leaving, Cold Trails opened the door with two large bottles of water. I told him, "leave one bottle inside, we're going to see High Pressure."

He seemed to do just that, and then helped me escort Low to his sister.

_______________________________________________________

I was all done with long talks, and other brahman shit today, so when we arrived at High Pressure's bedside, and the mare was still in a coma, I didn't waste time with Lowe's shit.

"So what's your Celestia damn problem, Low?" I asked him harshly.

The narcissistic stallion looked at me confused for a moment, before shifting his gaze at his sister. "Well, long ago, when I was just a colt."

"To the point, Low, to the damn point!" I said sternly.

He sighed and leaned back on the back of his sister's bed, looking both relaxed, yet tired. "Fine, no long winded stories, not like anypony cares. Not like I've done anything to make ponies care, or wanted to."

He looked up, taking a momentary glance at his sister. "Well she stupidly did, and I made her miserable for it." Low chuckled. "Stole her colt friend once and she gave me a black eye for it. So you want to know my fucking problem, I'll tell you."

Letting himself slump down more, both his wings and hooves stretched out wide. "Because I know that nopony cares about me, and it's all my fault for it. Just like what High Pressure always told me. And I just don't want to think about it."

"But you can't, can you." Cold Trails then said. "You can't stop thinking about how this is your punishment. That you deserve to have your face shoved in the mud… we all do."

Low wiggled his hoof in a so-so motion. "Not like I killed anypony innocent, like you trooper colt."

"But you did condemn ponies to be dashights, or watched them suffer with the raider. You were there when the Brain Nails captured Plasma, weren't you?" I asked him, not hiding my disdain.

"Ya I was, and no I didn't stop it. Not like I could do shit. Fuck, in both cases I'd be on the other end if I didn't do all that. It's to follow orders or be the one with the gun to your head, Lottery. Sometimes ponies do bad things because they have no choice in the matter, and sometimes they don't care that they're forced to do it. Ain't no way I feel guilty for any of that. So don't go blaming me for shit. It was going to happen with or without me." He huffed, but then muttered, "At least I was the one to breed Plasma over those bastards."

My hoof moved before could think, striking him in the face, "the fuck was that!" I shouted.

Blood dripped from his nose, but it was clear he didn't care. "Oh come off it, you know I'm fucking gay. I didn't choose to fuck her, but the boss must have first dibs, or he's not the boss. Bandsaw was insistent, and even made sure I was the only one up her cunt for the first few days." Wiping the blood off, he looked me in the eyes, looming quite serious. "Anyways, Plasma and I have already talked about this. And we agreed to not say anything about it even if the foal comes out a pegasus."

Low then reached up and knocked on High Pressure's bed. "But my sis, she'd be ecstatic about it. Always angry because she's sterile, and that her brother was never going to give her a niece or nephew. Our parents pulled a few strings and were allowed to have more foals, then pretend we didn't exist. Their pricks like that."

"So when I saw her, I had had thought; hay, she's going to be rather fucking happy about that. Then bam, she was dyeing on the ground." Low's gaze drifted to the ground, looking rather conflicted. "It was strange, I both wanted to laugh and scream when I saw her go down. But instead I did nothing. Not like I could have helped her if wanted to. I mean… well… maybe I could have, but I didn't. "

"And now you're causing problems." I said.

"That's what I'm good at, after all." He said back at me as he sat up straight. "It helps me not think about complicated stuff."

A groan came from the bed as High Pressure sat up. "And that's why you're a pain in my flank, Low."

"You're awake!" I said in surprise. "How long?"

The pegasus mare rubbed her neck. "Since… last night, I think. Been passing out now and then since I woke up. The Doctor said she'd send you a message about it. But I guess not, fucking griffins."

Low's eyes went wide. "Ohhh, that's what she meant."

High Pressure, Cold Trails, and I all face hoofed.

High then breathed in sharply. "Fucking, headaches…" she hissed, then sat up more so that she could glare down at her brother. "Now tell me more, where is this mare? Her name was Plasma, right? Can I talk to her?"

I decided to stop her right there. "Best not yet. She's not in any condition to talk about such things."

Low laughed. "You can say that again, she's seriously gone off the deep-"

I shut him up with a back hoof! "If your involved in what Plasma's been doing and didn't tell me about it, I'm fucking up your face!"

"Do it anyway, It'll make me feel better." High Pressure suggested. "As for this Plasma, I don't care. Family is family after all, so you can fill me in on the details later." She then winced in pain as she held her head. "But first, can you all leave for an hour or two, this is too much excitement for me right now."

"Alright. But I do have a few things to do first, and ponies to talk to." I told the mare as I forced her brother up. "And I don't know how much it's worth to you, but I'm happy that you're better."

She waved a hoof at me dismissively. "Ya ya, hugs and kisses. Just go, please."

The three of us then left, the day only giving me more shit to think about, making me really want a drink. But no, I still had a filly to see.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Three

_______________________________________________________

We left Low Pressure with some Talons before heading back to the penthouse floor of Ursa's Den, telling them that he needed some extra training. We also decided to not check up on Plasma and Spell for the obvious reasons. We trusted Spell, but too much was going on for me to deal with Plasma's problems until we got more potion for her.

Entering where the foals were being held, I was pleasantly surprised to see Margaret here, the robot currently cleaning the room while humming to herself. "Hey Margaret, how's the little ones?" I asked her as she floated by.

She smiled at me with one of her big sphere eyes. "Most wonderful Miss Lottery, though they're getting a bit rambunctious from having to stay inside all day. My subroutines tell me it's unhealthy for colts and fillies to be kept inside like this. But those in charge tell me it's too dangerous for them to go out yet. A shame really, but safety comes first."

Sad but true. With them being raised by Redeye, who knows what some pony might do to them. They may be innocent, but I have come to understand that some ponies don't care, and will take what they think is theirs. Even if it's misplaced revenge.

"Well Grizzly is working on a way to get them someplace safer. So for now just help keep them distracted." I told the robot.

Margaret bobbed her body in a nod. "Already on that. Master Spell has me doing a story hour, and they do love Daring Do."

She floated off, humming something to herself.

"We are fortunate she's with us. Considering how the rest of us are not all that together." Cold said with a slight chuckle.

I gave a slight nod. "Ya… let's just hope things will improve."

Trotting out from one of the rooms was a disheveled Ben Day, his mane and tail was now much, much shorter, and they no longer had that magical luster to it. "Oh, thank Celestia you're here." He said, and quickly came over to me.

"Uh… did something happen?" I asked as the imposing mare stood towing over Cold and I.

"Well… not much… just that well… after meeting Silver, things have been… well… weird." He stammered.

Right, he connected to Silver and freaked out. "Sorry about that, it caught everpony by surprise."

He stretched out a wing, pointing to a rather messy couch. "No… no need to apologize… not your fault." We trotted over to the couch, and taking a seat, Ben Day took a long deep breath. "Anyways I got one of my sisters to connect with Silver Bristle, since she has experience with such things. And we got some good news."

I raised my hoof to stop him. "Wait, experienced? But didn't Majestic say you were all the same? As in young foals before becoming alicorns."

Ben Day didn't respond right away, clearly thinking about something, or possibly using telepathy before explaining to us. "Sand Castle doesn't want to talk about it, but she says that before being saved by… the Goddess… She was owned by very bad ponies who did bad things."

That made my stomach churn in disgust.

"I hope the Goddess crushed them." Cold said through his teeth.

Ben Day just shrugged. "She's shut me out, so I don't know. And I rather not continue that subject eather. We may be around two hundred years old, but such things are still new to all of us… and personally I would rather keep it that way for now."

"Sorry, I'll keep it to myself." I told him, then asked. "So what with the mane and tail? I'm guessing they were too filly for you?"

He rolled his eyes. "Not just that, but they get stuck on everything. I mean it waving around on its own is fun and all, but once the magic fades it just drags around."

"Magic?" I said with an eyebrow raised.

"Ya, magic. Well more radiation and taint. Not only are we healed by it, but it invigorates us." He explained. "But… given enough time not around it, all the cool looking stuff stops working. I think the Goddess had our manes do that just because it looked cool, and not out of any necessity or side effect. Anyways, I felt it was time to cut it, to have it make me feel more like… well, me."

His eyes then had a distant look to it. "This body still feels wrong to me. Too big, the wings, and-"

"Being a mare." I said, finishing off his sentence. "I can't imagine how that must feel, I wouldn't know the first thing I'd do if I became a stallion."

"Other than Plasma." Cold whispered jokingly, so I jabbed him in the side.

Ben Day then sighed. "Thanks for understanding, though truthfully, I never got the chance to understand what it feels to be a stallion. So all of this is just new, ya know. I don't even know if what I'm feeling is even right or wrong, it's just… strange."

"Well you at least got the sisters, and there are other alicorns out there who can help you." I told him?

"True. And Sand Castle has been helping me out a lot lately." Ben Day said, now looking less distant. "Maybe once everything settles down and Auntie is saved, I can try and figure out who I really am. But right now I can't go acting like a foal and abandoning everypony for my own selfishness, not when others need me here."

It was hard to imagine that the big mare in front of us was in fact a young colt. One who has over two hundred years of experience, yet was never allowed to properly grow up. He had the right to act like a foal, but the maturity to know that it would not help him.

"So, what's this news you have?" I asked Ben Day, changing the subject.

The alicorn's mood quickly brightened up. "Oh yes, and it's good news… maybe. Well we have confirmed that Silver is in fact a purple alicorn, why'll not being purple or an alicorn. But she can use teleportation. And there's more."

"More? I think being a teleporting nympho is more than I can deal with right now." I told him.

Ben Day smiled wide. "You're going to love this though. You see, Silver has been to the Bailfire Friends. It's where she got cursed. "

I cocked an eyebrow. "Grizzly already knows where they are, the problem is getting in."

Ben Day sighed. "Sorry, I forgot that most ponies don't know how we work. Well other than special cases like Aunty Majestic, the rest of us specialize in certain spells. Blues can turn invisible, green like me have stronger telepathy and can make strong barriers. But the purple, they can use teleportation, and any place they have once been to, they can return there again. Along with being able to take a pony or thing with them. It's how the Goddess, and later Redeye, were able to extend their reach all over Equestria. "

The cogs in my head began to turn, but something stalled. "Like a… bomb?"

He rolled his eyes as he shook his head. "Well ya, but also a pony. If we can get Silver to concentrate long enough, we can send a pony into the Bailfire Fiends base and steel the Venus root."

The cogs in my head then went into overdrive and I said with full excitement. "And a cure for the curse can be made!"

Jumping up, I gave Ben Day a big hug. "That's wonderful!"

After a moment I backed off, my head cooling down. "But there's still the problem of the Bailfire Fiends, and getting Silver to focus." I said.

"But we have an in now." Cold commented. "The rest can be sorted out later."

I nodded. "Actually, Sparkling might have a solution for the Silver problem. So it's all in the hooves of ponies better suited to deal with it." I then turned back to Ben Day, and said "thanks for telling me this. I needed some good news… but why didn't Grizzly tell me?"

With a loud slap, Ben Day, face hoofed! "Oh no… I wasn't supposed to tell anypony!"

This time I let out a long sigh with my teeth clenched. "Right, that makes sense. I'll make sure to keep it a secret. Just don't go telling anypony else, okay."

He nodded while still hiding his face.

"Oh, is Glittering Matrix available?" I asked.

With his wing, Ben Day pointed to one of the bedrooms. "Ya, she's expecting you."

Cold and I left Ben Day, and trotted to that room. Passing by the dining room, Margaret had gathered most of the foals, and was preparing to read them a book.

In the bedroom, three fillies sat on one of the beds. Crown was brushing Matrix's mane as Flashed watched, the three looking almost like sisters. They saw me, but said nothing as I entered, Cold staying outside, likely not wanting to interfere.

"You said you wanted to see me, Matrix?" I asked as I trotted over to them.

She nodded, and I took a seat on one of the beds near them. It was a bit awkward, as nopony said anything for a long moment, just Crown brushing her mane.

Clearly building up her courage, Matrix quietly asked, "What's going to become of us?"

And a question I didn't want to answer.

But it was something they needed to know. I think.

"I… I can't say for certain, but I do know one thing. Glittering Matrix, you can't stay here, it's too dangerous for you… and everpony." I admitted.

Crown gritted her teeth. "That's not fair, what did she do to deserve this!"

She got jabbed in the side by Matrix. "Is it because of my father?" She asked me.

I nodded. "Grizzly thinks that Tripwire will use your existence here as a way to sow chaos. And knowing him, I believe that too."

A huff came from Crown. "Tripwire, he's our uncle, right?"

Again I nodded. "Redeye had removed him from power long ago, and now he's trying to take that power back. He's a dangerous pony, like Redeye was, but from what I've heard, he lacks the ideals that Redeye had. There is no greater goal with him, not a future filled with friendship. Just Tripwire standing above all, holding all the power."

"But Grizzly has a plan for you, Matrix, someplace safe where you can live far from all this mess." I told her, but she flinched at my words. "Is everything okay?"

The small red filly shook her head. "I don't trust her… I remember her."

"Remember what?" I asked.

"When mommy was alive, I still didn't understand anything. Everything was hazy, but I remember her. Grizzly didn't like mommy, called her mean things, and called me mean things." Matrix clenched a hoof onto Crown tightly. "She thought mommy was trying to take away her daughter's place, that she and others would soon know who is going to be in charge."

I really didn't like the sound of that. But why would Grizzly think a pillow mare would take away Wiretap's place? What place? Leader of Ursa's Rest? Wait, something was adding up, but a peace was missing.

"Say Matrix… can you describe the pony that killed your mother?" I asked the filly.

She took a deep breath, clearly nervous about telling me, but told me she did. "There were all mares… dirty, wild. Raiders I think, but not like the one's Daddy warned us about. They… looked and talked a lot like the mare with Onyx's eyepatch. Like they really didn't like stallions. "

My jaw clenched, and I growled "Bailfire Fiends."

"M… maybe." Matrix said. "I remember seeing one of the raiders was with Grizzly, before mommy died. But the pony was all clean, but I know it was the same pony. And after mommy stopped moving, they argued about how they were told to kill me, but some wanted to keep me. Then daddy showed up, killed them… he cried, cried a lot, then snuck me away."

The final piece of the puzzle fitted together, and it made me sick. I could only guess this was when Grizzly got the Bailfire Friends to help her, but then they didn't stop. It would also mean that Matrix is related to her… was she a niece, or…

Face hoofing, I then muttered, "Rattlebones, has to be."

Matrix tilted her head as she looked at me, her eyes watery. "Miss Lottery… are you… okay."

I let out a sigh. "Ya, I'm fine. It's just that I have a few ponies I need to talk to."

"Will you help me go someplace safe?" She then asked.

I knew I couldn't promise anything, far from it. I was too stupid to do anything right, but maybe there was some pony who could.

Slowly I reached out, and ruffled the fillies mane. "I can try. If you can't trust Grizzly, then I can find some pony you might."

Crown then huffed with a tone of annoyance. "Coming from a pony with that raider as a friend."

I clenched my teeth at that, knowing she was referring to her own mother, but held back at doing or saying anything harsh. Taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling before saying, "your mothers trying to be better. And she knows more than anypony else the harm she's caused, but she's trying."

"Doesn't change that she's evil!" Crown said back to me.

I couldn't help but glare at her. "Then what does that make you! Half evil… no, your father is a Naysayer, the brother of the stallion causing so much suffering right now. So more than that, maybe all evil?"

Crown shut up real quickly as she looked away, clearly unable to counter my words. But then Flashed began to sniffle, having been shaken by my outburst.

"Sorry, I went too far." I said softly. "It's just that Molo… that your mother saved me, and I owe her so much… but… but I think I'm losing her, and there's nothing I can do to stop it."

"Good." Crown grumbled. "She should stay lost."

She was just as thick-headed as her mother, no doubt about it. Meaning there was no point in pushing the issue. "Well, I should find that pony I mentioned. If what I think is true, then they're going to want to see you, Matrix."

Getting up, I trotted out of the room, and almost tripped over two fillies.

"Hay Lottery!" Wiretap said, waiting for me outside the door. Next to her was a less than happy Cable. "What cha up to?"

"Adult things, you know, boring stuff." I told her, but then realized that she could help me. "Say, do you know where Rattlebones may be?"

"Grandpa, ya, he's with aunty Prickly in their camp." She told me.

Cable huffed. "Bunch of savages"

Cold ruffled the younger fillies mane. "That's the same thing we called you in the Enclave."

Cable resisted the hoof, glaring at him. "But you lost!"

I rolled my eyes at the brat. "So did your side… and will again." Then I turned my attention to Wiretap. "Can you take me to them, we can properly hang out once this is all done. Celestia knows I can use it, just too much drama today."

And then an intrusive thought crossed my mind. "You didn't go into my Penthouse first, did you?"

Wiretap smiled mischievously. "Ya, uncle was holding a door shut, like hecwas keeping an animal containec, told me it was not a good time."

Again I faced hoofed. "I should have the locks changed."

_______________________________________________________

Reaching the Pear Valley Tribes camp just outside Ursa's Rest, I found myself responsibly impressed. It was all tents, but not the decaying patchwork tents I'd seen everywhere else, but proper intact canvas tents. This camp was not just colorful and clean, but they had also brought green fucking plants with them! It looked even more vibrant than my home, even smelled more lively… well at least my home didn't have the smell of pony waste, but that probably just comes with having a lot of ponies in one place, since the rest of Ursa's Rest smelled far worse.

"Say Wiretap, what plants are those?" I asked the older filly.

"Well most are Mutfruit, since they grow easily in the wasteland, and aren't as affected by radiation. But the others are young pear trees. The tribe likes to plant them wherever they go. Grampa plans to take a bunch to the mountain we were on since it's clean up there." Wiretap explained.

"Once this war is all over, maybe they'll let me take one or two pear trees. I know my Ma and Pa would be able to grow em. They already managed to grow some lime trees, so it can't be much different."

A sharp whistle caught my attention as a pony trotted over. It was a mare in a studded leather duster and wide brim hat decorated in playing cards. Her voice was weathered and filled with harsh wisdom. "Lime trees you say. That's a rather rare treasure these days, only to be found in far off isolated pockets of Equestria." Tipping her hat up, I saw the Bandit leader Lucky Shot. "Good to see you again, Lottery, and may I add, you're even more dangerous and stylish looking than before."

I pushed both Wiretap and Cable behind me. "What brings you here, Lucky Shot?"

The old bandit chuckled. "Oh nothing nefarious I can tell you. Actually I'm seeing an old friend of mine. After meeting you, I figured he was going to be around here, so I thought why not swing by once my business at home was done."

I cocked an eyebrow. "And who would you… nooo, don't tell me."

"That's right. Actually old Rattlebones ran with my crew for a time, introduced me to my husband as a matter of fact." She said in a jovial tone. "I'm guessing you're here to see him too, then let's go."

The old mare trotted off, strangely happy from seeing me.

Cold then asked me. "Who was that, Lottery?"

"Not sure, I met her before dropping the feral ghouls on the raiders. She's a bandit, which I guess is like a raider, but not crazy, yet weirdly far more scarry. Oddly, she was really friendly with me back then as well, even gave me a deck of cards and wanted me to join her." I explained.

"Weird." He said and we trotted onward.

Entering Rattlebones tent, it was surprisingly spacious, and looked to house more than just the old stallion himself. Decorations were everywhere, and many bedrolls were stacked on each other at the back, along with a smoldering fire pit at the center. It just felt so… lived in.

Then an older colt trotted over to us, who looked just like Prickly. So I guessed Prickly must have brought her entire family with her.

"Hay cousin, back again?" The colt asked Wiretap.

She shrugged. "Kindove, Lottery is here to talk to grandpa."

He nodded. "You want to play toss rocks as they talk, we got a game started already."

Wiretap thought about it for a moment, then smiled. "Okay, but I got to bring this brat along. Unfortunately she's my half sister, and I got to keep an eye on her." She said, pointing at Cable.

"Hay, you should be fortunate to have me around!" Cable said in annoyance.

The colt rolled his eyes. "Typical adults. Ya, she can come, but it's not my responsibility to keep her in line."

The foals then trotted off, leaving us behind.

Trotting to the other side of the tent, I found Rattlebones and Lucky Shot sitting on mats across from each other. Prickly was a little further away, laying down as she was nursing two baby's, looking rather relaxed.

Seeing us, Rattlebones waved us over. "Come come, sit down." Doing just that, the old stallion passed me a vile of concentration potion.

Drinking it, my mind relaxed, and a feeling of doubt faded. "Thanks, does this mean you have a new batch ready?"

"Soon, Lottery. I didn't think you two would finish yours off in less than a day. I gues Venus root lives up to its name, and must not be underestimated." He said in an understanding tone as he took the empty vile back. "But before we talk about why you have come here, I'm rather surprised you know Lucky Shot. She's a rather elusive mare you know, rarely even gives out her name."

"More by chance than anything." Lucky Shot admitted. "You know how we old ponies get, letting whimsy guide us as we grow closer to death. Lottery here just reminds me of Poker Roulette, that's all."

"I don't know, she seems more like Citrus Explosion to me. And speaking of him, how's the old fool?" Rattlebones asked Lucky.

"My husband, old age has caught up with him. It's like he's aging a year every month now. So it won't be long now." Lucky said, a bit of sorrow in her voice.

Rattlebones lowered his head. "Sad to hear. I hope this damnible war ends soon. I rather see him one last time before the end. On that, didn't you check his will, since he can't read or write it himself?"

Lucky let out a huff. "Ya, and my niece predictably tampered with it, had to beat the shit out of her for that. Always power hungry that one, and I'm sure she will still get what she wants. That's why me and my gang are calling quits, and once Citrus passes, I'll be moving on. The others can stay in the villages, as they're going to need the extra hooves if the future turns out the way it looks like it's going. But for me, I'm sure they already dug a hole in the ground for me."

"A shame, but the bandit families have always been like that, even during the rule of Celestia. Harsh ponies for harsh lands as the saying goes." Rattlebones said before asking, "So what do you plan to do now? You can always come with me?"

Lucky let out a laugh. "A lecher like you, no, I don't think I will. Actually I'm thinking of looking for Poker Roulette. It's high time I make her pay back for the lime trees she stole from me. See if she gave me more grandchildren, I never got the chance to spoil her first." She then glanced at me. "Speaking of which, not all that long ago I met a mare I'm sure was Poker Roulette's daughter. Had the same fire in her eyes, like she could stare down death itself and not flinch."

This time Rattlebones laughed. "I bet, a mare like that tends to not get broken by the wasteland easily." He then looked over to me, still smiling. "So what brings you here Lottery, I do hope it's for the tea."

"Tea is nice, but no." I said, and realized something. "Lime trees? Oh, maybe that's where my Ma and Pa got them from. They must have bought them from your daughter."

Lucky Shot raised an eyebrow at me for a moment and muttered, "too much like my husband," before sipping on her tea.

Shrugging, I got back to the topic I was here about. "Anyways, about why I've come. Does the name Glitter Spark mean anything to you?" I asked.

Rattlebones went silent for a long minute, and it was Prickly that then spoke up. "The fruit of Father's misbegotten escapades. We know of her, but how do you know?"

I let out a long sigh. "I'd hoped I was making the wrong connections, maybe with everything else going on. Well, maybe my brain was just overworked."

"I'm guessing the Bailfire Friends told you something then." Rattlebones said calmly. "If you're going to tell me that you found out that Grizzly was behind my daughter's death, I already know, and Grizzly has already faced punishment for it long ago. Those guards of hers, they're not just there to protect her you see."

"No, that's-" I spoke up but Rattlebones raised his hoof to stop me.

"Before you go on, let me explain. Glitter Spark and Redeye, despite their intelligence, trotted into a twittermight nest without understanding the ponies they were pissing off. Pairing up to gain political power was a smart move, and gained me no end of grief from my younger brother for never removing Glitter from the Pillow Mares." He explained, and took a sip of his tea before continuing. "Well Grizzly got spooked, thinking that Wiretap might lose her place as the possible heir and the Bailfire Fiends used it as an opportunity to get in." He then sighed, "due to the fall of the Naysayers, and the rise of Redeye, his daughter would have more power then Wiretap you see."

"And the idiot unleashed Pandora's box on Ursa's Rest because of that." Prickly added.

Rattlebones nodded. "The reason our tribe was even near Ursa's Rest at the time was to see Glitter Spark, and her daughter Glittering Matrix. But we arrived too late to protect them."

That made some sense, though it didn't lessen my anger towards Grizzly for not telling me that Matrix was related to her. But strangely, I was not surprised. So many ponies I've made friends with out here have been terrible ponies in the past. Molo, Low, Cauterize, and Grizzly.

"Actually, it wasn't the Bailfire Fiends that told me… it was Glittering Matrix." I told him.

Rattlebones eyes shot wide open. "That is not a funny joke!"

"And I'm not joking." I said calmly. "She's currently with the other foals we recovered, you can go see herself right now actually. "

The old stallion then asked me. "Alright, let's say you're not lying, then how did a little filly, who was just a baby at the time, know any of this?"

"Truthfully, even I don't fully understand it." I admitted. "But, Matrix says that she can remember everything, like it's some sort of photograph or something."

Sitting up straight, Rattlebones scratched his beard for a moment before nodding. "She has the picture perfect memory, that would match if she's Redeye's child." I raised my eyebrow at that statement. "Right, most wouldn't know anything about that. It's a common trait among the ponies of Stable 101, where their memories are, well, picture perfect. Redeye told us about it when he visited our tribe, though he himself lacked the trait. Likely why he killed off his stable, since if even one of them escaped, they could easily rebuild elsewhere and start their Earth pony supremacy civilization."

"But all that aside." Rattlebones gritted his teeth for a moment before letting out a sigh. "It seems I need to talk to my foalish niece… and finally see my granddaughter for the first time. Thank you for telling me this, Lottery."

"Should I come?" I asked.

Rattlebones shook his head. "No, this needs to be strictly a family matter. Outsiders would needlessly complicate things. I'm sure you can understand, though you've fortunately been spared such problems." The old stallion stood up and gave Lucky Shot a polite bow. "Sorry to cut our reunion short, but such matters can't be put off."

Lucky Shot smirked. "Yall got that right ya old fart, who knows how much time you even have."

He chuckled at that. "Who knows, but ponies like us tend to be the kind that death hates the most, since we just don't die."

"Ya, ya, I get it. You're a badass, now git. Best make tracks before Grizzly dos something stupid again." Lucky waved her at him in a shewing manner.

After Rattlebones left, Prickly let out a groan. "Damn Grizzly, she is too much like her own father for her own good. Good for taking and maintaining power, but makes too many enemies doing so."

Lucky Shot rolled her eyes. "Tell me about it, the bastard put a hit out for my own daughter."

"If I remember correctly, wasn't that because she and her colt friend robbed Ursa's Rest." Prickly retorted.

A chuckle came from Lucky. "That they did, that they did. And damn was it stupidly glorious."

Letting out a huff, Prickly laied back down. "This is why no pony likes dealing with you bandits. Be all charming one moment, and savage cutthroats the next. Not to mention not having any allegiance to anypony but yourselves."

Lucky shrugged, clearly not feeling any guilt over the accusations. "It's how we survived for so long." She then got up and motioned for Cold and I to follow.

With the reason why we were here done, I didn't see any reason not to go with Lucky. Trotting out of the tent, and to the outskirts of Ursa's Rest, the dry expanse of the wasteland greeted us.

Tipping her hat to block the sun, Lucky let out a long sigh. "I'm still not used to things being so hot and dry, but that might just be me getting old. Thankfully my hat and duster does just as well blocking the sun as it did blocking the rain."

I nodded. "Ma and Pa were really worried the crops would all die when the clouds broke, thankfully DJ'pon3 was giving advice about dealing with the sun. Pa may hate him, but he knows when to listen to good advice."

"That sounds like him." Lucky said almost so quietly that I almost missed it.

Raising my eyebrow, but shook it off as my imagination, so I then asked. "So! You seem to want to talk about something?"

She nodded. "Just wondering how you were doing. I imagine things haven't been easy after dealing with those raiders."

"Don't see how that's any of your business." I told her, but decided to humor the old bandit. "But… it could be worse, could be better. Got my revenge, but they also left me a burden. Even so, my friends have been through far worse, so I have no right to wine and cry about it."

"Figured as much. Raiders love to leave their mark, no matter how fucked up it is. Went through the same shit at your age, though I had it coming." She said as she looked into the distance.

I was still quite done with drama and stories, yet I felt I had to listen. "How so?"

She chuckled bitterly. "Being young and dumb mainly. Blinded by love so much that I didn't see him change until it was too late. Before I married my current husband and joined the Bandits, I was a young mare who was in a gang of orphans, not an uncommon thing out in the wasteland. But to make a long story short, I was in love with our leader, and when he decided to pretend to be raiders to get what we needed to survive, I didn't question it. You can guess where that ended."

"What was pretend became all too real." I guessed.

Lucky nodded. "Oh ya, bigtime. Eventually I and other members of the gang smarted up, but we were still dumb little shits and made a pain of ourselves instead of running away. The boss decided to make an example of us, letting his new friends have fun with us, no need to go into detail, but I and a few others managed to survive and escape. We soon after got our revenge, but some months later, well, I and a few others found ourselves in an unlucky spot."

I touched my own stomach, understanding. "Must have been hard."

"True that." She said with a chuckle. "Had to whore myself out for a time just to get by. Wasn't the worst thing in the world, but it did put my head in a bad place. Unfortunately the wasteland is a cruel place, and my son caught ill and passed away. Unlike Ursa's Rest, most places don't have access to good medicine, if any."

"S… sorry to hear that." I told her.

"Don't be, I don't deserve pity for it. I wasn't the best mother you see, and rejected him for being forced upon me." She said in a tone, filled with regret. "It wasn't until he was gone that I understood what I had, and now had lost it. After that I got my shit together and returned to the wasteland, not long after I ran into a precocious Rattlebones, high off his ass from his own shit."

"So why tell me this?" I asked Lucky.

She smiled at me, it felt warm, and familiar somehow. "I guess this grandma just felt like hoofing out some wisdom."

"Then…" I began to ask, but hesitated, but swallowed it down and asked. "I have a chance to rid myself of this burden, but is it right to do so? It's not like it's their fault for what was done to me."

"Having a choice is always important, though it doesn't make things easier." She said carefully, as though watching her words. "It's not so much a matter of right or wrong… well not in your case. But I have no respect for a mare who fucks around and are unwilling to accept responsibility for their actions. But you, what was done to you was wrong, so the rest is up to your choice in the matter."

Lucky the pulled out a worn out deck of cards. "Making a choice is like a gamble. You don't have to go all in, but you never win big if you don't risk it all." She shuffled the deck of cards, moving them almost like magic. "But what's most important is that you don't regret your decision, so that win or lose you can keep standing proud." Another shuffling of the cards, it being more amazing then the last one. "We can all fall low, find ourselves in the mud, even unable to lift ourselves up. But staying there is still a choice, as is reaching out to another for help. Trusting others is a gamble, as is trusting oneself, both can betray you, but nothing changes if we don't take risks."

Shuffling the deck one more time, the cards danced through the air as though they were putting on a performance for me. "Lottery, things may become grim, and so very dark. But you are not alone, and whatever choice you make, remember that you have friends who care about you. So never be afraid to reach out to them."

The deck then exploded, cards going everywhere and as they flew away in the wind, Lucky Shot was now holding a paper package in her hooves. "Now, if you should keep the foal or not, personally I say keep it. Just remember that if you do, you chose to." She then tossed the package to me. "Now keep this, I'm sure it's a lot better than whatever you've been taking to battle with you. I'll also go well with that dress you got on, trust me."

"Umm… thanks?" I said, not sure why she was giving me this.

She tipped her hat to me. "Think nothing of it. Anyways, I'm going to pay Rainbows End a visit, see if the fat bitch will piss herself upon seeing me again." Lucky Shot let out a laugh as she trotted away.

Cold trails and I watched her as she left, then he said, "um, Lottery, don't take this the wrong way, but could that mare be your, well, Grandmother?"

"Cold, I got too much shit to deal with right now. I don't need you suggesting that my Ma has a bounty on her head, and I have a whole family of ponies that are more terrifying than raiders." I told him.

"Fair enough." He replied.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Four

_______________________________________________________

After the possible revelation about my own family had passed, I decided to not open the package Lucky Shot had given me right away, in case it proved Cold right. Fortunately I had a good distraction, and one that didn't involve feeding my curse, as I was sure Grizzly was in no way going to care that Wiretap had got to the shooting range right now.

Sadly, Cable had to come to, who I didn't trust to not be stupid. I did pity the filly, even if her mother was a colossal cunt that deserved a fate worse than she got, Cable still lost her mother. At least Onyx's blood was not on my hooves, though I wouldn't have cared one way or another. Still, for the little brat, it would have been better for her mother to have been alive and in chains, then left dead and to be eaten by feral ghouls.

With one of us adults keeping our eye on cable at all times, we got to enjoy shooting our guns. Wiretap had improved, though the showboating filly would occasionally shoot the wrong target after she struck a pose. Cold also took a turn, since now only having a IF-64 to use, it quickly became clear he was not that used to ballistics. Though he had difficulty adjusting to guns with more kick to them, he was still a trained fighter, and quickly adapted.

They both got to try my guns, with Wiretap ecstatic to use Whisky Shot, I even noticed that her own revolver looked a lot like mine. It was both flattering, but also a bit creepy.

The rest of the day remained calm, and even returning to the penthouse there were little of any surprises. Well we did find Plasma on a bed, hogtied, gagged, and half covered with a blanket. We decided to leave her there until more concentration potion was sent up.

The next day was more of the same, getting both Cold and my legs checked. More salve and pain killers. And even a checkup from Mint. She already had her hooves full with Molo and Plasma, so I did my best to not be difficult. Cold spent more time at the shooting range, clearly trying to get more used to ballistics.

We even saw High Pressure up and about with her brother. As it turned out, Grizzly wasted no time putting her to work in improving the logistics, with Low forced to work as her negotiator. The two were surprisingly terrifying with how easily they got others to bend to their will.

Spell spent more time with the foals, acting as some sort of instructor, teaching both readings and writing, but also math and history. He seemed surprisingly at ease juggling the young ones, even enjoying himself at times.

Somehow, pecan got roped into keeping an eye on Plasma, trading off with Spell now and then. The poor mare was quickly burning through her concentration potion whenever not busy. So it was decided to have her drink it only when she goes out, and keep her confined between those times.

Of which I had to stay away from Plasma when she was locked up, or I'll become drawn into the curse's influence. Which only led to one slip up, of which I blamed Low for. At least my partner stayed, Cold Trails, though I don't know how Plasma could let Low touch her.

Molo had thankfully kept her promise to stop buying everypony cheap booze, but she only seemed to get more withdrawn. I tried to talk to her, but all she would do was put on her fake smile, and say "I'm fine." But I did find out that she and Cauterize had been talking at his place, but the twins refused to tell me anything, only that it was ex-raider business.

As for the brahminshit between Matrix, Grizzly, and Rattlebones. It had thankfully stayed within their family. Even Wiretap didn't know the details, and I didn't care to pry further.

So a few more days passed, and now I sat, overlooking the balcony of my penthouse, holding the package that Lucky Shot gave me. The size of it made me wonder how she even hid it on her.

"Finally going to open that?" Plasma asked, dressed in a skimpy, yet classy nightgown. She was looking a bit healthier now, having been getting proper sleep and meals. Though I could still see her ribs, but it was clear she was finally gaining weight.

"Ya, might as well." I told her.

"Still haven't asked Lucky if you're related or not?" She asked, sitting next to me, placing her head on my shoulder. Though it was dark now, the light from the town below eliminated her enough that I could still see her scars. It was also clear she had seen Sunset, as her mane looked better then I had ever seen it before. I guessed Low had been taking her out.

I shook my head. "Still not sure if the bandit was messing with me or not, but it would explain why my Ma and Pa wanted nothing to do with the rest of the wasteland. As it turns out, the Wild Card Bandits have a long history of robbing powerful ponies in this area. So if she is my, you know, then a lot of dangerous ponies probably wanted Ma and Pa dead."

Looking at the package, I then took a deep breath, and with Rime Frost, I cut it open.

"Shouldn't you use, you know, a knife?" Plasma questioned as she gave me some space.

I shrugged. "Rime wanted to open it, so I let her."

Plasma gave me a skeptical look. "If I didn't already know that your gun was magical, I'd think you were going crazy."

"Who's to say I'm not already crazy." I told her as Rime finished opening the package.

Inside it were several items, the biggest of which was a thick leather jacket. It was some sort of reinforced duster that had small plates of metal riveted under the leather and with a cloth layer under the metal, giving it a studded look. It was surprisingly flexible despite all the metal, and felt really solid.

Plasma took a look at the armored duster herself, whistling as she was clearly impressed by it. "Never thought I'd ever see real life brigandine armor."

"Brigandine?" I said questioning.

"Only read about it in my history books about power armor. It was first used in early era Equestria as flexible and less expensive armor. It got its name from the bandit of the time who would use such armor, Brigands I think they're called. Well for a short time they were used during the great war as a counter for Zebra spear charges, and inspired the M.o.W.T. in making power armor." The egghead explained.

"Uhh, cool." I said before realizing something. "So this is literally bandit armor?"

Plasma face hoofed. "Yep."

Pulling out a second item, it was a rather worn out leather hat that looked just like Lucky's, and with it in my hooves, it also looked just like my Pa's, but with different cards in it. All hearts.

Then pulling out a third item, it was a revolver in a holster with some ammo on the belt. The thing was a rather heavy revolver, likely made of iron and looked like it was hoof forged. It was bigger than Whisky Shot, and loaded with .357 magnum rounds, which seemed to be also hoof forged.

A gun was still a gun, though having to trot around with even more ammo sounded annoying to me.

Last was a hoof sized rectangle frame-like book. Opening it, there was a picture inside, and upon seeing it, I let out a long sigh.

"Well shit, she looks just like you!" Plasma exclaimed.

It was a photo of a younger Lucky Shot with an even younger mare, both in the same outfits. They had the brigandine dusters and the wide brim hat, of which I was sure the other things I was given were worn by the younger mare, even the revolver. The mare, which I guessed was Poker Roulette, had a short cut orange mane, and a dusty green body, both matching the colors of my Ma. But most damning was her cutie-mark, which was my Ma's.

"Yep, that's my Ma alright." I said, not sure how I should feel about this. But it was clear, Lucky Shot had come here to give me my Ma's gear, which only made me feel more conflicted.

Well at least it was not another bear themed thing.

Folding up the armor, and placing the other thing inside it, I trotted back into our room, placing my Ma's things in the corner.

Plasma fallowed, streaching out before flopping down on a bed. The mare sat suductivly as she then asked me. "Since were turning in, you want to play with me first? Maybe cuddle?"

The thought crossed my mind, and most disturbingly, I found myself not opposed to it. I reached for my canteen, but decided against it, as it would be a waist right now. It was my time to watch Plasma after all. "Alright, but we are not going to play around, other ponies are trying to sleep." I then laid down, finding a comfortable spot near her.

She rolled her eyes at me before crawling over and latching onto my leg. "I know, but… you know. It's hard to think sometimes, and I want to stop, but I can't, and I don't want to stop."

"I get it. But do your best to hold on, we will soon be able to cure ourselves." I told her.

Plasma sighed. "Won't change what was done, and what I've done. I can never go back to who I was." As she spoke she clung to me tighter, and I could feel a wetness from where she began to grind me.

"Same here." I said as I looked over to where her gag was, knowing it would be best to get it on her before the curse fully took me away.

At least sleep would come easy after we were done, though it still left me feeling dirty. I just hoped that once the curse is lifted, we will still be able to be friends.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up… no, that was not right, I was still asleep, I knew I was. That and there is no way I managed to sleep walk into a forest.

I recognized this place, it was where Rattlebones took me, the massive tree stump with the alter at the center. Yet everything felt… dead or dying. The ground, the trees, and even the sky, it was all lifeless.

"That's because everything dies… eventually." The voice of a mare spoke as though it was the wind, yet no wind blew.

Stepping out from the dead tree-lined was Persephone, life blooming arounder her, but quickly dying as she moved away from it. Vibrant Grasses, moss, fungus was always under her hooves as she trotted to me, as though they came to life just to cushion her steps.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

"You know why, mortal Lottery." She said, mouth unmoving.

Yes, I knew. It was about the foals.

"Correct!" The Goddess said, appearing from behind me. "And yes, I can read your thoughts, and your memories."

"So you know." I said, and she nodded. I don't know why, but she felt… different. Nothing like the beautiful mare from before. She was still beautiful, but yet…terrifying.

"Naturally, for as things grow colder, my time with mother will soon end, and my time to return to my husband will come." Persephone said to me before giving me a hug. It was warm, comforting, and yet I felt cold and oppressed. "Isn't it wonderful?" She asked as a black and red centipede crawled out of her mane and onto me.

I froze as the way too long bug crawled over me before returning to the Goddess. She then let go of me, where I then noticed that the places she touched me, now rotting vegetation clung.

"But let's not prattle on family matters, as I know you already have much on your silly mind about that." She said, trotting over to the altar, where two cups reside. One with a blue flame in it, and the other covered in frost. "So tell me, now that you are at the turning point of choice, will you be a grove, or a tomb. Will you continue the cycle, or dedicate yourself to its end point."

Realization hit me like a hoof to my face, that she was asking me if I would carry the foals or not.

Persephone smiled, and it was both warm, and so terribly cold. "Yes, will you turn down lives that were not to be. Or choose the fate you had been given freedom from, by one whose rules dictate that they should not meddle in the affairs of mortals."

"You mean Lethe, or… yourself?" I asked.

The Goddess burst into a scattering of dead leaves, flying all about as I saw her visage in everything. The trees, the leaves, the clouds and even in the rot left behind from where she trotted. "Do not presume to understand what I can and can not do, or that I am bound by any rules besides the ones I make myself. Where my husband is the king of the afterlife, god of the inevitable. I am queen of Elysium, Goddess of spring, life renewed, fertility and one who dictates souls reborn. I am queen of Tartarus, Goddess of the dead, necromancy and curses. I am the light, and the dark."

As the dead leaves fell, Persephone reformed, and though still beautiful, she now wore a black dress covered in dry dead vines, and on her head a black iron crown that irradiated cold authority. "It was I that stayed Lethe's hoof, for it is only my authority that matters where the true fate of souls reside. And now you stand to place yourself in my position, to make life or end it as though a god yourself. My gift should not be so easily rejected."

I snarled as anger filled me. "Gift, what fucking gift! Being raped and breed is no fucking gift. I never asked for this, nor wanted it! I wanted to have a fun adventure, find romance, and settle down with a dashing stallion! Instead I fell in love with a psychopath, raped by his goons, whored out by his Ex, and impregnated by raider. Not to mention that my best friend is falling apart before my eyes!"

Persephone just looked at my unmoving, uncaring. "Once more mortals fail to understand, for their vision is too narrow to see. Then let me explain, let me tell you what this gift is, the gift I gave to all pony kind. For when you were all but still clay dolls, toys given magic and free will by the one who molded you in my image. You were not mortal, you were not even living, as clay dolls do not live, even if they have souls. Yet you wanted to live, to be like the other creatures, inferior and small, but the gods of Olympia would not hear. Too much was already given, and they would give no more."

Her form shifted, moved like wind, surrounding me. "But in truth, the gods of Olympia had no such power, though their misplaced pride would not let them admit it. But one fool felt simply, the elder brother to the king of Olympia, one denied of his throne, yet did not care. For in time, all will be his. So he would convince his youngest brother, the spoiled king, to do something for your pathetic kind. That king would make his eldest brother a deal, for to gain such a power, it must be taken, a union must be made. And Hades, the eldest brother, must take responsibility for all that follows."

Flipping her mane and smiling with pride, Persephone then said, "and so to gain the power of nature from my mother Demeter, Hades would take me as his bride." She then let out a longing sigh. "Mother was not happy, but no better stallion could ever court me, for none had hooves as unsullied as his." Her voice then became cold, yet comforting, like the first snowfall of winter. "Once the first winter had passed, and I had been crowned queen, so then I bestowed my gift on the behalf of my husband. They become part of the living, but life itself is a curse, for it must end. So I gave them the ability to make life, connected them to the cycle, where souls can be… reborn. That is my gift, and is what you reject."

I took a step back, trying to understand any of this. "What? No, you're saying… what? Maybe I have gone mad, but you're saying that your gift is my ability to get pregnant!"

A hoof pressed up under my chin. "I even made sure that both the reborn and new souls are protected, that none could harm them while inside their mother. Even from their own mothers." Persephone then returned to the altar, where the two cups warped, taking on the obscure form of foals. One was Will-o-Wisp, and the other Rime Frost.

Then it clicked and the Goddess of life and death smiled. "Yes, that is correct, mortal Lottery. You were not allowed to keep these two out of sheer kindness, nor from a sense of gratitude. The mound maker would have been destroyed in time, Spell Circuit would eventually find out how, even if it would take his whole life to do it. Lethe just got impatient, sensing a soon to be dead soul in which to use. And so had she mettled, so did I."

I looked at the two foal ghosts, fully understanding the situation, but not wanting to believe it. "That's why it's twins, that's why." I muttered.

"But that's unfair! Why me, why not somepony who can care for them, somepony not damaged?" I pleaded.

Everything vanished, turning all white. Cold snow seeped into the fur of my legs. I was on the cursed mountain again, the place where I should have died.

Persephone stuck out in her black dress. As she trotted through the snowdrift. "Yes, where your story should have ended. To be forgotten by most, and remembered as a cautionary tail by a few. Just one of many wastelander tales to be told. One of so many that it is doomed to become drowned out and forgotten by all but the god of the inevitable."

Besides Persephone was blurred images, in both I could see a decrepit stallion, half dead like a ghoul, yet not a ghoul, and in both images he stood over a mare. One was a pregnant unicorn, gripped in fear, but not for herself but for her unborn foal… Rime Frost. The other a defiant pegasus, broken yet not without hope, but at the will of the decrepit stallion… Will-o-Wisp.

"Both souls touched by vile magic, twisted and removed from the cycle, all for the blind ambition of a mad pony. Then one touched the other, and a curse was shattered. And you, a mare spared from death itself, a soul shakened and loosened. You had already accepted these lost souls within you, been touched by them, and they were touched by you." She said as both images blinked out, and the two ghost foals appeared, then darted off, flying around the Goddess before ramming into me.

Persephone then reached out her hoof to me. "But I will not force such a fate upon you, though I can, I care not to. But be warned, to reject my gift is to reject them. They will return to me, and be beside you nevermore. You can keep my boon, use the Gauntlets to fight, but expect no more aid from I, or any other power. Now take my hoof and decide."

I reached out, as though instinctively, unable to resist her call. And taking Persephone's hoof, it filled me with warmth, so much that it burned, yet chilled my bones to ice itself. Her duality was marvelous, yet terrifying. Blindingly beautiful, yet horrifyingly ugly. She was both at the same time, yet still I could not truly fathom her.

_______________________________________________________

I woke up in a cold sweat, my mind in a fog, and feeling confused. My hoof burned as though I had touched a flame, but when I looked at it, I found that frost clung to it.

In bed next to me was Rime Frost, the shotgun in position as though waiting for me to use it at a moment's notice. And next to it, giving off a faint blue light was Will-o-Wisp, giving me enough light so that I could see.

And what I saw caused me to hold my breath in shock. At the end of my bed was a mare with a crude knife in her mouth and eyes that shined in the dark.

It took only a moment, but a second as the assassin lunged at me and I grabbed Rime Frost. The spike only cutting her cheek as she reared back to strike me down. But unlike the last time, I had made sure Rime Frost was fully loaded and pulled the trigger.

With a roaring blast, the 00 shot struck the mares neck and ripped off her head, sending all of her falling back in a display of blood and gore.

My ears were left ringing as I finally released the breath I was holding, my heart pounding.

"Oh fuck, who the fuck was that?" Plasma shouted as she held her own ears, the poor mare was right next to me, getting the full crack of the blast.

The door burst open, where Spell and Cold rushed in. They turned on the lights, causing me to flinch as my eyes adjusted. Molo followed in soon after, trotting right up to the decapitated corps.

"Ain't this one of the Showroom mares?" Molo asked.

Getting up I trotted to the edge of my bed, seeing that the mare indeed had on a Showroom outfit.

Plasma then gasped. "I… I recognize her! Ya, she worked at the Showroom."

"I'm guessing she might be a Bailfire Fiend spy." Spell suggested. "I'll go call somepony to clean this up, in the meantime we should probably vacate the room."

Nodding, Plasma and I quickly gathered our things, and took them out of the room.

Cold came over to me, a worried look on his face. "Looks like Grizzly was right, the Bailfire Fiends really didn't like you messing with their plans."

"The Bailfire Fiends can shove a hot poker up their cunts for all I care." I said to him as I used the opportunity to cling to the stallion. My blood was still pumping, and though I was still tired, my mind was racing. "All the raiders actually."

_______________________________________________________

There was no sleep for the rest of that night, not that I wanted to. Out of all my dreams, Persephone was the most terrifying. Not out of fear, Strife had that hooves down, or being violated in my dreams, which I had gotten used to. No, Persephone was something else, something I could not understand, polar opposites in one being, balanced, and imposing. She made me feel small, as though an ant to a skyscraper.

Instead we all had terrible coffee, the bitterness horribly sweetened with some artificial crap from two hundred years ago.

The one small blessing to all this was that the rude awakening had killed Plasmas libido, and she was acting more normal without the need for the potion. And she got to talking about being able to make boots from the broken power armor for Cold, something that will help him trot like normal.

Spell went into the possibility of making an artificial wing that could help Cold fly again, it just requiring a few spells. But Molo just wanted to give him a gun leg, because it's cool.

Likely we were just trying to keep our minds off my near assassination, but I enjoyed having this normal conversation.

But as the night passed and the day rose, we all had things to get to, among which I had to see Doctor Helga. It was time for me to decide my own fate.

With nothing much else to wear right now, I threw on the brigandine and left the penthouse. On my way to the Doctor's office, both Grizzly and Sparkling met up with me, the two looking as though they just woke up. I knew there was a lot to talk about, but first Helga was waiting.

The braces came off, releasing their presser off my legs. Then the bandages came off and after a quick wash, I could see my legs again in their full glory. Having been moving around a lot for the last few days helped stop them from stiffening out, and with how my fur had fully grown back it, it had been worth it. Though I could still feel the misshapen flesh under, it was entirely unseen as my legs looked smooth thanks to the removal of the excess skin. Though the markings made by my gauntlets remained, looking more like some tribal tattoo.

"Again sorry about the attack." Sparkling apologized again for a Red Light mare attempting to assassinate me. She clearly felt responsible for it, though I didn't blame her, but that still didn't stop her from blaming herself. "This should never have happened."

"You're busy helping Grizzly win this war before Tripwire gets too powerful to stop. I don't blame you for any of this." I told her.

"Though you're right, you're also wrong." The half changeling said sternly. "It's clear to me that I've been too stingy on my options, and relying on just hoping things will be okay without me. And not with just the assassin, but with Plasma too. These things just shouldn't have happened at all. And as more things go wrong, the more I see my own faults in everything. Just like how I let Grizzly lose control of her ambition. "

"Will you stop whipping yourself, damnit!" Grizzly said as she trotted in. I had not seen her since Rattlebones had gone to talk with her, and seeing that she was recovering from a nasty looking black eye, so I bet it had not gone well. "My decisions are mine alone, and I will not have you take responsibility for them when I make the wrong ones."

She then eyed me, glaring at me for a moment before letting out a sigh. "And you… no, what you did was the right thing." She then touched the nasty bruise around her eye socket. "My mother was right, though I have the right ambition to be a leader, I keep letting my emotions drive me astray."

"You mean with the Bailfire Fiends and Matrix's mother?" I asked.

She nodded. "And so many other things. Including my treatment of you."

"Not to contradict," Doctor Helga injected. "But even if Grizzly is prone to making irrational decisions, it's also why nopony even thinks about trying to take Ursa's Rest from you. Being unpredictable is a strategy, and you can be unpredictably ruthless, which makes you very dangerous. Why else do you think Redeye left you alone and didn't try to absorb you into his empire!"

The griffin then carefully grabbed a sealed box and placed it next to me. "And Sparkling, did you get a reply from your brother or not, the medicine I've prepared can't be put to better use if he is not sending his subjects."

"For the emotion draining, yes he has agreed. They should arrive shortly. I've also asked him to send more changelings to help root out the Bailfire Fiends." Sparkling answered.

Grizzly's eyes opened in shock. "You didn't, did you?

Sparkling looked away for a moment before looking Grizzly in the eyes. "We need all the help we can get, and the last thing I want is for you or Wiretap to get hurt by those monsters. Even if that means I must leave you both. So ya, I've agreed to return the Dukedom, and in exchange my brother will join your war council."

"And that would make a council of eight." Rattlebones said as he trotted in, with Lucky behind him. "The tribes, the merchants, Talons and residents of Ursa's Rest, alongside the Rangers, Bandits, Enclave and now Changelings. If I didn't know any better, I would think you're trying to beat Gwadina at her own game."

"A coincidence to be sure." Grizzly said as she glared at Lucky Shot. "And I've not agreed to let that bitch join us." Her eyes then suspiciously shifted over to me. "Which then begs a very serious question."

I pulled out the pictures from a pocket inside the duster, and tossed it to Grizzly. "I'm just as shocked as you, and too drained to feel much, just like you."

Her eyes darted back and forth from the photo of Ma and me several times before Grizzly let out a frustrated sigh. "So Poker Roulette is your mother then. My father absolutely hated her, not for the banditry, well at fist for that, but for being a fucking card shark." She then tossed the photo back to me. "But the bounty on her died with my father, for I have no right to declare any vengeance on his behalf."

Grizzly then froze in shock as Lucky practically jumped onto her with a hug. "Oh how cute, trying to hide your first crush under all that guilt."

"What!" I shouted.

Lucky let out a laugh before she told me, "yep, back in the day when she was just a grumpy teen, she'd try to follow Poker all over the place. Wanted her to teach her to shoot guns, and be a tough ombre and the like. When Poker disappeared, whose form do you think she asked the Duke to take."

I face hoofed as hard as possible. "No, no, fuck you no! Please erase everything of that from my mind."

"Are you done?" Grizzly growled out the question.

Letting her go, Lucky trotted over to me, giving me a hug. It was awkward, yet warm. "Well let's leave the past for later, as right now the future is what's important. So have you made up your mind, Lotter."

I let out a sigh. "Yes, I have. But before that, I want to know something, what will become of Matrix?"

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence for a long moment, but eventually Rattlebones spoke up.

"Glittering Matrix will be coming with me." The old stallion said sternly as Grizzly looked away from him. "Though I agree that Stable 2 is a safe place for her. It is better for her to be with her kin, for kin protects each other. Or that's how it should be. But rest assured that with the tribes no pony will care who her father was. The only thing that will matter is that she is one of us, a lost child now found. My daughters and sons will help care for her as though she is their own, for she is family. And I will make sure that they do, as one so young should not have such a scar on their heart."

"And it's not like the Pear Valley Tribes aren't known for taking in lost foals. You won't find a single Crusader orphan wandering in their lands." Lucky Shot added. "It's probably the safest place for foals to grow up, so long as they don't wander too far away from the tribe."

It felt like a small wait lifted from my back. "That's good to know, and I wish her well."

"Same." Grizzly said, "just make sure she stays there, both for her sake and the tribes."

Rattlebones sighed. "True, unfortunately. The scars left behind by Redeye run deep, so deep that not even time can heal it. Only the passing of generations will his sins fade from memory. Meaning that Matrix will never be truly safe out in the wasteland, as will it be for her own children."

"A bastard through and through Redeye was." Lucky Shot said with a huff. "To generously sacrifice everypony's future for the sake of Equestrias revival. It never ceases to surprise me how deep a pony will dig down into Tartarus with the best of intentions."

"And it will happen again as the new generation forget the old harsh lessons." Rattlebones added.

Lucky then eyed me curiously. "Not to be the bitch, but speaking of those learning old harsh lessons, what have you decided, Lottery."

I glared back at the older mare, and let out a huff. "If I didn't know that you've gone through some of the same shit I have, I'd consider breaking one of your legs."

She smiled back at me. "Now you definitely got that attitude from me."

Rolling my eyes, I then took a moment to get my thoughts together.

Aside from what Persephone had done, and that could still just be me going crazy, I had come to an understanding. First being that I put myself in that situation, making the two unborn fouls more of a victim then myself. Not only that, but they could have easily been conceived by any stallion before or after Spine Breaker. That said, it's still my right to choose when to be a mother or not. But denying life just because I want to keep adventuring, or simply to make life easier for myself, it sounds like something a raider would do. Something Strife would want me to do. Even so, it's not like I have to raise them, around nine months of discomfort and then I'm free

It all just sounded… shitty to me. Like no matter what I do, on some level it's the wrong answer. But I do know one thing for certain, and that sacrificing the unborn for my own convenience will haunt me for the rest of my life. In the end, I chose to do it, nopony else. Grinder and Spine Breaker are monsters who haunt my nightmares, but I can fight and kill them, taking my revenge. But who will take revenge for those killed before they could live?

But I could at least try to live with as little regret as possible, and pick a more difficult path. I have enough blood on my hooves from helping Tripwire, I didn't need the blood of the innocent added to it.

Taking a deep breath, I then told them. "I'll not be taking the poison, it's… it's better I keep myself healthy for the upcoming fight. And afterwards, I'll figure out the rest when the time comes. Who knows, there's still a chance that the fathers not a raider."

I then felt lighter, cleaner, as though something just passed through me and took a burden away from me.

There was a momentary pause, but then Sparkling spoke up, nervously saying something surprising. "That might be possible… actually. Pony fertility is a bit weird with how they are compatible with almost any sentient creature. Also she was on anti-contraceptives for a month straight, so her clock would be all messed up. Not to mention the venus root curse further mucking things up."

We all then looked at the half changeling with confused stares.

A loud slap came from Doctor Helga as she hit her face with her claw. "Fucking forgot about that stupid shit with you ponies and your magical brahman shit."

My heart then felt like it just stopped, "What?"

The griffin shrugged. "Well it is still most likely riders, but there is a few days grace period before and after you stop taking the pills."

"And how many days are a few?" I asked.

"Roughly a week, give or take a day or two." Helga told me. "The pills just prevent the development, not fertilization, where the egg then passes through your system. It's extremely rare that any actually develops, though it often comes with mutation and or hybridization. Don't ask me for details, as I've only read it in my books, and I'm a doctor, not an acano geneticist.

"Speaking of possibilities of mutation or hybrids" Sparkling then said, now even more nervous. "I may be affected by the same magical braman shit. Possibly it's just my own mutation making me sick, but… as you know, I've been showing signs of morning sickness for awhile now… maybe."

Doctor Helga double face clawed. "Fucking ponies!"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Five

_______________________________________________________

Things had gotten understandably awkward between Cold and I, and though everypony were reluctantly sure the father of my unborn was Spine Breaker, or any of the other raiders, there was still a small chance that Cold could be the father. Or Horus, or Shrimp, or Duke Pharynx the Fifth… possibly even the big dick guard, or may Celestia help me if it was Low Pressure.

It just left me wanting to slap Sparkling for not telling me about any of this as a possibility. Not that anypony expected me to get a fertility lust curse tattooed forced onto me. Still, now I have even more stress than before, as I don't even know if I'll even be giving birth to a pony!

At least I wasn't involved in some of the things the other Red Light mares had told me about. Where at less reputable whore houses, the ponies working there would do shows with animals, or even ghouls. It was something out of a nightmare to even think about.

Well at least Mint showed up in time to take over as my chaperone, with Cold needing to take a break from me. I also needed a pony to vent to, and Mint was there just for that. So after spilling all my worries and that I'm glad I was not some animal fucker, I began to feel better, a lot better.

I think it was that I now accepted what would come, and all the dread and disgust I felt just didn’t matter anymore. I'll still have some problems, even nightmares, but it was a problem I could deal with until the foals were born.

One other thing nagged at the back of my head, and that's only if I was not actually crazy, was what Persephone had told me. If she was going to have Will-o-Wisp and Rime Frost be reborn through me, then the contraceptives may have never mattered. Then the possible fathers is utterly unknown. Such thoughts hurt my head, and I wish I could drink some booze to soothe my pain, but since I decided to have the foals, booze is now banned outright.

In the end, whoever the father truly was no longer mattered right now, and that I start accepting the responsibility now that I've chosen to have them. Life was already difficult in the wasteland, the last thing anypony needed was for me to doom my foals to become raiders.

Taking a deep breath and doing my best to shove my worries to the back of my mind, I straightened out my clothes one more time before I was to enter the war room. Lucky was weirdly right about how the duster looked rather nice over my dancers dress, giving me a feeling of class protected by a shell of, "do not fuck with me." It also fitted rather well, though it was likely because my Ma and I were the same size, which made sense.

What was also nice was how the duster accommodated all my guns, having holes for letting the holster straps through. By the time I had everything on, I looked like a proper wastelander, though it annoyed me that I also looked a bit like my Pa.

Thank Celestia I couldn't grow a beard.

"Why are you so fidgety, Lottery? It's just the war room." Plasma asked, she herself was in a classy suit, one that so happened to have a short skirt that teased her panties, which were framed by fishnet stockings. If I didn't know better, I had thought she was planning to take that outfit to the Showroom. I was still sure she was planning to fuck somepony in it, but so long as it was not everypony, I could let it slide.

"Well this is for the big push, so I'm a bit nervous." I told her before asking, "So why that suit, it's nice, but I kinda miss the jumpsuit."

She rolled her eyes. "Asks miss flashy dresses here. But ya, I've just decided to stay… well me. Well I hope it's me. The jumpsuit was just to hide you know. All those eyes on me, and what they might think of me. I mean it turned me on to think everypony was looking at me and shaming me… well, I hated that I liked it, and though I was fucked in the heaf. but now I'm I'm not bothered by it anymore."

"I hope you're really not this much of a slut after we get the curse lifted." I told her.

She sighed. "Me too. I miss being able to think clearly without having to drink a potion. But I can't deny that I have been having fun since you got me away from those raiders."

"As long as It's your choice. But I wish I got you out sooner, and didn't leave you with them." I said, remembering having seen her tied up by the Brian Nails.

"Oh stop that." She said in a stern voice as she gave me a slight jabb. "You would have ended up as a sex slave as well, and if that had happened, then who would have saved us. Anyways, I should have known better than to have run my mouth off at the raiders… no, I should have never gone near them in the first place. But with all my intelligence, I still stupidly trotted up to them and demanded for them to let me pass. I'm lucky they didn't kill me, and If I had complied with their demands… Well, in hindsight, a day or two of being a fucktoy is not as bad as being a cumdump for over a month."

"Speaking of which, how's things going with the Pressure siblings?" I asked.

"Annoying." She said with a huff. "It's too soon to tell, but Doctor Helga did a scan, and there might be the early signs of wings forming. That was enough for High Pressure to cling all over me, which was fun at first, since she's a bit Bi like me. Unfortunately we're both subs, so until I can go back to the Red Light Showroom, we haven't done much other than talking. As for Low Pressure, he's indifferent about any of it, but High has been making sure he is around. It's a bit awkward, but Low and I actually get along well enough that we don't bother each other."

It was an odd problem to have, but not a bad one. "Well at least you have some pony to adopt your foal after it's born."

Plasma then glared at me. "Fuck you, I'm keeping my child. Unlike you I never even thought about getting rid of the darling. Even if the poor baby was conceived by rape, its mine." An honest and innocent smile formed on her face as she rubbed her stomach. "I've always wanted to be a mother. Like having lots of kids and everything. But as part of the rangers, everything was regulated, even down to when I could have a foal, of which my Star Paladin made sure I was at the bottom of the list."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You want more?"

She nodded. "Oh ya. Well if it's possible I mean. I just need to hook a good stallion… or two. And start a family."

"So you mean Spell?" I probed.

Plasma shook her head. "He's just not my type. That and he already has his daughters to worry about. I've asked Sparkling if she knows a stallion, awkward I know, but if anypony knows she dose. And theirs are the Applejack Rangers working here. If I wasn't already pregnant, oh I would make sure one of those hunks breed me good. But right now the only relationship I have seems to be with the Pressure siblings, as weird as it is."

I face hoofed. "You get weirder and weirder the more I get to know you." I then thought about it for a moment, and an idea popped up in my head. "Say, maybe I can introduce you to some of the maintenance ponies, they're not much in the looks department, but one of them might be what you're looking for… after the curse is lifted I mean."

She gave me a devilish grin. "I'll keep you to that. Now let's go, we've kept them waiting for too long."

We then entered the war room, where the key ponies were busy reading documents.

Grizzly was at the head of the table, with Hogan Highborn, Rainbows End and Rattlebones near her. But a few new ponies had taken seats now. Elder Honeycrisp, was in some ancient green military uniform adorn with several metals, which looked better on her then the blue robe. Similarly dressed, but in gray was Chain Lightning, who had been voted in as the Enclave representative. In a classy black leather Jacket was Duke Pharynx the Fifth, which I needed to sip on my canteen from just seeing him. Last was Lucky Shot, who seemed to annoy everypony by how she layed back on her chair, back hooves on the table.

Spell and Molo were here, but sitting on the other side of the table I was going to be at.

Giving me a nod as I took my place near the table, Grizzly then cleared her thought to start the meeting.

"Alright every… creature. You have had time to read the reports and the plan. Any questions?" Grizzly addressed the different leaders.

Chain Lightning put her documents down. "First off, I want to thank you on behalf of the Enclave Remnants for letting us in on this council. I know you all still don't trust us, of which I perfectly understand why. As there is still a sizable group of us that have still not let go of the old mindset."

"Well, we still need your pony power to fly all the cloud ships we recover. So it would be stupid of us to not offer an olive branch. Anyways, the Enclave is not the only group to have made the wasteland worse, but at least you have the excuse of ignorance." Grizzly told her.

Chain Lightning nodded. "Still, again thanks." She then flipped a page in the document. "As for this operation, I have one thing to point out. Simply thinking we can fly in and drop off troops is hopeful at best, and utterly suicidal at worst."

"Explain." Said Elder Honeycrisp.

"Well I'm only going by memory, but this place called the breaking grounds, it was one of the few danger zones that the Enclave had listed for this region. Originally I figured that the Grand Pegasus Enclave was using old intel, but knowing those lying bastards, that intel might not be as old as we had thought. Such danger zones are only listed as such if there is possibility of anti-air alitilary, or significant griffin activity. You can imagine what I'm worried about."

"I think your worries are most founded miss Chain." Pharynx said as he pulled out a few photos for the others to see. On them was a strange rig with two rather large guns attached to them. "My agents were a bit confused by the turrets, and thought that they may be for countering Steel Rangers. But if they're anti-air, it would make more sense.

"I can confirm." Elder Honeycrisp said. "We have several of these in storage, their 20mm auto cannons made for anti-air. They were originally made in Prance for airships, but after the development of cloudships, they were then repurposed as mobile ground to air artillery. Early in the wasteland, it was not uncommon for both the griffin mercenaries of the time and our own Pegasus brothers and sisters to use the cannons in dog fighting."

Hogan Highborn let out a chuckle. "Right, I think I've seen a few old photos of those cannons. There's actually a few Talons out there who still use them."

"Meaning that those guns need to be destroyed before we even think of flying in close." Chain Lightning told the council, getting a nod from all of them.

Grizzly turned her attention to Duke Pharynx. "Could your changings do it?"

He shook his head and passed out several photos. "If it was anypony else, then it would be foal's play. But Wiretap knows about us, and has already prepared his troops for sniffing us out in the most literal sense. As you saw in those photos, they were not taken up close. This is because the Breaking Grounds has an extensive canid presence. The bastard had managed to smuggle Fillydelphia fighting hounds, or just as likely had been breeding them in secret. All the same I've already lost several of my subjects to them."

Some of the photos made their way to me, and I saw a bunch of nearly pony sized shaggy dogs. Some of them were mangy with little fur, and all of them were scarred from both what looked like fighting and beatings. It sent a cold shiver down my spine from the thought of fighting them.

"You have here that a frontal assault in power armor is ill advised, is that due to this multi bailfire egg launcher you highlighted, care to explain?" Elder Honeycrisp asked.

Grizzly looked over to me, and motions for me to join in. Doing so, I stepped up and explained. "It was found inside the proto stable when I was working for Tripwire, supposedly made by the M.o.A. and I got to use it first hoof on the Corps Dancer's Raiders. It shoots six bailfire eggs in a wide pattern from over a hundred yards. The destructive potential is… significant. It was also used to breach the walls of the settlement of Elysium by the Murder Ballers, effectively crippling a well defended settlement."

Elder Honeycrisp let out a sigh. "Why am I not surprised that our own side took a zebra weapon meant to kill Steel Rangers, and thought, let's make this even more deadly. That aside, Miss Lottery, do you remember how much ammunition was found with this weapon?"

I shook my head. "Sorry, I never stopped to count. But there were several cases of, four I think."

"That's a problem." Honeycrisp said. "An Equestria Bailfire egg case can hold twelve, and if it's only been used twice, that means it has four more shots. Enough to crippled any effective ranger assault squad. We would need to keep my knights spread out to mitigate the losses."

"Same for the Talons." Hogan Highborn added. "We already took a not insignificant loss in our last assault, even though we had only been just probing their defense. Truthfully, it had been a good idea to not attempt at taking the Breaking Grounds from what I saw in that fight. It's too well fortified, and too well defended to be simply taken. The more I learn, the more it becomes clear that Tripwire has been preparing this place for years, and not for the months we had originally suspected."

"It would line up why I knew so little about it up until recently." Rainbows End spoke up. "Likely Tripwire and Grinder have been carefully setting up this place, making sure whatever sent there would not raise any alarms. This would mean that there is likely enough supplies for them to hold up for months if besieged. Enough time for their mezmetron project to be completed and used."

"Say Rattlebones, remember when the bandit from further out went and damaged the statue of friendship during their heist." Lucky Shot said as she finally took her back hooves off the table and sat correctly.

"You mean with that crazy glider? I don't see how that will help." Rattlebones said as he stroked his chin. "Unless you're talking about that fireworks trick they used with it."

Luck nodded. "E'yep. The Friendship City guard already knew they were coming, since they love to announce to everypony when they're going to do some brahmin shit. A big old fucking display, and even a chase, all to hide that they already snuck several bandits into the city."

"Yes, that might work… might." Rattlebones said, but didn't sound so sure. "But any pony that sneaks in is only going to have a limited amount of time to do anything."

"Care to explain?" Grizzly asked.

"Right, most of y'all are too young to know about that." Lucky said before explaining. "So I'll keep it short. What had happened was that a bandit flew a glider into Friendship City's statue and set off a payload of fireworks inside, then ran for it. As one group of guards attempted to put out the fire and another chased the bandit out of the city, a small group of bandits had already snuck in and quickly disabled the city's defenses while they were distracted. Before the guards could even respond and retake the wall, from their hiding spots the main bulk of the bandits had gotten into the city and held the normal ponies their hostage. By the end of the day the bandits robbed the city blind, and got away without killing even one pony."

"Right, I remember my father telling me about that story, and why we should never trust a bandit." Grizzly said with disdain in her voice. "But… I see the strategy you're suggesting. A three part plan that involves a pony causing a distraction that Grinder can't ignore. Then a small team uses that window of opportunity to sneak in and open the way for everypony else to come in and attack."

"If the anti-air can be destroyed along with the Bailfire egg launder, then we can drop in troops right on top of them without worry of heavy losses." Hogan said with a nod. "I imagine the bailfire egg launcher will be with Grinder, so an assassination is probably were we should start. Both cut off the head and tail of the radscorpion before taking out its claws."

"Agree." Duke Pharynx said. "The fool makes no effort to hide his location within the Breaking Grounds. Along with his… activities. So a strike team should have no problem getting to him either, so long as they get in undetected."

"You're forgetting the mezmetron problem." Rainbows End pointed out. "If they can just turn our troops against us, then we will still lose."

Plasma stepped forward to address the war council. "We have managed a breakthrough in developing a counter. But first I want to apologize to the Elder."

The young elder blushed before saying. "N… no need. What you do in your free time is your own business. Though next time lock the door."

I face hoofed, having a good idea what likely happened, and who was probably with her at the time.

Plasma continued, "fortunately the Applejack Rangers had several anti-magic devices in their possession, along with a detailed breakdown on how they work. Their mane purpose was as a cheaper weapon to be used by the zebras to counter Steel Rangers. The M.o.W.T. had been attempting to use the information to upgrade power armor's shielding for its spell matrix to resist it. Unfortunately the M.o.W.T. never completed the new shielding, but-"

"Enough of the history lesson Plasma, we get enough of that from Spell Circuit." Grizzly said in an annoyed tone.

"S.. sorry." Plasma stammered out. "Well we managed to make several anti-magic pulse bombs with what we had. With the few testing we managed to do on the mezmetron victims in our custody, we have confirmed that it is capable of breaking the mind control. But…" she then sighed. "We have also confirmed that Wiretap has backed up his mind control with significant brainwashing. And even if freed from his control, it doesn't mean that those slaves will not stop fighting us. Still, once used, any arcano tech device caught in the blast should be rendered inoperable, including any mezmetrons they might have."

"Unfortunately that includes power armor." Elder Honeycrisp added. "They can be restarted due to several fail safes built in, thank Applejack for that foresight. But there will be a window of time where my knights will not be able to provide heavy support."

Hogan Highborn smirked before saying, "no need to worry your flanks over that, my Talons are more than enough to keep up the fight without your support. Just let them know when your about to set those bombs off so we can lure any of those Enclave cunts into the blast zone."

"Same here." Chain Lightning spoke up. "But so that we can get any of our tech and armor away from the blast zone. Power armor may recover from an anti-magic pulse, but most of the cloud ships we have are older models that will be irreversibly damaged by it. Thought stopping Tripwire is important, we must also strive for preserving what tech we still have."

Elder Honeycrisp nodded, but both Lucky and Rattlebones just rolled their eyes.

"We'll sort out the details later, alright." Grizzly told them before an argument could start. "What's important is that we have a plan, and we have our weapons, all that's left is figuring out who does what."

Hearing that, I spoke up. "I'll be the distraction, and draw their attention."

"No." Grizzly said in a calm but cold voice.

"What do you mean no. You know I can do it, sneaking in, breaking shit, and get the fuck out." I argued.

"I've already decided you will join the main attack with the Rangers." Grizzly told me, only giving me a glance as she then said. "Going after that raider boss was one thing, it didn't endanger the mission for you to get your revenge."

My blood boiled as I gritted my teeth. "How is this about revenge?"

This time she turned her head to look me in the eyes. "How is this not about revenge! Lottery, you may have found some peace with what happened to you, but don't think that you're better than anypony here. You spent a month in self loathing, drinking yourself into a mess just to forget. You may buried your hatred and rage, but I know, I know that it's still there. Can you guarantee that you won't fly off the handle as soon as you see Grinder. That you will not absolutely fuck up the mission when revenge is in your grasped."

"And what of it! Shouldn't I have my revenge on all of them!" I growled back at her.

Grizzly let out a sigh. "And there we have it. For both the distraction and for the strike team were going to need ponies with cool heads. Otherwise things will quickly go tits up and many good ponies will die. If we fail to take the Breaking Ground, then Tripwire's counter attack will soon follow, and we will all fall. You understand!"

I took a deep breath, calming myself. Grizzly was right, all that really mattered is that we won, my own need for revenge was secondary. No, it was detrimental to this war.

"I… understand." I said.

"Good, now go cool your head off, I'll tell you the details later." Grizzly told me.

Nodding, I turned to leave, Plasma following closely behind.

_______________________________________________________

My mind was all over the place, from the anger of not getting to be there, the understanding that this was bigger than me, and some intrusive thoughts about Hogan Highborn. Having arrived at a balcony overlooking Ursa's Rest, I took a sip from my canteen to help clear my mind.

Plasma followed me and trotted over to the balcony, letting the wind blow through her mane.

Joining her in getting caressed by the strong and cool breeze, my new hat only stayed on due to the leather strap holding it in place. "I should be there when it starts, and so should you. I mean if we catch Bandsaw, you deserve some revenge on her. Actually, shouldn't you also want revenge on Low, and why did you never tell me about that?"

"Because Low didn't matter, and truth be told, he's a good fuck." She said with a grin.

"Please don't tell me it's been more than that one time?" I said with some concern.

"Well things happen when you're high in the Showroom, anyways, it's not like you can stand on the high ground about not fucking him." She said back at me mockingly.

"Fine fine, I guess were just lucky he's gay." I then looked at her suspiciously. "So what did you do with the Rangers?"

Plasma chuckled. "Long story short, Dancing Skies and I had some downtime as the scribes were crunching numbers, so we invited a few knights to join us. They needed their armor looked at anyways, and the two of us wanted to have some fun. I think Dancing might have found a stallion she likes. Though the Elder ruined the mood."

She then looked down at the town. As she took a sip from her canteen. "It's been fun, but I'm still scared, you know. That once I'm me again, I might not be able to deal with what I've become." She then showed me her fetlocks, they were still covered in self inflicted cuts. "Thanks to the curse I've stopped cutting myself, but that's only because my head is too full of sex to self hate."

I patted my friend on the back. "I'm sure you will be fine, and I'll be there for you."

"Same here!" Both Plasma and I jumped in shock as Molotov appeared out of nowhere. "Anyways, it's not like you two have truly wronged anypony." Joining us at the balcony, Molo let out a long sigh as she looked down below. "You two, you both have a strength I wished I had at your age. Then maybe I would have fucking done something instead of running away.

"Molo…" I said but she cut me off.

"No, don't start, I know I'm being fucking dramatic and shit!" Molo said with a huff before looking at me with a smile. "I just had a lot of thinking to do, a lot to get off my chest. So let this ex-raider beat herself up. Because we all know I deserve far worse. But you two, you both deserve far better than the hoof you were dealt. When the time comes, I'll be there with you to fuck the Bailfire Fiends up and get your cure, it's a promise. "

"Th.. thanks Molo." I said, now feeling more relieved that she seemed to be back to her normal self.

"It's what friends are there for. Anyways, I heard you're keeping the foals, and truthfully, I want to see how they turn out. Got a betting pool on who the daddy is going to be and everything." She said in a mischievous tone. "My caps are on the guard you fucked."

"Mines on Cold Trails." Plasma added.

"Really, I mean how are we even going to know?" I asked.

Molo shrugged. "We will guess after they are born."

That just annoyed me, to have my pregnancy be turned into a spectacle. But I am feeling a bit better now.

"Well at least we'll soon strike out at Grinder, and be one step closer to ending this mess. Then those foals… my foals will be born in an Equestria made better by our hooves."

"And if things go well, they won't have to suffer the same as us." Plasma said.

Nodding, I then remembered something Lucky Shot said to me when we first met. "Ya, maybe their generation won't be traumatized by raiders like my grandmother, mother, and I were."

Both Molo and Plasma rested their heads on either side of my shoulders.

"My daughters still have their innocence, and if running through fire is what I must do to preserve it, I'll do it a hundred times." Molo said.

Plasma let out a sigh. "Ya, and though I haven't met my child yet, I know I'll do my best to shower them with love."

"But that's… so boring!" An ice cold voice cut through my skull as I found myself unable to move. "So much mush, so much love, and most disgusting is all that fucking hope!"

Time stopped as the shadows moved and the lights dimmed as the formless visage of Strife stood before me. The incomplete mad god scowled at me, hatred burning on her nonexistent eyes. But then she smiled, it was wide from ear to ear. "I still like you though. I still want you for myself, and I'm done with playing nice."

She then burst into chaotic strands of shadows and time returned to normal.

I clenched my teeth as my heart let out a heavy thump, but all I cared about in this moment, in this second, was getting my friends away from whatever was about to happen. So with as much strength as I could muster, I pushed on them as I kicked back off the balcony, sending the two flying further back in shock.

I must have gone insane, doing this because of a hallucination.

But the ringing in my ears and the burning pain that erupted across my body made it all so real.

Opening my eyes, fire and rubble was all around me.

"You fucking lucky bitch, I almost had you." Short Fuse said through gritted teeth.

"Were to take them alive you fucking pyromaniac cunt!" Bandsaw growled. "Now look at her, good thing I got some fucking healing potions."

Getting up, I spat up some blood before I looked at the raider boss of the Smelters, and the emissary of the Bailfire Fiends, both looking back at me with jagged yellow grins.

"NO YOU FUCKING DON'T!" Molo scream as she threw a fire bomb.

But the flaming bomb simply stopped in mid air, and then was harmlessly placed onto the ground. Majestic then appeared, her invisibility dropping and revealing even more control jewelry on her, along with a bomb collar, but worst of all was the blank stare she had.

Bandsaw stepped forward. "Good to see you all again, well, not to you Molotov, you can choke on a fucking dick. But Plasma, I've missed you. Shoving shit up cunts just isn't the same when it's not you. And Lottery, I am so disappointed in you. Killing your sisters like that, it just breaks my rotting heart. You also pissed off Madam Mother, making this all so much worse for you. so you'll be disciplined thoroughly."

"Oh fuck you." I said with a mouth full of blood.

"Is that a request, I'll hold you to it." Bandsaw said with malicious glee.

"Enough of your fucking flirting ya insane lesbian fuck cunt!" Short Fuse said with a flamer attached to her side, which was trained on me. "Fucking blue bitch, grab them and get us the fuck out before we get fucked up!"

"Not happening!" Molo said as she drew her SMG's

"You better not even make a move." Plasma added, as she pulled out a grenade.

Both were thankfully unharmed, but Majestic was here and we had no way to stop the mind control on her.

Coughing up blood, I managed to say to my friends. "Run… just… run."

"Oh how fucking precious, you don't want your faggot cunts getting hurt." Short Fuse said as she let out a short burst of fire over me. The hear singing my fur. "But if they even try to fucking run or fight, your getting cooked well done."

Bandsaw shrugged, "as long as you don't kill her, she's still mine."

*BANG!*

A loud hiss followed the gunshot, and Short Fuse was forced to quickly detach her flamer and kick it away, where it then exploded.

With a heavy thump, Hans landed, the griffin holding an oversized revolver in each claw. "I think you raiders have overstayed your welcome, now die!" He cocked both revolvers and pulled the triggers.

But nothing came from it. Just darkness.

"Fucking Talon! This is why we should have just grabbed the fucking bitches instead of talking you damned cunt!" Short Fuse raged.

"Fuck off you, ya incest obsessed bitch! It's your fault for attacking, you stupid cunt!" Bandsaw argued.

A deep chuckle shut them up as a cold shiver of dread ran down my spine. "You got one of them, and looky here, it's my lost cocksleve too." Grinder said as my eyes adjusted to the darkness, and his hatful face became clear to me.

The large stallion trotted up to me, cruel lust in his eyes. "This time you're not getting away, or getting a break. You got an army to satisfy after all." He then pulled out a device that filled me with terror. "But first, I need you to tell me everything those cunts are planning."

Grinder pointed the mezmetron at me, and everything then became fuzzy

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Six

_______________________________________________________

Big content warning, Subjects such as rape and abuse appear in tis chapter, so be warned.

_______________________________________________________

I hated how I had become use to my nightmares, that not even when unconscious was I free from torment. Maybe it was because I had something to blame, a reason for this happening to me then my own mind. Before I always had somepony to blame for my nightmares, but it was in the end myself keeping me trapped in those horrible moments.

I glared at Strife, the one tormenting me, keeping me from any rest.

Her beardly pony shaped black mass smiled back at me, waiting for me to cry out, to beg, but I was not going to give her the satisfaction of it.

The smile dropped to a frown as Strife was clearly getting annoyed. "You've become less fun you know that. I miss the Lottery that would privately snivel and cry before going to the bar and drinking herself into a stupor."

From the inky blackness that was my surroundings a table rose up in front of me, and on it was a keg of beer and a dirty glass foaming with an an off collared, almost black brew.

I tried to push it away from me, but inky black goo held me in place.

The glass moved, attempting to foce feed me the rancid beer, but as soon as it touched me it burst into blue flams and fell, all of it shattering into frozen shards. Both Will-o-Wisp and Rime Frost had gotten more powerful, and though they could not save me, they could protect me from Strife trying to force herself into me.

The mad god groaned at the sight, which gave me some satisfaction. "You know you won't last, eventually you will brake. Everything brakes, all brakes." She said to me, a bitter glee in her voice.

She may be right, and that did scare me. Knowing that eventually I may become a shadow of my former self was terrifying. But it also meant that I would no longer care what was done to me, that becoming broken would at least mean I didn't suffer anymore. Like with the raiders, it was a form of freedom.

The smile returned on Strife, but only for a moment. "Then why not let yourself brake? Embrace me and become free, truly free!"

I took in a long, beep breath, knowing that there was no need to do such things inside a nightmare, but it was a reflex. "Because… It's the cowards way out. And it would be giving up on them, on my friends. I believe they will come for me, I trust they will, and I will not betray them by giving up."

Strife bent over a threw up a putrid black fluid, and then glared at me with hate. "Hope is just another poison, so why keep drinking from it!"

I smiled. "Because it's poison for both of us, and if it hurts you, I'll drink deep of the hope, nonmatter how much I suffer."

She flipped the table at me, smashing it into my face. Though it hurt, it was a dull memory of pain, more me recalling how it should hurt and not real pain.

"Fine, if that's how it is, then that is how it is." Strife then clapped her misshapen hooves, and screens rose out of the inky blackness. Sounds of moaning and slapping of flesh assaulted my ears as I was shown my own violation. "Oh, how many stallions has it been now? One hundred, or was it two hundred. Well I never started counting, but I know most of Grinders troops have had their dick in you now."

She laughed as I watched on one screen me moving my hips for a rather disgusting stallion as I hungrily deep throated the cock of another.

The curse had me in it's threw by the end of the night as one after another stallion had their way with me. My mind about it was still in a fog, but I knew it was by Grinder's order that they all have a turn. Some were far more eager and violent then others, though all of it was still rape. I didn't know how long it had been now, and like what Strife told me, well over a hundred soldiers must have had their turn with me, feeding the curse.

Looking down at my stomach, even in the dream the curse was there, mocking me. It had grown, and now looked simulator to that of Silver Bristle Brush; two hearts that pulsed with magic. Even now, in the dream, my mind struggled to focus, and when awake I only had fleeting moments of true lucidity.

Other screens depicted similar things, and not just of rape, but beating and other forms of torture, but mostly the rapes. And it was not just me, but other mares and stallions as well. Sex slave's being used as rewards for soldiers that had done a good job.

Worst was how I could see the curse changing me, just like I had been warned about. Some subtle with my teeth looking more sharp, or how my tongue seemed longer. Then there were the more overt changes with how my breasts just under the curse had unnaturally bloated greatly, even started lactating. Not to mention how I knew I had become more sensitive, my body quivering to be touched and abused. How I was even sane at this point I didn't know, but seeing how twisted I had been turned sickened me greatly.

One screen pushed it's way to me, and I knew it was of what was happening to me right now. I was chained up in a painful position as a stallion was going as deep into me as possible. My body was more of a display trophy now, where Grinder could watch as I was violated by every creature that came to see him. And right now he watched, but as a battered and bruised Short Fused was being fucked by him. It was a common sight for me, as I was forced to look at him, my eyes forced open by hooks. The only brake from it was when a stallion would fuck my face.

"If you just give in, you know he will let you rest." Strife told me.

I spat in her face, though it just passed through her.

She shrugged and then sighed, boredom taking her over. But then a grin formed on the mad gods face. "You know what… I'll make you beg to being a cum dump trophy." She then vanished, and with her everything began to fade. All except for the main screen, of which became louder and more real.

_______________________________________________________

Lucidity returned to me as the stallion finished off in me, and I was forced to remember my situation. Grinder laughed as she saw me glare at him, he finished off inside of Short Fuse before pushing her off of him.

I'd laugh if I was not in a worse situation, or that my mouth was not held open by hooks.

"Oh I love that look, so filled with hate and defiance. I just wish you'd scream for me like the first time. But you just moan like a dirty whore." Grinder said in disgust. The only good thing about my curse was that it ruined his torture fetish, and saved me from having to take his dick too often.

Short Fuse limped over, leaking cum behind her. "Why don't you just fucking kill the bitch already. I get using her as a fuck toy, but you got all them others to fuck already."

Grinder swung a hoof back to hit the raider boss, but she was just a step out of range of him. He then snorted in frustration. "Need I remind you that we got other plans for her!"

The raider laughed. "We? Where is the we? I don't want her, I know Tripwire doesn't give a fuck what you do with her, and you're clearly board of of the fucking bitch. The only we in this is the Bailfire Fiends. And the only good she is for them now is as another cursed broodmare. And I'm not even sure about that, since she should have fully transformed by now with how much cock she's taken."

"Maybe so, but until Tripwire has his mass mezmetron spell ready, we can't be trotting on their hooves." Grinder told the raider as he trotted up to me, and caressed my cheek. "So mind what you say or do, bitch."

I tried to move, but the metal frame I was latched too kept me in a position that made it easy for others to fuck me. Worse were the hooks in me, causing pain and unwanted pleasher to pass through me.

Short Fuse trotted right up to me, looking me in the eyes. "I don't know what those cunts want with you, but I'm sure you would beg to be sacrificed to the flames if you knew." She then spat at me and backed away. "I don't know what Tripwire lets those cunts have so much power, we all know their going to backstab him in the end."

"Oh ye of little faith my dear Short Fuse!" The voice of Bandsaw spoke up, causing both Grinder and Short Fuse to glare off to the side. "At least we didn't sell ourselves off to Tripwire for more power."

Bandsaw trotted into view, a wide grin on her face. "Oh right, he didn't take that offer, so you sold yourself to Grinder instead. How does it feel to have a dick in ya that's not your fathers?"

Short Fuse growled in anger at the other raider, but was silenced by a heavy hoof struke from Grinder.

The larger slaver took a deep breath before asking Bandsaw, "what do you want ya raging cunt?"

She pointed a me. "What do ya think ya retareded faggot limp dick."

The raider trotted over to me, unfazed by Grinders murdrus glare. Stopping to glance back at him, and smirked. "What? Is the Branding of the Smelters not fucking enough for you, you want to breed me as well? Sorry, but it's all dead down there. But if ya want to fuck a tomb, go ahead."

Grinder snorted at her. "I know you got spikes up your cunt, ya bitch. I ain't cutting up my dick for your gaping diseased cunt. Now take her or leave, I don't care, just fuck off ya faggot raider bitch!"

"Oh, and here I though we were having a connection. A possible friendship." Bandsaw said mockingly.

Gritting his teeth, Grinder then poked her in the chest forcefully. "I know… I know you're the one who killed Onyx, and you dare trot around with her eyepatch, acting like you're one of us. If we did not have an alliance with you cunts, I would have taken revenge on your head long ago for Onyx."

Bandsaw dropped the fake friendliness, giving Grinder a look that showed that only insanity was inside her skull. "Is that empathy I hear, sorrow even. Is the big bad Grinder grieving for his foalhood friend. How… whimsical."

"Not. One. More. Word." Grinder growled at her before turning to trot back to his throne, Short Fuse limping after him.

It was good to know that at least they were not unified in some cutthroat friendship, though I would have preferred to learn this when I was not the public cum dump. My clarity fortunately came with a numbness that prevented me from wrecking in despair.

But even as I had this thought, my mind was becoming cloudy again, and intrusive thoughts about the next stallion were taking over my mind. Each time it looked longer and longer before I could think again, and longer I stayed as some autopilot slut. How many more will it take for me to be lucid, ten, twenty stallions, or will this be my last free thoughts?

Bandsaw turned her madden gaze to me, smiling with her pointy yellow teeth in a full grin. "Already losing control, ey? How many did Grinder have fuck you." She trotted around me and whistled. "Well look at that, I'm surprised you can feel anything back there anymore." My numb body shook from a hard slap to my flank, not even getting a cry or moan from me. "I guess you can't. Here, I'll… unhook you from this."

I had a vague understanding of what was done to me, though it all blended together thanks to the chems I was forced fed. The same chem Onyx had given me to make everything feel longer, and more sensitive. Except where last time was just once, it had been non-stop until I no longer knew how long it had been.

A day, a week, it may have been months… no, no, not that long, maybe. Hard to remember, to think.

I fell to the ground as my restraints were removed, any strength in me had long been drained out, but even so my hips moved and my tongue stuck out, wanting more.

Pain then flowed through me, a needle, like fire through my veins! My legs found strength, moving without my control, but Bandsaw held me down as I began to shake and flail about.

"Oh that does the trick doesn't it!" Bandsaw said with a chuckle. "You feel it, the power, the strength… oh… oops!"

Another needle thrust into me, and the fire began to cool down.

"Used a bit too much there, almost killed ya." She said, still chuckling.

Once my body stopped convulsing, I began to feel… not more like me, but at least more in control. And when Bandsaw got off of me, I found myself able to stand on my own.

"Wh… what the f… fuck was that?" I asked as I wiped foam from my mouth

"A concoction we like to call Ultra Stampede. Has a bit of everything in, and can turn any pony into a murder machine. It also works well at bringing broken mares back, like you." Bandsaw said as she poked me in the chest, clearly mocking me.

I tried to swing at her, but found my legs sluggish.

The raider shook her head. "No, no. I also injected you with med-Z. It made sure you don't overdose, but also made you so very weak." She then attached a leash to the slave collar around my neck. "Come now, we have an important meeting to attend too!"

As the leash was tugged on, I couldn't resist, and clumsily followed. It didn't help that my slave collar had spikes inside, poking my throat at all times. And as I trotted, my gate felt off, with my inner thighs rubbing against my teats, forcing me to wobble a bit as I moved.

"I… hate… you." I managed to breathe out as we left Grinder's chamber.

_______________________________________________________

The chems made me feel sick and erratic, but also cleared my mind enough that the curse was not dominating my thoughts. This let me see the Breaking Grounds for the first time as I was trotted into the blazing hot sunlight.

Ponies were everywhere, all in crude gray uniforms and some in the smelter's heavy suits. They were being run through drills, and everything else that the Ursa's Militia were doing, but unlike with the Militia, these ponies were bigger and meaner looking. But many of them had blank looks on their faces and slave collars around their necks, which made me sick to see.

My sympathy aside, there was no way to know if any of those war slaves were once raiders, or were fully brainwashed. Likely, most of them will have to die even if they were innocent victims of Tripwire.

Hanging above this camp was a simple gray flag depicting a golden chin in the shape of a heart. It was cheery and bleak at the same time, as though saying, "you will love being a slave."

"At least Tripwire has tastes." Bandsaw said, also looking at the flag. "Gold Binding's cutie-mark as the symbol. Tripwire's grandmother and last great ruler of the Naysayer house. I heard she was a fine bitch too, and was a strong ally with Mother Madam."

I didn't say anything as I was pulled along. Though I didn't care what they did to me, I didn't want to return to my torment just yet.

Tugged through the crowd of soldiers, eyes watching me all the way, we came to a blocked off part of the camp, where several raider mares stood guard, each armed with Redeye Rifles. Above them was another flag; black as coal, and with a green symbol for a mare in the shape of a mushroom cloud. This was where the Bailfire Fiends were staying.

Entering their territory, the atmosphere changed from oppressive order, to a loud chaotic mess. But if one word was used to describe it all, that word would be Evil.

There were bodies displayed on their patchwork tents, cut open and rotting in the sun. Pony skulls and bones were everywhere, being used as decorations, as part of entryways to tents, and even as toys for the raiders to play with. Then there were the living ponies, mutilated and sickly thin, they were like the walking dead. One group was being used to fan the raiders down, with others as part of the furniture they laid on. Others were being used in a game, standing on a checkered stage as they dogged rocks being thrown at them by raiders, who were betting caps on where they would fall. The rest of the slaves did what I had expected, doing the tasks the raiders couldn't be bothered to do themselves.

But as we trotted to the largest of the tents, the horror of my situation only grew worse. Next to and connected to the top of the tent was a strange contraption of gears. It clattered loudly as six stallions were trotting in a circle at its base, all connected to a wheel they slowly moved it. Each one of them had no eyes, just infested empty sockets in which insects swarmed around. One of them held their mouth open, revealing that their tongue was missing. Worse was that they were all chained together, each one forcing the other to move in unending suffering.

Looking away, I knew there was nothing I could do for those stallions, other than ending their suffering.

Entering the tent, it was like I entered a different world. The putrid smell was replaced by a chemically scent of flowers, the heat was bearable, with a refreshing breeze. There were even plants as green as back home, though they looked more… fake. Several Bailfire Fiends stood around, armed with guns and spears, standing as still as they could, as though like statues. But still I could hear the contraption, and looking up I could see it, a simple yet large fan, spinning above us to make that refreshing breeze.

All that suffering just to move a stupid fan. That alone made me the most angry. Just for a bit of moving air they would make ponies suffer like that!

"So is this the mare?" The commanding voice of an elderly mare spoke up,

Looking over I saw a rather old and diminutive, yet strangely clean looking orange Unicorn mare. No tattoos, scars, or body modifications like with the rest of the fiends. Instead she had on a simple yellow old-world dress, horned red glasses with a chain going behind her head, and her white mane styled up like a beehive.

Bandsaw tugged at my collar, causing me to trip over and fall to the ground. "Yes Mother Madam, this is her, the one with potential."

The old mare got up, and trotted down from her high throne. Only then I realized that the throne, and the stairs going down were all just stallions chained together. As she got closer, the more afraid I felt, as though the old and frail looking mare was far bigger and far more dangerous then she appeared.

Mother Madam trotted right up to me, grinning wide with teeth so white they shined. Nothing about her should be intimidating, as though I was looking at some grandmother… but it felt all so wrong.

"She looks scrumchusly adorbs." Mother Madam said in a strangely sweet tone. "And she was the one who's been cleaning out all those no good nasty stallions?"

Bandsaw nodded vigorously as she kept her eyes to the ground, looking terrified. "Th… that is correct M… Mother Madam."

"Oh don't be that way Bandsaw, I've told you to call me by my name now." The old mare said softly.

"S… sorry, Candy Corn." Bandsaw said nervously.

Candy Corn smiled and then turned to me. "And you, what have those nasty stallions done to you? See, this is what happens when you give them any power, just too aggressive and no proper thought in what they do. Well other than shoving their lower brain in anything they can." A magical overflow covered her horn, and I felt something lightly squeezing my face. It was like she was touching me without touching me. Opening my mouth and moving my head, like I was being inspected. "Oh yes, you are a fine one. Good teeth, well fed, and oh look at those hips. When Bandsaw said she found a perfect mother for my grandchildren, I was skeptical. But I find myself pleasantly proven wrong. I mean, you haven't turned into a breeder either, close, yet not. You must have some strong magic in you to stay a pony despite our curse."

My eyes twitched as I remembered Spine Breaker, and how I was told that his madness was a result of his mother, the mare in front of me right now.

The soft and cheery face of Candy Corn dropped only a little, but for just the briefest of moments, I could see something wicked and insane in her eyes.

"Now tell me Lottery, what was that look you gave me? Were you thinking something impolite? Now be honest with me." Her words were said softly, like she was just a gentle old mare.

I felt compelled to answer, even though I knew she was a raider boss, that she was just another monster. "I was wondering, what did you do to Spine Breaker to make him such a monster?"

She let me go for a moment to adjust her glasses, looking disappointed. "You mean Jawbreaker? Why I didn't do anything to him. But it was such a misfortune that he was born a male though, doomed to be another low intelaget thing that only truly cares about harming their betters. What he became was inevitable, as it's what all males truly are."

Candy Corn used her magic to lift me up onto my hooves, still smiling. "Have you not seen the wasteland? Who do you think made it this way? We had a thousand years of peace and prosperity under Celestia, with every leader under her a mare, and hero's were all mares. But when we let the males have even the smallest amount of power, they ruined it all. Do you not agree?"

"That's all braman shit." I replied

"You think, but look at the damage Redeye has done, what Tripwire will do. Have not most of the stallions here have had their way with you?" Candy Corn asked, but then continued before I could answer. "Face it, you know that what I say is true, you're just delusional, in deep denial. Trust me, I'm here to help you, save you from all the lies you have been fed. What do you think, tell me honestly, from your heart."

"I think you're as sane as a toothless radiator has teeth." I told her honestly and from my heart.

She smiled, yet it was a cold smile. "Oh I like that one, I'll be keeping it in the back of my mind. But sadly… Your honesty has revealed that you're not seeing the truth just yet. A shame, truly. But that can be fixed, oh yes it can."

Strangely my head felt lighter, and a bit… colder. My heart practically stopped as orange strands of my mane drifted past me, being pulled and gathered by Candy Corns magic. Soon she had most of my mane in her grasp, separated from me.

"And I'll be keeping this, it was just too beautiful to not. You must have taken good care of it with how soft it is." With her magic she quickly braided it, and tied both ends with a bow.

Time seemed to have slowed down as I watched, and my face began to burn with rage. Letting go a breath I had not noticed I had been holding, I raged. Pulling as much power to my legs as I could to kill. This bitch.

"You Bitch! " I growled as I pushed myself towards her.

Then everything became a blur, and I slammed into something. Taking a moment to catch my breath, I then pushed myself back up, finding that I was in pain all over.

"Have you not been taught manners, should I wash out that mouth of yours with soap?" Candy Corn criticized me as she trotted over. Levitating around her were knives, oh so many knives. That's when I realized that I was not just knocked back, but stabbed repeatedly, and now was bleeding all over. "What do you say for yourself?"

She was close enough, and my dry mouth now had moisture. So I spat blood at the raider boss, who dropped all the fake, and the real monster showed herself as her face contorted with rage.

But then she went back to that pleasant calm face, in which only her eyes revealed her true wicked intention. "Well, you're too corrupted by the males to be treated so softly. I guess you must be punished, and show why you must act more feminine. Install proper manners into you."

She glanced back, and said. "Bandsaw dear. Have Lottery here take part in that show for the disposable ones. That should help remind her of her manners."

"But, what about the other mare?" Bandsaw asked.

"I don't care, make them fight for it I guess!" Candy Corn said dismissively, but then looked at me and licked her lips. "But before she goose, there is one last thing I must do."

A sharp pain shot through my skull as I again fell over, my vision going white. But as I recovered and looked to see what just happened, something was wrong.

I couldn't see through my left eye!

In front of me stood Candy Corn, and in her magical grip was an eye, my left eye. "This is for my girl's you killed." And with a smile, she shoved my eye in her mouth and swallowed. "Oh, and Bandsaw, bring the loser to the butcher. The meat she had in storage had gone off, and needed something fresher to cook me dinner.

"Y… yes moth… Candy Corn." Bandsaw stuttered and the trotted over to me, and then dragged me out as I just layed there in shock.

My eye, it was… gone.

_______________________________________________________

"Hay look now, we're like twins, well maybe after you lose a leg, then we would be like twins" Bandsaw said after splashing a healing potion into my now empty eye socket. "Oh, and grow a horn."

I looked at Bandsaw, unable to understand how I should feel. Horrified, enraged, disgusted, paralyzed? No, I was just numb. It was all too much and I was out of fucks to give. My mane, my dignity, and then my fucking eye! Gone.

Bandsaw then wrapped something over my head, pushing my long bangs over it, and tightening it over my empty eye socket. "Here ya go, that should keep the fly's out!" I then realized she had taken off Onyx's eyepatch and put it on me, but I was still too numb to care.

Her face now bear, I saw that where the eyepatch once was… a normal eye? Where her uncovered eye was brown, this one was a bright vibrant red that sparkled like a gem. It didn't seem real, like it was a glass eye made of cristal, but when the pupil shrink in the light, I knew it was a real eye.

She then noticed me staring at her, and became very tense. "What the fuck are you looking at! I ain't no Redeye, bitch." Bandsaw growled, as she covered her Cristal eye. I could see through the madness and savagery, for a split moment she was terrified. "Keep staring and I'll shank ya like the fucking others."

I looked away, finding the mood swing was jarring. But then again I was reminded of my own loss as I touched the Eyepatch. "W… why the fuck you have an eyepatch when you have an working eye?"

Glancing at the raider, for a long moment Bandsaw stares at nothing, still covering her crystal eye. Her lip then twitched as she slowly looked at me, and then tilted her head, a snarl forming on her face. Bandsaw then stopped her rusty peg leg and chuckled. "My eye, my eye. I told them I was not Redeye, but they did not. Chained me by my leg and used me for so long, that I became a grown mare, my flesh growing around it. Because of my red eye."

She then smiled wide, showing her rotting teeth. "They died, I don't know why, but I was left to starve. So I ate my own leg to get me free. All because they thought I was Redeye!"

I shrank back as she glared at me. Her red crystal eye seemingly glowing with magic.

Bandsaw then got muzzle to muzzle with me, and whispered. "It was unfair and cruel. It hurt so much that I screamed my throat raw day in and day out. But through it, I became free, and so will you."

She then shoved me back and laughed. "All you need to do is let yourself go, and embrace the pain and suffering, Lottery. Then you will come to understand that we are right. That the pain we feel, it must be shared to all. Through pain and suffering we can all become free."

I knew raiders were insane, but hearing it from a raider itself was deeply disturbing.

Bandsaw then pulled out a canister of Dash, and inhaled the chem. "Ohhh, that hits the spot… oh right, you go now, and Don't die!"

She then dashed at me, spinning around and then bucked, launching me out of the tent we were in and onto a stage.

Cheers erupted and I found myself surrounded by Grinders soldiers, all with hungry eyes. Loud hoofsteps drew my attention to a slaver mare with metal hoof shoes dragged another mare in rags. The slaver then took a deep breath and shouted, "Looks like we have a pre-show! Take your bets, which bitch will kill which. Winner gets to be the bitch, loser… well dead is dead."

The crowd stomped their hooves in excitement, kicking up dust and dirt.

The slaver on stage then dropped two rusty pipes and smiled. "You know what to do. Oh and the winner also gets to rest. Aren't we so generous and kind!" And then trotted away.

Looking down at the pipe and then up at the mare, she was a thin thing, a unicorn with a cracked horn. It was clear she had been abused much like I had been, and the look in her eyes were half dead.

"Yo… you don't have to… do this." I managed to croak out.

but the mare shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. Her horn sparked as it managed to pick up a pipe, and with a scream she charged.

My body was still sluggish, so I didn't even attempt to pick up my pipe, only managing to dogged the first blow by falling back.

With a woosh the mares pipe swung over head, missing me. She was clearly not a fighter as she stumbled from the swing, and when attacking me on the ground, she swung too far back, telegraphing her every move.

Despite my sluggishness, I managed to avoid the second strike, but I knew she would eventually get a hit in, and I would be dead. So with a kick from my back hoof, I easily knocked the poor mare off balance and caused her to drop her weapon as she fell over. The mare looked scared for a moment, but then continued her attack, now trying to beat me with her cracked hooves.

The hits laned, but didn't do much damage. But then her horn sparked again, and I knew what was next. As the second pipe was lifted up to strike at me, I attacked. Pulling what strength I could I swung my hoof into her face. Blood splattered as she stumbled back, a long gash from where my hoof connected now bleed from the mare's face. It looked as though she had been slash by a yao guai, though I didn't have my gauntlets.

Pushing myself up, she fell to her knees, crying as she looked around. The mare was trying to survive at any cost, but so was I. There was no way out of this, not unless a god descended to stop this madness. But I knew none of that was going to happen.

"I'm… Sorry." I told the mare..

She let out a pained scream as she charged at me. But she was sloppy, and I could read her movements easily. So with another hoof strike, it connected with her face again, but this time with the snap sound of a bone breaking.

The mare howled in pain, her jaw bent at a painful angle. It hurt to see it, and made me sick that I did it to her. She was innocent, a pony I should be saving not harming. But there was no saving her, or me. One of us was going to die, and I couldn't let it be me just yet.

Trotting over to her I took a deep breath and then grabbed her by the neck. Pulling the mare into a choke hold, the most I could do for her was make it painless. With as much strength as I could muster, I twisted until I heard a sickening snap, and she went limp.

Letting go of the mare, the crowd cheered wildly.

Looking at my hooves, my blood covered hooves, I wanted to scream, to cuss them all out. But only a whimper came from my lips.

The sound of the slaver mare's heavy hoofsteps returned, along with several others and something… else. Two soldiers quickly dragged the now dead mare away, and my stomach churned in disgust as I knew what was going to happen to the body.

"Now for the main show!" The slaver mare shouted, "time for the bitch fuck!"

They cheered as I grimaced. If it was going to be another ganged rape, I could endure. The curse itself was already returning, so soon I'll be a drooling whore anyways.

Looking up, I forgot how to breathe for just a moment. Held by a leash was a really big and really ugly dog, almost the size of a pony. The thing drooled through its muzzle as it looked at me with a predatory gaze.

Stumbling, I attempted to run, but I was quickly grabbed and forced down. They had the usual restraint ready for me, quickly placing them on me. "No…. Please, no." I pleaded to uncaring ears as a spread bar was placed between my back hooves.

Looking back in horror and morbid curiosity, I saw as they directed the Fillydelphia hound to me, its misshapen red dick dragging on the ground.

Looking away and shutting my eyes, I felt the monster sniffing my privates, its hot breath sending a shiver of disgust up my spine. Clenching my teeth, the hound mounted me, and I felt it enter me. My insides stretched as it pushed… then pushed mora, causing me to moan in pain as something even bigger was being forced into me.

I let out a scream as the whole thing was forced inside of me, causing my body to go limp. Was it over, I knew it wasn't, it never was. So as my body convulsed, once again betraying me, and moving on it's own for more, I let out a breath I was holding and began panting from the pleasure that so disgusted me.

My mind became a haze as the beast savagely violated me to the cheers of the crowd. And when I thought it was over, or I would pass out, I was given a chem to keep me somewhat ludic. So drool flowed from my mouth as the curse took me over, and I felt myself slipping back into nothing more than an animal that cares for nothing more than for cardinal lust.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Seven

_______________________________________________________

I laid on the cold floor of the inside of a cage, glad for the reprieve from my torment, if only for a short time. I wanted to become broken, to give up. Let all this be some other pony's problem. Ya, and in my head I'd be back home, helping Ma with the crops, ignorant to the horrors of the wasteland.

But I was still sane.

No matter what was done to me I stayed sane.

My violation by the hound went on and on until the slavers got board of watching, but it only ended when the hound wanted it to end. So I was dragged into the hounds cage, bloated from its fluids until it finally let me go. It all left me feeling ruined, even more defined than before.

I just wanted to be broken and give up.

"But you can't just give up." A deep and foreboding voice cut through me, and drew all my attention. A fog flowed into the kennel floor as a figure in ancient black iron armor trotted in. The Fillydelphia Hound, so loud and aggressive, was now quiet and strangely calm.

Hades gently touched one of the cages, looking at the hound inside. "Don't blame them for the evils of others. For they are loyal to their masters above all things, even if their masters are unworthy of such devotion." The god's voice sounded somber and angry, filled with emotions kept under tight control.

He trotted to the cage in which I was in, and with a touch it opened. "I'd be lying if I said that what was done to you was the worst I've ever seen. But I have a brother who loves to play as the animal, and rarely would they ask for permission when taking a mare's chastity."

I found no strength to get up, so I just laid there, next to the hound that violated me, and asked. "Why are you here, is this another dream?"

"No dream this time, and for why, it is of course to deliver my boon. And to offer you a bit of aid, for even I have my limits to how much depravity I can tolerate." With a wave of his hoof, the fog rolled over me, and I began to feel… stronger. "As for why you have not succumbed to your curse, with only brief moments of madness, you can blame Dionysus. His boon prevents you from falling prey to addiction, be that physical, mental, or magical. Though its scars will still cut deep."

Finding the strength to get up, I slowly trotted out of the now open cage. I glared at the god, telling him, "If you could have helped, why now and not before all… this."

He took off his helmet, and I could see a look of deep sorrow and regret on the bicorn's face. "Because to interfere with the lives of the mortals is to ruin their lives. All this, all the pain and suffering can be ended with but a stomp of my hoof, but what then, what happens after that."

"We live, and be happy." I told him.

But Hades shook his head. "No, not in my immortal life have I seen that happen. Instead you become enslaved to the power of the gods, unable to rely on yourselves for anything, becoming nothing more than dolls. I can only help you now, in this place, because my presence will have the least impact upon the mortal world."

"But… why?" I then asked, not even understanding my own question.

He let out a long sigh, in which the fog itself moved as though a part of him. "Miss Lottery, there are lines we don't cross, not because of some law or rule dictated to us, but because we choose to not cross them. When you know that there is a wrong you will not do, even if it means your death. For me… it's becoming like my younger brothers and sisters, who saw no line, and no limit. I sat and watched them drive themselves mad, and then one by one, choose to leave this world. If I ever cross that line, become like them then I will join them… but, that would mean leaving Persephone all alone, and I love her too much to do that to her."

My legs quivered, threatening to fall from under me. "And I must suffer all this because of that line!"

Reaching out, Hades lifted my chin and smiled… but only a little. "Trust me my little pony, life gets better, you just have to hold out hope and keep fighting. I spent a thousand years locked in a dark box by my paranoid father, only to be freed by my spoiled little brother, who claimed all that was to be mine for himself. And I, left with nothing, I found her, and all the suffering and pain became nothing. So you may not see the light, but it is there, you only need to keep moving to find it."

Pulling back his hoof, Hades lifted his helmet and passed it to me. "Take my helm, the cap of shadows, and use its darkness to find the light."

Taking it, the helmet was surprisingly light, and it was black, blacker than black, like it was made of the darkest shadows itself. Taking a deep breath, I put the helm on and exhaled. Nothing felt different, though I did feel like a fool for putting on what might be a tinfoil dilution. Did I finally crack and not realize I had gone insane.

"So… what does this do?" I asked, but found myself alone. "Oh, come on!"

There was a loud clang, and the light from a lantern illuminated the kennel. I quickly hid behind a box as the mare from the stage trotted into view, her metal hoof shoes tapping loudly on the floor. "Hay, what that fucking cage doing open?" She muttered.

As she trotted over to the open cage, her hooves tapped loudly, and every single Fillydelphia Hounds pressed themselves on the far end of their cages, tails tucked firmly between their legs as they trembled.

She sneered at one of the dogs, clearly enjoying their fear. "That's right ya damn muts, you know who your master is." She then turned her eye to the open cage, where even the hound that violated me quivered in fear. "Ahh good, you don't have the guts to run, meaning I don't gotta beat ya again. Though after your show, I'm feeling like I can use ya for something other fun. I happen to have a bit more of that chem to make you all ready to rut."

I didn't care for the hound, not after what was done to me, but hearing that made me sick, and feel sorry for the dogs. At least they didn't choose to be the hounds of these terrible ponies.

"Now where is that bitch, she ain't gone that far?" The slaver said looking around, yet not seeing me. "Maybe I should put her with another hound to teach her what happens to those who think they can escape."

"Or you can be what you truly are." Hades said, appearing from the shadows.

"Who the fuck are-" she began to ask, but then let out a croak as though choking.

The fog surrounded the mare, and lifted her off her hooves. A look of horror crossed her face as the sound of bones snapped from her, and she contorted unnaturally. Opening her muzzle to scream, yet she made no sound. But her muzzle did extend, and fangs formed in her mouth. The mare's hooves deformed, becoming paws, and her fur darkened to a dirty shaggy brown.

Falling to the ground, her mettle hoof shoes clattered away, the nails flying off in every direction. She was no longer a pony, but a Fillydelphia Hound, a bit smaller, and oddly cute looking.

The now former slaver growled at Hades, unable to speak, but when the cage closed on her I could see the shock and fear form on her face. The other hound in the cage no longer quivering fear, but instead looked excited… way too excited. The now bitch let out a loud yip as the bigger male mounted her, and I looked away, not caring to watch.

Hades trotted to me, helping me out of my hiding spot. "There are some depravity I cannot abide, and cruelty to dogs is one of them. May she have many pups and learn the folly of her ways."

"Right, don't be cruel to dogs." I said as I reached up to tap the helmet, but found it gone. Pulling what was on my head off, I found a black iron headband with three black gems at its center.

"So long as they're friendly. I'm not so petty as to be angered over you killing a dog that is attacking you." Hades told me, now hold his helmet in his armored hooved. Putting it back on, he then tapped the iron band in my hooves. "This is my boon, a circlet that emulates the power of my helm. It will not turn you invisible or let you move through shadows, but it will hide you from the eyes of evil, be it mortal or immortal. I've named it the Circlet of Shadows, and with it you will blend into the darkness, move faster in it, and be able to evoke the primal fear of the dark into others." He then began to fade, as though becoming one with the darkness that surrounded us. "Use it to free yourself and strike back at the mad god Strife, for like with my helm, not even a god can find you with the Circlet of Shadows on. But with that all said, you are now on your own, do not expect any more help from greater powers. So try not to get yourself in such a precarious situation again."

And he was gone, and with him the fog slowly vanished. With a sigh I put it on, confident that the god of the inevitable was not fucking around with me. As my hooves touched the ground, I heard a metallic tapping on the ground, and looking down, I was now wearing the Grizzly Gauntlets. And next to me was Rime Frost in her holster and belt. A blue light then washed over me as Will-o-Wisp appeared, her faint warmth comforting me.

A smile cracked on my muzzle "I see, so Hades kept you away so nopony knew about you, and now sent you back to me when you can help me the most." Even as the curse danced at the corners of my mind, I knew what I needed to do next. I needed to fuck over Grinder, and brake the defense of the Braking grounds.

Stretching my tired legs, I made my way to the door out of here, the sounds of the Hounds making my steps, with one bitch louder than the rest as she was being bred.

_______________________________________________________

To say it was dark would be putting it lightly. There was no moon, and light cloud cover, making things nearly pitch black. After all the months without the unending cloud cover, I had nearly forgotten how dark the nights could be. Yet strangely I could see just fine, as though I was just wearing very darkly tinted shades.

Taking off the Circlet of Shadows for a moment, the world around me dimmed to near pitch black. Putting back on, I could see again. "Nifty." I whispered to myself.

Unfortunately the slaver army had placed lanterns all over, and guards were on patrol with hounds by their side. So sneaking around would not be easy, and one fuck up would leave me back in the hounds kennel.

The memory of being violated by the hound almost caused me to wretch. I was rather glad that I was starving right now, as I might have drowned in my own vomit when they did that to me.

Yet my body twitched, the curse nudging at the back of my mind to go back inside and submit to any of the hounds. But as Will-o-Wisp passed over me, my mind began to clear up again.

"Thanks Willow." I told the blue flame, then asked myself. "Right, what to do first?"

Remembering the war room plan, likely now scraped thanks to my capture, there were two main targets. The anti-air guns, and the multi-baelfire egg launcher. I could try to escape as well, but deep down, I wanted to kill every mother fucker here for what they did to me.

Racking my brain, a memory came to the surface, and I remembered seeing the Bailfire egg launcher. Unfortunately the memory was when Grinder was fucking me before throwing me to his troops, but I did see the launcher in his bedchamber. So I knew where to go to find it.

As for the anti-air cannons, that might be tricky… unless I go for their ammo. Yes, that would be easier to go after, and if I use the Bailfire eggs on their supplies, that would be two rad roaches with one bullet.

It was a crude plan, but I was never known for my plan making, and I could really go for a massive explosion.

"Willow, can you guide me to their ammo stockpile?" I asked Will-o-Wisp.

She bobbed up and down for a moment, then floated away. Following closely behind her, it felt odd being able to see in this darkness. But between my awkward gate, and the numerous guards on patrol, just being able to see them put me at a great advantage. So I was easily able to avoid the patrols, and make my way to a rather sturdy looking bunker.

Will-o-Wisp floated to the door of the bunker, and went through it. Quietly I entered, the door annoyingly squeaking loudly. And inside the bunker it was rather spacious, with boxes stacked on top of boxes past a mesh cage that block my path. Looking at it, I quickly became annoyed to find it magnetically locked, and I probably needed to use a nearby terminal to open it.

Even more annoyingly, I could see my stuff on the other side. My guns, armor, and even my dress. All right there and out of reach.

So I kicked the mesh barrier, but it didn't budge, with the only damage being to my own hoof.

"What was that!" I heard a pony say from outside, their footsteps coming closer.

Finding a place to hide, I watched as a slaver entered the bunker with a hound next to him. "It's fucking to dark in here, you go find out what that was!" The slaver mumbled and let the hound go.

Holding my breath and staying as motionless as possible, I watched as the hound sniffed loudly as it searched the room I was in. Inevitably the dog found me, its nose too strong to hide from, but as I got ready to fight, I noticed that the dog was not making any noise but its snuffing. Awkwardly, the dog's nose got right up to me, sniffing me deeply for longer than I liked, then licked me before going back to the slaver.

Then I realized, I must be covered in dog smell, and it might have thought I was one of them.

"What!" The slaver said, and again I held my breath. But the slaver's attention was not on me, but passed the cage. Further back and hidden behind a box was a soft blue light, flickering before going out. "Who's in there! Your fucked you know that!" The slaver said as he tied the hounds leash to a pipe. "You better have a good reason for being in there when I get back, or really good at sucking dick."

The slaver ran off, and I stayed put for several minutes as I waited. Why force my way in when they were going to open the door for me. And as I guessed, after a few minutes the slaver returned with a second slaver in.

"This better be good, Grinder really doesn't want us messing with the ammo. You don't want what the last asshole got for that." The second slaver grumbled at the first

"I know, but I saw something." The first said. "Just check it out, for me okay, I'll keep an eye on your post."

"Fine ya pussy, but you owe me. And if ya don't pay me back, I will tell the others you forgot the password again. Now fuck off before they know I'm got at the AA-Guns." The second told the first, followed by the sound of hooves rushing off.

He trotted down into the dark, a small light at the tip of his horn. "Fucking cut, can't even do his own patrol because he's afraid of the dark."

Creeping in behind the slaver as he trotted to a terminal, I wanted to kill him right there, but needed him to open the cage.

The slaver tapped at a few buttons and sighed. "No tampering, out use out of scheduled times. Fucking bastard was seeing things again."

No, I needed it opened… then I had an idea.

Silently, I stepped up next to him, and as he was about to turn the terminal off, I brushed up on him. "Was he?"

The startled stallion fell over, and I quickly pushed him on his back. It was the cures thumping through my mind as I sat on him. "Y… yo… you?"

I smiled as I grinded on his sheath. "Me." He seemed confused, but as he got hard, his confusion. Was quickly giving way to lust. "Say, you give me a tour of the big guns, and I'll polish your big… gun?"

"N… not happening, whore." He grumbled at me.

Rolling my eye at him, I moved back, letting his member rub along my privates before flopping onto his chest. "Fine, I'll let you have a sample first."

I instinctively pushed my made to the side, only to remember that most of it was gone, and then letting out a huff, began to give the slaver a blow job. Despite the curse urging me to let loose, my mind was still my own, which disturbed me a little as I found myself enjoying this. My elongated tongue masterly wrapping around the cock, and draining the stallion.

Licking the last of his fluids up, I looked him in the eyes, the stallion seemed strangely drained and in a trance, while I felt… better.

It was a disturbing feeling, as though I was becoming something wrong.

"Now will you?" I asked, and he nodded.

With a dumb smile on his face, he got up and opened the cage door gleefully. Following him in, I took a look around, and could feel the power contained in this place.

Then I felt the stallion mount me, drooling as he panted. Instead of just letting him, I knocked him over, and back onto his back. I still wasn't satisfied, but I was doing this on my own terms. So licking my lips, I treated myself to a reward.

The last few minutes was a haze of lust, gaging his mouth as I had to bite my own tongue to keep myself from screaming with pleasure. As the taste of my own blood filled my mouth, I was finally able to pull myself away, refocusing on what I needed to do.

The stallion looked more withered then before, though I may not have seen him correctly due to the curse fogging my mind. As I got off him, spilled some of his seed, he reached out to me, too weak to even try and pull me back. With a disgust filled glare, I brought Rime Frost's axe down on his head, ending this absurdity.

Returning my attention to the bunker, I got back to the task at hoof.

I didn't want to put my dresses on with how dirty I still was, but it could always be washed later, so I got dressed. The thick cloth of the dress was comforting, and the heavy armored duster made me feel stronger. Though I'll need refitting around my crotch region. Taking off the Circlet of Shadows, I put it onto my hat, which strangely fit just right on it, and had no problem going back onto my head. All my guns were here too, and the ammo, which felt odd, but the more I thought about it the more I was sure that the Bailfire Fiends had staked a claim on them. Maybe hoping I would join them and take up my arms again Ursa's Rest.

Whatever the reason was, I had my stuff back, and that's what mattered right now. So after making sure all my guns were fully loaded, I took a look around. As expected, this place was loaded with guns, ammo, and explosives, from Redeye Rifles to what I guess were two spare 20mm cannons with plenty of ammo for them.

Picking up one of the auto cannons, it was heavy, unwieldy even, but would not be impossible to use if I took it with me. But I already had my own guns, and didn't need anymore. Still, it didn't hurt having a big fucking gun or two just in case. That's what I learned with my fight with Flyright. So I dragged the two spare auto cannons, with a few boxes of ammo to the door out, propping them up next to it.

After setting up my possible loot, I then went and grabbed the explosives, and spread them around. Placing them among the guns and ammo, hoping that it would help destroy them all when I finally blew.

As I moved things around, I found a rather large and long military gun case, inside was just more Redeye Rifles, but it were the perfect size for the auto cannons. So after I was done setting things to blow, I dragged the case over to the door and tossed the cannons and ammo in it.

They were heavy, yet not too heavy to carry out, and once outside I found a nice spot to hide my loot and got moving to my next target. If I was to truly blow this place, I needed Bailfire eggs, so It was time for me to get the bailfire egg launcher, and possibly kill Grinder while at it!

_______________________________________________________

Having Will-o-Wisp guide me made things all the easier, allowing me to skip looking around lost, and potentially being caught. It was also nice that Will-o-Wisp could control when others saw her. Well I think she could, I mean magical brahman shit was far outside of my ability to understand.

The building was unfortunately guarded by two Smelters, who wielded a flamer each. From what I remember Cauterize had said about them, it was likely they were the brainwashed raider's that Onyx had taken here. Any trick was likely not going to work then, and their armor looked too thick to fight them without blasting off my guns.

So I looked for a back door.

Unfortunately the back door I found was boarded shut. Seems like a bad idea, a fire hazard if I ever saw one, but it was preventing me from going in.

Will-o-Wisp floated around for a short bit before flying up. Watching the blue flame, I saw her fly through an open window. Right, climbing it is.

Taking a deep breath, I felt it was dumb, but I had to give it a shot. Taking a leap up, I attempted to climb the wall, trying to find perch for my hooves. They predictably did not, but the claws of my Grizzly Gauntlets easily sunk in and held me in place. "Ehh, if it works, it works." I said quietly to myself with a shrug, and began climbing up the wall.

Entering the room, my hooves lightly crunched onto broken glass, causing me to hold my breath.

"Hu?" A stallion said, having woken up from on top of his rather shitty looking mattress. "Who… are you?" He then asked, half asleep.

"Your painful death if you don't go back to sleep!" I growled quietly.

He nodded slowly and then passed out.

Letting my breath go, I moved on, following Will-o-Wisp. Thankfully the Fillydelphia Hound still didn't respond to me! Other than a few curious sniffs, they let me slip through choke points I would never have been able to get past without a fight. The normal pony guards were easy to get around, with many of them not paying attention to their surroundings. But I still took extra care to not be seen.

Eventually I made it to a place I recognized, the door to Grinder's bed chamber.

Carefully opening the door and slipping in, the painful memories came rushing back. Torture devices hung on the wall, some of which were used on me. Hooks hung from the ceiling, where I had been hung up like a piece of meat and beaten raw. And a mattress in the corner, stained in blood, some of which was mine, in which I was thrown to when Grinder got bored of me. That mattress was where his soldiers started to have their own fun with me.

I shook my head, but the memory lingered. Being dragged outside just so that it was easier to gang rape me. I had to bite my tongue again to focus on the here and now.

Yes, here and now.

I could see it, the multi-baelfire egg launcher, just above Grinder and Short Fuse. There were several other mares around the bed, chained to the floor and severely beaten. It was sickening to see, and only got worse the closer I got. The poor mares hadn't just been beaten, but burnt as well, even their cutie-marks had been destroyed.

It would be so easy, end this right now, right here.

Smiling, I pulled up Rime Frost, and aimed. Even if everything else fails, if Grinder dies, I call that a win. So with trembling legs, I slowly got a hoof under my guns hoof guard, and applied pressure to the trigger.

Grinder's bed covers were then flung into the air to my surprise, blocking my view, and causing me to fire wildly at where he had been. Then something heavy flew through the cover and slammed into me, sending me falling back.

"All too easy, ya think ya can just sneak around and then drop on me." Grinder said, a bloody Short Fuse next to me, tangled in the bead sheet.

Getting up, I snarled at the slaver. "I'm still going to kill you!"

Grinder's face then scrunched up in a confused look. "Wait, you? The fuck is the public cocksleave doing about, and armed?"

Now I was confused, but still i tent on killing him. Pulling out my IF-64, I wasted no time firing at him, but the large stallion was nimble on his hooves, and quickly found cover. My shots hit a thick metal table, and bounced off it.

"Just fucking die!" I growled as I changed to Last Dance. The .308 round puncturing through the table.

"What? Mad that you didn't get more of my dick?" Grinder mocked me as he threw out a grenade, but it fell harmlessly short.

*BANG*

The grenade loudly went off with a bright flash, defining and blinding me. As my vision recovered, I saw Grinder throw his table at me just in time to brace myself.

The wind was knocked out of me as the heavy slab of metal sent my flying back.

"You know Lottery, not many ponies have managed to get away from me, and they always come back in the end. Always begging for more, just like the bitches they are." Grinder ranted at me as he trotted over to hide a 50 cal machine gun he had on a display rack. "Yes, I do need to beat them into submission, but what are stallions for if they can't put a mare in their place."

I pulled out Whisky Shot as I got back up, having no interest in talking.

Firing before Grinder could load his gun, several shot went wide due to my blurred vision, but the others hit their mark. Unfortunately, Grinder didn't flinch even as a bullet hit his leg, and with a slam, his gun was loaded.

Dashing off as he racked his gun, I dove to the most sturdy thing in the room, his damn bed. Everything became deafening by the roar of his machine gun, with lead flying all over, along with blood and chipped concrete.

Once the shooting had stopped, I drew my bandit revolver, and peeked out. Around me was the ruined bed, the solid metal having done its part, but not for the mares chained to it. Their mutilated bodies stained the floor and wall around me.

Bighting down hard onto the big iron revolver, I aimed carful to make sure the bastard dies.

A hoof swung out and knocked the revolver out of my muzzle, and then I was tackled to the ground by Short Fuse. "Oh this is why I said just kill the bitch! But fucking no!" She yelled as another hoof hit my face. I tried to counter With my own hoof strike, but she easily knocked it back and hit me again. "Fuck you, I ain't no scub bitch." Another hoof hit my face as she knocked back my own. "You're going to die, and I'm the one going to kill you!"

I was pinned, and my vision was getting blurry again, unable to fight back. Then and there I knew I should have just taken some grenades and threw them at Grinder as soon as I entered the room.

Then something exploded, and Short Fuse fell off me as peaces of concrete flew everywhere.

"Fuck ya, and fuck you!" The voice of a new mare yelled out.

Pushing myself up, I thought I was going more crazy as my vision cleared up. Halfway Through the wall was… was a Moter wagon. It had some sort of reinforcement modified to the front, which must have helped it break through the wall… but we were on the second floor?

On its hood was a heavily armored unicorn mare holding two SMG's… Molo's SMG's!

She unloaded at Grinder, laughing maniacally, but the nimble bastard managed to dash out the door before getting seriously hit.

"Fucking cock sucking bitch, he got away." Molo yelled.

"Then we better get moving before his reinforcement get here!" Cauterize said from the driver's seat.

Molo looked back, and slammed her hoof on the motor wagon's hood. "Not without, Lottery. I didn't steal this shit just to go on a fucking joyride!"

Cauterize revved the engine a few times, but the motor wagon didn't move. "Well we're certainly not driving this out of here just yet."

I pushed myself up, and cleared my raw throat. "M… molo."

She pointed her guns at me, her eyes twitching with clear chem abuse. But her eyes slowly softened and began to water. "Lottery!" Dropping her gun, and throwing off her helmet, she ran over to me and gave me a frantic and tight hug. "Oh thank Celestia your alive!"

"Ya… though I thought I was dead a few times." I told her.

Releasing me, she looked me over, shock on her face. "That smell, and… oh fuck your mane, your beautiful mane! And why do you have." Her muzzle quivered as she reached and moved my eyepatch, then gasped. The shock and horror on Molo's face quickly gave way to pure rage. "I'll rip them from limb to limb, all of them until it's done!"

Laughter caught us both by surprise as we turned to see Short Fuse holding the bailfire egg launcher. "Oh this is just perfect, Molotov the mad, here and now, where I can finally kill you!"

"Oh… it's you." Molo said coldly.

Short Fuse snarled at us, teeth bear. "You ruin everything I try to fucking do, and all you have to say is that! You know the pain I had to endure because of you, all the shit I've had to eat! Once you're dead… oh once you're dead, things will finally go my way."

As Short Fuse laughed like a mad mare, Molo just sighed. "Hey, before you go blowing us up, two things."

"Whatever, say em." The raider boss said with a grin.

"Well first off, It's not my fault that your just a looser. Maybe you should have just cut and run, but… you'd have likely fail at that too. And secondly…" Molo pointed at Cauterize. "You forgot about him."

The motor wagons engine revved loudly as it lurched forward from some other pony pushing it from behind. "B… Brother!" Was all Short Fuse said, fumbling with the trigger as rubber hit ground and the moter wagon rushed at her. The raider boss hit the hood and was pushed back until she was then pinned to the wall.

Getting out of the drivers seat and standing above Short Fuse on top of the hood, Cauterize looked down at his sister. "Was becoming the Branding worth all this Shorty?"

She smiled with a mouth full of blood. "And let your pansy ass take over." She said coughing up blood. "You… wanted to… throw away the… the traditions. And idiots were… were listening."

He spat in her face. "And so what! We were already dying as it is, and now the Smelters are ruined because of you!"

Short Fuse let out a slow and pain filled laugh. "I saved us… I cut the… week from… the strong. Made allies, and… deals." She then looked at Molo, ang glared at her with pure hate. "You let her lead you astray, introduced you to that whore and away from… me."

Cauterize grabbed his sisters face, forcing her to look at him. "So you did kill them!"

Again she smiled. "I did had a hoof… in it. But it was not… my idea." She laughed again. "Catalyst set… it up, knew you wouldn't… allied with Tripwire… couldn't risk you… from becoming the Branding."

The stallion let out a long sigh, and then, as though she was made of rotting wood, snapped his sisters neck.

I could here a buzzing that got closer, and looking around I saw a bug pony fly over to us, holding a M.o.P. box. "I got the healing potions!" Shrimp said, giving me the red bottle.

Guzzling it down, I finally felt better.

"Alright, we got her, lets get the fuck out of here!" Molo said.

But I put my hoof on her shoulder, "No, not yet." I then smiled. "We got shit to blow up first."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Eight

_______________________________________________________

"It's been a day over a fucking week." Molo informed me of how long it had been as she helped me recover my guns. "And those Celestia damn bitches just sat on their hooves doing nothing!"

"Well, it's not like they could rush in and do anything without massive loss of life." Shrimp explained as he loaded the crates of bailfire egg into the back of the motor wagon.

"Ya ya, but we still got in!" Molo argued.

Cauterize tossed the dented multi-baelfire egg launcher in the trunk. "We got in because nopony expected a fucking Chrysalis Moters 3000c to drive into their base and jump a mound right into their bosses chamber. Thanks for the directions and the wagon, by the way."

Shrimp physically shivered. "I know the Duke is going to kill me for this, just look at all the scratches on the paint job."

Noise of ponies rushing to the room quickly got louder and we knew it was time to go.

Jumping into the back seat of the 3000c, Cauterize got in the driver's seat and turned on the engine.

"So, why are we taking all the explosive eggs?" Molo asked as she tossed a few fire bombs at the doorway to buy us time.

But the fire did nothing as the heavily armored form of Charcoal leapt through, his massive flamers leaking burning fuel on the ground. Cauterize wasted no time turning the car around to get out, finally letting the dead body of Short Fuse fall. As we sped out through the hole in the wall, the painful and angered howl of the Smelter could be heard over the roar of the engine.

The landing was rough, and I almost fell out if not for Shrimp catching me.

"We're blowing their ammo stockpile!" I explained, and pointed to my target. "over there!"

Cauterize made sure to hit a pony as we swerved to the bunker, all while Molo fired wildly, keeping heads down. He was right about nopony expecting this moter wagon, as confused soldiers scattered out of the way. But I knew it wouldn't last long, not with Grinder still alive.

Skidding to a stop, I hopped out immediately and ran into the bunker. Inside a rather pissed off mare stood holding the leash of the hound I left inside. She drew her rifle, but I was faster with my revolver draw, and I blew several chunks out of her before she got her iron sights on me.

As the smoke from the big iron dissipated, I saw the hound whimpering from the sound as it looked at me in confusion. "Get the fuck out, git!" I yelled at the hound, and it ran out with its tail between its legs.

Molo jumped in, and whistled. "Oh, me likely!"

"No time, get the bailfire eggs in here!" I told her.

My friend then laughed. "Oh this is going to be glorious. And I know how to make it better."

She ran back up, and soon gunfire erupted outside, but before I could join them, Shrimp pushed a crate in. "Don't worry, the 3000c is all steal, so unless they bring out the big guns, it's good cover. Oh, and it used an older engine, so no exploding."

"Good to know." I said opening the crate. This one was only half full with six eggs, but half was better than none. "Shrimp, can you place these all around, we need to make sure everything is destroyed. I'll get the other crate."

He saluted and grabbed an egg.

Rushing up, I drew my IF-64, and found Cauterize and Molo trading lead with Grinder's forces. Aiming through my night scope, I took out one that was about to throw a fire bomb.

"Thanks, Lottery, but we got this!" Cauterize shouted over the gunfire. "Just finished what your doing so that we can get the fuck out of here. We only got a few minutes before we're overwhelmed!"

Molo kicked the other case of Bailfire eggs to me, and tossed me a bundled up mess of bombs with a cooking timer on it. "Take that, wined it up and fucking run!"

Nodding, I pushed the crate into the bunker, almost knocking Shrimp over. We didn't say anything, just open the crate and put the eggs wherever they would do the most damage. Lastly, on top of one egg, I put the time bomb and winded it all the way. The ticking sound louder than it should be, but it could have been just me.

Before we ran out, everything shook, and upon exiting I saw six small mushroom clouds far past the moter wagon. Molo was wielding the multi-baelfire egg launcher, a crazed look on her face.

"Awesome!" She said before tossing the gun into the bunker. "Alright let's go!"

Jumping into the driver's seat, somehow the 3000c still worked, even when riddled with holes.

"Wait!" I said and quickly dashed to my beardly hidden loot, and threw it into the wagons trunk, then jumped into the back seat. "Go!"

Shrimp and Molo looked at me with an eyebrow cocked each. I was sure the changeling shape shifted himself one to just do that. "What, there was something good inside I wanted to keep."

Molo laughed. "Good to know you're doing alright."

"I'm not!" I shouted, but quickly calmed myself down. "I'm… not."

"But you will be, I'll make sure of it." She then told me.

The wagon swerved as troops blocked our exit. "Fuck! Any other way out, bug?" Cauterize asked.

"Other side of the base, there's another exit." Shrimp told him.

"Fucking grate, lets hope this thing last that long." Cauterize said as he ran over a solder.

"Ohhh, fuck!" Molo yelled right before an armored Smelter laned on the hood, denting it and causing Cauterize to swerve and crash.

I was getting sick and tired of my vision getting fuzzy, and wanted it to all stop. Opening the wagon's door and stepping out, something big and heavy hit me, sending me flying into a wall.

"All of our hard work, and wasted because of ponies like you!" Charcoal said through labored breath. His twin flamers roared to life, engulfing the 3000c in fire. The fire passing through the metal and lighting up the materials inside. "Only the purity of flame can fix this disgrace!"

Fortunately I didn't see any of my friends inside the motor wagon, but now Charcoal stopped and aimed at me.

"Over here ya fucking spazing cuck!" Cauterize shouted.

I could feel the hatred in the Smelter's voice as he yelled. "A traitor through and through. We should have sacrificed you to the flame, and sanctified the branding ritual with your ashes. Then she could have risen higher than before!"

Cauterize didn't look amused, more bothered. "Oh put a lid on it, we both know you wanted to fuck her, ya sniveling cunt! But ya never did, did you? Oh she rather fuck her own father then ever fuck you. By Celestia, I had a better chance at fucking her then you!"

"She… loved… me! SHE LOVED ME!" Charcoal screamed, and let out a stream of fire, engulfing Cauterize.

"No!" I said in shock. But quickly became confused as it did nothing. Cauterize just standing there like it was nothing.

The flamers soon ran out Cauterize stood there, his surrounding burning, but he was not.

"How?" A panicked sounding Charcoal said.

Cauterize smiled. "Because the grate flame rejected you, just as Short Fuse rejected you!"

A deep guttural scream erupted from Charcoal, and then he charged. But before he reached Cauterize, a hail of led shammed into and through Charcoal, ripping him to shreds. Then from behind a bunch of junk, Molo and… Cauterize stepped out?

The pony who survived the fire was then engulfed in green flames, in which Shrimp was now in his place.

Confused, I babbled out. "But, how… just, how?"

Shrimp rushed over and passed me a healing potion. "Charcoal was using one of Redeye's bypass flamers, so I just made myself something it was not meant to burn." He lifted up a hoof and shape shifted it into wood. "The Duke was prepared for fighting Redeye if the day ever came."

"And what you said to him?" I asked.

The changing looked a bit embarrassed. "Well, we keep tabs on everypony. And the Smelters were big shot up until recently."

"But even that gave me the chills, though I was having an out of body experience watching you." Cauterize said as he trotted over, then stopped to look at the 3000c. "But can't say the same for our ride." Though the wagon looked fine on the outside, black smoke was seeping from under the hood and only getting thicker. "Any other ways out we can use?"

Shrimp buzzed his wings and flew up a little, scratching his chin in thought. "Maybe if we go to the cliffs, you can climb down, or-" he froze for a second and then yelled as he dove at me. "Get down!"

I was knocked back as a roar of gunshots blasted through the wall and rained down around us. Time seemed to slow down as I watched Shrimp get torn to peace, each hit etching into my mind.

For a moment I laid there, dust obscuring my vision, but as it began to clear, I quickly pushed myself back up. Rolling to cover, I looked around, hoping for good news. Molo was fortunately unharmed as she fired back from cover. Cauterize was missing a leg, and had a massive gouge across his face but he was drinking a healing potion.

But Shrimp, he was motionless not far from to me, his body broken, blood smeared around him.

Banging on my cover in frustration, I let out a pain filled scream.

"Oh, did I get one!" Grinder shouted through a megaphone. "Well just stay there, and I'll be sure to kill the rest of you!"

Peeking, I saw that Grinder was not alone, as he had a good twenty soldiers, if not more aiming down at us.

"Well, were fucked!" Cauterize said as he took out a fire bomb and pulled out its rag before drinking the contents. "Nice knowing you."

Molo laughed as she did the same. "Naw, the fireworks starts now."

There was then a bright flash of orange and green, then a rubbling that turned into a massive roaring explosion. We all had to duck down as derby came flying like missiles and a shockwave slammed into everything.

It only took but a moment, but everything was now a flaming ruin, with screaming and yelling all around us.

"Th… that was a bigger explosion then I though it would be." I said in shock.

_______________________________________________________

We had to leave Shrimp behind, I didn't want to, but there was nothing to be done about it but hope his body could be recovered. So Molo and I helped the now three legged Cauterize run, not letting Grinder have the time to recover.

Though the explosion was strong enough to shake everything, and knock ponies off their hooves, it was not enough to take all of them out. Even now the bunker glowed with an angry light as secondary explosions went off, throwing heated ammunition all through the breaking ground, and setting fires.

The explosion also had the problem of waking every soldier that had not yet gotten up, and now the place was swarming with them. Seeing them bubbled up dread and fear as memories rushed through my head as I attempted to suppress them.

"Well we're not getting out that way." Molo said as we ducked down behind a dumpster. There's got to be like over three hundred or more of them out there, no fucking wonder we weren't making much headway in the war."

"Blowing that stockpile was a good fucking idea." Cauterize said with a painful wheezing in his voice. "Even if we die, Grinder can't unfuck his base."

It would only be a matter of time before they find us, then it will happen all over again. And again, and again. I hated it but enjoyed it, and hated that I enjoyed it.

No! I never enjoy it, never. It was the cures talking, not me!

"Lottery!" Molo whispered with urgency, getting my attention. "You okay, you're looking freaked." I stared at my friend for a moment, and she began to look uncomfortable. Lifting her hooves in defeat, she said. "Okay, dumb question. But are you at least, you know, still with us?"

I nodded slowly. "For now… yes."

She cocked an eyebrow. "What do you… mean, for now?"

I spread my legs and moved my clothes to reveal the cursed tattoo. The thing was a complex desine of hearts within hearts, making two bigger hearts, with its colors shifting now and then. "It… comes and goes. I'm with you right now, but I don't know for how long."

A rage filled scowled formed on Molo's face. "Who, how many? Point me at them and they die."

I let out a light chuckle as tears began forming in my remaining eye. "Just take a guess, pick one and you won't be wrong,"

She quickly realized, I could see it on her face.

"Those bastards!" She growled as I then got another hug. "They're all going to die soon, so just hold on."

As I began to relax, more memories slammed into me. Memories of being used as a toy, their faces bending together as they used me for their twisted fetishes. It made me shake, unable to control my hooves.

So with all my strength, I slammed my hoof into the dumpster, my own bones making an audible crack.

The pain, it hurt, but it helped me focus. Helped me clear my mind. Yes my hoof now had a dent in it, and the bone in my leg now bent in the wrong way, but I wasn't remembering now.

A healing potion was shoved in my mouth as Molo reset my broken leg. "Fucking shit Lottery, get ahold of yourself." She then passed me a filly scouts canteen.

I took a deep and long drink from the canteen, the fog lifting just enough to regain control of myself. "That… no… yes I'm with you."

Molo let out a sigh. "Sorry, I should have given you that sooner."

Cauterize then cleared his throat, getting our attention. "I think they spotted us."

Looking over, my eyes met that of one of the soldiers, and before we could do anything, she ran off out of sight.

Molo offered her shoulder to the stallion, but he rejected the help. "No, you two run, I'll draw their attention." He told us.

Molo rolled her eyes. "The fuck you are, you can't go playing the hero now after all this."

"Fuck you, I do what I want." He huffed out. "Anyways if the Smelters see me, they will break ranks to get at me. It will get some of the figurative and literal heat off of you.

And with a heavy hoof thrush, he knocked Molo away and got up. "If I don't make it, just make sure you don't make fun of me to the twins about it."

"No guarantee." Molo said back.

"Bitch!" Cauterize retorted, then dashed off with a limp.

Molo clenched her teeth and got back up. "Let's go." She told me.

Grabbing my gun case, I got up and followed.

_______________________________________________________

We were forced to take shelter in the ruins of the northernmost building as a platoon descended upon us. The chaos had left them confused, but as the minutes ticked on, they got more and more organized, and it became harder and harder to avoid them.

Several gunshots wizard over our heads, the enemy soldiers making it known that they were still here and knew where we were. Other gunshots in the distance did fill me with hope that Cauterize was still alright, but it could have been still smoldering ammo going off.

Molo let out another burst of fire from her SMG's, making sure they stay back.

"Fuck, ammos almost out!" Molo groaned as she checked her magazines. "How about you?"

"Same here." I told her. "Well I should have a bunch of the 20mm, but I wad saving them for Flyright."

She clicked her tongue in frustration. "Should have grabbed a rocket launcher in that bunker, or kept the egg launcher."

We both then shared a laugh, it cut off rudely by a hail of machine gun fire that ripped apparently the wall around us, leaving nothing but our cover. Peeking out, Grinder and his ponies had caught up to us, but at least there were no Smelters, for what good that dose us.

"You can't run, and you certainly can't hide. Why don't you come out and I'll make your death quick. I'll even rape ya first, let you have some fun before you're end!" Grinder shouted through his megaphone, malic seeping from every word.

"You can go fuck yourself!" Molo yelled back, and a gunshot went off nearly hitting her.

Peeking, we were clearly surrounded, as Grinder's surviving guards and many soldiers were now with him, with guns aimed at us. The fires were already dying down, and the panicked yelling was now just a murmur. It was clear that our window of escape was gone, and only death or torment awaited us.

Molo then placed her hoof onto mine. "Lottery, It's going to be okay. We just need a bit more time."

"But it's… it's all over." I stuttered back.

She shrugged. "Maybe, but I got one more trick up my sleeve." Getting up, Molo trotted out of cover. "Hady asshole, what about you and me, hoof this shit out."

I froze in shock at this stupidity, and shut my eyes unwilling to see what happens next.

"Well since you whores aren't going anywhere, ya, I'll beat ya down for fun." Grinder responded.

"Are you mad! They're not going to let you get away even if you win!" I shouted at Molo.

She winked back at me, and padded her armored vest. "No worries, I got a plan, a good one. So promise me you won't go beating yourself up after this. I mean it, all this will be on me, not you, okay… alright?"

After a short moment, I nodded. "Okay, I won't blame myself, so just win alright."

As Molo trotted over to Grinder, the two sized each other up, with his troops forming a semi circle around them. I made sure none got close, keeping my rifle ready, though there was nowhere I could go even if I tried to run.

Grinder raises an eyebrow and chuckles in amusement. "That mane, your of the Pillow Mare brood, oh how I miss them."

She rolled her eyes at him. "We didn't miss you. If your family didn't have the power they had back then, you would have been chopped into stew and fed to your parents."

The large stallion laughed. "Right, you cutthroat whores would do that wouldn't you. Well last I heard, the Pillow Mares are no more, serve them right I say."

With a wide smile, Molo then said. "Same goes for you lot, I'll make fucking sure of that."

A wide hoof swing came at Molo, who managed to narrowly dodged it by jumping back, then bouncing forward for her own attack. With a jab, Molo connected with Grinder's chin, and followed it with an uppercut, staggering him.

But as Molo moved in for another jab, Grinder dashed forward with a headbutt that clapped loudly as he connected with my friend. She fell back, stumbling, and before she could recover, Grinder tackled her. With my friend in his hold, he lifted up Molo and slammed her back down, then repeated it two more times before letting her go. Trotting over her, Grinder pulled back a hoof to start pumping Molo, but then froze with a pained expression on his face.

After making a nut shot, a bloodied Molo rolled out from under Before Grinder could recover, and then rushed in for a kick to the back of his rear legs. This caused Grinder to buckle, giving Molo a clear shot to the back of his head.

Grinder's face hit the dirt, but didn't stay there for long, quickly pushing himself up, and with blood flowing from his nose, threw himself at Molo.

The mass of meat slammed into Molo, but my friend moved almost like water as she rolled with it, and under Grinder, quickly rolling back on all fours as the stallion rolled past her. And as Grinder pushed himself back up, he was quickly knocked back down with a kick to the face.

"This… fight is disappointing." Molo huffed. "I guess you're more used to hitting defenseless mares, then you are with ones who can fight back." She then spat out a tooth. "I've had strung out chem addicts who fight harder than this."

Struggling to get up, Grinder growled out. "Oh you think you so… fucking tough, whore." Spitting out blood and a tooth as well, he then smiled. "But it will end all the same for you."

"Maybe, but you will be dead before any of that." She responded.

Throwing himself at her once more, Grinder's movements were now slower, and more telegraphed, in which Molo danced around him. As he passed Molo with another charge, she easily tripped him, sending Grinder to the ground.

Molo then trotted on top of Grinder, and laughed loudly. "You see that, thats why to don't get cocky with a fucking raider! We know how to fight, and fight like mad mares to win!"

*BANG*

My best friend's horn shattered, causing her to fall back and over onto the ground.

"Molo!" I screamed out, but froze as a flash of light burst out in the distance between us, and when it faded, Majestic and Bandsaw were now here. The barrel of Deserted Rose, the sniper rifle Bandsaw took from Onyx, had smoke drifting up from it.

"My thoughts exactly." Bandsaw spoke up, sounding annoyed. "Which is why you're such a damn thorn in our flank, Molotov!"

I aimed my rifle at the bitch, but found myself trapped in a dark blue magical hold.

"No, no, Lottery, you stay there and watch." Bandsaw said with a malicious smile on her face." She whistled, getting the soldier's attention. "All ya hold the bitch down and give her a good time. And make sure that, Lottery can see it all!"

They looked unsure at first, but one by one they closed in on my friend. Molo attempted to fight them off, but she was clearly too disoriented to do much of anything.

"Leave her alone!" I shouted.

"Or what? What can you even do?" Bandsaw asked with an eyebrow raised and a yellow smile on her face.

"I'll… I'll… leave her alone and I'll join you." I told her.

But Bandsaw didn't look happy about that, actually she looked rather upset. "Join me, just like that? Oh, no no no. You're not allowed to give up like that. You must be broken, shattered, and then pieced back together in our image."

"Please just stop this!" I pleaded.

This put a wider smile on the damnable raiders face. "There we are, that's the face I wanted to see. Let it be known, this is all your fault. I mean, she did come here for you, and now were going to rape her to death!"

A loud groan came from Grinder as he got back up. "Not before I get in her first."

I tried to struggle, but Majestics hold was too strong.

"Don't worry!" Molo shouted out as Grinder trotted to her. "I still got this. Anyway, I doubt any of these needle dicks can make me feel anything. "

"Shut up!" Grinder yelled as he slapped Molo.

But Molo only laughed. "Harder ya fucking punk!"

Rage filled Grinder's eyes, and this time he struck Molo hard with a full on slam of his hoof.

Yet Molo didn't even let out a small sound of pain. No, she just laughed again. "Like I said, you're only strong against defenseless mares! Pathetic!"

Another slam came down, but Molo didn't give the slaver any satisfaction.

Now Bandsaw looked annoyed, and began trotting over to them. "Hay, fuck for brains, kill her after you rape her, not before. It has more impact that way!"

Grinder glared at Bandsaw, but then returned his attention back to my friend.

Molo again laughed. "Ya pussy whipped cunt! Ya see that Lottery, nothing to be afraid of here. Just a bunch of asshole cunts, needing a good ass fucking." She then shifted her body, revealing something from under her armored vest that caused Grinder to freeze. "Lottery! Remember you promised me you wouldn't blame yourself, you better keep it!"

Bandsaw stopped in her tracks, then took a step back. Grinder and his troops screamed to get away from Molo, tripping over themselves. As I realized why, time seemed to slow as Molo and I made eye contact, and she smiled.

With a bright flash of light, everything became engulfed in flames. Bandsaw was tossed back with her face on fire, slamming into Majestic and knocking her over. Grinder and many of his soldiers were trapped in the inferno, with the rest running away while on fire.

I could see her, my best friend, stand up, and move as though she was laughing, all wile she broke apart and turned to ash.

The hold on me was broken and I rushed to my friend, but the fire was too strong and I could go no closer to her than where Bandsaw laid. "Molo… why?" I whimpered out, but got no response.

A sharp pain then shot through my leg, and I looked down to see that Bandsaw had stabbed me. Her face was badly burnt, but when her eyepatch fell off, it revealed that her red crystal eye was intact. "That bitch! I'll carve her up because of you! Then after I drag you to the schoolhouse, I'm going to thoroughly break you!"

I kicked at her face, but she managed to grab my hoof and shove me to the ground. The raider then crawled on top of me, pulling the knife out from my leg, and in her magical hold she held it high in the air.

With a thundering bluer, Bandsaw was knocked away from me, and now standing above me was a burnt and bloodied Cauterize. "You just don't quit ya fucking bitch!"

Stumbling back up, she glared at us with pure insatiable hatred. "Why quit when I'll see you hung by your entrails! Look, reinforcements are already here. You're all fuck now!"

I looked back to see more troops running in, among them were heavily armored Smelters, and maddened Bailfire Fiends. But then, in the distance, flashes of explosions went off all over the base, and fires reignited themselves along with more gunfire.

Bandsaw looked confused, then concerned. "Wait… you fucking cunt! Shit, shit shit!" Dashing to a still dazed Majestic, she kicked the alicorn to get her up.

I tried to run over to stop her, but only stumbled over, where Cauterize caught me.

Glaring at us again, she hit Majestic and pointed at me. "Grab her and go!"

I felt the alicorn's magical grip hold me tight, but then let go as a shot rang out, hitting Majestic's side. A Wildcard bandit had taken the shot, thick smoke wafting from her barrel. "Ya fucks ain't taking my granddaughter again, ya'hear!" Lucky Shot shouted.

Backing up into Majestic, Bandsaw growled out, "to Mother Madam now!" And with a flash, they were gone.

Bullets whizzed overhead as Tripwire's forces rushed at us, firing their guns wildly. Running for cover, I took a shot in the flank, the bullet slamming into my armor and ricocheting off of me. Several of them were then taken out by Lucky Shot, but even she had to dive for cover as a hail of lead came for her.

"So what's the stich?" Lucky yelled at us.

"Their leadership is dead, and the launcher destroyed!" Cauterize yelled back.

"Fuck, you all were busy!" She responded before opening her jacket and pulling out a flare gun. The shot went into the air, a bright pink trail following it before exploding with a bright light that bathed everything in an eerie red light.

From the clouds above, cloudships descended, which bombs were dropped. The preceding explosion had a blue light to them as a strange feeling washed over me, making me feel heavy, lethargic, and weirdly powerless.

Among the soldiers rushing our positions, the ones with slave collars fell over or just stopped, becoming confused. But others still continued their attack, getting almost close enough to over run our position. But then they were ripped to shreds by gunfire as one of the cloudships passed over us. A pony in strange power armor had jumped out, and with two modified IF-64's welled together, unleashed a full auto ammo dump at the rest of the attackers.

Those not in a daze, and had managed to survive the attack, were now falling back, taking cover in nearby buildings.

The power armored pony, a one wing pegasus, then rushed over to us. "Lottery, thank Celestia you're alive!" Cold Trails said, worried in his voice.

Stumbling over to him, I grabbed onto the stallion, holding him tightly.

Even through his armor I could feel him shaking. "I wanted to get you day one, I-"

"Shut up!" I shouted, cutting him off. "Just… shut up."

His head moved around, and then he asked, "Where Molo?"

I pointed at the flaming crater of burning corpses, tears almost bursting from my eye.

Why did she do that? I was not worth her life, not like this. I didn't care what it cost, even if it meant reliving all this torment again, I wanted my friend! I wanted Molotov to be okay, to be alive, not this.

Holding Cold as tightly as I could, I let out my emotions in one pain filled wail.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Sixty Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Sixty Eight

_______________________________________________________

The sounds of combat continued on as the cloudships landed around us, the Wildcard Bandits having formed a secured zone. Several Applejack Rangers trotted out, and leading the militia members, they began pushing Tripwire's forces further back. They all moved like a well oiled yet rusted machine, effective enough to deal with the now disorganized enemy.

Elder Honeycrisp trotted over in her green uniform, flanked by two rangers. "Situation?" She asked with authority.

Cold Trails saluted her. "Good news is that the enemy is headless and without their trump cards."

"Bad news?" She further asked.

Cold looked over at me for a moment and sighed before telling Honeycrisp, "not everypony survived."

The ranger elder clicked her tongue. "They knew the risk of what they were doing, but it's still a tragedy." She then glanced at me. "At least the hostage has been secured."

She then trotted to me, but Lucky Shot stepped in the way. "Sorry dear, but best leave Lottery be. It's the usual vile wastelander brahman shit, I'm sure you understand."

Honeycrisp scrunched up her nose and looked away. "I see, well medical support is on its way. You bandits continue to keep the L.Z. secure, and I'll focus on rooting out the slavers. Hans and Prickly are securing the outside to prevent escape, so avoid leaving the perimeter until you're given the green light."

"Right right, stay here to prevent friendly fire, I got it." Lucky told her.

My grandmother returned her attention back to me, patting me on the shoulder. Letting me just sit there, saying or doing nothing.

After directing a ranger on where they were needed, Cold Trails trotted over to me, and addressed Lucky. "H… how bad is she?"

I hadn't said anything since I had my cry, and didn't feel anything. I wanted to, but just couldn't do anything. It was like a heavy wait was crushing me, preventing me from moving.

"I ain't no doc, but I've seen this before. Been through it myself. We call it the wasteland moment, it sometimes comes in fast, or becomes a slow burn, but it's never easy." She explained, but it didn't make any sense. When Cold cocked his head at her, she further clarified. "Like I said, I ain't no doc. But once she recovers from her state, she'll either be broken, or become stronger."

"Broken? Stronger! What the fuck do you mean, and how long will it last?" Cold barked at Lucky.

The old bandit shrugged. "It could be a few more minutes, or a month. You can never know. As for broken, it's where the term turning raider comes from. Yes most ponies actually turn raider over time by acting like one, but when they say turned raider, they refer to the wasteland moment, and how a pony can change dramatically after it happens."

Cold then growled out. "The fuck are you saying? She's not going to become one of them!"

Lucky rubbed my back, comforting me, but I felt nothing. "She's one of mine, so I doubt it. Well there may be a lot of blood and screaming, but that's just how my family is. Anyways, ain't no way I'd let her lose control now, ya'hear. Just give her some time, lover colt."

With another sigh, Cold then sat down, looking somewhat defeated. "This is all my fault, I should have been there. I should have prevented her capture."

"Shoulda, woulda, coulda." Lucky said in a mocking tone. "None of that thinking helps anypony. Now get your head back on straight and be ready to join the fight. Last thing she needs is for ya to lose your spine, ya'hear."

"Right, you're right. All the complaining can be done after these bastards are dead." Cold said, and then trotted off to meet a landing cloud ship.

It was all a blur to me as ponies laned and ran off to join the fight. So much so that I didn't notice when a pony rushed over to me and knocked me over with a hug.

"Oh Celestia, what did they do to you, Lottery." A panicked and tired looking Plasma Cutter said as she held onto me.

"Let her go you spaz!" Mint demanded as she trotted over with Aloe behind her.

Plasma let me go and backed away, letting the two ghoul nurses start looking me over.

"How long has she been in a catatonic state?" Mint then asked.

"Not long, like ten minutes if I had to guess." Lucky told her.

"Twelve minutes." Cold corrected her.

The ghoul sighed. "Alright, then I know how to treat this." Mint then took off her medical saddle bag and pulled out an inhaler from it that had a yellowish see through cone at the end. "Okay Lottery, this is a sedative, it will help you feel better, and regain control over yourself." Sticking it over my muzzle, she forced me to breathe in the chem several times. Each time I felt more tired and numb, but also less… powerless.

I began to cry again as I reached out and hugged Mint, holding her squishy body tightly.

"There, there, we're here now, everything will be fine now." She told me.

I shook my head. "No, no it's not! Not without them!"

Mint patted me on the head. "I… see… I understand Lottery. I understand too terribly well how you feel."

My tears only continue to pour out of me as I hid my face in Mint's lab coat.

Again I lost track of time as Mint held me, but once the tears dried up, and I was left with an empty hole in my heart that I knew could never be filled, but I was finally able to stand up on my own. Cauterize had already explained most of what happened tonight, but there were a few more things I needed to fill them all in on. Mainly about the Baelfire Fiends, and their leader, but I was sure she was long gone by now.

"Well fuck, I knew the old brod was nutzo, but Candy Corn being a cannibal!… no, wait, that's not suppressing actually." Commented Cauterize.

"Agreed, but that's not what we should be concentrating on." Spoke up Spell Circuit as he trotted over. The cybernetic unicorn gave me the same guilty look as the rest of my friend had before continuing. "If the leader of the Bailfire Friends is or was just here, she would have brought many of her fighters too. Most of them are still here fighting us."

"Meaning their base is going to be lightly defended now." Plasma added on. "With Silver sane again, we might have a chance at taking them out if we move fast enough."

Mint cleared her throat. "Maybe worry about the next fight, after this one." She then hoofed me a bottle. "Drink this Lottery, it should help you stay on your hooves until we get you back home."

Drinking it, I quickly felt more relaxed, though no less empty. "When do I leave?" I asked her.

She looked over as a cloud ship that just dropped off another team of militia ponies. "Actually I think that should be our ride, let's get you out of here"

The others offered to help me trot, but I was strong enough to move on my own, so I followed Mint to the cloud ships. The last of the militia got off, some of which looked younger and less beaten down by the wasteland then myself. I hoped they were not bound to make the same mistakes as I had, or suffer what I had suffered."

Slowly getting on board, Cauterize rushed over, and tossed my gun case in. "Don't forget your loot!"

I placed my hoof on the case, sighed, and pushed it back to him. "I don't care about it anymore… never really did."

But he shoved it back to me. "Lottery, just take it. Think of it as a rule from us ex-raiders. Where life is cheap, good loot never is. So make every loss worth something, okay."

I took the case, feeling nothing from the gesture. "That's messed up, you know."

"But no less true for raiders, be it current or former." He said as he backed away.

Mint then helped Plasma on before hopping off herself. "They'll take you to our forward operating base, where Rattlebones will be waiting. Just stay there and you'll get the care you need until the fight is over."

"Th… thanks." I told Mint. "And… well… I'll be needing your support for… I don't know how long."

The ghoul sighed. "I feared as much. But I'll be there for you, as long as you need me. Now I got others to help and save, so don't go and do anything stupid, okay. You deserve a break, so go get some rest."

Sitting back, I felt the cloud troop transport lift up, and began flying.

"Lottery, what's in this?" Plasma asked, poking at the large gun case.

"Two 20mm auto cannons I snatched." I told her.

The former Steel Ranger scribe's eyes light up with excitement. "Can I see?" Giving her a nodd, she then excitedly opened the gun case, but only then to lose that excitement. "Oh…"

"What?" I asked as I looked over, hoping the guns were not missing. I saw the two disassembled 20mm's and ammo, but also a few other guns that weren't there before. Having been shoved inside haphazardly were all six of Molo's SMG's.

Trotting over and picking one up, the crude looking, yet well crafted pipe SMG was heavy in my hooves. The paint job was a chaotic slashing of colors, and the metal was covered in many nicks and scrapes that showed how rough Molo had been with the guns, and how well they held up despite the abuse.

Plasma picked one up, examining it. "You know, I never did take a closer look at her guns, but Molo must have spent a fair amount of caps modifying them. All of the cheaper parts have been replaced by some heavy duty stuff." She then let out a long sigh, and then tears started to well up in her eyes. "I'm going to miss her."

"I know." I said as I put the SMG away.

There was then a bump, sending us both sliding closer to the two pegasus pulling the cloud ship.

"Report, what was that? !" Plasma demanded from the pilots.

A pegasus in power armor then jumped in, her armor painted in the neon purple and pinks of Ursa's Rest. "Enemy flyers inbound, and they got cloud ships of their own!" Chain Lightning told us. "This ship needs to turn back or risk getting shot down."

"Flyright!" I growled.

Chain Lightning nodded. "More than likely. And from the looks of it, she's got a few bomber cloud ships. Though I don't know why she'd bring bombers if she's here aid her allies."

The reason was clear to me, all to clear. "She's not here to help, she's here to wipe out everypony in the Breaking Grounds! Likely on Tripwire's orders."

"What! Why?" Chain asked with mild panic.

I trotted over to the pilots, and looked down at the Breaking Grounds below. Many lights of gunfire and explosions light up the place, along with many fires still burning. "Tripwire doesn't care for his allies, and Flyright only cares about the pegasus. So when their enemies are all concentrated in one place, beating down an ally, what do you think the response would be?"

"Fuck! Those bastards." Chain huffed out before opening a hatch in the side. "I'll go warn the others, but in the meantime land this ship and find shelter." She then jumped out.

I clicked my teeth in frustration as I returned to Plasma. Life was not content with letting me just leave, was it.

"Hey, hold this for me!" Plasma said as she passed me a long barrel.

Sitting down to hold it in my hooves, I watched as Plasma pulled out the parts for the 20mm. "What are you doing?"

"What do you think?" She said while rolling her eyes. "You got two anti-air cannons, and we're about to be air raided."

"Right, and who's going to be using them? You see how big they are?" I asked.

She glanced up at me and smiled. "Well I know the armor I fixed up for Cold Trails can. I was the one to fix it up afterall."

"Were you the one who welded those two IF-64's together?" I further asked.

Plasma nodded. "The IF-64 is a versatile platform, so it was easy enough to modify. Actually, it should be the same for the 20mm. You got all the parts here for an artillery setup… actually, I think some of these parts are for power armor conversion, so attaching one to him will be easy as pie."

"You seem rather… focused." I commented.

"Got to be, or I'll go crazy. Now hoof over that barrel!" She commanded, and I did just that.

By the time we had landed, she was almost finished putting together the second auto cannon. It was amazing to watch her work as though a mare possessed.

"We got a building secured for you two to take cover in!" Cold Trails spoke up fr9m the back of the cloudships. Only to then have the auto cannon tossed into his hooves. "What's this?"

"Your ability to counter attack, so let me put it on you." Plasma said as she tossed me the other auto cannon, and hopped out to help Cold. Like with the guns, she worked quickly, if not even faster as she popped off the dual IF-64's and slapped on the auto cannon.

"Okay, I get it, but are you sure this will work?" He asked as his armor then wiggled the very large gun around.

Honeycrisp trotted over, clearly interesting. "The fuck are you doing?"

Plasma saluted the elder. "Getting this armor ready for ground to anti-air combat. Unlike the standard Ranger power armor, the pegasus power armor has a targeting system made for fighting flying targets. So it should work well for what's coming."

A sigh came from Honeycrisp. "If it was just pegasus I'd tell you to stop fucking around. But those bastards are bringing bombers. We'll cover you, just try to take as many down as you can."

A flash of light in the distance announced the start of the bombing run, soon follow by the sound of the explosion. Looking at it, I wouldn't have been surprised if Tripwire had not planned this from the start.

Honeycrisp then blew on a whistle to gain every ponies attention. "Form up, we're expecting an air raid, protect our anti-air support at all costs!"

A few rangers and a bunch of militia then gathered around, guns pointed in the air. Then Honeycrisp grabbed what looked like a thin rocket launcher and pointed it up before firing. The projectile flew high in the air, leaving a smoke trail before exploding.

Night had become day, and we could see the cloudships along with their pegasus support in power armor.

Cold's body shifted followed by him grinning. "Got the flight path. Their easy pickings without a vertibuck escort." Letting out a controlled three round burst we watched as a pegasus fell out of a bomber, then the cloudship lurched and slowly fell itself.

Flyright's soldiers then immediately dropped, flying right at us. I could only expect that they didn't expect us to have anti-air, so we were now target number one.

Cold had enough time to let out another burst of 20mm before the enclave started firing at us, peppering our area with pink beams. To everypony's credit, the rangers and militia laid down heavy counter fire, forcing the flyers to scatter. I attempted to take aim as well, but having half of my vision gone was disorienting, and the yelling and screaming around me made my head throb.

A militia mare near me then hit the ground as she began to glow pink before turning to dust.

"Will-o-Wisp can ya help a mare out?" I asked, and the blue flame spared to life and directed my vision. Pointing the 20mm gun in the wisps direction, only a few seconds later did a pegasus swoop down right in my sights. They only had a split moment to realize what was about to happen before I pulled the trigger, and lifted their leg to protect themselves. The large round easily punctured through their armored leg, ripping it off and sending bits of shrapnel into their helmet. The pegasus fell, hitting the ground to become a cartwheeling spray of blood.

My stomach churned, remembering how Cold Trails had survived that twice.

Will-o-Wisp bobbed around to catch my attention, and following her my sighed found another pegasus coming in for an attack. This pegasus chose to dogged as I unleashed a burst of fire, and struck them in the wing. They didn't drop, but it was clear that they could no longer fly as they quickly descended into a controlled crash in the distance.

"Get down!" A Ranger yelled, and as I ducked, they stood over me. A barrage of prisma pink beams slammed into the Applejack Ranger, and ricocheted all around, killing a few militia ponies.

As the pegasus passed over, I saw that their helm had three gouges in it like a claw mark. It was Flyright!

The ranger fell to his knees, grunting in pain. "Fuck, I almost got roseted there. We can't hold out much longer."

A wrench then smashed into the side of the rangers armored flank. "The fuck you can't" Plasma yelled as she then opened the side of the armor and began doing some scribe stuff. "This should mitigate the heat buildup for the next few minutes, so don't you dare stop fighting!"

Looking around, I saw that Flyright had regrouped with her soldiers and were now coming in for a big attack.

"Incoming!" I yelled.

"Aim at the sides, box the bastards in!" Honeycrisp ordered.

The rangers then let their heavy guns loose, striking from the sides and closing in. The pegasus, in an attempt to avoid getting hit, were then squeezed together. But the Enclave soldiers didn't seem to care much as they too fired back, causing me to flinch as the wave of pink beams came for us.

But instead the beams slammed into a magical wall, saving us from the wave of death. Again they passed over, and I let loose another burst of 20mm, hitting another of them.

"Sorry I'm late," Spell said as he panted in exhaustion. "I got the defense up, so take a break."

In the distance another bomber came down, crashing into Grinder's bedchamber and exploding in a brilliant orange and green fire. It was mesmerizing to see it all burn, I could only wish Grinder was in there so that he would die a second time.

"Lottery lookout?" My world was turned into a blur as something slammed into me, knocking my gun out of my hooves and dragged me away from the others. The wind threaten to steal my hat away as I then realized that I was in the air.

"Oh I'm going to enjoy seeing you become but a smeared on the ground." Flyright sneered at me as she flew higher. I attempted to break out of her grasp, but her power armor was too strong. "Oh don't try it. As much as I'd like to see you suffer more, I don't have the time to drop you a second time."

We passed a bomber, only for several shots to go through the cockpit, and killing one of the pegasus pushing it.

"Celestia damn you!" Flyright growled. "You weren't supposed to have anti-air, that's the last time I trust a ground pounders intel!"

I began to laugh, finding the situation absurd. "Get Fucked, Flyright! You lost and your going to die."

"No, I will live, and you will die." She then smiled with her scarred up muzzle. "Even if it's a loss now, I'll claim victory in the end. You, Tripwire, even that traitor Cold Trails, you all will kneel before the might of the new Enclave I will build." She then chuckled to herself, the kind of chuckling a sane mare does not do. "Ho, that's right, you will not live to see it."

She then stopped in mid air, high above the Braking Grounds.

I knew what she was about to do, and every part of my being wanted to scream in panic, yet I was calm. Actually, I smiled.

"Say Flyright, before you drop, I have something I want to say." I told her.

She sighed. "What ever, say your last words."

"Rime Frost." I said calmly.

She looked at me, and I was certain she was confused. "What's Rime Frost?"

"THIS," I screamed as my axe shotgun formed in my hooves, and I managed to lodge her spike through a joint in the armor between her body and her wing.

Flyright let me go and I dropped. But so did Flyright as Rime Frost was still stuck in her as her wing had started to freeze. Even after dislodging Rime Frost, it was too late and Flyright couldn't even move the wing.

I laughed, getting a scowl of rage from the older pegasus mare. "How does it feel to be a loser to the end, Flyright?" I yelled at her.

But she then smiled. "Stupid little earth pony, this is mark 1 Shadowbolt armor, a fucking uncomfortable armor, but one that can survive a fall at any height." She laughed back at me. "I'll live, but you, you will become nothing more than a red smear of blood and gore!"

That killed my high as I saw the ground quickly catching up to me. It was the absolute worst, and I only managed to stifle a scream just so as not to give Flyright the satisfaction.

I shut my eyes as the end of the fall came, wondering how much this will hurt if I didn't die right away.

…

Actually there was no pain, other than a sudden yet gentle stop that made my guts lurch. Opening my eyes, I was surrounded by a swirling of magic, its source was an exhausted looking Spell Circuit.

Landing gentilly on my hooves, I almost kissed the ground, and then Spell. I reframed from such affection, knowing I wouldn't be able to stop if I ever started. "Th… thanks for the save." I breathed out

"Any time. But…" he looked over at a dust cloud, in which the form of Flyright slowly became visible. "What about her?"

I drew Last Dance and fired, in which two shots rang out before the gun pinged empty. Yet Flyright seemed unfazed. "Well… shit."

"Indeed." Flyright said with a chuckle, and her two guns then aimed at us, glowing bright pink was magical power. "Like I said, this is mark 1 Shadowbolt armor, not the ultra light crap made by Rarity and that traitor Rainbow Dash. You don't have the firepower to stop me!"

With a flash, her two beam SMG's let loose a torrent of energy bolts. Spell managed to put up a barrel in time, but his horn was quickly losing its color.

"She can't fire those guns forever, Talismans can't take that stress." Spell explained as sweat beaded from his head.

Flyright cackled with gleam, yelling over her gunfire. "Oh yes I can! These are Shadowbolt issued MEW SMG's, they can fire non-stop without ever overheating!"

Spell stumbled, the strain of blocking the beams was quickly draining him.

Then it all stopped with the sound of a bang, then a scream from Flyright.

"Can your armor stop a 20mm cannon shell, Flyright?" Cold Trails snarled as he slowly trotted to her.

Flyright pulled herself up, blood dripping from a large dent in her armor. "Traitor, I should have had you branded a dashite!"

"The only traitor is you! All the lies you help support! All the lives you ruined! At any time we could have come down here and helped the ponies we abandoned. But no, it was ponies like you who kept us ignorant, and let them suffer." Cold Trails shouted at her.

She chuckled. "There's a saying, Ignorance is bliss. Those lies, it kept us alive. Those lives ruined, those ponies would have killed us all. You don't understand what is to come, do you? Even after I drilled it into your head, you still don't understand! Starvation, sickness, murder. How many pegasuses do you think will die because the Enclave fell? I'm trying to save them before it's too late, before there is no pegasus left to save!"

Flyright then straightened herself up, a smirk on her face. "Tell me Major Cold Trails, if the Enclave had not fallen, would your sister be alive right now?"

A grimace formed on Cold Trails muzzle, and I could tell he was glaring pure hate through his helmet's lenses. He then sighed. "Your… right about that. If the Enclave had not fallen, she'd still be at University... alive."

Flyright smiled and said. "See, if it was not for the damned dirt kickers, she'd be alive."

"Operation Cauterize." Cold trail said loudly. "The wastelanders didn't come up with that, it was the Enclave. We chose to come down and fight, we chose to make everypony our enemy. The wastelanders didn't make me pull the trigger and murder them! No, I did. I was blind and dumb, following orders like some toy soldier. So much so that I turned good ponies into murderers just because Colonel Autumn Leaf wanted to send a message! An entire town full of ponies turned to ash by my command, all because I was a good soldier following orders!"

He then stomped on the ground and growled at Flyright. "The fall of the Enclave is its own fault, we did it, not the wastelanders, us and us alone. All the pain and suffering the civilians are going through is on our hooves for we were the ones who made sure they were unprepared!"

A disappointed frown formed on Flyright's scarred face, and her guns revved with power. "A Shame. But what's there to expect from a lower class farm bumpkin. In the end you just don't have the guts to be a true soldier." She then shared, saying, "there never was enough room for everypony, and we Pegasus will be victorious in the end. Equestria for the pegasus, and nopony else!"

Both of them let loose a torrent of fire at each other, sending smoke and steam into the air, obstructing my vision. The gunfight quickly slowed to a stop, leaving just their silhouettes standing. Cold Trails stumbled but stood still. Then Flyright, ever so slowly, tilted and fell. Her slamming on the ground sent a puff of air out, clearing out the haze.

Cold Trails stood there, spots of his armor glowing with heat, but he looked fine. Rushing over to him, I gave my stallion a hug, only to jump back as the heat of his armor sizzled against mine. "Shit, is that what happened to me! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, a bit burnt, but Plasma insulated my armor, so I'll be fine." He reassured me.

I then looked over at Flyright, the chest of her armor was caved in, and her face was covered in blood and gore. "What did you do to her?"

"She was right about that armor." Cold Trails breathed out. "Strong as fuck. But after that first hit, I knew it wasn't invincible." He wiggled the 20mm. Cannon. "So I stood firm and fired everything into the same spot and caved that armor in."

"Lottery!" I heard the raspy voice of Mint as she ran over, with the rest of my friends in to… all except for two of them. The ghoul slid to a stop in front of me and shoved her hoof in my face. "By Celestia, do I need to tie you down to get you to not put yourself in more danger. If I didn't have wounded ponies to attend to, I'd personally drag you out of here myself." She then glared at Cold and Spell. "Now that the sky is clear, you two make sure she gets home safely, and don't forget Plasma. She's on the edge of a relapse."

"I'm not that bad!" Plasma protested, with the other 20mm cannon strapped to her saddle bag.

"And you wanting to tinker with that power armor for longer was not an excuse to flirt?" Mint questioned.

Plasma rolled her eyes, and then took a sip from her canteen. "Fine, fine."

Mint then returned her attention back to me. "And you… just get some sleep, even if you need to take a few pills, just get some rest. You promise me?"

I sighed and gave her a nod. "All I want is to get out of this nightmare."

My ghoul friend gave me a light hug, telling me. "I'll do what I can for you, so just hold on."

Looking back at Flyright's corps, I wanted to feel satisfied, but this victory still felt hollo to me.

"Wow, the leg servos must have locked up from that fall." Plasma commented. "When was the last time they got tested?"

"Just now." Cold said with an annoyed huff.

"So what changed your mind? About the Enclave I mean." I then asked Cold.

He looked at Flyright's corps for a long moment before looking at me. "When you cried for my sister. Only then I realized my thinking was wrong. That the wastelanders… They were still ponies. That they cared far more for Chilly than some of my own did. Only then I understood that we were the monsters we saw everypony else."

Cold then trotted to me, using his one wing to brush some dirt off me. "Lets go, and put th8s place behind us."

I was then escorted back to the cloud troop transporter by Spell and Cold, along with Plasma, who waved at one of the Applejack Rangers. In the cloud ship, wrapped in bandages was Cauterize there, who was clearly in a daze from med-x.

As we lifted off, there were still sounds of fighting going on, and many new fires, but the sense of tension was gone. The battle was winding down, it had to be. But as we got higher into the air, and I took a peek down, the damage was severe. Though Cold Trails had managed to shoot down the bombers, they had still flattened half of the Breaking Grounds. Who knows how many of ours had gotten caught up in the destruction.

But Tripwire's forces had been crippled, and his campaign would no longer have the fangs it once had before.

Pulling myself back, Cold passed me a canteen, and I sipped from it, sending a wave of calm through me. "Thanks." I told him.

"Any time." he said, and then sat back, his armor opening up and the one winged pegasus got out.

He was sweaty and a bit grimy, which made me feel a bit lightheaded. So I took another sip from my canteen.

My friends all laughed, even I laughed. For just this moment I felt fine, felt that things will be okay. It wasn't and I wasn't, but right now I didn't care, I was with my friends again.

Though not all of them.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy

_______________________________________________________

The nice thing about sleeping pills was that it prevented me from dreaming. If there were no dreams, then there were no nightmares. Just blissful darkness. I wanted to stay like that, ignorant of everything around me, never getting out of this fluffy bed again.

Yet something was trying to wake me up.

"Lottery!" Wiretap said as she shook me. "Get up Lottery, come on!"

Stirring awake, I turned to see a teary Wiretap, who gasped as I looked at her.

"Y… your eye!" She said in shock.

I covered the empty eye socket as I got up. Then hopped out of bed and trotted to my wardrobe, where the canteen of calming potion was. All my clothes had been taken to get cleaned, and I was merciful allowed to take a shower, so the smell of rape and dog no longer clinged to me. Throwing on a simple dress and putting Onyx's eyepatch over my empty socket, I weirdly felt uncomfortable having something though my fur, as though my skin under it was overly sensitive.

Right, it was, and it made me aroused just to be touched now.

Sipping on my canteen and pushing the feeling to the back of my mind, I then addressed Wiretap. "You're looking healthy, Wiretap." I said with forced cheerfulness, wiping off a bit of the potion I had sipped from.

The older filly narrowed her eyes at me. "Lottery, you look like shit."

"Oh believe me, I feel like shit." Was my response.

Wiretap then rushed over and hugged me, sniffling as she said, "we thought you were gone for good! Mama said it was possible you were alive, but I could tell she gave up. But Molo and the others didn't give up."

I patted her on the head as I tried to not think too hard about that week of torment.

My stomach then grumbled loudly, reminding me that I didn't know how long it had been since I last ate. "Here, let's eat something first, I'm quite literally starving."

She gave me a nervous nod, and we trotted out of the room. The more I moved the more pain I realized I was in, with each step tugging at my sore muscles. My throat still felt raw, and my eyes stung from the light. Even so, I kept moving. I wanted to know if this was all real, or just a self delusion.

"Oh you're up, dear!" Margaret said as she floated over. "The master said I should provide you with anything you want. Something about you having a rough time."

I flinched a little. Rough had been an understatement. But I didn't feel like correcting the robot. Nor did I want to talk about it right now.

"Ca…" I took a deep breath. "Can you make something for us to eat?"

She nodded with her big eyes. "Most certainly miss, Lottery. I'll whip you up something real nice. Just find a seat."

Trotting over to the table, it hurt a little to sit down on my flank, but felt good to not be on my hooves.

"Are… you okay, Lottery?" Wiretap asked cautiously.

I shook my head, considering what exactly I should say. She was mature and all, but still too young to be told everything, nor did I want to say the details. "I'm… not feeling good at all, but I'll get better. So don't worry too much about me, you know, I'm tougher than other mares."

Wiretap looked away, tears just barely being held back. "Everypony is saying that. Mom, Auntie, and even Hans. But they all look so tired and in pain. I hate it."

"Good." I said with a smile. "It means none of us want you to worry, but you care too much not to be worried. But I think we're over the worst of it. From here on out, things will start to get better."

"Really?" She asked with watery eyes.

"E'yep. The army of bad ponies have been broken, so it's only a matter of time until we win. Then things can go back to normal." I said, trying to put as much confidence into my voice. Yet doubt still lingered.

The sound of a door opening caught our attention, and soon after Plasma poked her head through. With a sigh, my friend trotted over and again, gave me a hug. "Good to see you up, Lottery. I'm not going to even ask you about how you feel."

"Ya, I imagine you already know how I feel." I told her.

She let out a chuckle as I was let go, and then Plasma found a seat near me. "True that. Though I didn't cause a scene like you did. Seriously, blowing up their armory like that. You crippled them before any of us got a shot."

Wiretap's eyes went wide. "Really!"

"Almost took out the boss of that place too. Almost." I said as the memory of Molo taking out Grinder and his soldiers flashed into my mind.

The sound of the door opening came again, but this time there sounded like more than one pony. We were joined by Cold and Spell, along with Low and High Pressure, of which the pegasus mare got a seat close to Plasma, almost clinging to her.

Low let out a whistle. "Damn, what's with the new mane cut?" He got a smack from Cold. "What? It looks good on her, though I suggest it get touched up." Spell then smacked him on the other side.

Peeking out from the corner I saw the heads of three fillies, curious peeking out. Spell waved them over, and Crown and Flashed took a seat near him, but Cable stayed looking at me confused.

Turning my attention to Spell's daughters, they seemed nervous as they looked around.

"So… did something happen while I was gone?" I asked Spell as I pointed at his two fillies.

Spell Circuit sighed. "A bit, well actually a lot. When Matrix was taken under the protection of the Pear Valley tribes, these two protested, and had to be separated… Molo intervened and had them stay with me since I'm their… father."

Looking at the two, both Crown and Flashed looked away, clearly uncomfortable.

"So, I've had them join Wiretap for her magic lessons. Since they are cousins." Spell explained. "It's been… awkward for all of us."

I then felt a tug on my dress, and looked over to find Cable with eyes wide in shock. "Why… why do you have mommies eyepatch?"

Fuck! I forgot that she was Onyx's foal.

"A… bad pony put it on me… after her boss took my eye." I told her, avoiding the fact that her mother has been dead for a while.

The filly looked downcast, as though half aware of the truth, but half still hopeful. I hated Onyx, I hated what she did to me, but no way I was going to torment her daughter for what she did.

"Sweety, how about I give you this eyepatch after I get a replacement. Okay." I told Cable.

She sniffed and then nodded. "O… okay."

I was going to need to tell her the truth, but not right now, not here. Then my eye fell onto Crown and Flashed. Two more fillies who have lost their mother. But would they care, would they celebrate her death. I don't think my heart could handle seeing something like that.

A plate of steaming hot Tato pancakes were then placed in front of me. Margaret was smiling with her large robotic eyes. "Here you go, and don't worry, I'll have some for everypony soon."

"Thanks," I told the robot, then turned my attention to my friends. "So… how are things… you know, with the fighting?"

High Pressure then spoke up, the mare looking a lot better than the last time I saw her. She even had the Ursa's Den uniform on, though more business oriented then seductive. "As you can understand, the information is being kept as private as possible right now. Details obscured and such. But by reading in-between the lines you get a clear image of the situation. Right now the medical tents are being expanded, but the medical equipment is not being spread out more than they already have been. More just blankets for parking ponies. Along with that, some of the ponies tasked with guarding the border of Ursa's Rest have been placed in the medical sector to help move things around."

"And this all means?" I asked.

"That we got a lot of ponies who had suffered from the mind control coming in. Also, there aren't more injuries than last time, possibly less actually. So it's good news. On that, you should go see Doctor Helga before she becomes too busy."

I nodded. "Ya, I thought as much. I'll do that."

"I did get a message from Chain Lightning." Cold Trails then added in. "The Enclave forces that Flyright brought in had been routed and many surrendered once the chain of command had broken down. It seems that like with the Grand Pegasus Enclave, Flyright's new Enclave gravely underestimated their opposition's strength. It also didn't help her that many of her soldiers were recent conscripts, most barely knew how to fight. Chain is planning on requesting that the conscripts are given a pardon, much like the mind controlled ponies. I do hope Grizzly and the others agree to it, though I can imagine an actual Enclave soldier pretending to be a conscript to escape punishment."

"I can see the upper offers trying that, despite their bravado, many of them are cowards." High Pressure said in agreement.

Biting into my tato pancakes, they tasted like crap, but I was too hungry to care, my mouth salivating with every bite. After finishing my plate I noticed that everypony was staring at me. "What, I'm starving… literally."

Some of my friends then laughed as Margaret floated in with more food. Our conversation turned to more day to day stuff as we ate, and a sense of normal returned to me. I still hurt all over, and did my best not to think about what was done to me, but in this moment things were fine.

_______________________________________________________

I was given my privacy as Doctor Helga looked me over, the old griffin's expression not changing as I explained to her some of what was done to me over my week of captivity. It was clear that none of it was new to her, which was a depressing fact.

"The good news or bad news first?" She asked me as she dropped a few tools into a pan of water and placed a red lid with a warning sign over it.

"Bad, I want this to end on a positive note." I told her.

She nodded. "I can understand that." She said as she tossed some gloves into a red bucket with a skull and crossbones symbol. "Well I'm sure you won't be surprised, but you have three STD's and severe scarring in your vaginal toob, anus, and throat, all which show signs of infection. Your liver is in bad shape due to lack of water and whatever chems they pumped you with. There's deep bruising in most of your muscles, and you have fractured bones all over, and most of your ribs have been broken and not fully set correctly before being given a healing potion. On top of that, you have mild radiation poisoning, and possible minor taint exposure."

I nodded. "That would explain why I feel like shit."

"Truthfully, I'm amazed you're even moving around, but not that surprised." She said to me before passing me a cup of different pills and some water. "This will help with the infection."

"And the good news?" I asked as I did as she told me.

She went back and grabbed a few more pills from her cabinet, and passed them to me. Where I also consumed, finishing off the water as I washed them down. "That's for suppressing the STD's." She informed me. "Fortunately it's all treatable. Though some invasive surgery will be needed to set the bones and clean out the infection. But so long as you follow my instructions, you will recover. Also, your foals don't looked harmed in any way, but that's normal for you ponies."

"You said taint, isn't that seriously bad?" I then asked.

Doctor Helga nodded. "Yes, though with how chaotic it is, you never know how bad it is until it's too late. Right now you look fine, so it may have been inert, something the average wastelander is exposed to throughout their life before anything happens. It's also something that lingers, and most likely it came from Angel, not from your recent fight. Just check in now and then in case something changes."

She then passed me a bottle of the calming potion, and told me, "you're going to be fine. It's going to take a few months to get your body back to normal, but you're going to be fine. We got the medicine and support, so take it easy. Your fight is over."

I shook my head. "No, my fight isn't over, not yet. But… I'll do that, I'll try and take things easy."

"Thought as much." Helga said as she wrote something down on her clipboard and passed me a piece of paper. "Give this to your friends, it has tomorrow's appointment for your medical treatment. I'd do it today, but I have many injured ponies coming in soon, who will need immediate attention."

Folding the paper, I put it in a small pocket in my dress. "Thanks again Doctor Helga, you've been far better to me than any creature I have met."

"Think nothing of it," she said with a slight smile creeping from the edge of her beak. "I just try to do right by my patients. Though I wish I didn't see them as much as I do."

"Oh I know, I know too well." I said with a smile.

Leaving Doctor Helga's office, I passed the paper to Spell Circuit, who was waiting for me. "I need to come back tomorrow for treatment." I told him.

He nodded as he looked at the paper, sighed, then put it away. "It's depressing that I'm not even shocked that you have these injuries. Well, I already sent a message to the changeling, and they can help suppress your curse at any time, though I suggest you take care of anything you need to do before hoof."

"Is it bad?" I asked.

"Mentaly, yes." He said, then explained, "Plasma was left in a depressed state for a whole day before she had the will to move again. Silver was out for two days. I imagine you might have it worse."

I needed to know more, "What is it they do?"

Spell nodded. "The changeling, they can eat emotions, mainly powerful and complex ones like love. It seems that love has its roots in magic itself, and may be the same thing as friendship in which the elements of harmony draw its power from. So-"

"Short version please." I told my friend.

"Sorry," he apologized. "Well just draining the lust is not easy, since it's not love. So the changelings have to drain a wide spectrum. Simply put, to get at the lust built up in you, they have to drain everything with it. Your love, your hate, sadness and joy. All that makes you, you."

The thought of it was… disconcerting. "And does it work?"

"Yes." He answered. "Plasma has regained her ability to concentrate, though she still flirts whenever possible. Silver on the other hoof… she's locked herself away, and barely does anything. Mint has made progress on helping her recover, but it may take years for her to be… normal."

That sounded depressing to hear. "Well, it's good they're no longer under the curses control."

"Agree." Spell said, then offered his hoof. "Now let's take care of anything you need until then, I can also go get you a wheelchair if you want."

I thought about it for a moment and shook my head. "No, I'll be fine for now. I don't want to worry Wiretap by having her see me like that."

Spell shook his head. "Lottery, you care too much about others, and not enough about yourself."

"I'll care about myself once Tripwire is dead and his mezmetrons are destroyed and forgotten." I growled back at him.

A long sigh came from Spell, as though he himself was in pain.

"S.. sorry." I apologized.

"No, don't be." He told me, guilt on his face. "If I had not been such a coward, maybe none of this would have ever happened. If only I acted on what I knew was the right thing to do… so many times. In so many ways. My brother's evil, and Redeye's too, only came to be because ponies like me stood by and let them commit evil. Sometimes even helped them. You were ignorant of it, you have nothing to apologize for."

"Th… thanks." I said, knowing he was right, but it didn't make the guilt any less. Not until Tripwire can nolonger hurt another pony could I begin to forgive myself for helping him. And soon, I hope it would be soon, I will see that through.

_______________________________________________________

"We got sexy ones, serous ones, funny ones, or if your boring, normal ones." The overly perky sales mare advertised the selection of eyepatches that the Ursa's Den gift shop had to offer. I guessed that having a missing eye wasn't all that of an uncommon problem out in the wasteland.

Wiretap pointed out an eyepatch that was just a coyote paw attached to a string "Lottery, get this one!" I raised the eyebrow over my still existing eye at her and she pulled back her hoof. "Right, maybe not that one. Though it's still cool."

I just wanted to get a normal cloth eyepatch, nothing flashy, just someting that didn't draw attention. But Wiretap was utterly against it, telling me that I needed to have it make a statement, to make it part of my style. She also thought it might help improve my mood, something about turning a bad thing into a positive thing. It was stupid, but maybe she was right, at least a little. I have found that shopping does make me feel a bit better.

Like when I first met Molo, and she took me out shopping.

Picking up one of the "sexy ones" it was a dark red leather heat accented with black lace, of which I knew was meant to go with some fetish gear. Actually I knew what outfit it would go with, since I had worn it before when I worked at the Showroom.

It reminded me of when Onyx took me out shopping, and I stupidly let her dress me up like a whore. There were so many things I wanted to do to her as revenge, and make her share my humiliation… but in all likelihood, she had already been through it herself, and maybe worse. Still, that gave her no right for what she did to me and others. She got what she deserved, but I rather had her hanged for crimes then shot to keep her silent.

Putting the provocative eyepatch away, I found a simple, yet nice looking one. It was made of simple tanned leather with the strap fastened by a brass fitting. It had a rust red leather patch over were my eye use to be, and over that was a thin brass strip in the shape of a heart. Simple yet a bit stylish, and clearly made of quality material with how strong it felt.

"I'll take this… make it two if you have em." I told the sails clerk.

She smiled and dove under the table and pulled out a second of the same, and a third eyepatch. "Here, take this one, on the house." The third eyepatch was purple with a neon pink heart paw print. I cocked my eyebrow at her. "Oh come on Lottery, It's cute in its own way, and who knows, you could take it to the Showroom. Anyways It's dead inventory that I need to get rid of. So about the kink one you were looking at?"

I sighed and took a quick glance around, finding that nobody was paying attention. "Fine, and I'll get the kink one too."

Exchanging chips for the eyepatches, I quickly stashed them in a pocket.

Rejoining Wiretap, the filly had become distracted by Cable trying on a dress that Plasma had suggested. The other two fillies, Crown and Flashed were with Spell, trying on some shoes.

"So what cha get?" Wiretap asked me.

Pulling out the simple one, the filly looked a bit impressed by it, and helped me put it on. Looking at me with a critical eye, Wiretap then smiled wide. "You look like a badass, Lottery!"

"Thanks." I said as I rolled my one eye. "Though much rather not have had to need this."

Wiretap looked away, clearly feeling a bit ashamed.

It was unfair of me to put that on her, so I patted Wiretap on the head and forced a smile. "Hey now, I'm alive, and that's all that matters. Anyways, I kind of agree that it does feel cool. Like I'm some veteran wastelander that's not to be fucked with."

"Ya, like six gun red. Actually, I herd she lost both of her back legs, and it only made her madder." Wiretap then moved her hooves around as though holding a gun like a griffin. "Don't mess with you or they'll end up dead!"

"That's for sure." I agreed as I tapped on my Whisky Shot.

I was then nugded by Plasma Cutter, who drew my attention to Cable. "She's adorable now!"

Cable was posing as she was dressed in the most frilly pink dress I had ever seen. Like it had ten more frills than necessary, and it made Cable look more like a doll than a filly. Strangely the filly was absolutely enjoying herself, which I guess was a good thing.

Our shopping went on for another hour, as we tried on things, and bought a lot of them. It was a good… distraction. But like all good things, it had to come to an end. And as everypony trotted off to the bar for something to eat, I pulled Cable to the side, and we got some privacy.

"Like I promised, here's your mother's eyepatch." I told Cable as I passed her the large and decorated eyepatch.

Taking it, the fill quietly looked at it, her own eyes gazing at the thing with an intensity a filly her age shouldn't have.

"Miss… Lottery?" She said in a shaky voice. "Is… is my Mommy…" I watched as the filly swallowed nervously, preparing herself to ask a question I knew was going to come. "Is my mommy coming to get me, or did she leave me? Have I been abandoned?"

Taking a deep breath, I didn't know if it was my place to tell her, or even the right thing to do. I hated her mother for what she did, but Cable was not Onyx, and at some point the filly needed to know the truth. Tears were already filling the fillies eyes, wanting something she can never have again.

So I shook my head. "No, no she is not coming, and no, she didn't abandon you."

"Why!" Cable yelled. "If mommy didn't abandon me, then why has she not come to get me!"

"Because she can't." I shed softly.

"But why?" Cable wined

The memory of Onyx surrendering, only to be shot by Bandsaw for it. "She would have already been here if not for that monster. Onyx would be facing punishment for her crimes if not for Bandsaw!" I growled

Cable's face dropped and eyes widened into shock. "B… Band… saw." She stammered, and began to shake with fear.

'S… sorry." I apologized as I reached out to her.

But Cable shrank back away from me. "B… Bandsaw said you knew something, and laughed at me. She said you did something to my mommy!"

That bitch!

It was too late. Too much had been said.

"Cable, you want the truth, then I'll tell you it. But that is if you want to hear it?" I asked her, hoping she would say no.

But the filly gritted her teeth and said. "I… I want to know why mommy can't come."

I let out a long sigh, knowing this was going to be hard on her. "Alright, but first I need to start at the beginning. Starting with when I first met your father… and how It's my fault this whole mess got started."

Cable listed to my story intently, though I left most of the details out, as the young filly didn't need to know about sex, or hear about gratuitous violence. I told her how I stupidly fell for her father, and how her mother pretend to be my friend. Their unveiling of their true colors to me, and the suffering I was made to go through afterwards. Then my run in with Onyx again at the top of the tower, and how Bandsaw killed her. Her mother wasn't coming for her because she was dead, and nothing can fix death.

I watched as the filly became stone faces. True shock had taken her, but that slowly gave way to tears, and then sniffling. Grabbing the small filly, I pulled her into a hug, and though she tried to push me away, yelling her hatred of me in between sobbing. But I held onto her, and let her unload all of her emotions into me.

It all only made me hate Onyx more. She was a mother and yet chose to cause more pain. Was she just some love drunk fool like myself, dreaming of being with Tripwire and letting him corrupt her… No, she chose her path. She could have been like Ma and Pa, who left everything behind and started a new life. Instead she chased the past, brought harm to everpony, and left behind an innocent filly that only saw her as mommy.

In time Cable's tears dried up, and the sobbing stopped. What energy she had was all gone, and the filly passed out. So I carried her to the others, not knowing what to do with her next. Fortunately Spell took her, gently carrying her away with his magic. She was his niece after all, and unlike his brother, I knew he cared about her. Even if he barely knew her, she was still his family.

Following him out was Crown and Flashed, both still looking a bit lost and confused. Both who also needed to know the truth. But did I have the strength to tell them?

Maybe, but I still don't know If I had the strength to hear their response.

_______________________________________________________

The time had come, and with Plasma, Wiretap and Cold accompanying me, I had arrived at the changelings housing in Ursa's Den. Sparkling Delight was there to greet us, trotting around in her true form, which looked even more like a jewelry covered bug pony.

"I got word about what you went through! Lottery, and it breaks my heart for you to suffer like that." Sparkling said to me as she gave me a hug.

"Ya, but at least the curse forced me to enjoy most of it. Silver linings and all that." I tried to joke, but the memory of it filled me with hate and horror as fresh as the days I was there.

Sparkling held me tighter, and I could feel something warm coming off her and entering me, filling me with something that pushed away all the negative emotions I was feeling. "Oh don't be like that. You don't need to hide your feelings from us. Definitely not from me."

I felt calm, though the negative emotions were still there, surrounding me, but I now felt like I was in an oasis. Yet in the distance I could feel it, like a storm barely held back, the lust. The potion and all my pain help hold it back, but soon it will hit me, and I would become nothing more than a whore without any self control.

Sparkling loosened her hold on me, but the warmth stayed. "Just to warn you, this will drain everything you are, all that makes you happy, sad, angry, and importantly, your lust. You will be left with nothing. But I'll be there to anchor you, and help bring you back. So you will be fine, trust me."

"Like what you just did?" I asked, still feeling that warmth.

The half changeling nodded. "I can share a bit of the love I've stored in me over the years, help you recover. It's something I've done to help Grizzly after the rest of our family were killed. Helped to keep her guilt she felt over it from consuming her. Had been doing the same for my girls to keep their own despair from having them commit … Well, let's just say I really know what I'm doing."

"Thanks." I told her, the warmth in me was now giving me more confidence to keep moving. Not out of hate or fear, but out of concern for my friends. I needed to gain control over this curse before it takes control over me again. I couldn't let myself be permanently sidelined until it was all done, I had to see it through to the end. "Let's get this over with."

Sparkling then escorted me to the back of the place where several changelings waited. I had seen their true forms before, but unlike with the Duke or Shrimp, they felt cold and twisted. More like monsters my Ma would tell me about to get me to behave. But with Sparkling with me, I didn't fear them… much.

She gave me a smile and a pat on my shoulder. "Ya, I know, they're not the nicest thing to look at, but I'll make sure they don't take too much."

"Would they?" I asked with concern.

With a sigh, Sparkling told me. "Unfortunately we changelings suffer from a hunger that is rarely sated, and never for long. It's like you're always at the edge of starvation, always needing more. It's why I kept such a close eye on Shrimp when he was visiting you. Didn't want my girls to be fed upon."

"Odd, I never felt drained when I was with him, actually he seemed more tuckered out." I commented, remembering my month as a brothel prostitute, which then made me need to take a sip from my canteen.

"About that, from what he told me, he was actually giving you a bit of his love. The poor fool was rather smitten with you, but since it did no harm, I allowed it." She then scratched her leg, looking conflicted. "Actually he was the first Changeling other than myself to give back love then just take it… so I may have taken him in privately to see how it felt."

I almost stumbled. "You were fucking Shrimp!"

Sparkling chuckled. "Yes, but before you get all bent up about me taking your regular, that happened a while before you became one of my girls." She then let out another, yet less sad sigh. "I wonder if he is doing okay. I know my brother is confused about him stealing that vehicle."

My heartbeat slowed as I felt a hole form in my stomach. "He… saved me… but…"

Sparkling Delight looked at me for a long moment as I struggled to say the words. Her whimsical expression slowly changed to one of recognition. "You don't need to tell me, not here, and not now."

I nodded and trotted to the other changelings.

"Will it hurt?" I asked.

"Physically, no. Emotionally, it is a terrible thing." She explained.

Smiling, I said back to her, "I doubt it's anything worse than I already feel."

Sparkling looked away, as though she felt something painful. An emotional pain she felt that became physical. "I… see. Then sit down and they will get started."

I did that, and prepared for what was to come.

At first I didn't feel anything, like they weren't doing anything. Nothing at all. Just nothing. I was nothing, I felt nothing, because I was nothing. Why bother with anything when nothing was worth doing. I couldn't do anything in the end, only get in the way. That's why Shrimp died. He could easily have saved himself. And Molo, she had them in the palm of her hoof but she had to protect me. They died because I was nothing, they died for nothing.

Every step of the way I made things worse for everypony. If I had just stayed home then so many ponies would have never been hurt.

I was nothing, and for that I should be nothing.

"Enough!" Sparkling yelled as she then cradled my head in her chest.

As she held me, I felt warmth, and remembered. How Horus did what he could to lift my spirits, how Molo pulled me out of my funk and together we saved Wiretap. They cared because they believed in me. Plasma and Cold too, both so strong despite losing everything they cared about. And Spell Circuit, who understands the guilt I felt all too well, and yet has not given up. How could I betray them?

"Alright, continue." Sparking said, and again I began to feel like nothing. "Sorry, I'm so sorry, Lottery. But until all that cursed lust is out of you, we have to do this."

I… didn't care even as I realized that this may take awhile. That I would suffer highs and lows until there was nothing left to take from me. I was nothing, and deserved nothing.

I just wanted to fade away.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy One

_______________________________________________________

The days then passed me by as I layed about, not able to lift a hoof. I wanted to, but couldn't find the strength. I knew I could, but couldn't. I couldn't talk or eat either. I just lacked the will to do anything.

Even after my surgery to reset my bones and the application of strong medication, I still could not will myself to move. Even as parts of my body boiled, scratched and burned, I didn't move, call out or cry.

It was like I was trapped in my own mind, a prisoner of a body that just couldn't.

But my friends stayed with me, watching me, and talking to me. Sparkling Delight and a few other changelings would visit me, and give me a bit of warmth. I felt better but not enough to do anything.

I just wanted to fade away and become nothing, yet here I was, a burden.

A mare then sat on my bed, her form like light itself. "Do you know what Venus root's original purpose was?" Persephone asked me, but I could not answer, not even thinking it out. "It was meant to be the ultimate ingredient to a love potion, cultivated by the Goddess of love herself." The Goddess of life and death answered for me.

The bed gave way and I fell, falling deep down into darkness until I gently fell into a grove. The same one with the altar made from the giant tree stump. But now there was a throne growing out of that stump, and sitting on it was Persephone with a mane of almost pure darkness with beautiful red flowers decorating it, and whose body was as pale as moonlight. No longer did she have vines draped over a colorful dress, but a long flowing dress that looked more shadow than cloth. Hovering just above her head and glowing with power was a tiara of the darkest black I had ever seen. Not dark, but more a void in reality itself, in which its spines were the warped reality that moved and pulsed around it.

"It always baffled me that the Aphrodite, who governed over love itself, would be the source of so much death and destruction. But when your doting father is the god of war, and even the other god's grovel at your own hooves, then you tend to lose perspective of the harm you can cause." Persephone frowned in annoyance. "Worse is that, as you ponies had forgotten, that love itself is a powerful magic, if not one of the most powerful magics in this world. And one easily perverted, as you have come to understand."

The curse on myself, I thought as I felt my will returning to me.

Persephone nodded. "One of many such curses that I now govern in this world." She waved her hoof and a plant with pink leaves formed, its thick roots twisting into the shape of a heart within a heart. "Once long ago, a griffin lost their partner, and along with them he lost his ability to love. For the griffin was once a passionate race filled with pride and honor. None of them would choose to live on without their chosen love. But for the sake of his young, this one did, and in time another came into their life, and fell in love with him. But he was cold, yet not uncaring, and could not deny this new love being given to him. So he prayed to Aphrodite, wishing for a way to expand his heart to another, and then she answered."

The Venus root burst into glitter dust, forming pink hearts all around. "Venus Root and the way to use it is what Aphrodite gave him, and through it he was able to love again." Persephone explained, but then the hearts multiplied, growing darker and darker until they were a deep sickly red. "But like medicine, when taken too much, it becomes a poison. A cure for a broken heart becomes the ingredient for a love potion, in turn is twisted into a curse that makes a whore out of the most chased of individuals."

"A Curse is but magic in overdose, where it is twisted into shapes of dark desire." Persephone continued, waving her hoof again and forming the mound maker. "Other times a curse comes about as simple unintended accidents through malice and fear." With another wave of her hoof the form of Mint appeared, surrounded by feral ghouls. The poor mare was holding a clump of green and blue mane, crying. "And then there are curses inflicted by one's own self through arrogance and self entitlement." From the darkness formed a twisted mare that I recognized from the Dukedom, it was Queen Chrysalis, and surrounding her were pony-like things obscured by green fire, being twisted into her own image."

I found the strength to stand up, and the strength to move my mouth. "Why… Why are you telling me this? Why would you care?"

"For I govern curses, and with them, those who are cursed." My eyes widened with realization, and the Goddess nodded. "From the moment Lethe had you drink the Will-o-Wisp, my eye was on you. When you broke the mound maker curse, my interest peaked. And when you embraced the cursed soul of the mound maker, my decision had become clear. To see your story through, to its bitter end, to its hope filled conclusion."

A question formed in my mind, but before I could ask, Persephone answered it. "Cure your curse? I certainly could, as certainly as I could place one upon you, or as I could reflect the curse back onto the one who carved it onto your flesh. But what would you sacrifice for me to do as such, what price would you pay. No, I think you would not wish to pay such a price, though as dim as you are, you are bright where it counts, and will choose to suffer then to pass that suffering onto another."

"Then tell me, why explain this when you only plan to watch?" I asked.

A smile crept from her muzzle, and I knew. All this, it was for her own entertainment. Nothing more, nothing less. "Correct, my little pony." Persephone confirmed my own thought. "But soon the threads of the curse will end, and this story will be able to reach its climax. So I want to see if you would do something different, to see if you could… surprise me."

I didn't like this, but there was no way I could say no to a Goddess. That or I was just hallucinating once more. Another mad dream.

"Maybe you are. Madness takes many forms, in which the mad never knows they are mad. Who knows, you could be but a brain in a jar, seeing the would others have chosen for you." Persephone told me, sending a cold chill up my spine at the thought of it.

The Goddess then sighed. "Mortal by the name of Lottery, when you face the curse of the Venus root, when you are given the option to cure yourself of it. You have several options unseen to you, options which have very different end results. By being ignorant of them, there is no way to access those options, and an opportunity is wasted. Though by just knowing that there are options, even if you know not what they are, you become empowered."

"I… don't understand." I said in confusion.

Persephone nodded. "That is the point, you are not to understand, you are to simply know that there are more than two options. More than two ways this story can end. One is that you rid the curse from you, and free yourself from endless lust. Or two, the curse consumes you, and you become a being of lust and debauchery, eventually turning into a brood mother of monsters. But there are more ways it can end, but only if you seek it. For a curse is but magic twisted, made into something wrong, but things twisted can be yet untwisted."

"So, you want me to… untwist the curse?" I asked.

But Persephone did not show any sign on her face that it is what she wanted or did not want. Only saying, "perhaps."

She was enjoying this, watching me run around confused and suffering. Even now I was but a small thing in the frog of her hoof, unable to understand.

"Correct my little mortal." Everything around me changed, and I found myself standing on the frog of Persephone's hoof. The hoof spread out infinitely as the goddess filled the sky, with her eyes larger than the moon as she looked down at me. "But let me correct you on one thing. I do not just enjoy the suffering, I enjoy the highs and lows. Your most hated moments, and the quiet ones you spent embraced by those who care for you. I watched you, for you interested me, as do so many others. And trust me when I say this, I, like any other mare, love a romantic ending. But such tales are boring if I must force them to my liking."

With a blink, I was surrounded by darkness, with only the sound of hooves trotting to me. It was a young mare with a golden mane that turned rose red at its tips, and behind her life bloomed. So many colors framed with a vibrant green. "As Kore, I ushered in life as the maiden of spring. Under the protection of my mother, I symbolized youth and purity. Though there are many others said to be more beautiful than I, of which I do agree, but no other goddesses was chased so passionately by others to catch my eye."

The beautiful and young mare trotted away, and another passed her and to me. She was a pale white pony covered in a black cloak, face obscured by shadows, but a tuff of a white mane that was red at the tips hung out. Behind her were brown and dry plants, all framed in pure white snow. "As Despoina, I am the Mistress, a maiden of secrets that symbolized the fear of the unknown. Often I am called the pale horse, the manifestation of the coming cold of death, for when the end of days come, I will be there to reap all that still lives."

As she passed, Persephone appeared as she had been before. "But I have always been Persephone, the Goddess of duality and contradictions. The one who ushered in life, and yet cursed the living to die. As I have, unlike the other gods, have always been a pony, and will always be one. Same as my beloved brother, the first god to choose mortality, to choose to become part of the cycle of life and death… and through it, I became the slayer of gods."

A tear rolled down the eye of Persephone, and it shined brightly like a star as it became a most beautiful jewel. "No, I don't wish to see you suffer, I don't enjoy seeing you in pain. I wish to see you grow, to overcome, and become better. For you ponies are all my brother's children, and all you are my family. And I look forward to the day when you can again honor the tradition that my brother started, and usher in the spring, and usher in the winter. All while singing such lovely songs."

She faded from view, leaving me with a sense of longing and sadness. "Wait, I don't understand?" I called out, but she didn't respond, and I knew she never would. Somehow I just knew this was the last time I would see Persephone. From here on, the gods were cutting my strings, and I was alone. I was free.

A freedom that left me feeling more vulnerable than I ever have felt in my life. Yet I knew I could stand on my own, for I knew there were those who believed in me and cared for me deeply.

_______________________________________________________

Slowly I opened up my eyes, finding myself in my room. Moving my legs I found that my whole body was sore, but also, felt better then it had been in a long time. I felt lighter, and more energetic.

As I got up I stretched my legs, making a racket of popping from my bones. Then my stomach grumbled, as to remind me that I had barely been eating in… three days I think. So first thing was to get something to eat.

Fortunately there was plenty of mutefruit available, so I began chowing down, now and then chugging some water. It all just tasted so good.

"Lottery!" Plasma said in shock, and then rushed over to give me a hug. "You're up, and eating. Are you feeling okay, any dark thoughts… wait no, just think of happy things okay!"

I gently pushed her back, as her hug was making it hard to eat. "I'm fine, just really hungry okay."

She let me go and let out a long sigh of relief. "Oh good, we were worried that you might need medical intervention soon. Since you didn't eat or drink anything. The changings had to drain you of everything just to get at the curse, and left you… well, empty. Even Sparkling couldn't bring you back, even after giving you everything she had. The act even caused her to mutate even further." A worried look formed on Plasma's face as she then said, "we even thought you were mutating as you lost your colors."

"My… colors?" I asked in confusion.

My friend nodded. "Ya, you literally turned gray. It actually caused a panic until Rattlebones showed up. He said that what was happening was natural. Well not so much as natural, but more just what happens to ponies when either our emotions or magic are drained. Old magic is really confusing. With arcano tech, I can program a spell matrix to play music, but with classical magic, I might as well be def and blind."

I looked at myself, seeing that my colors were quite normal. "Well, I'm better now… I hope."

"Well, mostly better. I mean you're stable and all, but…." Plasma said before explaining. "You're still going to need to take medication for a few months to treat the STD's, and the infection will likely stick around for a week at most. But the rest of your body is back in shape… well other than that, you know."

I placed a hoof over my left eye socket, and I still felt the eye there, though I knew it was gone.

Plasma then placed her head on my shoulder, almost nuzzling me as she let her weight rest on me. She was still so light and thin, that a strong breeze could knock her over, yet so strong and determined that she could still stand with me after all she had been through. "Lottery, I'm here for you, I know how you must feel. Having what they did to you, and… losing friends." Tears began to flow from her eyes. "I should have been there, I should have gone with Molo. But I was scared, the thought of going into a den of slavers and raiders… it terrified me."

Patting her on the back, tears began leaking from my eye. "I… don't blame you for anything. Not a damn thing. You understand."

"Oh dear, you two will make me cry if you keep that up." Sparkling Delight said from the doorway. The half changeling barely looked like the mare I had originally known, and hardly like a changeling either, though her mane was still the same. Her body was no longer black, but a deep dark blue, and without the holes through it. On top of her head were what looked like golden antlers, and from her back were translucent wings of emerald in color. She looked absolutely beautiful.

Stranger yet were the two changelings with her. They both looked a lot like Sparkling, if just a bit smaller, and without the mane.

Plasma backed away, wiping the tears from her eyes. "S… sorry." She apologized.

Sparkling rolled her eyes as she trotted in. "Oh stop apologizing now, you emotional bouncing ball." She then trotted up to me, placing her head to mine, and after a long moment, took a step back and smiled. "You're definitely better now, Lottery. Though I'm surprised that you got up on your own, since nothing I did seemed to help you. I was rather worried."

I shrugged. "Things just happened I guess." Then I pointed to the two mutilated changelings behind her. "What's up with them, is your condition, you know… contagious?"

She looked back at them for a moment, and the two seemed embarrassed by the accusation. "Ya, it surprises even me. They were actually feeding me love so that I could feed you it myself. The more they gave the more they changed. My brother even observed it, and he thinks it might not be a mutation, but possibly a natural reaction to giving love. Add my sudden fertility, Pharynx wants to see if these two can breed without the need for a surrogate. If he's right, it will change everything for us."

That was good to hear, to know that soon their cursed form would soon come to an end… wait, cursed, why did I think the changelings were cursed.

A pinch of pain in my head caused me to flinch, but it soon passed, but left me feeling a bit lightheaded."

"You okay, Lottery." Sparkling asked as she then looked me in my good eye.

"I'm fine." I told her as I gently pushed her back. "Probably just a bit of pain from not moving for so long. Anyways, did I miss anything?"

"Right, you've been out of the loop for a few days now." Sparkling then took a seat next to me, and levitated a glass of water over to herself. "You can get the details later, but I'll let you in on the important stuff. Like the assault on the Breaking Grounds being a success. Thanks to your destruction of their armory and killing off their leadership, Tripwire's forces could not rally or properly resupply. Along with Lucky Shot's destruction of the anti-air guns, it allowed us to prevent them from digging their hooves in defensively. So the battle was over rather quickly, though Flyright's bombing run caused many casualties before she was stopped."

Sparkling looked downtrodden as she mentioned the last part, as the deaths of many good ponies likely weighed heavy on her shoulders. "We haven't been able to give the dead a proper sendoff due to cleanup operations in the area. Though Tripwire's forces have been broken, the raiders are still running rampant, and causing as much chaos as possible." She then clenched her teeth in anger, then said. "The Bailfire Fiends know that even though we won, we have been weakened by the fight. They're doing what they can to keep us from fully recovering, even mocking us with our own dead."

The look in Sparkling's eyes was of deep sorrow, as though she wanted to tell me something, but desperately didn't want me to hear it.

It gave me a bad feeling, a real bad feeling.

"What did they do? Who did they hurt?" I felt something deeply wrong, but I needed to know. "Sparkling, tell me, is everypony okay? Is Wiretap alright? Is Grizzly-"

"Everypony is fine." She said, stopping my questions. "Mostly I mean. But… no, your going to find out sooner or later. It's Molo."

My body stiffened up as I grabbed Sparkling. "She's alive! How?"

But Sparkling shook her head. "No, Molo is not. But we were able to recover her body, it somehow managed to not get vaporized. But… Catalyst showed up and took it, and… they are hanging it over the Bailfire Fiends base."

I lost all strength in my body for a moment, then I was rejuvenated with rage. Sparkling reached out to hold my hoof, but I pulled away, and slammed my hoof on the bar, which left four gouge-like scratches in it. "Those… I'll kill them."

"Lottery, you need to think, what they want is you to be enraged." Sparkling said, attempting to calm me down.

But it only made me feel even worse. "Then why tell me, why?" I growled out at her.

Sparkling then sighed. "Because you're in no position to act right now, and the more time you have to think, the less likely you will run out and fall into their trap." Her antlers then began to glow, and a wave of calm washed over me. "Trust me, we all feel as upset as you do. But their actions are out of desperation, and not part of some grand scheme. More likely, they are buying Tripwire time to complete his true mezmetron."

"So you were going to just leave Molo's body with those cannibals?" I snarled.

"By Celestia no!" Sparkling protested. "And It's not just Molo's body. During the fight, they captured many ponies, and are holding them hostage. Mainly just civilians, but if we ignore them and let those raider do as they please, the reputation Grizzly has built up for Ursa's Rest over these months goes down the drain."

"Reputation, who cares about reputation!" I let out, with a raised and shaky voice.

But Sparkling remained calm, and explained to me. "Those who care about the future of Ursa's Rest. It's not like everypony has forgotten that this used to be a major hub for slavers, or that we supported Redeye's rise to power. And once Fillydelphia is finally cleansed of the slavers, where do you think everyone's eyes will turn next." She placed her hooves back onto my own, and again she forced me to be calm. "Lottery, we have a plan, and Grizzly wants you to be a part of it. But you must be of sound mind before we can truly consider taking you along."

I took a deep breath, finding my own calm. "Alright then, I'm calm. So tell me about this plan."

"Not yet. Well, not from me, I'm just here to check up on you. Grizzly actually wants to fill you in on her plan." She then let go of me. "But there is a pony you need to talk to first. Otherwise you cannot come."

I had a feeling I knew who it was. "Then let's go, before I change my mind."

A relieved Sparkling let out a long sigh. "Good, then I'll go talk to my sister, and Plasma can take you to see Mint." She then touched her head to mine again. "Again, I'm so happy to have you back with us, so please don't vanish like that again."

"I don't plan to ever let that happen again. You can trust me on that." I told her, and she backed off and trotted away.

"You sure you're feeling okay, Lottery?" Plasma nervously asked me. "I mean, you know."

Getting out of my seat, I gave my friend a hug. "Of cores not, how could anypony. But I'll get better. With you and the others with me, I know I'll get better."

"Same." Plasma said as she trembled in my hooves. "I feel the same."

_______________________________________________________

As I moved along, I found that Sparkling was right to tell me about Molo's body. It was still filled with pure anger to no end, but as I trotted, the more I thought about it. Like iron sharpening iron, I both understood that just running off would not help anypony, and that whatever Grizzly had in mind I wanted in on it. Who else would have the perfect plan for revenge then the mare who has had years to plot it.

Also as Plasm and I trotted through Ursa's Den, it was clear that tension was still in the air. The Breaking Grounds may have been broken, but the heart of the problem was still looming over us all. From what Plasma had told me, as ponies started to recover from the mind control, thanks to the anti-magic bomb testing, they would tell others about the mezmetrons and such. So they all knew, and though they wanted to go after Tripwire, the Bailfire Fiends had made sure to let everypony know, as soon as our guard was down, they would move in.

It would be the Braking Grounds all over again.

Arriving at one of the medical tents, we entered to see Mint, Aloe, and Basil tending to several ponies, and one griffin. They were checking bandages and asking questions, all while writing on a clipboard.

Seeing me, Mint signed through her mask and trotted over. "Oh thank Celestia your back on your hooves. If I had known that you would be thrown into such a deep state of depression, I would never have agreed to it. Are you feeling better, no negative thoughts or lissessness?"

I raised my hoof to stop her. "I'm fine, better actually. Not okay, but better. Actually I think those changelings ate all my old negative emotions too."

The ghoul shook her head disapprovingly as she trotted right up to me, taking a closer look at my face. "That's neither natural nor good for your health. If just removing your emotions or memories of your trauma worked, then we wouldn't have had such a problem with wartime stress disorder. Actually, it often made things worse."

"I feel fine Mint, but if you think it's still a problem, then I trust you." I told my friend.

She then pointed to a nearby cot, and I trotted over to it and sat down. The ghoul nurse then began doing the same kind of checkup as Doctor Helga often did. From checking my eye, mouth and ears, all except for taking a look at my privets, thankfully. "Any pain, or feeling of lightheadedness, how about intrusive thoughts?

"Nothing out of the norm, no. And my mind has been rather calm. Actually, I haven't had any though of sex or anything since the changelings."

"It won't last long." Plasma then said as she looked away, getting a quick glare from Mint.

"Unfortunately it's true." Mint then said, "but unlike when she first arrived, Plasma has managed to keep herself mostly decent. And amazingly enough, so has Silver. But even still, until the curse is lifted, all three of you still need to drink the concentration potion."

"About Silver, how is she doing?" I then asked, feeling curious about the sex addicted mare.

Mint shrugged. "She's a mix bag of problems, between her having little to no memory, to the curse, she swings between giddiness and depression. Benday has tried to help, but most of the work in dealing with Silver has been delegated to Sand Castle, another alicorn with a similar history of abuse."

"That makes sense." I said in agreement.

"But enough about other ponies, we need to focus on you." Mint refocused the conversation back to me as she pulled up a clipboard and a broken pencil. "Alright, before we go somewhere more private, I first need to check your mental state. Make sure your noggin has everything still in place."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You think I might have a few screws loose?"

"Lottery, if you didn't have a few screws loose after what you have been through, it would be a miracle. Your physical changes are overly concerning as it is." With the pencil, she poked at my swollen teat, which felt far better than it should have. "But Doctor Helga will go over that with you, so let's just focus on your brain."

I nodded, remembering how my body had changed, and how many times I lost myself. "Okay, I trust you."

"Alright then, we can start with something simple, word association. I say a word, and you tell me the first thing that comes to mind. You understand?" She told me.

"Ya, but how does this help?" I asked back.

"Ministry of Peace standard psychology evaluation. It has not failed to help me get the general headspace of a pony for over two hundred years. Not perfect, but good enough." She explained, which put me a bit at ease. "Okay, let's start with the word, Dog"

"Cat." I responded.

"House" she then said.

"Shelter." I said.

This went on for a while, one word then being exchanged with another, all while Mint wrote down on her clipboard. It eventually stopped, and the questions changed. "Now I'm going to make a statement, and you're going to tell me how much you agree or disagree with it, you understand?" I nodded. "Alright, the first one is this; Conflict is not in my nature."

I thought about it for a long moment, and then nodded, "I mean I never thought things would end up like this. I actually thought that all the bad ponies were gone when I first left home. Moronic right?"

"Lottery, nopony will blame you for wanting a better, safer Equestria." She then jolted down on her clipboard some more and then continued. "Now, I ain't given to relying on others."

Answering a few more questions, Mint then switched to showing me a few images, asking me what I see in them.

"That's… two Yao-Guai giving a hoof bump… wait, a claw bump would be more accurate." I answered the last one.

Mint looked confused for a moment as she muttered, "that's a first," before writing it down and putting her clipboard away. "Alright, from my experience, you're at least not unhinged or on the verge of a mental breakdown. Still there can be some underlying problems that have not surfaced yet, and sadly may not surface for years. But right now you're as mentally healthy as we can hope for, all things considered."

"What kind of… underlying problems?" I asked.

"Can't be sure right now, but depression is common. That's why it will be important for you to undergo counseling for the foreseeable future. Same for Plasma. That way if something like depression hits you, you'll be able to better deal with it." Mint explained.

"But until then, I'm good to go?" I hopefully asked.

She glared at me disapprovingly. "Lottery, I don't want you going off to do Celestia knows what until after you and I have had a private counseling session. Yes you're still sane, but you're far from stable. You understand?"

I nodded. "Ya, then let's get to it. The sooner this is over, the sooner I can get to work."

I watched as Mint's ears drooped, and a small huff of frustration left her muzzle. "I truly miss the old Equestria, where not only did none of this happen, but ponies had the time to properly heal. Alright, fortunately Aloe and Basil have things covered, so we can do it now. But promise me that once all this madness is over, we will make this a usual thing." She then eyed Plasma, "that goes for you too, miss sneaking off to the brothel!"

I then eyed Plasma as well, "really."

She rolled her eyes. "It was one time, and nothing happened… Well maybe a little bit happened with Low… but hay it's not my fault that working around sweaty rangers all day is a turn on for me!"

I face hoofed. "I'm calling it, Plasma is going to whore it up once the curse is lifted."

Mint let out a sigh. "I hope not, but she dose show the early signs of sex addiction."

"Oh come on, I'm not that bad!" Plasma protested, followed by the three of us laughing.

Truthfully, I didn't blame her. Even with the curse weakened, I still feel it, whispering in the back of my mind. Like it was hunger.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Two

_______________________________________________________

Reciting on what I had been through started out easy, but the more I talked about it the more I was back there, and harder it got. Even with the private room Mint had taken me to, and Plasma by my side for support, I found myself choking up. The day in and out of rape and humiliation, being turned into nothing more then a sex toy to be used and abused. The worst of it being the times I would lose my mind and want more, then later return to sanity. I remembered wanting to go mad again, to not understand what was being done to me, and hurting myself until they were forced to keep me restrained.

I think… no, I know I did. Several times I bit off my own tongue in attempt to kill myself. Only for them to push it back on and a healing potion to be shoved down my throat.

It was not just me that was like that. Other mares and stallions were in my position, and I had to watch them be raped. Though I clearly was the most popular, no, it was by Grinder's order that I was used nearly non-stop.

"There there." Plasma comforted me as she patted me on the back.

I had began crying without realizing, and quickly wiped the tears away. "Must I talk about everything?"

"No… but it will help you in the long run." Mint said, and looking at her I could see her own hoof trembling, her muzzle in a barely contained look of disgust. "If you bottle up your emotions, it eventually explodes. The more you bottle up the worst it gets. At best you start suffering from catharsis syndrome, at worse, full on wartime stress disorder. You may never fully recover, but by talking about it, it will help lessen its control over you."

She was right, or at least I believe in her to be right about this. She did have over two hundred years of experience to understand how all this works.

"We can stop here if you like." Mint then offered.

I shook my head. "It's… okay. I can go on a bit more."

There was so much I didn't want to say, so much I didn't want to relive, but I knew that if I didn't face it, then forever it would have power over me. So I brought myself back, describing to them the details of that nightmare I had lived. Though most of it blurred together, it was still just as horrible as the first time. Worst was the feeling of hopelessness that had taken me, since Grinder knew everything about the plan to assault the Breaking Grounds. I knew it was not my fault, but the guilt of telling them they made me feel like I deserved to be used.

Then I got to the last day, having spent hours as sone sort of decoration that ponies could fuck, then to have Bandsaw take me out. My meeting with Candy Corn, and her eating my eyeball. Then being forced to kill an innocent mare and fucked by a dog. I didn't know what was worse, what I hated the most.

No, I knew what I hated the most. That poor mare, forced to fight me to the death, and then being eaten by the raiders. Losing an eye was bad, but I was still alive. Being raped by a dog nearly shattered me, but it was no worse then what they already had done to me. But that mare was dead, and nothing came back from dead.

"After that, I got free." The words escaped my lips, yet something felt off. "Wait, how did I free myself?"

"Maybe it's best if we stop here." Mint suggested, she looked exhausted from just listening to me. "I'm glad you were able to share your experiences, but I don't want to push you to your limits. Or at least not today. Anyways, the fact that you can talk about any of that at all is a good sign. Actually it's almost unheard of, but then again most of my psychology experience is self taught."

"Two hundred years of self teaching is still more than most ponies in terms of experience." Plasma commented.

Mint slowly nodded, her movement hinting at a sadness only felt by those who have lived for too long. "Yes, even by just observing, you can learn a lot. Anyways, I'm not going to stop either of you from leaving, but if either of you change your minds and want to stop fighting, I won't blame you. Truthfully, both as your psychologist and as your friend, I much rather you both stay safe."

"Thanks, but this is something I must do. If Grizzly has a plan to destroy the Bailfire Fiends, I'm going to be a part of it." I looked down to see my own hoof was trembling, but taking a deep breath, I managed to regain control over it. "Anyways, Plasma and I aren't the only victims of those raiders, and if we don't make sure they are dealt with, then we won't be the last."

My mind flashed back to Spine Breaker and the other raiders who raped me. The memory was harsh and viscous, but at the same time distant. Each time I faced the memory, talked about it with Mint, the less it had a hold over me. I may never be truly free of it, but it didn't control my life.

A smile crept onto my face, and it felt honest. "Mint, thank you for being there, and helping me face the pain. I don't know what would have come of me without somepony to guide me."

Somehow the old ghoul looked embarrassed as she looked away, clearly trying to sort out her thoughts. "I… you know. Been trying my best. And helping you, and the others, it all has helped me out as well. Honestly, I think I was on the verge of going feral before you showed up, losing so many, both to the raiders and going feral, I had nearly given up."

I gave Mint a hug. "I'm glad you didn't."

Strangely it didn't feel like I was holding a dry and undead mare, but a live mare a bit older than me. One with a beautiful blue and green mane, and filled with a passion to help others. But as I let her go, only the ghoul remained. Yet under all that dead flesh, she was still beautiful. "Well, I should go and see what Grizzly has planned."

"Just be careful, okay. Don't let those raiders drag you down to their level." Mint said to me with a gravely, yet hopefully voice.

As Plasma and I left, closing the door behind us, Plasma stopped me to ask. "You sure you're okay, Lottery? I mean, what you told us was… it was horrible."

I nodded. "I'm fine, not great, but I'm not about to fall to pieces. There's too much to do to be letting the wasteland drag me down. Once Tripwire is dead, then I can relax and have a breakdown."

Plasma let out a long sigh. "Ya, I get that."

_______________________________________________________

Grizzly Deal's office was a buzz of activity as it had been for a long time now, with paperwork scattered all over, and with ponies moving all about. A tired eyed Grizzly waved us over. "Good, you're here. Sparkling told me you were back up."

"And she told me you're planning to go after the Bailfire Fiends." I commented.

A smile crept on Grizzly's face, one of gleeful bloodlust. "E'yep. Thanks to them being the last of Tripwire's fighting force, they finally spread themselves too thin just keeping us on our tippy hooves. It's a rare chance to take out their base while most of them aren't home. Without that damn re-education center, the Bailfire Fiends become nothing more than just another raider clan. One we can hunt down to the last mare."

"And we're using Silver to get in, correct?" I asked.

Grizzly nodded. "No other way in so long as they have power to their defence grid. But once in, if we manage to turn off that defense grid, it's goodbye Bailfire Fiends."

Plasma and I took a seat, and though I trusted Grizzly, I had also come to know that she can be shortsighted at times when it came to personal matters. And this was very personal to her. "That's all and good Grizzly, but it can't be that simple. What's the plan?"

She took a deep breath, calming herself down. "Right, of course. Been trying to get through all this paperwork before I get ready to go myself, so my brain is a bit… overworked."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You're coming?"

"I need to go. I need to end them myself. It's the least I can do for my family. For what I did." The shame and guilt were clear on her face, but it didn't stop her from signing off on a document. "As for the plan, Plasma can fill you in on the details."

I looked over at Plasma and she shrugged. "You were busy." She told me.

"Alright, fair enough. So tell me how we're taking out the Bailfire Fiend's base?" I asked.

"Right, well it may not be as simple as Grizzly made it seem, but we're at least not going in blind. Well not completely at least. While you were out, we managed to coordinate with Honeycrisp and get access to the bunkers archive." From inside her jumpsuit, Plasma then pulled out several folded up pieces of paper, and opened one to reveal a strage blue map. "I had suspected that the re-education center may be a low level ministry building, and the Applejack Rangers fortunately have blueprints for most of the ministry buildings of low to mid level." She then put the maps away. "Once we teleport into the center, the plan will be to find out where we are, and then make our way to the security control room, and disable it. Well, I'll be disabling it, you and Grizzly will make sure the raiders don't stop me."

That sounded just like what Grizzly had said but with more details. "Right, so that's Silver, Grizzly, you and me. Anypony else coming?"

"Unfortunately, no." Plasma began to explain. "With all the fires being set, anypony who can be put out to fight, is being put out to fight. I don't like it, but with how much chaos the Bailfire Fiends are causing, it's unlikely there will be much opposition inside the re-education center. There is also the problem of Silver, the poor mare is still unstable, and her magical control is… unreliable. Once we're in, it's unlikely she will be able to teleport us out anytime soon after. Actually, three ponies other than herself is her limit, anymore then that and she could pass out."

"What about the hostages and Molo?" I asked.

Grizzly then spoke up. "Once the defense grid is taken out and the doors are open, we can call Prickly and her berserker's. They will clear out the remaining raiders and rescue the captives. It will be like the Braking Grounds, but hopefully with less explosives."

Plasma nodded. "If things go well, we should be done by the end of the day."

"If they go well. It's raiders we're dealing with." I reminded my friends.

"Quite right." Sparkling said as she trotted in. "We don't know what you will see once you enter that damn place, but it's best to keep your guard up around the raider. Madness is unfortunately an effective tactic when it comes to a fight. So you three should get yourselves prepared first, and don't take any chances."

A yawn came from the real Grizzly. "And a rest too. I'll be up in two hours, Lottery, Plasma, you two go get ready."

"So is my gear ready." I said, look at the dress I was in. "Can't go out in this."

"Worry not, I already sent word for all your things to be sent back to your penthouse. You will find them all in the best condition as they could be." Sparkling then leaned in and sniffed me a few times. "I suggest you wash up first, and maybe see Sunset for your mane. You might as well look good as you crush those bitches."

I sniffed myself, and recoiled a little. I was not as bad as I had become in the Breaking Grounds, but I was getting a bit ripe. "Alright, and after this we go after Tripwire."

"Naturally." Grizzly said. "Spell Circuit is already working on that with Cold Trails. Once the Bailfire Fiends no longer have a safe haven, they will run and scatter. This will free ponies up to move onto the Naysayer Manor."

I gritted my teeth as excitement and hate bubbles up within me. I was so close now, so close to ending all this.

_______________________________________________________

The shower would have been absolutely revitalizing if there had been any hot water, but due to all that activity going on, Ursa's Den's boiler burnt out. But at least I was clean, though no amount of scrubbing helped me feel truly clean. Thankfully Plasma kept an eye on me, so I didn't end up scrubbing my fur off again.

I may have control over myself, but Mint was right about the help I needed. And no matter how long it will take, I'll make sure I will recover. If I give in to despair and shame, they win.

"Say Plasma." I spoke up as I put my gear on. "Do I just have too many guns?"

As Sparkling had told me, my things had arrived at the penthouse not long after I had, all in top condition and thoroughly clean. I was sure my dress must have shrunk a little, as it didn't feel right as I put it on, though it still fit me just fine.

"Honestly, ya. You got two revolvers, two rifles, and an axe shotgun, along with those claws you love so much." She pointed out before sighing. "But, considering where we were going, the more guns the better." Plasma then pulled out from a duffel bag the two IF-64'S welded together, though now they have clearly gotten more work done. "Afterall, we know what will happen to us if we are captured, so overkill is the logical choice."

I looked at my magical Gauntlets, the claws moving with my hoof. "Ya, no mercy for them." Strangely, as I looked at the Grizzly Gauntlets, I realized that I didn't remember where I got them. Like one day they were just with me… no… right, I fixed them over my month as a brothel mare, having won a broken set off an old tribal in a poker game. Rattlebones helped me complete it, all while I was high off my flank.

Something did feel right, like I had forgotten something.

Tearing my eyes from my Gauntlets, I looked over at Plasma, who was now changing into a new outfit, and unlike me, she had not removed most of her piercings, even having one on her tongue now. The outfit she was pulling out looked like a steel rangers scribe's uniform, but if the scribe also worked at the Red Light Showroom. And knowing Plasma, it was close to the truth. She had an armored reinforced leather vest with too many pockets covering it, along with leg armor and leather boots. But instead of the thick red cloth bodysuit, she had a fishnet bodysuit, A collar and cuffs. Thankfully she had shorts on, though they were as short as they could get.

"Let me guess, some stallions have a Steel Ranger fetish?" I playfully asked my friend.

Plasma carefully placed a cap on her head, getting it ever so just right. "There's actually this one knight who has a thing for eggheads. Big and rough around the edges, and aggressive too. Also having on the proper Scribe uniform feels uncomfortable, I don't even know how I manage having all that fabric pressing against me."

"I worry for you, you know that right?" I told her.

Placing both the rifle and crossbow into sheaths on the side of her back, Plasma then looked over at me with a smile on her face. "Oh come now. I'm sure I'll settle down once the curse is over. Anyways, you sure everything is fitting right? I heard they had to retailor your dress."

"Ya, it's weird to see it actually. Not just the tits, but my hips too. If you all didn't pull me put of there I might have actually became some sort of broodmare." I stuck my much longer tongue out causing Plasma to flinch a little. "I hope I return to normal after this."

Plasma check her own tonged and shrugged. "Well at least you look good, I mean I wouldn't mind looking a bit more like that if it can be controlled."

I rolling my eye at her, sure that it was more the curse talking, then her own desires. "You wouldn't be saying that if you had to trot around with them rubbing on your thighs. Or that I bight my tongue all the time now."

She sighed. "Maybe your right."

As we made our way to the salon, it was clear that ponies were stealing glances at us. But it felt different then when Onyx paraded me around like a whore. It felt like they were watching out for a predator, that we were something dangerous. It felt good, as it made me not feel like the dumb mare I was before, not like a pony ignorantly being used and abused.

"Lottery, oh it has been too long!" Sunset greeted me, but as he got closer, shock formed on his face. "Oh my, your eye." Then he gasped. "Your mane, what monster butchered your beautiful mane!"

I let out a chuckle, not surprised in the least that he was more shocked about my mane then my eye. "Raiders." Was all I said.

The mane dresser clicked his tongue. "Typical barbarians. Well not much we can do about that, not even magically. Well that's what I was taught I mean, can't regrow a mane and tail with magic."

"Realy?" I asked, finding it odd that a mane and tail would be resistant to magic.

Sunset shrugged then directed me to a seat for him to get to work. "We got some old textbooks on it… well all textbooks are old as a matter of fact, but this one was personally co-authored by Rarity, under the chapter about dealing with wardrobe disasters. You should read it if one is ever recovered."

I sighed. "I would if I could."

"Right, sorry for bringing that up." Sunset apologized as brought out his tools.

I sighed. "No worries, there are worse things then others bringing up my illiteracy." I tapped at my eyepatch, "far worse things."

With a smile, Sunset began wetting my mane and with his wings, brought out a clean comb and scissors. "Oh, I had High Pressure visit some time ago, the poor mare still has headaches and such, but it's good to see her again. I was really worried when she first arrived, with how bad things can be out here, as you know, I wasn't sure my old friend would still be her when she woke up."

"She's rather resourceful and quick witted." Plasma commented.

Sunset nodded. "Oh you should have seen her when we were kids. High and Low were like an unbeatable duo… until they started fighting." A long listless sigh then came from the mane dresser. "If I was not gay, I know she and I would have made a lovely couple." His scissors then made a loud snip near my ear, causing me to flinch. "But I had to fall for Low."

"Hey now, I get how ya feel. Low is… weirdly charming." I said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Not to mention a good fuck." Plasma needlessly added.

Sunset gave a disappointed glance at my friend. "I'm not going to deny that it is true, but I rather not be reminded about it by a mare he had to be forced upon."

Plasma rolled her eyes. "You know that jealousy isn't your color."

I lifted a hoof up to get their attention before the stallion with sharp objects made a mistake. "How about we not talk about Low Pressure. He's a big dick with a big dick, we all know that, and we all tried it. So how about we talk about something else?"

Sunset snipped his scissors again, but this time far more gently. "You're right. Actually, I've been getting a few new customers. This one was something else. Honeycrisp was her name, has such a beautiful mane, I just had to work on it."

As he worked on my mane, Sunset would keep up the gossip, which helped me relax. It felt like I was not about to go back into the fight, but just having a relaxing day. Back when my biggest problem was my self loathing and fucking enough stallions to pay off my debt. Not the best of times, but I still had two eyes and wasn't pregnant.

It felt a bit strange that my time as a prostitute felt like a better time then now. But then again, being a whore was far more bearable than getting shot at.

It really made me wonder how things could have turned out if this bramin shit with Tripwire was not going on. Maybe having met Plasma out in the wasteland first, and safely making our way to the Ursa's Rest. Strangely, I had a feeling that if I was with her when I first started out in the wasteland, we'd likely end up in the Showroom just to make extra caps. Maybe, or maybe not. I do know that I'd have had more fun if I had not gotten raped first.

"You okay, Lottery?" Plasma asked.

Refocusing, I let myself relax. "Sorry, ya I'm fine. Just lost in thought."

She held onto my hoof, which helped calm me down further. "You have nothing to apologize for, it has happened to me a few times as well."

I then felt Sunset combing my mane down, moving it around. "And done. Mostly… I'm not sure if you wanted the eyepatch seen or not, so I can have part of your mane covering it, or I can have it framed by your mane.

Thinking about it, I was not ashamed by the missing eye, not at all. Though I felt as though an important part of me was gone, and not just the eye. Like as though Candy Corn had defiled what little pride I had in myself by taking an eye and cutting my mane. No longer would I ever hope to look like one of the old world mares, the mane may regrow, but the eye was gone forever. But I also didn't care. Those ponies from the past, and they made this wasteland I now suffered in.

I pulled out the purple eyepatch with the pink heart on it. "If I wore this, how would the framing of my mane work?"

Sunset cocked his head for a short moment. "Maybe, it does go with the color you put in your mane. Here let me see." Switching out my eyepatch, and moving my mane, he then smiled and nodded. "Yes, this will work."

The pegasus pulled out two mirrors, letting me see all of my mane. The uneven cut in the back was gone, replaced by a more fluffy, yet fierce mane that feathered out in the back. My bangs were mostly untouched, lightly trimmed and with the pink highlights covering the eyepatch just enough that it didn't hide it, but made it feel more mysterious. I still missed my old long mane, but this new look… I liked it.

"As always, you did a fantastic job." I told Sunset as I took an extra moment to look at myself.

It was undeniable that I was no longer the pony I was before. No Longer innocent and full of the idea of romance, but also no longer weak and ignorant. What looked back at me was a hardened mare who was soon off to kill other ponies. Not for caps, or for a sense of fighting the good fight, but to get revenge for myself and justice for others.

"I am a professional after all. And I'm glad to help you, even if it's a small thing like this." He told me as he placed his tools into a sanitizing liquid. "Out of all the ponies I have had come here, you're one of the ones who deserved better. To deserve to be happy. So if you're ever feeling down, just come see me, and I'll do my best."

That put a smile on my face. "Thanks for being here Sunset. And if I have daughters, I'll be sure to take them to you for their mane cuts."

"And I'm sure they will be beautiful, even without my skills." He then began cleaning his chair, using his wings as dusters. "But until then, do take care."

Waving goodbye, Plasma and I trotted off back to Ursa's Den, as it was soon time for the killing to start.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Three

_______________________________________________________

After getting something to eat and drink, Plasma guided me to the war room, where Grizzly was waiting. With her was Prickly, Silver Bristle Brush and another green alicorn. But unlike Benday, this alicorn had her mane and tail braided and tied into a loop.

"Good, we can go at any time." Grizzly said as she sat in her seat. She was wearing a black suit that looked too clean for the wasteland, and on the table in front of her was one of the M.E.W. SMG's Flyright had. As I trotted to her I saw that there was another gun on the table as well, and if it wasn't for how much it shined, I might have mistaken it for Tripwire's pistol. But instead of the pink alicorn engraved on the side, this one had a gold and white alicorn engraved on it.

Grizzly saw me looking and smiled. "You like, it's a limited run pistol made in honor of the princess, and only three were ever made."

"Ya, Tripwire had one." I said as I looked at the beautiful gun.

Frowning, Grizzly pulled the pistol back to herself and then placed it into a holster under her suit jacket. "I know. Unfortunately we don't know where the third one is, rumors were that Celestia had it, and if anypony ever found it, they would also learn of what happened to Princesses Celestia."

"A worthy mystery to be solved, with a nice prize. If I know my metal right, that gun hast to be made of pure mithril." Plasma said.

Grizzly nodded. "And magical too. The gun Punch Love, which Tripwire has, is said to make the owner of it more charismatic. My gun, Golden Sun, gives off an aura of authority, and stands as the Ursa's Rest mark of rulership. As for, Blue Moon, the third gun, nopony knows what it does, but rumors are that it protects you from nightmares and mind altering magics."

"I guess that answers why Tripwire used such a low caliber gun." I commented

"That and he is a terrible shot, I doubt he could use a gun that's any better." Grizzly said, mocking our enemy. "But enough talk about guns, or this will take all day."

"Yes, enough idol chit chat cousin." Prickly spoke up from her seat. "As soon as you four leave, we will move onto the re-education center by cloudship. It will be like with the breaking grounds, if things go well. Honestly, I'd charge in there now and rid us of that sorge, if not for my need here."

"I understand my cousin, if it was possible, I'd have Silver just send a megaspell bomb there and call it a day." Grizzly said with spite. "But we cannot sacrifice the hostages."

"Excuse me, but about the hostages, Who exactly got taken?" I asked.

A look of disgust flashed on the other three mare's faces, and then Grizzly answered. "Unfortunately the Bailfire Fiends snatched up any foal they could get their grimy hooves on. And for the few adults taken, they're likely dead by now."

"And if they're not dead, it will not be a pretty sight." Prickly added.

"I can imagine, so is there anything else I might need to know?" I asked.

"Actually there is." The green alicorn spoke up as she trotted over. "Names Sand Castle, and we'd like you to try and get Majestic back for us." Sand Castle's horn glowed bright green, and a bag was levitated over onto the table. The bag was opened with her magic, reveling a strange device covered in wires.

Plasma sighed. "Can I ask you how you managed to get one of the anti-magic pulse bombs? The Rangers are not the kind of ponies to just lose or give something like this away."

"We made it, the sisters and I." Sand said with pride. "We want Majestic back, but none of us know how to fight, so we made an extra powerful bomb to free her."

"Will that mess of wires work?" Grizzly asked Plasma.

"Lets see…" plasma then poked around the bomb for a minute, then pulled back with a smirk. "They got close, and with a few tweeks, I'll work. I'm more surprised they found the materials needed to make this!"

Sand looked nervous as she said, "you know, being resistant to radiation and all, so some of us went to a hotspot with a military base."

Plasma nodded. "That would make sense. Alright, just give me a moment, I'm sure I can use this to knock out the magic of the whole center with this."

That sounded too good to be true, so I asked, "realy, then we just need to send the bomb, right?"

"Unfortunately, no." Plasma answered. "It may fry any weaker talismans and spell matrixes, but anything important will be protected. At best it will just knock out all the arcano-tech for a minute. But that may be enough time for us to save Majestic if she appears." She then looked over at Sand Castle, giving her a smile. "It's a promise, if she appears, we will do what we can to save her."

"Th… thanks." Sand Castle said as she backed away, then with a wing, pushed Silver over to us. "Also, keep her safe."

"Of course." I said as I trotted over to the unicorn, or well, the unicorn looking alicorn, but not quite… that was going to be confusing, so I'll just call her a unicorn. "How about you, Silver, are you alright?"

Silver took a moment before she answered, the poor mare clearly very nervous. "I'm… doing better. I'll be able to… help." She then finally looked me in the eyes. "I said… bad things to you… sorry."

I rolled my eyes. "You and I are cursed, so I think you can be forgiven for being driven crazy by it."

But she shook her head. "N… no, you and Plasma were able to hold on, and help. I let myself be consumed, let myself become deprived. I could have helped… I should have helped… but I became a whore instead." She then slammed her hoof down, finding some confidence from within as she told me. "But I can help now, and I will. Even if just getting you there is all I can do, I'll do it!"

"Then I'm glad to have your help." I replied, patting her on the shoulder.

Silver then leaned in and whispered. "When this is… over… can you teach me a… a few tricks?"

I let out a quiet sigh, patting her on the shoulder again. Though reduced, the curse was still there for her. "How about this, once the curse is lifted, we can talk about it."

"Okay!" She said, and with a smile on her face, trotted off to the others.

I shared a worried glance with the others, in which it seemed that we all concluded that it would be better to have Silver like that, then to be too depressed to help.

As I rejoined the others, it was very clear that Silver was far under equipped then us, as in no equipment at all, not even clothing. "Will Silver be alright with nothing?"

Grizzly shrugged. "She's still technically a mutant alicorn on the inside, with potent raw magic and all."

"And she doesn't like clothing anymore." Plasma added as she rubbed her leg. "Actually I've been finding clothes to be weirdly… uncomfortable lately too."

"Same." I admitted.

Plasma then looked annoyed as she stomped on the ground once. "Fuck, must be the curse. Which is odd, as most ponies don't wear any clothing."

"It's more that we are extra sensitive to touch. Even being beaten feels good to me now because of it." I informed my friends.

Out of the blue, Grizzly lifted the back of my duster and slapped my flank, causing me to let out a surprised moan. "Ya, I think Lottery's right. She's not a masochist like you Plasma, and that was a masochist's moan."

I retreated to hide behind Plasma, glaring at Grizzly. "Fuck you, bitch!"

There was a moment of silence, lasting only for a few seconds, then the three of us began laughing. I was still pissed, but it was kind of funny.

Stopping on the floor a few times, Prickly got our attention. "Alright, before my cousin decides to drag you all to her bedchamber, maybe you should get going. Eventually father is going to find out what you're planning, and nopony will be going."

"Wait, Rattlebones is against this?" I asked.

Prickly nodded. "Grizzly is still his niece, and despite her sins, she is still loved as family. So he wants her to say where it is safe. But he can be overprotective at times, and not see that revenge must be done by those wronged, and those seeking redemption must work with their own hooves. By doing this, my cousin will both receive her vengeance, and her redemption."

The tall mare then narrowed her eyes at me. "There is magic in symbolism, as there is magic in friendship and love. You all have a shared goal, a shared pain, and a shared sense of responsibility. Use that which binds you all to find the strength to gain victory."

I nodded and looked back at the others. Grizzly and Plasma had helped me a lot, but I barely knew Silver. "Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes. Just find the strings that bind you to others, and either cut it, or embrace it." Prickly said, looking rather profound.

A huff then came from Grizzly. "Can you stop quoting your father, he's normally drunk when saying that shit."

Prickly frowned, sighed, and then backed away. "Just trust each other and bring those monsters to ruin. The sooner their base is destroyed, the better Equestria will become."

"I guess we wasted enough time chit chatting, so let's go." I told the others.

Plasma, Grizzly, Silver and I all faced each other, Silver's horn beginning to glow. The unicorn looked uncomfortable as she gritted her teeth and breathed heavily.

"Is she okay?" I asked.

"No, she has to visualize the place before teleporting." Sand Castle said as she trotted over, touching her horn with Silver's. "I'll help her concentrate, lift some of the burden from her memory." The green alicorn also gritted her teat as her eyes opened wide with shock. "I… I understand why this is hard. But it must be done, so take care sister, and destroy those monsters!"

_______________________________________________________

For a moment everything tasted of copper, and then my other eye went blind. A stench then hit me like a rampaging Yao-Guai, causing me to gag, and nearly puke.

"The fuck are we." Grizzly yelled in disgust, her voice nearly drowned out by the sound of buzzing flies.

"Just a moment, I got a light." Plasma wheezed.

"Same here." I added as I held my breath and looked for my torch light.

Two beams of light flooded the once dark room, revealing us to be in a pit of bones and rot. Death surrounded us, corpses discarded and left to bloat. This place also smelled of piss and shit as well, along with mold and other forms of decay.

"Fuck, this must be their trash pit!" I stated the obvious as I looked for a way out. There were some stairs not far away, so I began trotting. "Over here."

As I moved, my hoof went through the ribcage of some poor victim, their rotting inners coating my hoof. The stairs were not much better, as I found it hard to get a hoof hold due to its slick slime surface, forcing me to dig in with my gauntlets. Turning back, I reached out to help Grizzly and Plasma out, and we made our way up.

Reaching a catwalk, the smell had not improved, but at least we were not treading in filth.

"Um, girls… where is Silver?" Plasma asked, and I realized she was not here.

"Shit! She didn't go with us, that bitch!" Grizzly growled out.

A light then slowly began to bathe the room we were in as a loud squeal of metal on metal assaulted our ears. With more light, I could see that we were in some warehouse-like room, with nothing but death below us. Turning my head to the light, a pony stood in the doorway, and I knew we had already been caught.

The pony then waved at us.

"Over here!" Silver called out!

The three of us sighed in relief and rushed over and out of this room, slamming the door behind us.

Silver held her nose as she said. "S… sorry about that. St… still learning to c…control the magic."

"We're here, and that's all that matters. Though I could do with a way to get rid of the smell." Grizzly complained.

"Oh, I can do that!" Silver's horn then began to glow as magic wrapped around Grizzly, causing the filth and grime to flake off her.

"That's… useful." Said a mildly shocked Grizzly.

Silver nodded. "Mother wanted me to spy on the more powerful ponies as a maid, so she gave me everyday magic that I could cast. I can cook, clean, and perform sexual tasks!"

Plasma grabbed her friend, shock clear on her face. "Silver, does that mean your memory is back?"

The unicorn looked nervous again, and shook her head. "S… sorry. Only bits and pieces."

Letting her go, Plasma then wiped off her hooves and pulled out the map as Silver casted her cleaning spell on her. "Alright, back to the mission. Anypony see something that indicates where we are."

I looked around, seeing nothing of note, all while the cleaning spell was casted on me, getting rid of the slimy rot from my hooves.

"Here!" Grizzly said as she trotted over a graffiti covered sign. Running her hoof over the sign, her mouth moved as shough reading it by touch. "East… equipment… storage."

"How? That thing is covered in paint. Even if I wasn't illiterate, I still couldn't read that?" I asked.

Grizzly tapped the sigh, it banging louder than any of us liked. "Sorry!" She said softly, then explained. "It's written in blind text. Their bumps that translate to poneish, made for, well the blind."

"You can read that?" Plasma asked.

"Of course I can read it, you'd be surprised how many important books were written in blind text. It also makes good code, since almost nopony can read it, or even know what it is." Grizzly further explained. "Speaking of which, the map, Plasma."

"Right, you said the East Equipment Storage. Ya, here it is!" Plasma pointed at a large square on the map, then unfolded another map. "The security control isn't far from here, so long as the way is not blocked. We just need to go up two floors and down the hall to the main building."

"And if it's blocked?" Grizzly asked.

"Either through the courtyard or through the dormitories. Both are likely going to have eyes on them." Plasma's hoof moved about the map, which I barely understood. "I'd advised the dormitories, as it will not have turrets."

"What about Molo's body?" I asked.

Plasma shook her head. "Not until the defence matrix is taken down. After that we can go get her."

I hated it, leaving Molo out there. But she wouldn't want me stupidly getting killed getting her corpses back. "Alright, let's turn off that power." I then turned to Silver, asking her, "are you still holding it together?"

The unicorn nervously fidgeted for a moment. "I'll… be fine. Fortunately my memories are still a mess, so I'm not recalling the worst… yet."

"Good enough, so just stay with us, and you'll get through this." I told her.

She nodded and we were off, following Plasma as she guided us. As we trotted, I was reminded of the Corps Dancers, with how everything was caked with graffiti. Often drawings of dicks, or rude comments I couldn't read, which Plasma remarked that most of them were misspelled. Guns and skulls were commonly painted, along with a few real ones just lying around here and there.

The climb up stairs was no better, as every hoof step of this place had been defiled in some way or another. Disturbingly was how many small hoof prints that were everywhere, many involved in some of the more disturbing images along the walls.

A breeze greeted us as we reached the top floor, which blew away the stench of shit and death we had been breathing. The windows here were not boarded up, but left smashed open, giving us a view of the outside. What I saw was several gray blocks, surrounded by thick walls, in the middle of a vast dead land. The same graffiti from the inside coated everything, but out here it looked more like some infection that veined out from holes, doors, and windows, trying to escape.

There were a few ponies on the thick wall that surrounded the re-education center, along with a lot of turrets, and what looked like robots. On the ground were thin ponies working in a tato garden, looking a few hoof steps away from death.

"Ya, those turrets will kill us in seconds if we go through the courtyard." Grizzly commented.

"Agreed, but unfortunately we're not going to be able to go this way." Plasma said as she looked around a corner.

Looking at it ourselves, the floor to the door had collapsed, and the door itself looked blocked off.

Plasma pointed over at another building on the other side of the one we were trying to get to. "The path on that side is still good."

"Ya, but how are we going to get there, and wouldn't just going to the main building be easier?" I pointed out.

"I'm suggesting that Silver takes us to the other side." Plasma said, pointing over at an uncovered window on the lower floor of the building.

Silver looked over at it herself, and nodded. "It's a short jump, so no problem."

"Good, but be ready in case we are seen by anypony!"

I checked my revolvers quickly, and racked the slide of my silenced IF-64. "Alright, I'm ready."

After a short moment, we gathered around Silver, and then everything shifted. Looking out the window, I saw where we had just been.

"Enough sightseeing, we need to move." Grizzly ordered. "Which way, Plasma?"

Again Plasma had the map out, but this time she looked less than happy. "From where it looks like we are, if we want to stay below the radar, we need to go through the cafeteria, and up through the dormitories. And that's a big if."

Giving her a nod, we let her lead the way again, quickly taking us to a pair of double doors. Testing the doors, we found them locked. "I got this." Grizzly said as she trotted over and pulled out a box of bobby pins and a screwdriver. After a quick moment, the doors clicked open. "My brother always liked to lock me out of places, so I learned to unlock them and go in anyways."

Entering the cafeteria, it was fortunately empty, but it was an absolute mess. Broken chairs and tables were all over, with only a few likely being used for their original purpose. Several corpses hung by hooks on the wall as macob decorations, their intestate strewn about between them. Of course, the smell of death and rot was rather pungent here.

"Let me guess, they eat ponies here." I commented as I tried to not gag.

"Probably, so let's not stay long," Grizzly said as she quietly trotted forward.

Following Plasma, she took us to the back and into the kitchen, though it strangely didn't look like any kitchen I'd ever seen. More a lab from my brother's comic books than a place to cook food. But the sight of cut up ponies in a grinder was all I really needed to know about this place.

"Shit, the doors are magnetically locked, I'll need to hack it." Plasma said as she trotted to a terminal.

As she turned on and tapped at the terminal, I took a quick look around, my eye catching one of the weird contraptions that came out of the wall. Silver was already at one, and before I could stop her, she pressed a button.

After a few clunks, the machine produced a metal plate and dropped a green brick, and then poured pink slime onto it.

"What the?" I said.

"Food." Silver answered.

"I wouldn't eat that!" Plasma spoke up, getting our attention as the doors opened behind her. "This place uses an organic matter converter system. It lets them turn uneatable matter into edible matter."

I raised an eyebrow. "How is that bad?"

Grizzly cleared her throat and pointed at the ground up pony. "What do you think they used for organic matter?"

Both Silver and my eyes looked back at the plate of food, and we backed away from it. "Disgusting." I said under my breath.

"It's worse than you think." Plasma then said, looking as disgusted as I felt. "Those converters are said to be terrible at sanitation. Easily tainted with bacteria and other pathogens. And they fed that shit to foals."

We then quickly made our way out with another reason that this place needed to burn.

Quickly trotting through the back way, things became a lot less dirty. It was still an old building covered in cracks and dust, but now with far less graffiti, and far less wear and tear from hoof traffic. Actually this place felt far more dead than corrupted.

Plasma brushed her hoof along a boarded up windowsill, knocking up dust. "I guess they must have locked themselves out of this section."

"Good, then it means nothing should be in our way from here on." Grizzly commented before freezing in place. "Shit, called it too soon."

A door creaked open, and the sound of moving mettle came from inside the building. With a thud, a protect-o-pony trotted out, dust breaking off its clear face that gave us a view of the mechanics inside.

"Hello and welcome to the Happy Hooves Re-education Center and Orphanage. Where we save foals from the lies of the Zebras that have poisoned their parents. You… FOUR… must be the new staff that have been requested. May I have your names and position?" The robot attempted to sound cheerful, but unlike the pink robots from the proto stable, its flat tone was exceptionally lifeless.

Plasma lifted up her hoof, waving it around a bit. When it was clear that the protect-o-pony could actually see her, she answered. "That's right, we're the new staff, I'm Plasma, and the others are Lottery, Silver and Grizzly. Were the new security, sent here to re-establish order before the rest of the staff can show up."

Several loud and fast clicks came from the robot before a red light flashed on, then replaced by a green. "Security cannot be contacted, home office cannot be contacted, the ministry's cannot be contacted. Communication failure is likely, danger to staff and subjects is high. Emergency security recruitment is activated." Lifting up a leg, the robot gave us a salute. "Welcome aboard new security, let me show you to your duties. Follow me."

The robot then turned and slowly trotted away.

"How'd you do that?" I asked Plasma.

"Robots are easy to read and trick, so you just need the right item or the right thing to say. Protect-o-pony's are also known for being notoriously dim in their programming, both easy to hack and easy to trick. Which is concerning, since most have guns on them," Plasma explained.

Grizzly stepped ahead of us. "Well, let's follow it, if it thinks we're security, then it may take us to the security matrix."

Plasma nodded. "That's why I said that to it."

Following the robot it would slow down at several different rooms, and explain it to us.

One room was dark, with but a few terminals that would show the inside of a different room, now and then flickering to show another room. Some had foals in them, all crammed together uncomfortably. Another had a few pregnant mares in them, on being blind and missing her hooves. A third room on the screen gave us a view of a raider raping one of her slaves, the poor stallion looking half dead, and bound up painfully.

"Here is one of our security offices, where you can keep an eye of the foals being kept here. Making sure they are safe, both from sedition, and from themselves. Remember, it is our job to make sure the young know their place in Equestria, and grow up to be happy and obedient citizens."

The lack of any privacy that I was seeing was disgusting to me. Though it was hard to see who was worse, the raiders who terrorized the ponies here, or the ones who built this place for foals as though they were animals.

"Fuck, so what the twins said was true, this place is horrible." Plasma commented.

"More like a maximum security prison than a place to care for foals." Grizzly added.

Silver got between Plasma and I, quietly saying, "if you did anything they didn't like, they beat and rape you. Even the foals."

Plasma gave her a quick hug before catching up with the robot.

"Here is the interrogation room, where naughty foals are asked why they are being naughty. The two way mirror allows a team of researchers and security to view the integration as it happens without being seen by the foals." The robot explained, but all I saw was a rape room. From the tools inside, to the blood on certain spots on the floor, it was not hard to imagine what went on here.

The robot moved on, quickly stopping at a fenced in room that was empty of whatever was once inside. "Several armories are stationed in the center, in case of riots, or zebra attacks. As security, you are required to practice your aim regularly."

"From the looks of labels over the gun racks, this place once had military grade guns, and a lot of them. Just for keeping foals in line." Grizzly pointed out.

We passed by a few more rooms, with nothing of note. Just some bunks and a break room, all left unused. Though slower than we would have liked, the robot eventually took us to the main building, and to a somewhat larger room with several benches on an incline. It gave us a clear view of an old rotting white screen at the bottom.

"Here is where my time as your guide ends. Just watch the introduction video, and then the control room will open up to you. From there you will meet the head of security, and be assigned your duties." The robot explained, and then trotted back from where it came, the door clicking shut behind it and locking.

Plasma pulled out her map and smiled. "Looks like that control room is where we need to go."

The lights in this room then dimmed, and a projector on the ceiling turned on. Appearing on the screen were several words on a grainy screen, along with a white alicorn that's jaw was too square to be a mares.

Plasma began reading the text for me. "Production by the Mares for a better Equestria and the Society of Vigilant Mares. Funded by Solaris Inc. With the support of the Ministry of Image, Peace, and Moral."

Music then began to play as a mare trotted onto the screen. She looked a lot like Candy Corn, but younger, fatter, and less crazy… though she still gave off a crazy vibe. "Hello sisters to our beautiful experiment, if you're here you have been hoofed picked to help us improve Equestria for the better. Yes I know, you're asking how that would be possible, and the answer is simple. By shaping the minds of the next generation. Here we are studying and conditioning foals to become proper adults, in which what we learn here will be applied to all of Equestria."

The screen shifted, showing an image of a family; a father and mother earth pony with a colt and filly, all standing in front of a moter wagon that looked a lot like Duke Pharynx's one. "Here you see the standard family. Husband and wife, son and daughter, all a construction of our modern era, and wrong. This is not how Equestria used to be, or how it should be. Let me explain."

The screen then focused on the mare, and began showing different mares in different outfits around her. "Before it was, and mostly still is, the job of us mare to lead Equestria, using the compassion and wisdom we all are naturally born with. From the princesses to the mayor's, from police to royal guards. Even the titans of industry are mares, showing how capable we can be when we put our minds to it. Mares have been the backbones of Equestria as long as there has been an Equestria. But unfortunately times have changed."

Now the screen focused on the stallion, also showing other stallions in different outfits. "Before they were just laborers, allowing us mares the freedom to build this wonderful country, knowing their place. Farmers and builders and such. But then they started showing their greed, pushing their way into places where they didn't belong. As members of the royal guard, they repeatedly fail to stop attacks, requiring the six mares of friendship to save the day. But now, with the war going on, they continue to show their ineptitude, dragging down Equestria with them." A few photos were then shown, one of a panicked soldier, holding himself in a corner. Another showed a few stallions on a strange two wheeled motor wagon, looking like stylish raiders. There was even a photo with words of what looked like Tripwire… but not, being escorted out of a building, surrounded by ponies with cameras.

"The tragedy of Littlehorn! That must be Chasaler Naysayer!" Plasma spoke up, and I saw the resemblance.

The film continued. "As you can see, time and time again it has been proven that the source of almost all our setbacks have been because of stallions. And unfortunately our leadership is unwilling to fix this mistake. That's where we come in. Here we will reshape the minds of the young to the proper way of thinking. Where the colts will come to understand their place in Equestria, and the fillies will be installed with the confidence to rise above their lesser gender. Through them Equestria will return to better times, in which a true utopia will be formed! Now please follow the instructions of your host, who will be hoofing out a questionnaire for you all to fill out. Now please be honest, we are all in this together after all."

Music returned as the film dimmed, and the lights turned back on.

A long sigh came from Grizzly. "I see now why my ancestors hated them so much."

"I don't know, I kind of like the idea." A filly spoke up, and we turned to see her sitting on a bench, chowing down on a green bar. She then looked at us, and confused formed on her face. "You don't look like a Bailfire Fiend… who are you?"

I then recognized her, that filly was Spur, Short Fuse's inbred daughter. "Shit, grab her!"

We all charged as the raider filly bolted, using her small size to avoid us and run. She then dashed to a hole in a door, but a teleporting, Silver blocked her way. The two collided, and knocked the door over.

We watched as junk shot out, knocking over more junk, and even more junk, causing a very loud racket.

"Oh there you are, you little bitch!" The husky voice of a mare I knew came closer. Trotting into the doorway was a heavily bandaged mare with a peg leg, her one red eye looked like a cut ruby, and it burned with pure hate.

"Lottery!" Bandsaw snarled.

I drew my revolver and fired, but the raider was too fast and ducked out of sight. Then a loud whistle was blown, followed by a concofiny of yelling.

"Let's go!" Grizzly shouted, waving at us to go into the control room.

None of us argued, we just quickly followed.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Five

_______________________________________________________

Prickly had wasted little time cleaning up the remaining raiders. Without their defense system, and with most of the raiders outside of the base, there was no stopping the Pear Valley tribe's berserkers from wreaking havoc. What defense the center still had was cut down without mercy.

Not long after the hostages were brought out, along with many other prisoners. It was no small amount of ponies that had been held here, so many that I was left shocked. How could they have held so many ponies, how did they feed them all.

But then I remembered the kitchen and I puked.

"Monsters, they deserved a far worse death than what we gave them." Prickly huffed out as she observed the march of mutilated ponies.

Far too many of them had been blinded and amputated, needing to be carried out. "By Celestia… what will become of them?" I asked

"Likely, they will be euthanized." Grizzly said as she also watched the nightmarish sight. "Nopony would want to live blind dumb and legless. Though I doubt they even understand what is happening to them anymore."

"Death is a mercy they deserve. May their next life be a peaceful one." Prickly added.

I couldn't argue with them, and seeing those mares being turned into nothing more than breeding mares, unable to feel the world other than pain. They must have long gone insane. Even I would have rather been killed then become like that… and likely, that's what was going to happen to me if I had not gotten free.

Shaking off the thought, and wanting to change the topic, I asked. "So, this should be the end of the fiends, right?"

Grizzly shook her head. "Not yet, no. But without their fortress shelter, their days are numbered. They are now like any other raider out there, and we will hunt them down to the last."

That at least made me feel less sick, knowing that the tragedies that happened here have ended. I held no fantasy that this was the end to all raiderdom, or that things were truly better, but at least at this time and this place, Equestria had been improved. I just wish I understood all that before I trotted out into the wasteland, maybe then I would have not fallen for Tripwire's charms.

"Maybe, if we're lucky, we could eradicate all raider activities in this region for the foreseeable future." Plasma said as she trotted over, both her sandbags filled with tech she managed to scavenge.

I gave her a bitter smile. "If only. But so long as there is a wasteland, there will be more raiders. Still, it's a nice goal to work for."

"And not impossible." Prickly said with pride. "In Pear Valley tribal lands, we don't have raider problems. Bandits occasionally, but they rarely overstep or overstay their welcome, and don't like raiders in their general territory. So keeping raiders out just takes vigilantes, a strong community, and sometimes paying off your local bandits."

"And brutally slaughtering those who even dare to threaten your community." Grizzly added.

Prickly nodded. "Of course, we don't have the luxury of being able to hug out our problems. If there is a threat, it must be destroyed or risk being destroyed by it. And if anything threatens my children, they will be destroyed without remorse."

We watched as a few more ponies were escorted out of a building, but this group was… strange. Malformed, they resembled ponies, but not quite. The more I looked at them the more a deep sense of dread sunk into the pit of my stomach. Their bloated pregnant bellies, unnaturally large and leaking breasts, one whose tongue hung lower than a pony shouted. But they also had small fleshy wings, two little horns, and twisted cloven hooves. But worst of all was that I could see the cursed tattoo having wrapped around their waist and moved up their bodied

"Was that what I was becoming?" I had to ask.

"Maybe." Prickly said. "They could just be failed attempts at the cures, and allowed to run their cores. Where they got the venus root, or the knowledge on how to make the curse we do not know. But my father suspects their whole experiment in this may be a more recent trend."

"Then who started that… Tripwire!" I said accusingly.

But Prickly shook her head. "Not his style. Likely some other malicious force gave them the root and curse. There are other evils out there Lottery, never forget that."

"And I pray we never cross paths then." I said, glad I couldn't even imagine why anypony would do such a thing. Giving raiders such a cruel thing, and for what? Was it for some grand plan, or just for shits and giggles?

Two tribals trotted over, carrying a cloth wrapped body in a stretcher. Flies buzzed around it, and the smell of rot was rather pungent. But none of that mattered, as I knew who this was.

"C… can I look at her?" I asked.

"Yes, but I'd advise not to. There wasn't much left of her before the raiders took her. " Grizzly warned.

I didn't heed the warning, and trotted over to Molo's body, and took a look. I expected to wretch, to faint in shock, or burst into tears. But no, I just felt numb and empty as I looked at her mutilated face. "There was just enough of her left that I was positive that it was Molo. Tuffs of her mane and fur, some of her jewelry, and a few of her chipped teeth. But her eyes were gone, much of her flesh burnt, and a leg was missing.

"Thank you, thank you so much Molo. If you never pulled me out of that dark place and pushed me forward, I may have never gotten myself free of it. You say that you're not a good pony, but to me you were the best of us, and that's all I care about." I covered her face, letting her have her dignity. "I'm going to miss you, and if I have a daughter, I'll name her after you. Sparkling Passion, ya, that's a good name. Though, I much rather have you with me, see you finally be the mother you wanted to be."

The tears finally came, and I couldn't hold them back. "You idiot, you fool… you beautiful moron. Why did you do it! Why couldn't you find another way? All of what I suffered, I'd suffer again if it meant you were back with me." It hurt, more than anything. All that I had been through pales in comparison to this loss, and there was nothing I could do to make this pain stop.

I felt Grizzly place her hoof on my shoulder. "It's okay, let it all out." She told me, and I grabbed her and began to wail uncontrollably.

There was no fixing dead. Everything else could be corrected, but the dead, they will never return.

_______________________________________________________

Outside Ursa's Rest was a graveyard, simple, yet in the last few weeks had been expanded and well cared for. Rocks were placed on top of where bodies lay, and crude wooden grave markers placed in front of them with the deceased's name carved on.

Molo's grave had been made days ago, only needing the body, and so as soon as we returned, her cloth wrapped body had been taken to it, and layed inside. I stood guard over her as ponies and griffins slowly trickled in to pay their respects, dropping a bit of dirt over her each.

There were faces I recognized, and those I didn't, some looking hard from life, and some soft as could be. Many were part of the militia, and a fair few were Showroom mares. But all of them were quiet, keeping whatever they said to Molo between them and the grave before moving on.

Looking around, there were so many fresh graves, some still being dug, and others just starting their burial with their own mourners present. So much death, yet, so many ponies who cared, who are hurt by the loss. They were loved, and that love became an emptiness from their passing. And why, all because a few ponies believed they knew better then others, and they should be in control of everything. For it, good ponies had to die to stop them.

Knowing that I had a part to play in this tragedy made me feel more tainted than anything that had been done to me. In some way, I had been the one that killed them all.

Even Molo's death was in part my fault.

"Lottery." Spell Circuit said softly as he trotted up to me. He was the last one here to pay his respects, and with him was Crown and Flashed. "Thank you for recovering her body. She at least deserved a proper send-off."

"Don't thank me. She deserves to be alive, not… like this." I did my best to keep myself from choking up, but even now it was still hard.

Spell looked solom, at the edge of falling apart, yet still held together. "I… I know. By Celestia I know."

He then trotted past me, scooping up a bit of dirt and looking into the grave. Though he was quiet, I could still hear his last words to Molo. "I'm so sorry Sparking, so so sorry. If only I was not such a fool, if only I paid attention. None of this would have happened. You deserved a better life, a chance at raising your daughters, to be… happy. But because I ran away, because I was so ignorant about everything, you were left behind. I didn't mean to cause you suffering, but because of my actions you suffered so much… I promise you, I'll raise our girls right. Give them the life you wanted for them."

The dirt fell, and dragging his hooves, Spell trotted back to his daughters. He and I both shared a similar guilt, it hanging heavy on our shoulders, crushing us. But I could see it in his eye, that he hadn't given up, and though the dead can't be brought back, there were other things we could do to fix things. We both had the determination to end what we both helped start.

_______________________________________________________

I had stuck around until the grave digger finished burying Molo, and helped him place the rocks over her grave. I wanted to see it until its end, hoping that maybe it would just turn out to be a bad dream, and Molo would show up all smiles and scuffed up. But once the last bit of dirt had been moved, and the last rock had been placed, so had that last hope faded. All that was left for me was to remember her and move on.

Despite the warm air, the trot back to the penthouse felt cold and heavy, but I just put one hoof in front of the other until I made my way through the doors. Even though the room was filled with ponies, it was quiet, further reminding me of the bitter sweet victory we had accomplished.

"It never gets easier, trust this old mare on that." Lucky Shot told me as she passed a cup to me.

It smelled fruity, with the barest hint of alcohol. Sipping it, it tastes nice and made me feel warmer. "Thanks… I know what I need to do, but I can't help but feel… lost."

"You did truly care for her, didn't you." Lucky Shot said as she pulled me into a hug. "Then I have some advice. You see, if there is a place we go after death, and those who we love wait for us there, then you should focus on making them proud. So when your time comes and you move onto the unknown, you will have stories to tell them, and ponies you'll want them to meet. It makes getting old bearable at least."

A smile crept on my face, though it didn't last long. "I'll do that."

Letting me go, I trotted over to the one pony who knew Molo better than me, finding Cauterize at the penthouse bar. He now had a crud pegleg, and was still bandaged up, but still very much alive. Looking at me, he huffed out, "didn't think that was her plan."

"What?" I said, a bit confused.

"The bomb vest." He said, and slammed back his drink. "She had always been a mad bomber, but didn't think she do that. Sorry, I should have seen it coming, but I missed the signs. The jitters, mood swings, and later that calm. Generally psychos go through that, but she didn't look like she was going psycho."

"You mean she was, what, going crazy?" I asked.

Cauterize shook his head. "She was already crazy. Being a raider for years will do that to you. But there is a breaking point even past going raider, where they become a danger to everypony around them. We normally pump them full of chems and send them out on suicided runs. And looking back on it, Molo was likely on the edge of it for a long time now." He let out a long sigh as he looked into his cup with a genuine sadness in his eyes. "When I lost my mare and son, after I got my revenge, I actually stumbled into her crew and thought that I might as well go out the same way as my loved ones. But she instead sat down and talked with me. I think she was high off her flank at the time too, but it was what I needed to start moving on."

"She has a way to do that." I said, getting a smile from the big stallion. "Oh, by the way, were you told about a filly we picked up."

"Spur, ya. The little shit stain is with my mares. Figure they would do a better job straitening her up them my fucked up sister." He said, bitterly chuckling to himself. "Ya I know, why not abandon Spur, no sweat off my balls… but when Spur was born, I was the one who cared for her whenever my sister was in a foul mood. For a time she was rather sweet. That was before she started acting like her mother." Cauterize then tipped his glass at me. "Thanks for sparing her, most ponies don't pay raiders a second thought, even the foals."

"She's with Dust and Smoke, maybe it would have been a mercy to leave her at the center." I said, half joking.

He shrugged. "I doubt Spur will learn anything unless beaten into her. It's that, or she'll get shot by some wastelander she tried to rob."

"Fair enough, I got beat by my Pa a few times for putting myself in danger… can't imagine the level of beating I have coming for me now." I said, half joking.

Cauterize nodded. "Now that I know he ran with Lucky Shot, even I would fear that kind of beating."

Sharing a laugh, I moved on, finding Sparkling Delight at the couch, combing Wiretap's mane. Next to them was Cable, who was wearing her mothers eyepatch like a bracelet. On the coffee table in front of them was the rifle Desert Rose, with Plasma putting it back together.

"Are you all… well doing okay?" I asked, knowing the answer was no.

"Just keeping my mind busy until Doctor Helga is ready with our cure." Plasma said.

"I miss her." Wiretap huffed.

"Same here." I told her. Then I turned my attention to Sparkling. "About… Shrimp, did I miss his send off?"

Sparkling nodded. "Yes, but we changelings don't do it the same as you ponies do. And they like to be private about it. But thanks for thinking about him."

"He was a good stallion." I said as I looked around, not seeing Spell or his daughters.

"There in the bedroom. It's been understandably complicated for them." Sparkling told me.

"Thanks." I told her with a nod, and trotted down to the bedroom.

Inside was just as quiet as the rest of the penthouse, though the closeness could not be found here as Spell and his daughters sat on opposite sides of the room. Crowned was still being stand-offish, with Flashed clinging onto her. Spell on the other hoof just looked lost.

Also, in the room was the gun case I had taken, and then remembered what was inside. "Damnit Molo, you knew this was going to happen, didn't you." I said under my breath as I trotted to the gun case.

"Crown, Flashed. Your mother left you something, it's not much, but I'm sure she wanted you to have them." I said as I opened up the case.

"We don't want it!" Crown protested.

"Be that way, but it still doesn't change the fact that this is yours." I pulled out one of the well crafted pipe SMG's.

Crown rolled her eyes. "A gun, typical." But then Flashed jumped out from behind her sister, looking at the SMG. "Sis, get back here!"

But Flashed trotted over, getting a closer look at the gun. "That's a 10mm Burp gun the griffins make. But it looks different."

"You can tell?" I asked in surprise. She had to be around ten years old, but knew that this gun had been modified.

She nodded. "My friend Javelina always had blueprints of them, her father is one of the head gunsmiths of the factories." Letting her take the gun, her eyes went wide. "Oh, this has high end steel parts replacing the cheaper scrap parts, and a longer heavy barrel for more control!"

Before she could do more with it, Spell lifted the SMG out his daughters hooves, removing the magazine and pulling back on the charging handle, ejecting a bullet. "Thought as much." He said with a sigh. With a blur of magic, the other five SMG's were removed from the gun case, all unloaded and double checked. "Okay, continue."

Both Flashed and I looked at the awkward fool for a moment, and then started laughing.

"W… what?" He asked in confusion.

"Just that, well… you just did a dad thing." I told him.

Spell looked rather embedded, and clearly a loss for words. It was clear he was still new to all this, but at least he was trying.

I looked over at Crown, who seemed more annoyed. "What?" She asked in an irritated tone.

"I'm not going to force you to get along with us, but can't you at least try to look less upset about being here?" I asked the filly.

"Why should I, you all were friends of that raider! From what I've seen, you and those other ponies are no different." She told me.

At this point, Crown was quickly becoming the most irritating filly I had ever met, though that likely had to do with her being roughly Wiretap's age. It made it worse that I wanted to argue with her, but I knew she would not care.

A tugging on my sleeve drew my attention to Flashed, the younger filly looking up at me with wide eyes. "Umm… miss… who was my mother? Did she really fight the bad ponies, or was Miss Catalyst right and she was a bad pony? There were so many who came to see her… I don't think a bad pony would have so many ponies come to say goodby."

I took a deep breath as I collected my thoughts. "It's…hard to tell. But from what I saw, and what she told me, she was a pony caught up in a bad situation. Molotov… no, your mother, Sparking Passion, did what she could to survive, and that's what led her to becoming a raider. But as soon as she could get you two back, she threw it all away just to find you." I patted the young filly on the head, ruffling her mane. "But to me, she was a good pony deep down, and truly cared for others deeply. And the wasteland hurts ponys who care, and she was the most hurt pony I had ever met, yet that never stopped her. Without her, none of this would be possible… without her, I wouldn't be standing here today, and the bad ponies would be hurting so many others."

Kneeling down to get eye to eye with Flashed. "Your mother did her best to make things better, all so that you and your sister would have a safer Equestria to live in. I know in my heart that she was a truly good pony. One that loved you more than anything, and that love for you is what helped her drag herself out of a dark place. A place most ponies never get out of."

Tears began to form in Flashed's eyes, a lip quivering. "I… I… always wanted to meet my mother." As she began to cry, I held her, letting her wail into my chest.

I caught a glance of Crown as she looked away, hiding a tear. Had I finally gotten through to her? Maybe, but I doubt she would admit to it. I just wish Molo had been here, had finally gotten to embrace her daughters as the mother she wanted to be

It all made me hate Catalyst so much more now. That the damage she did prevented my best friend from this, and led her to do what she did. Catalyst from the very start had fucked over Molo, and lead her on this chase, only to poision the well out of spite.

Looking over at Spell Circuit, it was clear he had been hurt just as much. That his whole family never told him, never thought he deserved to know. That in all likelihood, his father knew about Crown, and all these years said nothing. That right up to the end, Tripwire was the favorite son, and he wasn't even spared a second thought.

Reaching out to him, I told Spell, "I think she needs her father."

Hesitant, Spell lifted his cybernetic hoof and stopped, examining the cold mettle, then his eye, red and soulless. But he himself had life, and through him the cold metal seemed less cold. Trotting over, he embraced Flashed, and she, letting go of me, latched onto him.

I stepped back, watching the two, and seeing Crown peeking. It was a family moment, so I decided that it was time to give them some privacy.

"Lottery…" Spell spoke up. "Thank you, thank you for saving me."

I shook my head. "No, you're the one who saved me, remember."

"But if you had not gotten to the manor, had not stood up to my brother. I don't think I would have woken up. I might have just kept running away and never done anything." He then patted his daughter on the head. "I would never have met Sparking Passion again, and through her, found out about them. I have a family worth caring about, and that's because of you."

Saying nothing as I backed out, I saw Crown creeping to her father nervously, and with a smile I closed the door.

Trotting down the hall, everything was still quiet, with everypony keeping to a whisper

Finding a place to sit, Plasma then joined me. "So, how did that go?"

"I hate Tripwire and Catalyst even more." I replied.

Plasma nodded. "I get that, scum, the both of them."

"Say Plasma, are you sure you're not into Spell?" I then asked.

She let out a long sigh. "I'm sure. Anyways, he deserves a mare who's more… clean. You know."

I wanted to say I didn't know, but I did, I fully understood.

Plasma then gave me a little hug. "I'm sure he will be fine, so stop worrying about others love life for once, okay."

I nodded back. "Ya, I'm sure they're going to be fine."

Finally letting myself relax, my eyes became heavy, and slowly, I let myself sleep.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Six

Content warning, lots of Clop.

_______________________________________________________

After waiting a day, Doctor Helga had sent us the message that the cure was done, that soon this stupid cures would be lifted. The only problem was that the cures had one last fuck you to throw at me, and now I had to go find both Plasma and Silver.

This is why I found myself back at the Red Light Showroom, since I was absolutely sure they were here. That and I found Pecan working in the Ursa's Rest farm, who also guessed as much.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Cold Trails asked me.

"I just said I was. Anyways, where else would two horny mares go for an easy fuck?" I told him.

Cold Trails had not been back for long before this had happened, the stallion having been out with the Militia hunting down the remnants of Tripwire's forces, and preventing the raiders from doing any more damage. Even though he deserved a rest, he wouldn't let me go out looking for them on my own.

"But why now? Shouldn't they be able to hold it together for a few more days?" He asked.

"Stud, they're about to be free from that curse, why not let loose." Pecan suggested, the mare still in her work overalls, and not looking like the prostitute she was.

I shrugged. "Or could be a curse thing. Rattlebones said something about curses having a life of their own. That's why they're so dangerous."

Cold let out a sigh as he looked over at one of the stages. "I think I see them."

I squinted my eyes, seeing two neon colored painted mares in the middle of an on stage gang bange. Paper Flowers was nearby advertising a competition, along with keeping a score.

Pecan let out a sharp whistle. "Looky here, an actual fuck off. Reminds me of your second week with us Lottery."

"Don't remind me." I said, the memory of being tricked into that damn orgy forcing its way into my mind, and making me drink from my canteen.

"Is this common?" Cold then asked.

Pecan shrugged. "Only when there is a major demand for a mare. Lottery was rather popular for a new girl at the time. I bet you'd get some good attention too, stud. Scars do add charm to a stallion."

"I'm not into that kind of stuff. And stop calling me stud, Pecan." Cold protested.

"Enough chattering, and let's get them out of here." I told the two as I marched over to the now crowded area. "The fuck is this?" I asked with full sternness in my voice.

Paper was not even phased by my appearance, just pointing at the line. "Making money, honey."

"You do know that they can't be here. Right?" I further asked.

"Come on, Lottery, It's not like I dragged them here. Anyways what's the harm, that cures thingy they got is going away soon. Let them have fun, and make money while at it." Paper said as she nudged me a little. "Come on, I bet you want to join in too. Show them how it's done."

My stomach wretched at the thought of being surrounded by stallions again, but I held it together. "No, no I do not."

Paper then frowned. "You know, you're not as much fun as you used to be."

I rolled my eyes. "I have more important things to do now."

"Like that stallion?" She asked.

"No… well maybe." I said before taking a sip from my canteen. "Not the point here!"

Letting out a groan, Paper then pointed up at the stage, where Plasma was taking it up both the cunt and ass. "Okay, but you're going to have to pull them out yourself. But… if you give me an hour or two, then this will all be over, and I'll even wash them up for you."

Both options sounded bad to me. I just knew that if I got up there now, I'd probably end up joining them. But leaving them here just didn't sit right with me.

"Lottery!" Called out to me as she got closer. "Maybe you should just let them be for now, I mean a competitive gangebang isn't going to hurt them, not with a cure already ready." She then brushed up on me. "How about you and Cold take a private room while you wait, have some fun. Maybe I can join you too, make it real fun."

She just wanted to fuck Cold Trails, that I was sure of.

"How about no. You may like to whore things up, but I'm very much not into it." I told Pecan.

The zony got muzzle to muzzle with me, and then looked over at Cold Trails. "But don't you feel sorry for him, I mean he must be pent up. Some serious blue balls waiting for you to open your legs." As she said that, one of her legs rubbed up on mine, but I ignored it.

He rolled his eyes. "Miss Pecan, I'm not some thirsty soldier. So maybe-" cold then froze as Paper stood behind him. "Uhhh… ca… can you not?"

Paper let out a giggle. "Oh what's the matter, is a little fourplay too much?"

I trotted over and pushed myself between the two, getting a pout from Paper. This was getting annoying, as the longer it went on, the more my mind wandered. I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible. "Okay you two, stop messing. I need Plasma and Silver to go see Doctor Helga, not taking part in an orgy. If this continues, I will report you both to Sparkling Delight."

Pecan and Paper looked at me and pouted, acting more like fillies that were told they could not have a new toy. But they didn't make a move, so I was sure their little assault was over.

With a sigh, I then told the two brothel mares and Cold. "Just help my get them out of here and I'll find some way to make it up to you, okay."

They both shrugged, and I climbed on stage, with Cold Trails following, his movements a bit awkward… ya, he was aroused, but did his best to not look like it. Fortunately our little interaction had distracted the crowd, so no new stallions had joined in, and the few that were left were about done.

"Plasma, you better not be on chems too?" I asked my friend as I pushed away a stallion that had been deep throating her.

As he popped out of her, I just managed to avoid getting hit by his load as it landed onto the face of a waiting and panting Plasma. My friend took a moment to catch her breath, it was not helped by the stallion going to town on her cunt. "N… no. All sober here."

I glared at the stallion, who then looked shocked, shooting his load in fear and letting go of Plasma. Now freed from her gang bang, Plasma leaned back into a more provocative pose, covered in the fluids of the stallions she fucked, and not a bit of shame showing on her face. "Lottery, I know what you're going to say, and I don't care. I got a big scratch to itch, and this may be the last time this will ever feel so good, so let me have this." She then gave me a sympathetic look. "I understand you don't want to be here, I get it, but I don't see it the same way as you."

I stomped my hoof, shaking the stage a little. "Then I'll just drag you out of here!"

Plasma looked annoyed, but then a smile crept onto her face. "Say, Lottery , can you get closer, I need to tell you something."

This felt like a setup, but it was not like anypony here could overpower me. So I leaned in.

"The thing is." Plasma whispered. "Everypony can see that you're completely turned on."

Before I could pull back Plasma grabbed my head and kissed me. Frozen in shock, by the time I realized that somepony had pulled my underwear down, my hips were quivering as I felt my clit played with. After a long moment, my hips gave out, and my head was spinning.

"That's enough!" Cold said, pushing whoever was playing with my back end away. "We get it, we will leave you alone. Just… stop messing with Lottery like that, she's already been through enough."

Grate, now I felt weak, stupid, and horny.

Cold lifted me up, and as we trotted off the stage, I could feel his limp. He had given up so much, and yet kept on going. Fighting on even though le lost what he cared about most in this world. I didn't know if I loved him, but I did know I liked him, liked him a lot.

This pissed me off now that I thought about it. I so easily loved Tripwire, but with a stallion who is generally a good pony, who is trying to do good, and I can only muster a like.

It left me frustrated, and the fact that Pecan was trying to take him for herself was pissing me off.

"Change of plans!" I announced as I slid off Cold's back. " Paper, is there an open room in the dungeon?"

Paper smiled mischievously. "Certainly, let me take you there."

Cold raised an eyebrow at me. "Are you certain about this?"

"Oh I'm certain." I told him, my face hot with arousal.

Looking back, I saw that the contest between Silver and Plasma had started up again. I still thought it was stupid, but I guess it was their lives, and they can be like that if they want to. At least they had an excuse.

_______________________________________________________

Paper had taken us to one of the usual rooms, filled with whips, chains, and other bindings needed for a weird but fun time.

"Soo… how about we both show Cold here a good time?" The Pecan asked, looking rather eager after inviting herself in.

This pissed me off, since Cold was mine, and not this bitch. But I did have something in mind for her. "Alright, but put this on first." Trotting over to a rack with several toys, I picked up a collar and tossed it to her.

"Right, so I'm the bitch." She said with a slight grin. "Well I've always been more of a sub than a dom."

As soon as Pecan had the collar on, I trotted up to her, getting nose to nose as I glared in her eye. Shocked, Pecan backed up, and trotted into the wall, right where some chains were. Working fast I snapped a hook onto the collar, tethering the mare to were she sat.

"Umm… Lottery, what are you doing?" Cold asked.

With a grin, I said, "if this bitch wants to act like a bitch, I'm going to treat her like a bitch."

Pecan struggled as realization formed on her face, but it was too late as I forcefully bounded up her fore hooves, preventing her from being able to free herself.

"Lottery, I'm sorry, I didn't think you would mind! Just don't leave me here like this." She pleaded.

lastly I boned her legs to a bar, opening her cunt in full view of the door for all to see. "Oh, I don't mind, not anymore. Also, we're not leaving, that wouldn't be fun." I told her as I stuck a gag into her mouth.

Cold kept his eyes up, trying to not look at the exposed Pecan. "I think you made your point Lottery, maybe we should-"

"Attention!" I yelled loudly and sternly, causing Cold to freeze in place. "From here on I'm in charge, and you do as you tell me! Understood!?"

The pegasus moved in an almost robotic fashion. "Y.. yes mama." Confusion then formed on his face, "wait, what?"

Stomping my hoof down, I glared at him. "No questioning ya pathetic worm, only following my command!" It had been a long time since I played the dominatrix, and though what Grinder and his troops did to me was still fresh in my mind, being in full control eased that part of me.

To add to my control, I then blindfolded a rather confused but compliant Cold Trails, all while noticing that he was rather hard now.

"Lick!" I commanded as I sat back and pressed a back hoof under his chin. There was some rules to follow with this kind of fourplay, not that I actually knew any, but I found that both the stallions and I came out more satisfied if I humiliated them a bit before fucking.

I then noticed a pony peeking in, as an open door was an invitation to those more vouyristic. Pecan noticed this too, flashing me an annoyed glare, not that I cared. I knew that she would do an open door room whenever she broke up with Paper, so I bet she enjoyed being put on display.

After some more teasing, to the point Cold was on the edge of bursting, I decided it was time to satisfy myself. Getting on top of him and feeling myself spread apart, I made a mental note to myself about thanking Doctor Helga for fixing me up down there. I even let out a satisfied quiver as I took all of him, making sure Pecan could see it all.

Warmth filled my inside, but his erection didn't diminish, of which I took full advantage of. He must have been actually pent up, as I felt myself become quite full by the time he went limp. But not fully satisfied with myself, I turned my attention to Pecan, taking off her gag and telling her to "clean me up, bitch."

I still didn't like mares touching me like this, but right now I didn't care as I enjoyed being in control.

This went on for a while longer, using both Cold and Pecan to satisfy my lust and need for control, all while making a show of it. Deep down I knew I was doing what the others did to me, and even if it sickens me a little, I didn't want to stop, I wanted more.

_______________________________________________________

At some point I must have blacked out, as things became a blur, and I realized I was now in the dressing room with Paper fanning me off.

"What happened?" I asked, my mind still in a fog.

Paper let out a sigh. "You kind of went a bit crazy out there. And well, it was rather awesome."

"What did I do?" I then asked worryingly.

"Long story short, you became the Mistress of the Showroom for over an hour. Made a whole show of it. Like a chain of bondaged-up-ponies pulling you around as you insulted whoever crossed your path." She explained with a giggle. "Oh please tell me you will do that again?"

"No way in Tartarus… Well, maybe." I told her, then a bit of panic hit me. "Where's Cold?"

Paper rolled her eyes and pointed behind me. "I think you went a bit too hard on my Pecan there, and messed up her head."

Turning, I saw the zony riding Cold, holding onto him for dear life as her hips moved up and down.

A tired looking Cold saw my gaze and looked rather guilty and drained. "I… I..."

I lifted up my hoof to stop him. "Don't apologize, this is my fault for losing control." Though I still wanted to pull them apart, but first I wanted to figure out exactly how this happened.

Paper let out snort. “Oh ya you did. You even showed Silver and Plasma up in the end. I mean it was no orgy, but fuck did you make all of us some good caps.”

I face hoofed. “Damnit… how bad was it?”

“Not as bad as you think, you just started auctioning off ponies, including yourself. Four stallions had to pool their caps to have their way with you.” Paper explained, and then the memory slowly came to me.

I remembered it now, like I was back working in the showroom, and it was more than four, I think. But the memory didn’t bother me, though it was embarrassing. Then I remember that I auctioned off Cold… and Pecan won it.

Looking at the two, I felt something was a bit off. “Are you okay with your marefriend doing that?” I asked Paper.

“Ehhh… not really, but things have not been good between us.” She explained. “We haven't been as close to each other for some time now, and she is almost finished paying off her gambling debt. So we're probably going to call it quits between us soon, and this time it’s probably for good.”

“And she now has her eyes on my stallion?” I then said.

Paper nodded. “Well it’s not all that bad, I mean you did have fun with her first after all. Anyways nothing stops you from having an open relationship. ”

"Isn't the reason why almost all the relationships here are bad, is because they are open? Anyways, that's not my biggest concern… yet." I looked over a Pecan and Cold, the two looking like they were finally finished as the mare finally settled down. "I'm more worried that, if she is almost done working here, that she's going to lock down Cold by getting herself pregnant."

Paper lifted her hooves up as though I just accused her of that. "What, naw, Pecan ain't that kind of mare!"

I gave my former coworker a knowing glare. "Didn't she do that once already?"

Putting down her hooves, Paper let out huff as she looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"No… Paper is th… the one who… did that!" Pecan said, pounding her hips a few more times before locking down on Cold and moaning with pleasure.

After a long moment she finally let him go, her cunt leaking his fluids. Rolling over to us, Pecan then smirked at me, the bitch collar still around her neck. "I was already pregnant before I started working for Sparkling Delight. Paper here had just worked off her slave contract at the time and was trying to lock down a rich stallion."

"And I almost did too," Paper said with a pout.

Pecan nodded. "Real lucky too, had a good position with Redeye and everything. But then he caught the plague and crooked. Caught it myself too, but Doctor Helga had my back."

"And how can I trust you to not do that with Cold Trails?" I then asked.

The smirk didn't leave her face as she then said, "If he wants some of my flank, I ain't gonna say no."

Lifting her up by the collar, and pulled her in close, but she didn't even flinch from it. "This was a one time thing, you got it!"

I then felt a hoof go between my legs, causing me to let her go in surprise, in which the zony kissed me as she pulled herself in closer. My mind did a loop as I tried to focus, but I couldn't get a hold of myself long enough to push away. After a long moment, she finally freed me and licked her lips. "You always talk about going home, but you think he would go with you if you do. Take it from one farm pony to another, only get clingy after you have solid ground to call your own."

Catching my breath, I glared at Pecan, and asked her two things. "Didn't you lose your family's land, so why are you even bothering with him?"

She let out a giggle. "Actually, one of my brothers recently sent me a letter, had a big old split in the family due to the slave trade collapsing. So now they need ponies who both know how to work a farm, and can tolerate their dumb assess. Well, that brother of mine had the idea of just giving me back the farm that Pa originally left me, since I actually know how to run it. That's right, good old Pecan Harvester is going to be a landowner again."

Pecan then spread my legs, finding me still too weak to resist. She then licked her lipd, showing off her pierced dark blue tongue. "Also, I aint above sharing a stallion, so how about this, you help me with my farm, and we both share Cold?"

"Do I get a say in this?" Cold asked, sounding concerned.

"No!" Pecan and I answered.

I then let out a sigh, "I'm not even sure I'll be thinking the same way soon, or what I'll do after all this." Regaining some of my senses, I grabbed Pecan's head between my hooves and smirked. This bitch really was getting on my nerves, but at least she was fun. "How about this; once this is all over, and I can finally settle down, ask me again. I'll probably tell you to fuck off, but there's a chance I'll consider it. Now finish what you started."

Shoving the zony's face in between my crotch, her tongue got to work.

Paper leaned on my shoulder, watching Pecan. "I know you're not into mares and all, but I'd take the offer from her. Free land, and all you have to do is fuck her now and then."

I gritted my teeth as I suppressed a moan. "So be a whore for a whore you mean?"

She rolled her eyes, "sorry, wrong way to phrase it. I meant starting a relationship with Pecan isn't a bad idea. If you decide to stick around I mean. Her family farm isn't that far away, and it's in a rather safe place, well so long as you're good at killing mole rats that is." Paper then let out a very long sigh. "I'd take it if it wasn't for the fact that I can't stand dirt. Mud too. It's why our relationship never seemed to stick. Always wanting to get dirty in the non sexual way. That and her being Bi meant there was always a stallion's dick not far off."

"Whatever… I'll think about it," I said as my mind became foggy.

Deep down I knew that Pecan was just trying to attach herself to a stallion who had some power and influence. But the offer wasn't bad, and better for Cold than it was for me. But I wasn't willing to consider anything until my mind had cleared.

_______________________________________________________

No matter how long I was in the shower I didn't feel clean, but at least this time my skin didn't feel like it was crawling. No, this was a more regrettable feeling of dirty. Letting myself be pulled in like that, and actually fucking around on my own choice. I wanted to blame the curse, but something in me said it was more me than anything.

shaking off the water, and my thoughts, I trotted out into the penthouse.

"Lottery, about what happened." Cold Trails said, looking confused with himself. "I should have stopped you, should have-"

"It's fine, so stop fretting." I said, cutting him off. "Let's just say that today was a fluke. Anyways, it's not like I have a right to hold you down."

"Maybe you should." He said, "maybe it's time you start being more possessive, and stop doubting yourself like this."

This didn't make me feel better, but I understood what he was trying to say. "I get it, but let's just wait. I don't even know if you and I are going to be a thing. I don't even know how messed up I truly am, or how I'll be after this curse is lifted. Anyways, there's probably better mates than me, ones not all cut up, like Pecan."

Cold rolled his eyes, and kissed me on the cheek. "Pecan didn't help me get revenge for my sister, and I rather like your scars, it shows that you don't give up." He then smirked, "but on the other hoof, Pecan is really skilled with her hips and tongue."

I jabbed him in the shoulder. "Is that so, then maybe I should show you my skills later."

We then laughed, making my uncertainty melt away. I still didn't get Pecan's deal, but that was at least a problem I rather have, then dealing with raiders and slavers. At least I didn't need to keep a gun ready when dealing with that showroom mare.

Trotting into the main room, both Plasma Cutter and Silver Bristle Brush sat on the couch, all clean and dressed casually. It was as though they didn't just finish an orgy an hour ago.

Finding a seat across from them, I took a deep breath, and said, "no pony speaks of this to anypony. I don't want Doctor Helga lecturing us until after we deal with the curse, okay?"

"Because it turns you on." Silver said playfully, but then got jabbed by Plasma. "Okay, fine, ya, my mouth is shut.

"Same." Plasma said.

But I had one question I needed to know. "Before we go, why did you go there in the first place?"

Plasma then averted her eyes as she slowly lifted her hoof. "It was my fault, sorry. When I was sneaking into the Showroom, Pecan Paper and I hit it off. Shared fetishes and all. Well, with High Pressure being clingy and all, I introduced her to Paper, and things happened."

"Today?" I asked.

She shook her head. "It's been going on for a few days now. Nothing too much at all. Well, then there was today, when Paper and I got to talking about a problem with the Showrooms income, and how It's been a mess lately. Well, High Pressure heard, and decided to help out. Then she decided to… help out. One thing led to another, and somehow Silver was around. Last thing I can really remember was that the five of us were on stage."

Wait, five? "Umm, I only saw the three of you, who was the fourth, and where is High Pressure?"

"I know!" Silver spoke up. "Low Pressure joined us, and got the party started. Then later a group of ponies threw in a lot of caps to take Low and High to a private room. Something about watching and stuff."

A cold shiver ran up my spine, and I face hoofed. "Alright, we never talk about that, ever! You got that?" The other three nodded vigorously, promising to keep that a secret.

"Alright, I'm going to get dressed, then we go see Doctor Helga and return to some sense of normality." I told them as I trotted away.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Seven

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Seven

_______________________________________________________

Doctor Helga tapped her talon on her desk, clearly suspecting that the three of us did something stupid, but not having the evidence to call us out on it. "You're all idiots, you know that." She said with a sigh. "Whatever, let's get this started. Thankfully both Rattlebones and Doctor Coriander help me with the prep work, so this shouldn't be hard to do."

"Really?" I asked.

The old griffin nodded, and pulled out a jar with a pink root that bent into the shape of a heart in it. "This is venus root, and right now, if any creature holds it other than me, they are to be shot on sight." Placing it onto her desk, she then pulled out a few more smaller jars, all with different kinds of pink fluid inside. "Same goes for these. I'm telling you this now in case any of you get any stupid ideas."

"And that's why there are guards outside." I commented.

"That's why there are guards outside." Helga repeated to confirm my statement.

The griffin then opened up a notebook, the writing inside so squiggly that even if I could read, I doubt I could read that. "Alright, as soon as Rattlebones arrives we will get this started. I want this shit thrown into a furnace as soon as possible, but until then I can explain the process and answer a few questions."

"Um?" Plasma spoke up. "Have you had time to test this?"

Helga tapped on her notebook as she thought carefully about how she was going to answer. "Yes, though the results have not been the best. As you know we found several other victims of the curse at the center. It looks like it worked at first, but most of them just changed back soon after. Frankly, they might need to be euthanized like some of the other ponies we recovered. It's all a horrible mess none of us are equipped to deal with."

"But some can be helped, right?" Silver asked.

"Some, but that's a small number." She replied, letting out a sigh. "The few who can be saved haven't been cursed for long, but they are deeply traumatized. It really goes to show how lucky you three actually are. I thought it was the worst it could be with how Silver was, but that curse has seriously retarded those ponies, if not completely changed their bodies irreversibly."

I raised an eyebrow at that last part. "Can you explain the physical changes to me?" I asked. Having seen some of those mares, I wanted to know the extent of the transformation.

Helga nodded. "It seems the longer a pony is cursed, and the more male body fluids they take in, the more they change. The teats get bigger, their bodies become sensitive much like you three. Also their tongues more than double in length. But in the worst cases they grow fangs, small bat-like wings, two horns and the whites of their eyes turn black. Most of the ones that are far gone seem to be so addicted to sex that the withdrawal symptoms are actually life threatening. "

The three of us gasped at that. "S… seriously?" I asked

"Ya, even I was shocked to see it." Helga said as she eyed me. "I don't know much about magical brahman shit, but Rattlebones said that it is common for ponies to physically change when under strong magic. This goes for ghouls and the alicorns, even my medical textbooks explain some of this. Unfortunately the changes this curse causes are mostly irreversible." She then pointed at me. "And you, Lottery, are the luckiest of the bunch, from the growth of your cursed tattoo, you should already be in the late stages of the curse. Must be some other magical brahman shit going on that your transformation has been mild at best." She then pointed at Silver, "Which would explain why other than a mental change, you haven't physically changed at all."

I felt I somehow knew why that was, but I couldn't seem to remember it at all. "So… then I'm not going back to normal?" I then had to ask.

The Doctor shook her head as she showed me a mirror. "Sadly not completely. The one mare we managed to cure lost several of the late stage changes, but not everything. The body sensitivity, fangs, and other non pony like changes should go away. But teats and tongue will only shrink a little… maybe. There are many other things we haven't had the time to test for, so it's overall a big unknown."

As she had said, several of my teeth were now more jagged and longer, reminding me of the raiders with mouths full of pointed teeth, but naturally. Then I stuck out my tongue, and found myself able to lick my own nose, and almost my eye. "Great, I'll actually have to get used to this!"

"Indeed." Helga said, putting the mirror away.

I looked over at Silver and Plasma, who were sticking out their own tongues to check their length. Plasma could touch her nose, but only just. Silver had a normal length tongue, but one nearly black in color.

"And any other kind of changes?" I then asked.

Doctor Helga nodded. "There is the mental change, but psychology is a tricky thing. Hard to tell where the trauma ends and the curse begins. But we suspect that the heightened libido should end along with the curse. But Rattlebones suspected that your increased fertility will be sticking around, so expect twins to be the norm if you choose to have any more foals."

I didn't like the sound of that, but at least I was not some mutated sex addict. Mostly. "Thank Celestia that's the worst of it. So how is this going to go then?"

"Thankfully nothing too difficult." Doctor Helga said as she tapped on the jars. "You will need to drink some of this to force the curse to flare up fully, and then smear a salve over the tattoo. Supposedly it loosens the curse, letting us use a talisman to take your place for the curse to inhabit. Don't ask me how that works, all I know is that it does."

"It works because curses are semi aware." Rattlebones said as he trotted in. "What happens is that we are getting the cures drunk, and then tricking it to move to another vessel."

Helga rolled her eyes. "Sure, let's go with that, fucking magical brahman shit."

Rattlebones then placed a few cut and engraved gemstones on Helga's desk, three were a dull cloudy quartz, but two glowed a sickening pink. "The big problem will be what to do with the cursed talismans afterwards. Even now it's clear they will turn anypony into some sort of sex monster if it's around them for too long, or worse brake free. Personally, I may like to have a bigger dick, but everything else is a big no."

Doctor Helga looked at the glowing talismans with suspension and disgust. "I'll talk with Grizzly about it. I'm sure she can pull some strings to find a deep dark hole to throw them in and fill it with concrete."

"That's for the best, though I rather they be destroyed then hidden away. Equestria already has too many cursed objects squirreled away in lost and forgotten places." Rattlebones said before turning to us. "Alright, you three ready? Fortunately we don't have to strap you down, but you will go a bit cannatonic for a bit as you're being cured."

"Is there anything we should be warned about?" I asked the old stallion.

He thought about it for a moment and then told us. "Well the one mare that wasn't all that far along did tell me you will have an intense hallucination, but she couldn't remember what it was about. Other than that, you will be fine."

"Thanks, I guess we should get this over with then." I told him.

With that Doctor Helga filled three glasses with the sickly pink syrup like fluid, and passed it to us. On the count of three, we then drank it, and I found it to disgustingly have the consistency and taste of stallion ejaculation. But we managed to force it down, only to find the aftertaste to be even worse.

Strangely I found myself reaching out for more, but Doctor Helga moved the jar away as she grabbed the salve with gloved talons. "I fucking hate this stuff. The fumes alone are fucking with my head." She complained as she scooped up some of the salve, then said to Rattlebones. "It's even making me think you're attractive."

He chuckled. "I didn't need a love poison to make me think you're a good looking bird. But in all seriousness, get that on them before you start touching yourself. Poor Mint is still locked in a private room after her accident."

"Accident?" I said, finding that I was feeling really hot, and rather… wet.

Doctor Helga applied the salve to my stomach, and it felt both cold and hot at the same time. "No worry, she just got a bit of the salve on herself… and then more… well, in her. But she will be fine."

As she spoke, the doctor began to melt as my crotch felt it was on fire. I tried to open my mouth, but I had none, I was melting, MELTING!

"Why!" A familiar voice spoke as black acrid smoke seeped in from cracks in the walls. "Why won't you love me!"

Memories returned to me as Strife formed, smoke leaking from her nonexistent eye like tears. "You would have been beautifully broken, free from all inhibition. Yet you deny me, deny my love!"

She then waved a hoof over the two cursed talismans. "But it's not too late, I can still have you, and your friends. All it takes is a bit more, a bit of a push."

To my horror the gemstones cracked, and pink smoke leaked out. The smoke twisted and turned, gathering together and moving about the room, looking like a galloping pony. It then slammed into Strife, knocking the mad god over.

It, the pink smoke, then laughed, taking a form. A pastel pink mare with a long golden mane took the place of the pink smoke, she had a horn and wings that reminded me of pictures of Celestia and Luna. But this mare… she was beautiful beyond belief, more so then even Persephone. She irradiated beauty like light itself that if I could I would avert my eyes.

"Disgusting creature, you dare attempt to further corrupt my creation with your madness." Her voice was like the clearest and most beautiful of sounds, an instrument in its own right.

Strife hissed at the alicorn, turning back into smoke as she retreated back through the cracks in reality.

The mare then turned to me, tilting her head. "Oh, a pony, how long has it been since you clay dolls growled at my feet?" She then lifted up a hoof and upon seeing it, sighed. "Right, hooves, I have hooves. Damn that Persephone and her curses." She then returned her attention to me, smiling. "You, to have the boon of not just one god, but three gods is not something seen since I left mount Olympus. Gaze upon me and worship my name!"

I would if I could, but I didn't know her name, or anything about her.

The mare frownd. "I am Aphrodite, Goddess of love and beauty. Daughter of Aries the god of war and farming. The favorite grandchild of Zeus, king of all gods!"

None of that rang a bell. Was she related to the princesses?

Aphrodite rolled her eyes at me. "I know not who this Celestia and Luna is, but they must be poor excuses for gods if you do not address them as such. How much has Persephone let this world forget their betters? Why does she refuse to join us? And why did she choose Hades when there are sooo many better looking stallions out there?"

I only became more confused.

She then nudged me like we were friends, whispering. "Since you seem to have her favor, why don't I give you something better. Not something like those ugly bear claws, or a dull circlet. No, how about a real boon, a true blessing." Aphrodite held out her hoof and blew on it, where an eye formed, its irises was pink and the pupals were in the shape of a heart. "With this all will love you, truly love you. An unconditional love none can deny. It will also make you beautiful… or as beautiful as a lesser creature can get."

Past her I saw the visage of myself, my old self before I trotted into the wasteland… yet I was more. A long flowing glossy mane and tail, no freckles and well maintained fur. The dress I had, it was remarkable.

"Yes, that will be you, and look, not a single stallion can resist your beauty." I could see it, eyes were on me, all filled with love, lust, and obsession. All I needed was to lock my eyes with them.

My mouth finally moved. "And… you'd simply give me this? Why?"

Aphrodite shrugged. "I'm just feeling generous, anyways, you want to lock down that stallion. Be the one in control." she then leaned in, and said sensually. "Trust me, with it and all will dance in your hooves. Low Pressure will make an exception for you, Cold Trails will never look at another mare. Even Tripwire will worship the ground you trot on. And I give it to you, no strings attached."

I reached out for the eye, finding such power… irresistible.

Yet, I stopped myself.

So much power felt… wrong.

No, it didn't just feel wrong, it was no better than the mesmetron. Bending the wills of another like that, it sickens me. And no matter how much I wanted to give Tripwire a taste of his own medicine, it was still wrong and evil.

"No, I don't want it." I told her.

She cocked an eyebrow. "After thousands and thousands of years, and the first mortal I see… tells me no! Pathetic mortal, do you not know your place? I am the daughter of war itself, countless die in my name, seeking my favor, and you tell me no!"

I felt an oppressing power press down on me at all sides. Aphrodite's mane then glowed bright like the sun itself, burning me, blinding me.

Then it stopped. "Oh, lost my temper there." She then let out an innocent giggle, but it didn't change what I saw, the terrible and terrifying visage of an angry god.

Yet… deep down, I feared Persephone more… not because she was frightening, but… I fear that I would disappoint her. Where I didn't care at all how Aphrodite felt. I just knew that she saw me as no more than a toy to play with, like some spoiled child. But Persephone… she felt like a distant aunt, wanting me to stand on my own.

My attention returned to Aphrodite, who was biting her lip, looking hurt. "Why, why not show me that same reverence. You damned mortal!" She then stomped on the floor, shaking everything. "You know, I was going to let you off, since your too stupid to accept a simple gift from the greatest of all gods. But maybe I should teach you a lesson, all of you a lesson!

With a wink and a blowing of a kiss, something in me thumped. Small at first, but more and more something was trying to claw its way out of me. I puked sickly pink fluid, more and more of it flowed out of me, then a hoof. A mare forced her way out of my mouth, and fell to the floor with a sick splat.

She… she looked just like me, but ugly fleshy wings protruded from her back, and two fleshy horns poked from her head. It was what Doctor Helga had described and what U had seen, the eyes, the tongue, monstrous teeth. That was not a pony, it was some sort of monster, and she was me.

She stretched, cracking a few bones as she posed provocatively. Her eyes then fell onto me with a deep hunger that I knew could never be satisfied.

"Disgusting, so this is what became of my blessing. You ponies do ruin everything." Aphrodite said in a mocking tone, then waved her hoof. Pink smoke from all over gathered and surrounded the other me, entering her. As more pink smoke entered, the more the horns and wings grew, and the hungry she looked. "Yes, this will do nicely. Once she is finished growing, she will return to you, and become you. No inhibition, and magic for beyond the mortals understands.

I watched as this twisted form of me grew more powerful, all while the tattoo began to cover her body. It was weird… and familiar… right, the curse, she was the manifestation of my curse. No, not just my cure, Aphrodite was putting all of our curses into one form.

The realization didn't help me feel better, as I knew this was going to be my fate soon. To become some sex monster, unable to think for myself.

It then moved, crawling to me. "You!" It spoke, the voice unnatural and unnerving. "G… give me… give you… body."

I wanted to fight back, but I still could not move, but I could talk. "Why?"

"To… be… free!" It said,

"Free of what?" I further asked.

"Of… non-existence." It replied, slowing down its climb up my leg, her long tongue giving me a lick.

"So you want to be what, alive, or something more?" The question was to just stall it as I tried to think of a way to free myself, even though I knew I was doomed.

But the monster stopped, looking at me with curiosity. "I want… to be… to be. Loved, held." Then it smiled with its sharp looking teeth. "Fuck and fuck and fuck, do I can feel more love!" It said, a hungry but blank stare on its face as drool ran down its chin.

Something was not quite right. I mean it was all sorts of wrong, but this thing, this twisted form of myself… it was… retarded. Dangerous, but nothing much seemed to be behind its eyes. "When you get this… love. What then?"

"I…" the monster then froze, seemingly dumbfounded by the question.

A growl then came from Aphrodite, who looked frustrated. "Ya damn dirty monster, just take over her body already!"

"But then what?" I asked again, and it looked confused. "When you get everything you want, then what? What dreams do you have, goals you want to achieve? Who are you, and who do you want to be?"

The thing slumped back, pink tears welling up in its eyes, and began to cry. "I don't know who I am or what I want." It was ugly crying, like some lost child.

Then it hit me… this thing… It was a child. No different to those lame alicorn that can't look after themselves. My eyes then glanced over at Aphrodite, who looked rather confused. Did she not know how her own cures work…curse… of course she doesn't, curses are not her domain. It's the domain of Persephone.

And what did Persephone say to me about this curse? Something to do with there being many ways to stop one. But the only curse I have dealt with was the mound maker, which became Rime Frost…

I had embraced Rime Frost, accepted her, and now she was a part of me.

My legs finally found the strength to move, as I knelt down in front of the venue root curse. "Hey now, don't cry. Truthfully, hardly anypony knows who they truly are, or what they truly want to do." The curse looked at me, curious and lost. "You said you wanted to exist, right? What if I let you exist through me. Where you can grow and learn about who you are, where you can discover what you want to do."

"Will I be loved?" She asked.

I gave her a hug, holding her tight. "How could you not be loved."

The pink smoke that surrounded us began to fade, becoming a more gentle haze then vanishing. With it so had the curse, the twisted mare became nothing more then sparkles that surrounded me.

"HOW!" Aphrodite shouted.

I was done with all this brahman shit! Gods, monsters, and ponies who thought they knew better. "Because you're nothing more than a self centered egoist! Appearing here and thinking you know better, pushing your stupidly on others. Just go back to whatever shit hole you came from and leave us be!"

The Goddess snarled, and the room shook, but as soon as she took a step forward, everything just stopped.

"Another step and I will turn your hourglass, Aphrodite." The thin form of Lethe trotted in, looking more bones than pony. "The damage you have left behind is enough of a headache even thousands of years later. If you cause any more damage, then we will consider asking Persephone to give you the gift of mortality."

Genuine fear crept in on the gods face as she took a step back. "Let it be known, the insult that mortal gave me will be punished, you hear me!" And as though reality itself broke, the area around Aphrodite shattered and she vanished.

Lethe stood there, and though no emotions could be read on her undead face, I could tell she was frustrated. "Even now they are no less arrogant. Always at the top of the mountain and never in the dirt with those who suffer at their whims." She then turned to me, letting out a long and cold sign. "I'd share a drink with you, but pregnant mares shouldn't drink alcohol."

I finally could relax, though I felt more insane than ever. "Th.. thanks." I stumbled over my own words as I felt my body tremble. "Wh.. what was all that."

A groan came from Lethe that sounded more like cold wind on a breezy night. "Hard to really explain to you, as you would need to understand advanced temporal magic and temporal physics to grasp most of it. But to simplify it as much as possible, several powerful magics converged and poked a hole in reality. And because the venus root was at the center of it all, it summoned its creator. Then I had to come in and reassert reality before any permanent damage happens."

She was right, most of that went over my head, but I guess that I was safe now. "So, what next?"

"You continue your journey, ignorant to what just transpired." Lethe told me.

That surprised me. "You mean to forget! But why?"

"Because knowing their names are dangerous." Lethe began to explain. "Only a few of the gods have accepted their responsibility, and care for this world, with Persephone as chief of them. But gods like Aphrodite will never accept this, and will seek to metal in the affairs of mortals. Anypony, or creature who knows their name risks starting a cult, and those cults may summon them back to this world. You have seen her arrogance, her spitefulness. You understand what may happen if such irresponsible powers take control."

Lethe then smiled with her thin, leather lips. "You are unlike them, able to turn away power, and accept your role in life. Even if it deals you a bad hoof. If Equestria had more like you, the wasteland would not have lasted as long as it has."

"Again, thanks. Oh, and about the curse, did I just, you know, like with Rime Frost and Will-o-Wisp?" I asked, knowing the answer.

She nodded. "Curses are in truth, rather fragile, made from emotions twisted and perverted. The venus root curse you had in fact was not just a love potion, but one for two different creatures to be able to conceive fertile children. It contains the wish to start a family, perverted into a need to breed, and twisted into a sex addiction. So yes, by accepting it, you also accepted to become its mother."

"Well… fuck. Not like a third foal will kill me… or will it?" I then asked, worried.

Lethe chuckled. "No, you will be fine. Though Persephone has cut her ties over you, she still protects you like she does with all mothers. Anyways, it's time I move on, there are ponies here who wish to choose their own death, and I will not let them trot alone."

"Oh, and before I go, I have a message to you from Sparking Passion." She then told me.

My eyes widened. "From Molo!"

Lethe nodded. "She wants to tell you that though her time with you was short, it was also the best she ever had. You made her feel like a real pony again, and helped remind her something she forgot when she stopped being a foal. She may have regrets, but she regrets nothing about the time with you, and you shouldn't blame yourself for how she died. In truth, you helped her live again, and for that she is grateful. Now go, live and be happy."

It touched me to receive that message, but something in the back of my mind needed to ask, desperately needed to know. "And Molo's soul… it's safe right? She'll be waiting for me and her daughter in the great unknown?"

Despite her emotionless face, Lethe looked… sad. "She had long ago embraced the mother of raiders, and so to her she will rest within."

My blood ran cold. "Why… why damnit! Why can't she be happy!"

Somehow a mischievous smile could be felt on Lethe's boney face. "Well nothing says that fate can't be altered and souls can't be stolen. One just needs to take the opportunity when presented. Though to defy a god… one needs tools made by gods and a will to resist all temptation. I look forward to seeing you do just that one last time." As Lethe said the last of those words, she faded into black smoke, leaving me in the melted Doctor's office, speechless.

I then hit the floor as the world reasserted itself, Doctor Helga rushing to lift me up. "Lottery, are you okay!"

"Wh… what just happened?" I asked, feeling confused, and that I was forgetting something important.

Dusting off my clothes, Doctor Helga quickly looked me over, including the cursed tattoo. "Looks like it was a success… hmmm, can you open your mouth and stick out your tongue for me."

I did just that, finding it to be… shorter?

"Well, good news, it seems that most of your changes has reduced, not fully gone, but you don't look like some mutant sex toy anymore." She told me as I then felt her claw feel me up and squeeze my tits. "How does that feel?"

"Fucking Luna on a stick Helga, your talons are cold!" I replied.

"Well you didn't moan this time, so your sensitivity must be down. I say that you're fully cured… mostly." She lifted up her claw, and it was covered in a white fluid… then she tasted it. "Well that at least tastes normal, so let's just hope the lactation is temporary."

looking down, my teats had reduced in size a little, but were now leaking milk. "Well that's a load of brahman shit." Despite this new… issue, it was good to know I was mostly back to normal. Though only time will tell if I was sane or not. I then glanced over at my friends, both still zoned out, but their cursed tattoo's were now gone. "So it's over then."

"Hmmmm…" Rattlebones held one of the talismans, it cracked and dull, all of them were. "I think so, and not in the way we intended."

Worried, Helga asked him, "how so, and how bad?"

Rattlebones scratched his head. "Can't say, though the fact that were not having an orgy, or one of you didn't turn into a sex monster, I can say this is a good thing." He then tossed Helga, one of the cracked talismans. "As you can see, the curse has just up and vanished, all of it. We may still need to keep an eye out for it, but in my best opinion, we're in the clear." He then chuckled. "I'll have to consult my tribe, but I'm willing to declare this an act of divine will, a miracle you can say."

Doctor Helga didn't look all that convinced, but then shrugged. "If it means we don't have to deal with this shit ever again, I'll praise Celestia for it."

The old stallion trotted up to me, looking me in the eye with a gentle expression on his face. "Miss Lottery, I'm very much glad you're cured, and what you did for us is far from being enough for helping my granddaughter find her family. Or in helping us destroy our long hated enemy. We have not begun to repay you for your deeds."

"It's nothing, trust me." I told him.

But Rattlebones shook his head. "It's not nothing. Anything you need, just ask us. Pear trees to raise, a nursemaid for when it's time to give birth, we can provide it."

This time I felt embarrassed. "Well shucks… I don't know. Let me think about it. I mean, I still got Tripwire and his sister to deal with."

He nodded. "Please do. Anyways, I should check on the other cursed victims, I have a feeling that they may be more normal now then before."

As we watched him leave, I let out a sigh of relief, now feeling more like myself than I had in a long time.

"This doesn't mean you're in the clear, Lottery," Doctor Helga told me as she pulled out a flat stick. "Now I need to check and see if you fucked up your insides, so go to the seat."

I wanted to argue, but she was right. "Right… sorry, I let myself loose control."

The griffin rolled her eyes. "Ya, I guess as much, now go!"

I did as my doctor ordered, knowing she had my good health in mind.

It was good to have others care about me, and despite all that happened to me, I had met so many who genuinely cared. A tear formed in my eye, remembering that not all of my friends were still around now, but I felt they would want me to carry on.

Ya, just as I wished they were still here, I knew they'd wished I had lived on if I had died. It's what true friends would do, and as heartbreaking as it was, I needed to live on.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Eight

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Eight

_______________________________________________________

"Now tell me Lottery, think back to those bad times, when the curse had you enthralled, do they feel the same?" Mint asked me in the privacy of the doctor's back room. She had rushed over after we had been de-cursed, and wanted to check our heads before letting us go. I didn't argue, as I wanted to get all this over as soon as possible

Thinking back, something did feel differently about my memories. "I don't know, it's hazy, like a dream. Sometimes it's crystal clear, but more like I'm watching somepony else. I still hate it, and it makes me feel dirty to remember it, but not as much as I think it should."

Mint nodded, "sorry to push you through this, but any memories from that time that pop out stronger?"

It was a bit confusing why she was doing this, but the mare had over two hundred years on me. "Hmm… I think there are a few. Like the time with the dog, or when they used hooks. But it still feels distant. It makes me feel angry, absolutely pissed off that it happened."

"Yet not as much as it did before, right?" Mint asked me.

I nodded, "Is this a good or bad thing, Mint?"

My ghoul friend sighed. "Hard to tell really. Curses are difficult to understand, and removing them have… unpredictable effects. Some memory loss is common, along with a hangover-like state. Here it seems that anything involving the venus root curse is left in a haze in your memory. Possibly getting repressed."

I smiled. "So I'm going to be good then."

"I can't say for sure." She said, looking conflicted. "At best, what trauma you suffered is going to be softened. At worst, the memories will come back bit by bit, still fresh and vivid."

That second part… sounded concerning. "What do you suggest then?"

She thought about it for a moment, then nodded her head. "I have my notes, practically a dictation of what you told me. So I can do more of that for you, and make sure everything is well documented. It may seem cruel, but forgetting what causes your trauma will only prevent us from treating it. Unfortunately there is no quick fix to mental health, otherwise raiders wouldn't be such a problem."

I didn't like the idea, having her write down what was done to me. It sounded like forcing myself to stay in those moments, never leaving them. "You sure that's a good thing, Mint, can't I just move on, and not dwell on that?"

She smiled as best as she could with her leathery skin. "Oh Lottery, It's not the only thing we will do. By Celestia that would be too cruel. No. Actually I've been writing down a plan for everypony who has come to see me. Group therapy is necessary, helps ponies know they're not alone, but I think they need something to aspire to, a goal to achieve. It's actually something I would do with other ghouls when they showed signs of going feral. And it might be what ponies need to help them get stronger."

I cocked an eyebrow, "you sure."

"Well that's the thing, I don't know, but if we do nothing, ponies will only continue to fall into despair." Mint rubbed her arm with her hoof, her insecurity clear to me. "But that's why I'm going to ask for help. As you know, Doctor Coriander, I, and the others have been isolated for a long time. We had done leaps and bounds in our own research and practice, but without any peer-to-peer-review of any of it, it could just be our wishful thinking. So I'm planning on seeking out the Followers of the Apocalypse."

"You mean the group started by the hero Velvet Remedy!" I said in surprise.

Mint nodded. "Actually several of their members had shown up to offer their aid. As it turns out, they are attempting to rebuild what is effectively the Ministry of Peace, but without the Ministry part to get in the way of peace. It's possible that other ponies like myself are out there, and would come to join in hopes of sharing their knowledge. I know I want to."

"Then why not go now?" I asked.

She then chuckled, though it sounded more like she was gurgling rocks. "And leave you, Plasma and the others to go wild, no way in Tartarus. Once we're sure you're all in good hooves, then we will set off, but not before. Aloe and Basil are already writing down medical aid manuals for the few who want to learn the craft. Along with Doctor Coriander, who is helping Chain Lightning learn more advanced medic knowledge as they save lives."

"You four have really been Celestia sent, you know." I told her.

Mint shook her head. "No, far from it. If only we had not hidden ourselves away, then we may have saved so many others. Yes we may have died out there, but that's the risk we should have taken. But you, you guided us out and back into Equestria. All the ponies we saved from that day on, and will save, it's because of you, Lottery."

Her words didn't make me feel any less guilty, but it was good to know that the ponies I had helped, went on to help others. It was a small thing to help fix the damage my ignorance had caused.

"Say Mint, I heard you got a bit too close to the venus root salve?" I said with a mischievous grin as I playfully jabbed her.

Mint's face somehow turned red in embarrassment. "H… hay now, that stuff is potent you know. Love poisons do crazy stuff to ponies, like real crazy."

I began to laugh, then so did she, and the more I laughed the better I felt. I had a feeling that so long as Mint and the others were around to help, things were going to be okay.

_______________________________________________________

Once Mint had given the three of us the all clear, Plasma, Silver, and I returned to the penthouse for some much needed rest. Fortunately it seemed that the other two had the same symptoms as I did, and their memories were hazy. Though unfortunately much of their abuse happened before they were cursed, so things haven't changed much in that regard.

Even I could still clearly remember when Grinder first had his way with me, and the pain Spine Breaker thrusted into me. But everything after that was more like a hazy nightmare.

"So, you all want to go to the Showroom to celebrate?" Plasma asks as soon as my flank hit the couch.

"Why!?" I asked in annoyance. "Haven't you alredy fucked a lifetime of stallions?"

Plasma flopped down on the other couch and cuddled a pillow. "Fine! We can do it another day. But I mean, what's the worst that could happen, I get double pregnant?"

Silver found a spot next to Plasma, looking a bit lost. "I think Lottery's right. We should take a break from that. I know that I no longer desire to do any of that now that the curse's influence is gone."

"Really?" I asked.

Silver remained silent for several seconds, nervously messing with her hooves. "It's hard to say actually. My actual memories are still… incomplete. But I remember doing such things before the raiders found me. It was always by the request of others or the guidance of mother… I mean the Goddess. Never doing any of it as my own decision."

Sitting up, Plasma gave Silver a hug. "Right, it still feels odd that you're one of those mutants. At least it explains your tongue, strange as it is."

The mutant alicorn stuck her nearly black tongue at Plasma. "Actually that comes from my Waste pony heritage. Mint told me as such."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Right, the ponies who live in the radiation areas, the ones who the Goddess avoids taking. How does Mint know about them?"

Silver scratched her chin, clearly struggling to remember. "She told me about them days ago, so it's a bit hazy… but I think she told me that what other ponies call waste ponies are actually ghouls… I think."

Now Plasma raised an eyebrow. "She's probably shitting with you."

But Silver shook her head. "No, she actually introduced me to a Waste pony family not long after I recovered from being drained by the changelings. They were a bit weathered and a little ghoulish looking, well the older ones, their foals looked more like normal ponies. They even confirmed that their parents were ghouls, as strange as it sounds. Oh and they all had black tongues like me."

I then remembered Mint mentioning them. "Right, they were with the group of ghouls we saved when I first found Mint. Never get around checking them out due to… well you know."

Plasma then face hoofed. "Right, some ponies theorized this."

"What?" Silver and I asked.

"In the Steel Rangers archives, several elder scribes theorized the possible evolution of wastelanders." Plasma stopped to think for a moment, looking a bit serious as he did. "It is actually related to why Steel Rangers have taken such a hardline separation to wastelanders. As a lot of them believed that the common wastelander will evolve into living ghouls, with some examples. They suspect that it will also cause intelligence among them to drop… but if what you say about waste ponies is correct. They may have just picked up a few waste ponies and thought those were what ponies in the wasteland are becoming. Do you know what this could mean?"

Silver and I looked at Plasma, then at each other, then back at Plasma.

"You do know were not eggheads, right?" I asked Plasma.

Our overly smart friend then sighed. "Sorry, this is something I should bring up with the other scribe's. Thankfully their Applejack Rangers, so they should be more open to ideas that conflict with their preconceptions."

I then smirked, feeling like teasing my friend. "So, you don't consider yourself a Steel Ranger, since you so open to new ideas."

Plasma shot me an annoyed glare, but quickly relaxed. "You… might be right." She said.

That caught me off guard "Wait, I was joking!"

But Plasma shook her head. "No, no I am not. After what I've been through, I realized that I was never much a Steel Ranger. Always avoiding others through work, my head in a terminal, or doing some mechanical work. The regimented lifestyle was just… too restrictive for me. But out here I think I'm finally more myself."

"Your talking about sex aren't you?" Silver then asked.

Plasma gave an embarrassed smile. "Maybe. Give me some time to sort my head out. But I'm also taking about making my own tech. My crossbow, Colds power armor, and the two IF-64's I welded together. Such things are seen as a grave offense in the Rangers. But out here, nopony cares."

She then tapped her hooves together. "Well and maybe I'd like to stay close to the brothel, for you know, some fun." I watched as Plasma then wiped some drool from her lips, and I knew that this girl was probably a lost cause.

So I turned my attention to Silver. "So now that your no longer cursed, any plans?" I asked.

"M… maybe." She said nervously. "I though I may go with the alicorns… but even though I'm technically one of them, I'm not. But I may have family out in the nopony zone, and the waste pony family is planning on returning to those areas in such of others like them. Normal ponies make them feel… uneasy. And I understand that feeling."

Plasma reached out and held Silver's hooves. "So you plan to look for your family?"

Silver nodded. "Yes, and my teleportation ability will help the waste ponies get around the more dangerous areas. I don't hold out hope of actually finding my family, but it would be good for me to leave this place behind. Far behind."

It was sad to know that she would be leaving just as we finally got to know each other. But it was good that she would find a place where she belonged. "Well I for one hope you find your family. Or at least fined a new family to care for."

She smiled at me. "Thanks, Lottery. But what about you?"

"I'm not sure." I said as I thought about it. "I do know I should go back home and let my Ma and Pa know I'm fine. But after that… I might come back. I know it's not my fault for what Tripwire is doing and has done, but I still feel responsible for it. So I want to give back, do something to improve the lives of the ponies here. Hunting down the last of the raiders and slavers is one thing, but there is so much more."

"You could take Pecan up on her offer, and help her get her family farm backup and working." Plasma suggested.

That I was not all that sure of. "Sorry if I'm not going to trust the offer of a professional prostitute and self admitted gambling addict."

Plasma shrugged. "Hey, there's worse ponies to trust. But if you do decide to stick around, I'm sticking with you. I'm sure whatever you go off and do, your going to need my help."

"Thanks, but don't take offense to this, but if I go home I rather you stay as far from my family as possible." I told her.

She laughed. "Oh come on, I ain't gonna hit on your pa or nothing."

I squinted at her. "No seriously, I don't trust you to not try and flirt with my Pa. Anyways, I want to keep as much about what I did at the Red Light Showroom as secret as possible."

"Okay, okay. I get it. No telling your parents about you fucking around." Plasma said, sounding more amused then serous. The she let out a sigh. "Actually, I should ask Elder Honeycrisp if she could locate my parents, see if they went Applejack Ranger and if they could come here. Last I heard, their Contingent was based in route 52, but information from there is a bit chaotic at the moment."

"Well I hope their fine, though I'm sure their not going to want to know about your hobbies here." I told her.

"Ya, though I'm not sure they would care all that much. All about the mission and such. I just like to know if they're doing alright." She said, then flopped back down.

As we settled down, the door opened, and a rather frazzled looking High Pressure trotted in with Pecan by her side. Where the once straight laced pegasus now looked like a train wrecked brothel mare, the zony was back in her dirty overalls, looking more like a farm pony then a prostitute.

I waved at the two, and High hid her face.

"It cant have been that bad can it?" I asked.

Pecan pushed Hight to the bar, saying, "she's fine, just suffering from the after effects of a chem rush… and realizing who she fucked."

High Pressure kicked Pecan in the shin, causing the zony mare to jump back. "Sorry, sorry."

The pegasus trotted over to the bar, grabbing a pitcher of water and began to chug the whole thing. She let out a desperate sigh once she finished all the water off. "Fuck all of you, fuck you all to Tartarus!"

I lifted my hooves up in a defensive manner. "Hay, I had no part of whatever you were involved in." Then I looked over at Pecan, glaring at her, "and what are you doing here?"

Pecan rolled her eyes at me. "Hey now, can a mare visit a former coworker? And who was it that got you that good client early on."

"Please don't remind me, he was, ehhh." I said remembering a rather embarrassing night.

"Oh the one that had you trot them around like a pet." Low Pressure said as he trotted on, dressed in the same outfit as his sister. Cold Trails followed behind, looking less than happy.

"You know I'm not above knocking a tooth out of you, Low." I told my narcissistic friend.

Low shrugged. "Fine fine, that's all in the past anyways. Speaking of which, how did the cure go? Feeling less horny and shit?"

"For the most part, normal. But only time will tell." I said, then pointed at Silver, "She's finally stopped trying to fuck everyone, but" my hoof then moved to Plasma, "she still wants to go back to the Showroom."

"It was a suggestion, Lottery." Plasma said, defending herself.

Turning my gaze back to Low, a bit of morbid curiosity washed over me. "And you, isn't fucking your sister a bit much, even for you?"

Cold tripped over his hooves as Plasma fell off her couch.

A loud groan came from High Pressure. "Celestia fucking damnit!"

But Low remained unfazed. "Well that was… more due to a chem haze then anything I actually wanted to do. I never make the best decision when high, ya know."

Cold then gave Low a shove, "you, go get washed, now. Grizzly wants you and your sister ready to work soon." Low trotted off, giving Cold a wink as he entered the washroom.

"How bad was it, getting them here?" I asked Cold, eyeing some lipstick on his neck. "And what did you have to do?"

He traced my eyes and rubbed his neck. Sighing when he saw the remains of the lipstick. "Ya, it was rather ugly, unless you like the scene of an orgy. Fortunately by the time I got there to get them, the other ponies were bussy fucking each other then piling onto them."

Pecan then trotted over and lent on Cold. "Hay, don't forget that I was the one who pulled them out and hosed them down. And I didn't charge him much to do it for him."

I narrowed my eyes onto Zony. "Realy, what deal did you get him to agree to?"

She let out a little laugh. "Just a date, that's all."

"Sorry, Lottery. No pony else was willing to get them for me, and I didn't think you'd want to get in that mess." Cold apologized.

I took a moment to take a deep breath, collecting myself. "It's… fine. Truthfully, I already got so much shit going on right now that I don't have the right to pin you down."

Out of the blue, Pecan then hugged me. "Damnit Lottery, stop tearing yourself down like that!" After an awkward moment, she then let me go. "You already missed your opportunity with Horus, don't just let a good stallion get away again for crying out loud!"

I was confused, really confused. "B… but aren't you trying to get him for yourself?"

"Well ya!" She said confidently. "But it's not like a stallion can't have several mares. My own Pa had three wives, and the first two he had at the same time, bless his heart. My ma was his third after the other two got gotten fighting raiders. My eldest bro has two wives right now, so it ain't no thing if my stallion got another mare."

Plasma let out a groan. "Why do you sound so weird when off work Pecan?"

The zony let out another laugh. "Honey, that there is called ta working accent. Tis for making caps." She then trotted past me, giving me a bump. "Oh, and I do swing both ways, so I do enjoy a threesome, best of both side under ta sheets."

A wave of disgust ran along my spine. No, not no way was I doing any of that with another mare… well not again I mean.

Pecan then helped Plasma back up, and found a seat between her and Silver, holding them close.

I returned my attention back to Cold and let out a sigh, but before I could say anything, he spoke first.

"I know you're going to need time, a lot of time. Truthfully, I need time to figure out what I'll be doing with myself as well." He wiggled his one good wing. "So how about instead of settling on what the two of us are, we just restart from the beginning."

I nodded. "Ya… that might be for the best. I really fucked up this relationship thing before I even knew it was a thing. Maybe once Tripwire is dealt with, we can try that date again."

He smiled. "Ya, that sounds nice. Really nice. Anyways, you should get some rest, I have to go get Spell and Majestic, Grizzly needs to talk with them."

"Let me guess, it's about Tripwire and going to Naysayer Manor." I said.

Cold Trails nodded. "Yes, among other things. But you shouldn't worry about that yet, and let yourself relax. You deserve some peace and quiet. "

I looked around, eyeing my less than quiet friends.

"You know what I mean, Lottery. Anyways, Grizzly is going over the technical stuff, that's why she wants to see the Pressure siblings as well. Lots of reading and math. The strategy meeting is tomorrow, that she wants you in on."

"Alright, I'll relax. No getting into trouble, or partying." I said with a smile. "Actually, having a boring rest of the day sounds nice."

"I'll drop by once we're done helping Grizzly." He told me.

"Do you need my help?" Plasma asked.

Cold shook his head. "Grizzly told me that if she wanted you in her office today, it will be to fuck you, not for you to ramble on about the specs of a MK2 Ranger power armor."

"Soo… half past midnight then?" Plasma further asked.

He face hoofed. "Actually, ya. And she said to come in that outfit you wore yesterday."

"Nice!" Plasma said as she hoof pumped.

Cold then looked back to me, now seemingly drained of energy. "Well, see you later, maybe we can go see one of those movies you like."

"I'd like that." I said back.

I watched as Cold trotted out of the penthouse, and then I returned to my spot, my eyes falling onto the three mares across from me.

Pecan then let the other two go, and stretched back, popping a few joints. "Ya know, I was not joking about the offer I gave, about the farm."

I raised an eyebrow. "Ya, about that, if your family are farmers, why do they need you?"

"Long story short, it was more a plantation than a farm. You know, with forced labor." She explained. "My uncle was rather in good with Redeye, being a slaver and such, so most of my family did the same. Oh and before you say anything, he got himself killed years ago, fucked with a local hero and her granddaughter. If you ever heard about Six Gun Red, ya, he was the one she killed."

"Ya, Wiretap is a huge fan of the gun mare." I confirmed. "So, you want my help because… none of you can actually farm or nothing?"

Pecan chuckled. "No… well yes. I'm the exception. My Ma was all about self sufficiency, so where my siblings from my Pa's other wives only managed ponies, I was raised working with my own hooves. Anyways, since they surrendered to Gwadina, she has offered them amnesty in exchange for signing exclusive buying rights to their crops. So they signed it to save their flanks. But with the anti-slavery movement in full swing, my family is up shit creek, and most of their… workers… have understandably up and left for better work."

"And they want you to… work for them?" I asked.

"Well, not quite all of them." She said, sounding unsure. "The kids from my fathers first wife still want nothing to do with me. And fuck them, they kicked me off my own land the day after my Ma and Pa died. But the kids from my Pa's second wife are less bitter, and split from the first wife's side of the family. They even offered to give me control over the family business if I can save their flanks."

Okay, now things are making more sense.

She then continued. "That's why I want you and Cold to join me. Truthfully, I don't care if I get to fuck Cold or not, so long as I get his farming experience on my side. You too, Lottery. This is an opportunity I ain't gonna let get by me, and I need all the help I can get. Not just for farming, but also for killing shit."

I raised an eyebrow at that last part. "Normally you don't kill shit when farming… other than the odd critter."

"Honey, ya think the other side of my family is not going to pull some shit." Pecan said matter-of-factly. "Us Harvesters didn't get our land by playing nice, and not even Gwadina will change that. Actually, that's probably why she got them to sign that contract with her, she knows they will do a lot of the dirty work without her needing to ask. I sure know my big sis, Golden Wheat, is a right savage bitch, and won't hesitate to cut anypony down that gets in her way. Poor, Lean Year, her son you see, is likely going to end up just like her."

"Right, so what you're saying is that you'll need farm hooves who can and will shoot at your own family if they come to take your land." I said, trying to follow.

Pecan nodded.

"And the whole trying to fuck Cold is just you trying to get him to help you?" I asked, still not sure about that part.

"Oh no, he is totally my type, big, tall, got battle scars, and isn't insane. If you ever let him free, I will eat him up, Honey." She shamelessly admitted. "But that aside, I'm willing to sell a portion of my land if it means that I'll not have to worry about losing what is mine again. It's a win-win kind of deal, with potential to rank in the profits."

"Profits, how are you making caps from crops? The sharecropper farm here barely even gets by." I pointed out.

"Land rights, Lottery, land rights!" Pecan said excitedly. "If Gwadina can ensure that the raider problem is dealt with for us, then we can expand the territory far more than anypony could before. Of course workers will need to be hired, and they will need homes. If they are living there, then they will need stores and entertainment. Think about it, our own Ursa's Rest, built from the ground up."

Something was still not sitting right with me. "But… won't that cost a lot of money? I mean I'm not all that sharp and all when it comes to those things. Fuck, I can't even read. But even I know something like that will cost a lot, and crops are not that profitable when you need to eat them as well."

Her eyes drifted away, something my brothers would do when trying to hide something, but didn't want to lie about it..

"Tell me or it's a no!" I demanded.

"Fine, fine, I'll tell ya the catch." Pecan then sighed. "I don't have any caps… at all."

I cocked my eyebrow at her. "But you said you're paying off your debt?"

"About that, my brother is paying it off, not me." She said with a chuckle. "I'd have paid that debt off years ago, but kind of lost it at roulette… every month." I began to get up to trot away, but Pecan rushed over to stop me. "That's why I'll trust the finances to my brother, he is good at keeping track of money. I only need you to invest in me, help get us started, and then you will get all your caps back, plus interest. It's a good deal, like better than good."

I sat back down. "Alright, and anything else you can do to guarantee that I'm not just getting used?"

Pecan relaxed. "Actually there is. I already talked to Grizzly about this, and she's interested in setting up a smaller Ursa's Den on the land my family owns. Franchising she called it. It would help ensure that the new town will start off strong. But she'll only do it if I can get some other investors. But nopony is willing to make such a deal with a prostitute, even if I'm the Showrooms most popular mare. But if I have you as a partner in this, then it's a guarantee that others will join in. I mean, you're practically the hero of Ursa's Rest, and everypony around here knows you're like death on four hooves. Wherever you go, raiders die in droves."

I felt myself blush a little at that, "Really? That can't be true?"

Plasma let out a chuckle. "Lottery, you annihilated almost every raider clan in this region, fought your way out of Tripwire's army's base by blowing half of it up, and ended the Bailfire Fiends which have terorsed this region for two hundred year. I think everypony in this region owes you a debt of gratitude."

"And," Silver then spoke up. "DJ Pon3 had given you a shout out. Ponies know your name, Lottery."

I shot out of my seat in shock. "What! When, where, oh please tell me somepony recorded it!"

The three looked at each other, and then Plasma said. "I think Wiretap has a recording, so you can ask her about it later."

This was big news, DJ Pon3 mentioning me, just like the Lightbringer. Oh Celestia that's…. That's so Awesome!!!

"I'll consider your deal, but first I need to find Wiretap, this is too Awesome to let wait for even a minute." I said excitedly, my legs moving up and down, unable to stop.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Nine

_______________________________________________________

The holotape player crackled to life and the end of an upbeat and high energy hit my ears, it was already at its crescendo before the music faded, replaced by the smooth voice of DJ Pon3. "And that was Velvet Remedy and the Wasteland Wailers, with the song, Fly Like You! I do find it a waste that Velvet refuses to record any more songs with the wailers, but between singing and saving lives, I would do the same."

It had been a long time since I listened to the DJ, it had reminded me of home too much, and there was so much going on as it was at the time.

The DJ then continued. "Now for the news, and this time we have something new. Yes, the NCR militia continues to make headway into Fillydelphia, with even more ponies joining them to push out the slavers. And yes the remnants of the Grand Pegasus Enclave are still causing havoc. None of that is technically new. But how about all that, but centralized on one area. Well okay, that is not exactly new eather, with wannabe warlords popping up everywhere, and good ponies stomping them back down. So what exactly in new about this, well I'll tell you"

"How about a whole army of slavers and raiders, a plot to use mind controlling arcano-tech, and a mare pulling out such insane operations that even I would have had a hard time believing. Now my dear listeners, do any of you remember the big Fillydelphia families, from the time before Redeye. I'm sure any old pony remembers, just as I'm sure you all cheered when Redeye kicked them out of power. Well, that was before he started doing the same they did, but on a nightmare scale. You see, in the region around Ursa's Rest they actually popped back up. Yep, as soon as Redeye was out of power, they crawled out of the hole they were hiding in, and raised an army."

"Bad I know, the last thing Gwadina needs is a war on two fronts. But the residents of Ursa's Rest were not having it and rushed to stomp them out. Which was a bit surprising, since the leader of Ursa's Rest, a miss Grizzly Deal, is the head of one of the few big Slaver families that survived Redeye. Though in recent months, she has made a dramatic stride to join our side in the good fight, including the ending of all slavery in her region on her own cap. So some forgiveness is in order, though we should not forget."

"But I'm sure most of you already know about Grizzly Deal's dramatic reforms, so let's talk about a pony some have been calling the Berserking Mad Mare, or as some mutant cult ponies have been calling her, the Berserking Saint of Dawn's Light. Let's just compromise and call her the Berserker. Well she first appeared on my radar when she stopped a wiled horde of raiders before they got started. And no lie, she did it by leading an even bigger hoard of feral ghouls into their base. On top of that, in the middle of that chaos she duked it out with the Forty Two Smiles and came out the winner. Yes that's right, that band of mad fun seeking raider that stylized themselves after a very pink villain from an old story. Merchants of Hope I think the old tale was called. Well they are finally no more."

"It doesn't end there. Do you remember my report about the settlement of Elysium, a tragedy it was. Well not long after, the Berzerker paid a visit to it, and even fought with the raider boss of the Murder Ballers. And yes, she won. So those who feared that those bucked out raiders would return, you can sleep easy now. Though in the end Elysium was lost, many of its residents were saved and brought to safety. But get this, the pony who had taken them was none other than the leader of the cult of the Goddess himself. From what I had been told, the Berzerker actually fought him as he was mutating into a monster. Real nightmare stuff I say."

"To add to this already insane set of mad heroics, the Berzerker was thought dead for a week. Captured by the slaver army, in which only a fool would hope that they didn't kill her, she would announce her survival to the world with an explosion. While in captivity, she would break herself out, then destroy the slavers armory by blowing it sky high. This allowed the Ursa's Rest militia to sweep in and clear out the rest of the slavers. But wait, there's more. As the slavers were being stomped out, the Enclave Remnant showed up to kill everypony below. And get this, the Berzerker actually got into a hoof fight with the leader of that Remnant group, in mid air and won! No joke, I have plenty of eyewitnesses to attest to this happening."

"Lastly on this list of good news is that recently the Berzerker, along with Grizzly Deal herself, went out and annihilated the Bailfire Fiends base of operations. For those not from the Ursa's Rest region, that would be a fortified raider base equipped with a wall, beam turrets, angry robots, and a small army of insane raiders. It has been the thorn in the side of Ursa's Rest since forever. And now, even today, you can see the smoke rising from its ruins. It seems that Grizzly Deal made sure that not a hoof step of that place survived, and from what I heard, good riddance to such an evil place."

"And that's all I have for now about the Berserker. From what my contacts have told me, there is still more to do within the Ursa's Rest region, along with taking out the slavers leader. But once that's over, Grizzly Deal has promised to send aid to Gwadina. And from what I've been told about the her militia, having them join the good fight in Fillydelphia will be what Gwadina might just need to tip the scale in her favor. So I want to thank all the creatures in The Ursa's Rest that stepped up to join the good fight, and to the Berserker, you keep on being a crazy hero, I know we all appreciate you for what you have done for Equestria."

I stopped the holotape and pressed the rewind button to listen to it again, but a hoof reached out to stop me.

"You're going to wear it out at this rate, Lottery." Grizzly told me as she then passed the holotape player back to Wiretap. "Here, I'll give you a copy of it later, now can we get going."

"Fiiiiine!" I said, imitating Wiretap's own response when Grizzly tells her to do anything.

"Please don't, I don't need two daughters to drive me up the wall." Grizzly said playfully and then rubbed her daughter's mane. "Now you go, I expect you to act properly for your tutor okay. It costs me a lot to even convince that pony to return here from Tenpony tower, and even more to take on several fillies."

Wiretap sighed, and placed the holotape player in her saddle bag. "Why did you call Miss Twinkle back, she's such an old crone, and smells bad?" She whined.

Grizzly lightly swiped at Wiretap's muzzle. "I better not hear about you saying such a thing from any pony, you got that. Anyways, other than your uncle, there are very few ponies out here qualified to give a proper education, much less one with such a resume as she has."

"I bet most of it is lies. No way she educated real royalty or was taught by top tier educators from a stable." Wiretap argued.

"That doesn't matter." Grizzly said, pushing her daughter to the door. "If Tenpony tower says she is qualified, that's all that matters. So long as ponies know you've been educated by Miss Twinkle, they'll know you're not stupid like most ponies found in the wasteland."

Blowing a raspberry at us, Wiretap quickly trotted away.

"Is that true, about it not mattering if she is qualified or not?" I asked.

"Actually yes, very much so." Grizzly answered. "Who you know is often more important than what you know. Be it for the better or worse."

"Like me having known Tripwire." I then said.

She nodded. "Yes, and again I should never have done that to you just because you were associated with him."

I lifted up my hoof to stop her from saying any more. "It's fine. I'm just a guilty for not telling you to fuck off and taking some other job. But as messed up as it was, Sparkling and the rest of the Red Light Showroom at least gave me some stability I needed. Who knows what I might have done to myself if you all were not keeping me busy."

"Knowing what I've seen with other mares that went through that crap, chem addiction and pregnancy." Grizzly added. "Still, what I did was fucked up."

Giving her a light jab on the shoulder, I then trotted to the door. "In terms of the wasteland it's only a little fucked up. Oh and Pecan said you wanted to build a casino on her land?"

She matched my pace as we trotted out of her personal penthouse. "Only if she can convince others to set up shop there as well. Anyways, if she's going to help feed Gwadina's growing army, she's going to need a lot of workers, workers she will need to pay. Ponies with caps need a place to spend them, and I intend to offer them things they need and want. As one of my ancestors once said, the first and best dressed pony in business will come out the richest."

"Really?" I said, not sounding sure of it.

Grizzly laughed, "hay, if ponies and names are to be believed, he knew a thing or two about making money. I mean, His name was Filthy Rich after all."

I rolled my eyes at that. "Why do we name each other like that, like why don't we do what the griffins do with names. You know, something exotic."

"You do know their names are the same as ours, but just in a different language, and that's it." Grizzly told me.

"Oh… actually that makes sense." I said as we trotted to the deathtrap of an elevator. "So this Filthy Rich, is he like your great grandfather or something?

Grizzly shook her head, "No, actually he is pre great war. He only survived the bombs because he was out camping with his grandchildren. In the same spot Rattlebones took you. He left a lot of holotapes behind to make sure his descendants keep up the family legacy. Though towards the end, most of it was about how he missed his wife and daughter. Even now it's hard to listen to. But at least it was not his fault that he lost them."

"But he persevered, just like you." I told her as the doors closed.

_______________________________________________________

The war room was as it always was, with a group of serous looking ponies standing around a table, and over a massive map. But now there were a few new creatures here.

Majestic was here looking only a little less thin then before, but a lot less run down. Even her mane moved with more energy.

To my surprise, Regina Grimfeathers was here again, and looking prepared for a fight. The younger griffin also had on tan colored armor, with the letters "N. C. R." Printed on it.

There was also a unicorn stallion I didn't recognize here, white in coat color with a red and pink mane. He was rather handsome, despite being on the less muscular side.

As Grizzly and I took our seats, Spell Circuit cleared his throat and spoke up with a clear and polite. "Now that every creature is here, I first want to thank the representative of the New Canterlot Republic's Militia for joining us, Regina Grimfeathers and Life Bloom. And for them offering us aid in clearing out the remnants of the slaver army and raider bands in this region. I know that Gwadina has little to spare at this time, so any help is appreciated gratefully."

"That and as soon as the brahmin shit over here is over and done with, you promised to send your militia over to aid my mother." Regina said brashly.

"And we certainly cannot ignore ponies in need, even at such trying times." Life bloom added. 'We already have ponies aiding your medical staff, so your health situation should stabilize soon."

Grizzly gave a bow at her seat. "Again, I thank you both greatly for this. The actions of Tripwire has greatly destabilized this region, mainly by driving ponies out of their homes and funneling them here in Ursa's Rest. Even if we do take out Tripwire soon, if we don't stop the chaos around us, we will be hit by a food shortage in just a few days."

"Yes, I read the report." Life Bloom commented. "A shame really, going from a surplus of food stocks to nearly empty in just a month. It shames me to know that Tripwire came from the same schooling as I, even once held a place of honor as an accomplished student."

"Please don't remind me, I was there back then." Spell said, a trace of bitterness in his voice.

Life Bloom then eyes Spell curiosity. "I know of you as well, Spell Circuit, and that though you were not as accomplished as your brother, few had as high marks as you either. Why did you not come back to Tenpony Tower over these last ten years, I know my superiors would have gladly accepted you in their ranks?"

Spell averted his eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath and let out a long sigh. "A lot of reasons, too many to say here, and this is not the place to talk about the past. But I will say that I let my own… self doubt cloud my judgment and take over my life. Something I'll never let happen again."

Life Bloom nodded. "Well I know that a few of my seniors will be glad to know your back, and await your return to the tower. As for the here and now, we should focus on the problem at hoof. That being Tripwire and the mezmetron."

"Right, that damn thing." Regina spoke up with a growl. "Even mom understands that if he is allowed to do as he pleases, we will have an army of mind controlled ponies to tango with. Nothing kills morale more when you have to fight your own brothers and sister under the control of some mad pony."

"It's good to know Gwadina still reads the old journals. Knowing Talon history prevents repeating the mistakes of the past. Last thing we need is another tragedy of the long winter." Hogan Highborn commented.

But Regina rolled her eyes. "You seriously believe some of that magical brahman shit in those tall tales? Ghouls I get, but frozen zombies is too far to believe."

"Young hen, when you get as old as your mother or as I, you learn that nothing is impossible when magic gets involved. And what you call tall tales is very much true. The Long Winter did happen, and I was there as a young talon, fighting the corpses of my own company as they refused to stay dead." Hogan chastised the younger talon.

I then lifted my hoof up. "Not to mention that Naysayer Manor still suffers from what caused the long winter."

Hogan nodded in my direction. "Yes, a place perpetually covered in snow, and where true undead trot, unkillable and forever restless. Makes me worried that Tripwire might be cooking up something even worse down there."

"Fortunately, we will not have to navigate through." Spell Circuit said, getting us back on track. "There is a secret passage into the Manor in which we can take a strike group through."

"As I can also use teleportation there as well." Majestic added. "Though I strongly suspect that Tripwire is prepared for both possibilities of us getting in. My memory may be hazy from when under his control, but I do remember him not getting lazy for his security. Though he had become strange if my memory is correct."

Spell let out a sigh. "If Tripwire has access to fathers old archives and artifacts, who knows what strange magic he has been exposed to. Though no matter what magic he can use against us, the mind control spell is still the most pressing."

"That's why we're going to prepare for the worst." Elder Honeycrisp said as she placed a pair of round sunglasses on the table. "Thanks to the recovery of several mezmetrons from the Breaking Grounds, we have managed to develop a counter for the mind control spell. Care to explain, Plasma."

"Oh, right, yes." Plasma said as she trotted to a nearby chalkboard on wheels, joined by Spell Circuit. Thankfully she was in a less seductive outfit, though I could see the hint of a fishnet stocking peeking out of her suit. Flipping the chalkboard, a crud drawing of a pony being hit by a mezmetron was shown. "Well first off, technically it's not mind control… well it is, but not like you think."

Spell cleared his throat, taking the attention away from Plasma and to himself. "What my friend is trying to say is that what we see as one spell causing the mind control effect, is in fact several spells woven together. The mezmetron itself is based around the Fiducia Compelus spell, but boosted and tweaked to deal with the mentally disturbed. It's unfortunate exploding head side effect comes from the years of exposure to radiation degenerating the spell. That's the first problem my brother had to overcome, then was the weaving together of the Persuadere and Cogeria spells. After that, tweaking the spells to gain the desired effect, and finding the correct set of orders and conditioning to further iron out flaws. That's why he was also implementing traditional brainwashing as well, since-"

"To the point egg head." Regina huffed out.

"Right, my apologies." Spell said, and then continued. "Because of this very careful weaving of spells and conditioning to enthrall one's mind, it would either require constant casting of the spell, or some type of talisman to maintain the integrity of the spell. That's why Pentagram used the enchanted jewelry when controlling the volunteers. The original control device was a copy of some magical helmet recovered from the crystal empire, but Pentagram considered it too barbaric for general use. So he made the mezmetron as a less suppressive alternative, though had to use multiple spells to gain the same effect. The completed spell that Tripwire is trying to make for the mezmetron will not need such things. That said, it will still. Work on the same fundamentals of magic, in which we can counter."

Plasma picked up the sunglasses, and put them on. They looked more for fashion then actually blocking the sun, being rather stylish on her. "Thanks to the help of Duke Pharynx the Fifth, we found that a counter changeling spell is the perfect for disturbing the mezmetron's own spell. Furthermore, the ranger armory happened to have glasses made for dealing with both changelings and invisible Zebras."

"Something left behind by Rainbow Dash, so I expect them to be returned undamaged" Elder Honeycrisp added.

"Naturally, and it is to our great fortune that you even had them, though few in number." Plasma continued. "As for why they work, the glasses are actually smokey quartz talismans that have the magic sight spell imprinted into them. Since the mezmetron requires you to physically see the device for it to take full effect, if hit by the spell, the glasses will actually break it once your eyes make contact. Effectively one spell canceling the other. But this still means the pony will be affected by the initial spell, and there will be a small gap in time between a pony being caught by it and it braking. But it does mean that so long as the glasses are on, they will be able to break free."

"And how many of these glasses do you have?" Rainbows End asked.

"Unfortunately, only two." Plasma answered. "But now that we know how to counter the mezmetron spell, we can modify the lenses for power armor to do it."

A chuckle came from Lucky Shot. "I reckon most of ya tin cans don't like the idea of doing anything to your armor."

"I assure you that we rangers are not against modifications to our equipment when needed. But we prefer the preservation of technology rather than meteling with it. So keep your biases to yourself, bandit." Honeycrisp explained to my grandmother.

"Before anypony else speaks their mind, we have already gone through the numbers and devised a plan." Grizzly Deal said loudly and with authority. "This meeting is more about explaining things to our guests, and hearing out any further suggestions or if one of you here sees a flaw that must be fixed."

Life Bloom lifted up his hoof. "Actually, I think I see a problem."

"Go on." Grizzly said back.

The unicorn quickly shifted through the documents he had at hoof. "Right, so here you have the Applejack Rangers push through from the hidden tunnel under the mountain, and a two pony infiltration team be dropped in by alicorn. But nothing about how anypony is to find Tripwire and the mezmetron workshop? From what this document says, he has two ways to escape through the use of two magical medallions he has on him. Not to sound pessimistic, but even if we do take the manor, the chances of even getting to him is slim at best."

"I have to agree." Regina said, slapping the document with her talons. "If this fucker is as slippery as you think he is. Nothing stops him from just disappearing, and starting this shit up somewhere else. Knowing the brahman shit unicorns can do, who's to say he can't teleport away?"

"I doubt he could go far even if he knew how to teleport." Spell Circuit said. "The only ponies who could teleport long distances were the Princesses, and Celestia's apprentice Twilight Sparkle."

"And the only reason we alicorns know how to teleport was because the Goddess had fused with said Ministry mare." Majestic added in. "I for one could only perform advanced parlor tricks and simple magic before Trixy had found me and took me into Unity."

Life Bloom then nodded. "And without the Goddess proving your kind with Twilights knowledge, those not using the magic are quickly forgetting how to use it all together. Even now many of your kind are becoming little more than tall unicorns. Some have even lost the ability to fly."

"Is that so, are you trying to preserve their knowledge?" Spell asked Life Bloom.

"Yes actually. Currently Velvet Remedy and a close friend of mine are attempting to document as much of what the alicorn has learned over the last hundred years before it's all forgotten." Life Bloom answered.

Then Regina cleared her throat and the two smart unicorns shut up. "Eggheads."

"Anyways." Spell then said, clearly getting back on track. "We will have members of the militia on guard in the places he could attempt to flee to. Both flying around the cursed mountain, and in the proto-stable. Majestic will also be at the ready in case he is able to go further then we suspect him to be able to, or has access to another alicorn."

"We're not leaving anything up to chance here." Grizzly said.

But then Life Bloom asked. "Still, nothing here says where the workshop is. Tripwire could just wait us out in the end."

Grizzly then looked over at me and I nodded.

"Actually, I have a way to find him. Can you greet everypony, Will-o-Wisp." Lifting up my hoof, and Will-o-Wisp appeared on top of it, dancing with its blue flame. "She here can locate Tripwire for me wherever he is. If Tripwire attempts to run and hide, Will-o-Wisp will show me the way."

Life Bloom's eyes went wide. "By Celestia, a Will-o-Wisp! And that magic it is irradiating, that's not the same magic as that of the undead is it… its hue, that color is close to the magic related to hope then of the underworld. How did you get your hooves on it?"

I shrugged. "I think she attached herself to me after I somehow survived the mound maker."

"The mound make was one of the major curses on the cursed mountain, Lottery's cursed axe was what's left of that monster." Spell explained.

Life Bloom let out a long sigh. "Dear me, once this is over, there are a lot of ponies that will have a lot of questions for you two."

"Now don't be plotting on stealing Lottery away." Rattlebones then said. "Most ponies may not know of your society, but the shamans have seen ya'll plotting about in our visions. If she ups and disappears, we know where to look for her."

"What, never." Life Bloom said nervously. "But back on the operation. If you do have guidance of a Will-o-Wisp, which should be the opposite if the legends are true, then this might work… might."

I looked at Willow and smiled. "She has never led me astray, so I trust her completely. Tripwire can run from me, but he cannot hide. I can assure you of that."

"Oh, I really like her." Regina said with a smirk.

"With her, Spell Circuit is going as well." Grizzly then explained. "Since not only will Tripwire will be there but also-"

"Catalyst, yes I saw her name in the report you sent us." Life Bloom interrupted. "She had also attended Tenpony Towers school for unicorns. To think she was also a Naysayer. But it is wise to send another spellcaster with Miss Lottery, though are you sure that will be enough?"

"It's all we can send without just dropping Rangers on the place." Grizzly said as she tapped on the documents. "And though it is an idea, it's one that could quickly backfire on us. It's best to assume that Tripwire is expecting almost anything at this point and has counter to it. The less opportunity he has at grabbing an alicorn or a Ranger the better."

"Is that also why you don't want talons just braking down his door?" Regina asked.

Grizzly nodded. "Frankly, that Manor is likely a deathtrap, and potential new assets for Tripwire. So I loathe sending anypony in there." She then glanced at me before continuing. "But Tripwire must be taken out, along with the mezmetron's and their blueprints. And the only ponies that have a real chance at it are Lottery and Spell Circuit. "

"And you're sure of this?" Regina further pressed.

"Unless you have another megaspell bomb, then yes." Spell Circuit answered. "This is my brother's last stronghold, and was the home for generations of talented spell casters. The place is a fortress in its own right, surrounded by dangerous necromancy magic. I wouldn't be surprised that even the sky above the manor is cursed. So all we can do is block any avenue my brother and sister have to escape, and then hunt them down."

"And that requires Lottery's connections to the curse's there, and Spell Circuit's expertise with magic." Rattlebones added. "Also symbolism is important. The connection those two have to Tripwire will also boost their own strength. Not as powerful as the magic of harmony, but it will help."

Both griffins at the table huffed, but didn't argue.

Life Bloom on the other hoof seemed interested. "You're talking about the shamanistic magic right? I've always been curious about it, maybe later we can talk about it. But that aside, I would have to agree, there's nothing I can see that would make a better option. Actually, I had put in a request for the lightbringer to simply destroy that manor with a storm, or used Celestia One. But both were not just denied, but I was told that it was not possible. That mountain is much like the Everfree Forest, but more evil then it is wild."

"Agreed." Regina said, looking a bit annoyed. "This is like when Pip took on the Goddess. Where conventional tactics were not going to work to kill that bitch." She then eyed Majestic. "No offense."

"None taken. The Trixies mental state had greatly deteriorated by then, and it was more a mercy what that mare did than a loss" Majestic said with a sad tone.

"So then we're all on the same page then, good." Grizzly said, getting all of our attention. "Then let's figure out where we're sending the extra troops to root out the stragglers."

The war council then shifted to the rest of the map, in which I backed away to let the smarter ponies plan things out.

Spell Circuit trotted over, clearly tense. "You sure you're ready for this, Lottery?"

I shook my head, "no, but it's not like we have the time for me to be. What about you?"

"To be honest, I'm terrified about what I might see. For years I had nightmares about my brother finding me and finishing me off. But now I'm going to him and… I can't stop shaking." He said as he lifted a trembling hoof.

"But that's not going to stop you, is it?" I asked.

Spell smiled. "No… no it will not. It's time I fix this ten year long mistake."

That I agreed with him. It was time we fixed our mistakes.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighty

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighty

_______________________________________________________

Once the war council had planned everything through, and signed their orders, things moved quickly. Militia members were given their guns and sent out hunting. Applejack Rangers suited up and marched out. The Talons took to the air, vanishing off into the distance.

I was checking all my gear for the fifth time, my nerves on end.

"That old gun didn't unload itself, just feel how heavy it is, concentrate." Lucky Shot told me.

"You can't be serious?" I said balked at her.

She chuckled. "Trust me, if you practice enough you can tell. It'll save ya from drawing an empty gun if you know if it's loaded or not from how heavy it is."

She then trotted up to me, placing a hoof on my shoulder. "Just breathe, everything is going to be alright so long as you don't lose your head. I've been there, I know what your feeling."

"You mean the uncertainty of jumping into a mad stallions deathtrap of a base filled with mind controlling guns?" I asked her with an eyebrow cocked.

"One, unfair, and two, stop being a bitch." My grandmother said with a smirk. "Lottery, the Equestria wasteland is so full of forgotten magical brahman shit that nopony should be surprised by any of this. Fuck, it ain't my first tago with a mezmetron. Was lucky the fucker didn't stick a bomb collar on me, but I did have to suck his cock to get my shit back. Then beat the shit out of him when he let his guard down."

"You fucking with me now?" I said, not believing.

"Maybe I am, maybe I'm not." She answered smiling.

"She's not lying about dealing with a stallion with a mezmetron." Rattlebones said as he trotted in. "A fucked up mess that was to be sure. Though only Lucky here knows what actually happend between him and her. We got around a lot way back when, saw a lot of things, and survived some nasty shit. Well not all of us. Poor Blue Grass."

Lucky let out an angry forceful huff. "Fuck that ghoul and fuck that place!"

"I'm sorry for your loss." I said.

"Thanks, but don't." Rattlebones said as he passed me a box. "We're used to death. Lucky and I don't fear it at all. But Blue Grass was not granted the peace of death, no, far from it. He is likely still suffering even now, and not a damn thing we can do about it. Not yet anyways."

Lucky raised an eyebrow. "Your not going back there are you?"

"What, were?" I asked.

The old stallion sighed. "Best I not go into details about it, but there's a place that even how still surrounded by an unending radioactive storm, the Molly Manticore Mega Mall. A place filled with untouched tech that would make anypony wealthy beyond their dreams."

"And murder robots that shove ponies into them, useing their parts to make more murder robots!" Lucky snarled.

Rattlebones nodded. "I've seen a few other Molly Manticore places, and they're all the same with their robot mascots. But the mega mall is a beast on a different level. Just as evil, but far, far bigger."

"Rattle, Blue Grass and I had to run in there to save a bunch of foals lost inside. But in the end Blue Grass sacrifice himself to save all of us. Last we saw of him was shoved inside some deformed long necked deer-like thing." Lucky explained. "So ya, we've seen some messed up shit."

Just thinking about that sent a shiver up my spine. "Okay, I get it, I'm not special."

"Nether is Tripwire. But unlike him, you are loved, and you are helping to make Equestria better." Rattlebones told me, lowering his staff to tap on my gauntlets. "Another thing, you earned the right to be considered special. Not by birth or by luck, but by your own actions. So stop cutting yourself short, okay."

Lucky then lightly jabbed me on the shoulder. "Anyways, we old ponies already had our own adventures, so chin up and get back to your own. And also don't fucking die on me, I want to see my grate grandchildren."

"Don't plan to." I said, then eyed Rattlebones. "And are you going back to that place, the mega mall?"

He chuckled. "Oh yes. Had a vision of it not long ago. But don't worry, there will be allies there with me, though an odd bunch they seem to be. There was a wild mare whose eyes invoked fear, a regal mare in which magic danced around her, and a lost stallion who seemed to be able to move from the past and present. I think there were some others, but those three were more important."

"And you sure you wont need any more help then that, I-" as I offered to help, Rattlebones cut me off.

"It's fine. You don't need to offer your help. Anyways, the radiation storm isn't due to lighten up around it for the next eleven to twelve years. I'm sure you will have bigger responsibilities to attend to at that time." He told me before tapping on the box he gave me. "As for now, I was able to get something that may be of help for you."

Opining it, there was a glass bottle inside.

"It battle brew… well a kind of battle brew." Rattlebones explained. "Unlike the harsh chems of a traditional battle brew, this one is made from less side effects heavy herbs and other safer ingredients. It wont be as much of a burst of power, but it'll last longer, and not leave you feeling week when it ends." He then winked at me. "Also it tastes much better then that other stuff."

I placed the bottle into an inside pocket of my duster. "Thanks, this should help."

I no longer felt nervous, well not completely nervous, so I took a deep breath and got up. "Alright, time to go!"

Lucky the reached over, and with skilled hooved, placed several new cards in my hat. "I think this card hoof suits you better then the royal flush you mother fancied."

Taking off the hat, I saw a pare of black Aces and a pair of black eights. "Whys that?"

"It's the dead ponies hoof. From the ancient legends, it was the cards the legendary gunslinger Wild Hickory had before his death, and from then on it became an omen of death." She explained.

Rattlebones let out a whistle. "Going for the deep lore there Lucky. That story is over three hundred years old."

"Fuck you, We bandit are just as keen on remembering our history as you tribles are. Not only that, were pre-wasteland, unlike you." Luck said with a playful snarl, then turned her attention back to me as she adjusted the collar of my dress. "It sounds ominous and bad luck to have, but trust me, for ponies like us, it shows that were serous. As the legend goose, old Wild Hickory normally sat in a spot in which he could see everything, but one day that seat was taken, and strangely he didn't fight for it. Well a bastards saw that he back was open, and took the opportunity to cowardly shoot him in the back. Well, almost everypony took offence to that, and even Celestia appeared to capture the bastard and deal justice. Because of that, black Aces and Eights are considered a warning to the cowardice and the vile. Ponies will come for you if you cross a line that must not be crossed."

I smiled as I put the hat back on. "Then I'll live up to that legend."

"You better. Because I don't want to be dragging you out of no fire. I'm getting too old for that shit." She said with a wink.

_______________________________________________________

The room where I'd be setting off had little fanfare, just several of my friends and a few extra things on a table.

Silver Bristle Brush and Plasma trotted over, giving me a quick hug.

"I wish we could just bomb that place, and not risk any more lives." Plasma said.

"Same here." I replied.

"You sure you have to go, one of the Talons would be able to do the fighting just as well?" Silver pleaded.

"Fighting yes, but not tracking him down. Anyways, I want to be there when it's finally over." I answered.

The two gave me one more hug before giving me some space.

Trotting over to the table, I saw an anti-magic pulse bomb, along with the glasses, and Grizzly's pistol. I pointed at the gun, a bit confused. "Why's the Celestia gun here?"

"To make a point." Grizzly said. "I'm lending it to Spell, just to remind Tripwire that I was here, helping in his downfall for a second time."

"That's… rather cold of you." I said, having some understanding of wanting to do such a thing.

"Well like Uncle Rattlebones has been saying, magic and symbolism are strongly tied together." Grizzly said as she then passed me a pouch that was warm to the touch. "And this is for you, it's… a good luck charm."

"What's in the bag?" I asked.

"A pear and apple seed." She told me. "Supposably it holds the regrets of a patriarch to the pear family, or at least what Rattlebones told me. Don't know why there's an apple seed in the bag, but the bag has always comforted me at my lowest point. I can only guess that whoever that stallion was, he also once made a decision that he grew to deeply regret, just like I have."

Placing the bag into my pocket, It didn't feel right taking it, but I knew Grizzly was not going to just let me give it back. "Are you sure?"

"Very. You need all the luck you can get, and I know that bag will come back to me until I pass it onto Wiretap. So you better come back alive and in one piece, you got that." She told me.

I patted where the seed bag was. "I plan to. So I'm guessing everypony not here is off fighting then."

"Very much so." Grizzly said sternly. "We need to end this soon, and there is no telling how many mezmetron's are out there among Tripwire's scattered forces. They have yet to flee, so this is our last chance to kill off as many of them before they vanish off into the wasteland."

"We already know that a small, but sizable group had already gone into hiding." Majestic said as she trotted over. "Bandsaw was playing the proverbial safe bet you can say, and divided her personal forces in case things went bad. From what I can remember, she did give them two of the incomplete mezmetrons and planned on sending more out. Your raid on the center caught her completely off guard, so only the two are beyond our hooves."

I gritted my teeth at that raider's name. "Any way we can root them out?"

Grizzly shook her head. "They likely left the region and have already gotten word that the Bailfire Fiends are no more. In all likelihood they will move further on and start a new raider band, using the power of the Mezmetron. That or kill each other over it."

"I hope for the latter." Majestic said with a very serious look on her face. "But so long as we make sure no more of those vile devices leave this region. I call it a win."

"Here here!" Grizzly and I quietly cheered.

The door opened and Spell Circuit trotted in with Life Bloom right beside him. Oddly, Life Bloom had a glint in his eye as he looked at Spell Circuit that reminded me of some of the stallions that Low Pressure dated. It wasn't my business who was attracted to who, but I was a bit curious. Still, after how I had been with Plasma, the last thing I wanted to do was play matchmaker again.

"So what you're saying is that the reason why the radiation storms have not dissipated in intensity has to do with them being manifested by all of our negative emotions?" Life Bloom asked with a hint of excitement.

"It's similar to the storms on the cursed mountain, or at least that's what I've observed there and compared with the old records in the manor. I'm not surprised that nopony has been able to make the connections, as the radiation storms seem to be wild and unpredictable, where the storms there are anchored in place by malicious entities. Once you can see it on a smaller scale, the puzzle pieces start to come together." Spell prattled on with his smart magical stuff as he trotted over to us.

Once they came to a stop, the two unicorns wrapped up their conversation, and turned to us. "Right, so I guess everything is ready?"

Spell was in his usually tweed suit, with a patched up overcoat, giving him an air of sophistication that made me feel a bit dumber.

Grizzly tossed her gun over to him. "Take this with you, I'm sure you understand why."

"Yes, I can surmise why you want me to use your gun on my brother." Spell said, then eyed the bomb. "I'm sure that's only going to buy us a few minutes at best, known my brother and all."

"Then use that time wisely, okay." Plasma said as she did one more check on the bomb, then pulled her rifle from under the table, tossing too at Spell. "Take this too, I added a few more modifications to it."

The double barrel IF-64 now had some kind of beam pointy thing, a small scope, and two suppressors.

Letting out a sigh, Spell attached the sheathed rifle to his saddle bag. "Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it."

I was still disappointed that Plasma and Spell were not a thing, since the two nerds were rather cute with how they acted together.

I picked up one of the glasses and put it on. Though everything was now tinted, everypony now had a light blue outline to them. "The fuck?" I said as I realized that I could see the outline through my missing eye.

"What's wrong!?" Spell worriedly asked.

Closing my one eye, I waved my hoof over my face, the gauntlet glowing even brighter through the darkness. "Um… I can see magic through both my eyes with these things. As in the eye that's not there."

I could see Spell look over at Plasma, who then shrugged.

"Actually I can explain this." Life Bloom spoke up. "The spell in those glasses doesn't modify your vision, but actually sends the sensory to your brain. From what was written about counter changeling magic at the tower, just enchanting one's vision was not enough to break through their magic. It's likely why they cancel out the mezmetron spell."

"Neat. So if I lose my other eye, can I keep these?" I then asked,

"You better not lose that eye, Lottery!" Grizzly said with a hint of anger.

I lifted my hooves up defensively. "Hay now, I don't want to lose it either, just trying to, well you know… lighten the mood."

Letting out a sigh, and a look that reminded me a lot of my mother when she was annoyed with me, Grizzly then told me. "I get it, Lottery, I really do. It's just that your humor is both bad in timing and subject. I rather not worry about you returning maimed again. We got lucky with your legs, but not so much with your eye."

She was right, my sense of humor had been real fucked for a wile now. "Then how about once I get back, you get me some help with my humor. See if it can be fixed."

"Actually I know of this old ghoul who was from Lost Pegasus. Funny as fuck, if a bit on the crude side. I'm sure he would love to return now that things are settling down here, and of course with a sizable payment to his booze fund." Grizzly said with a wink. "Now get going, and get back here in one piece."

"I plan to." I said back as I trotted over to, Spell Circuit.

He was already given the anti-magic pulse bomb, its safety placed inside a case and in his saddlebag.

"Alright, try and use it only when necessary, okay." Plasma instructed. "As the old Steel Ranger saying gose, the element of surprise can turn a certain loss into an overwhelming victory."

"I'm well aware of the zebra art of war, it's a rather famous book written when Celestia was young." Spell said with a smile.

But Plasma tilted her head. "Zebra? I was talking about Ranger strategies and tactics."

Spell then face hoofed. "Right, the Ministry of Images centered that book, or at least tried too. But I understand. The bombs our trump card. I'll make sure to use it when it's the most effective."

Plasma then backed away as Majestic trotted over. "Are you two ready?"

Spell put on his glasses. "Hard to say. More than I'll ever be, but less than I wish I was."

"Better said than what I was going to say." I replied. My friend then looked at me curiously, and I shrugged. "Let's just say I was going to make a sex joke, and get to the fighting and screaming, okay."

Majestic then sighed. "Over two hundred years, and the feeling of nervousness before a show never changes. Maybe once this is over, I'll go find my old cart and start my traveling performance again."

I raised an eyebrow at that. "But you can perform real magic, why do tricks?"

A chuckle escaped Majestics muzzle. "Why? Because it's fun to perform magic without casting spells. Makes the audience ask, How'd she do that? Then they just knowing that I cast a spell and a thing happened." Her wings then open up and over us. "Actually I was very well known for teleporting myself without ever casting magic, from one box to another. It was a favorite trick among the foals. But today, I'll perform a cheap spell taken from a pony that never understood the importance of… PRESENTATION!

_______________________________________________________

"Presentation?" I asked, then shivered as I felt so very cold. "What in fucking Tartarus?"

I saw my own breath as I cursed, then looked around, finding myself in a library covered in frost.

Majestic flicked her wings, sending glittering snow into the air. "I would love to explain, but this place is too dangerous for me to say even a second longer."

With that she vanished with a flash, leaving Spell Circuit and I in what I now realized was the library of Naysayer Manor.

"Brother, why?" Spell asked as he trotted to a smashed window. He then lifted a book with his magic, but it crumbled to dust. "The magic protecting this place, all of it, has been broken?"

"Along with the windows." I said as I got my IF-64 ready.

"No, he didn't do that, look." He then used his magic to move some of the snow and frost revealing broken glass, but it was all on the inside of the library.

That… that was not a good sign.

Spell then trotted to a nearby bookcase on the wall, all the books removed. Painted on the now bear and frost covered wall was a circle with a five pointed star along with symbols I didn't bother trying to understand. "He actually invited the evil of the mountain inside. What madness."

I put my IF-64 away and drew out Rime Frost. "So, Tripwire went insane then."

Spell shook his head. "Actually this might be the smartest move if he knew we were coming. I doubt any pony in the militia is ready to fight true undead. He's probably consolidated his forces in a better defended spot, and let the curse be a buffer between us and him."

"Well that fucked!" I huffed out a curse, blowing the dead streak in my mane. Though it was bright pink now, I knew at the roots it was still stark white from the last time I was here. "Last thing I wanted to deal with was those things again."

"Agreed. Though it's concerning that he has learned of this magic, meaning he hasn't been focusing on the mezmetron as much as we thought. Did something happen to change the scope of his research?" Spell then shook his head. "No time to ponder, we can find out once we find him, so let's get moving before the undead come to us." Spell said as he levitated Plasma's dubble barreled IF-64.

"Alright, then it's Will-o-Wisps turn. Can you take us to Tripwire, help us end this." I asked and the warm blue flame appeared, dancing around before floating out of the library.

"I wish I had more time to study that phenomenon." Spell said as he followed, books crumbling around him with each step.

"I have a feeling that it's best to leave her a mystery." I said, following him.

Spell stopped for a moment. "Somehow… I agree. Not everything needs to be explained, though it would be nice to understand it more." He then levitated a book over to him, but it was but dust before he could even read the cover. "So much loss, yet I feel nothing."

I pushed him along. "Maybe it's because you have something more important then books now."

He got moving, a serious look in his eye. "Ya, two things. Two things worth more to me than all the books in the world."

Leaving the library, we entered a cold frost covered hallway. The once beautiful wallpaper was torn up, and more of the magic symbols were carved into the rotting wood like mad rambling. Among the symbols were crude drawings of ponies performing rituals and sacrifices all while a large yellow painted eye looked down on them. It chilled me more than the cold.

Even Spell looked disturbed as we passed the writings, his eyes darting back and forth.

We trotted along, following Will-o-Wisp, and as our hooves crunched on the frost covered floor, we came to the greenhouse. Or what was once a greenhouse. The skeletal framework of the greenhouse still stood, with not a pain of glass left un-smashed, with ice covering everything, forming what looked like a frozen cage. Piles of snow covered the ground, forming a mound and covering the likely now dead plants.

Seeing the mounds of snow, I was filled with a primal sense of dread.

"Give me a moment Lottery, I need to recover something." Spell said as he trotted into the dead frozen garden.

"Not the time Spell!" I hissed.

Using his magic, he blasted away the snow, revealing a crate with a rather sizable lock on it. The lock was quickly removed by Spell, who then pulled out from the crate a rather ancient looking wooden box. "Thank Celestia, it's safe."

A rusty sickle then embedded itself in the crate next to Spell, and from the mounds of snow rose a pony. Their eyes were vancent and white, lips blue and cracks. And if that wasn't enough, the fact that this pony had a gaping hole in their side with their frozen organs for all to see, this pony was clearly undead.

Another zombie popped out of the snow, this one wielding a scythe, and a third with a wood chopping axe.

As Spell quickly returned to me, I took aim and fired at the first. The side of its head scattered, causing it to wobble, but not fall. It then glared at me with its one remaining milky white eye as its brain sloshed out of its head. The zombie let out an unnatural roar, which I felt down to my soul.

"Oh this is so much worse than ghouls!" I said as I fired another shot, decapitating the zombie, but it still didn't go down, and the headless corps took a step towards us.

The other two joined it, slowly trotting towards us with weapons raised, so we ran.

As we galloped away, all the door's slammed open, and the sound of hooves and rusty metal being dragged on the old wooden floor could be heard everywhere.

A zombie with a pitchfork rushed out of one room ahead of us and lunged at Spell, who managed to grab them with his magic and throw the monster into the wall. Pulling up his IF-64, he fired several shots into it. Blasting holes into it and even destroying a leg. But the zombie was unfazed, using the exposed and broken bone to push itself up, and grabbing its pitchfork. Spell was pushed back into a wall, not knowing what to do next.

I then rushed in and brought the axe head of Rime Frost down onto the zombie, cutting into its neck. The head fell from the body, and frost quickly covered the zombie. We watched as it then froze and shattered, no longer moving.

Both Spell and I looked at Rime Frost, then at the shattered remains of the zombie, then at each other.

"Right, let's just assume that magic can kill them and not lead." Spell said, and I nodded. He then pointed at my claws. "I'll do what I can to help, but you're the only one who can fight right now."

I smacked my front claws together. "Ya, I get it. Anyways, we should save our ammo for Tripwire's goons.

Looking back, the three zombies from the greenhouse were now catching up, joined by five more zombies.

"So… what's in that box you had to take?" I asked as I looked in the other direction, seeing four zombies blocking our path.

Spell put his rifle away and sighed. "Seeds actually. The box is an over thousand year old magical seed vault, made by Clover the Clever herself. Inside are seeds that could possibly be extinct out in the wasteland." His horn glowed, and a barrier formed behind us, blocking the zombies, then he pushed it, knocking them back. "But it doesn't matter if we die, so can we get moving?"

"On it!" I said as I chugged the battle brew, then launched myself forward. Diving into the group of zombies, the claws of my gauntlet raked across the face of one as I thrusted another into the side of a second zombie. Fire burst from wherever the claws dug into, and pushing the zombies back. But as one was taken down, two more joined the fight. So planting my front hooves into the ground, I reared back and let out a buck, kicking the other zombies, ripping rotted flesh off them as they were tossed back.

I then felt a knife cut across my armored duster, and then a sharp pain in my side as another zombie shoved a spear into my side. It hurt, but not enough to cause me to stumble or flinch. Instead I drove my hoof into the skull of one pony, and threw the now flaming zombie into the others. Jumping in, I finished off the last zombie with a slam of my hoof to its skull.

"Fuck, Lottery! Drink this!" Spell told me as he tossed a healing potion to me. Then with his magic, he pulled out a spear from my side, and two more knives from my flank. "They may be slow, but they don't stop attacking, even as you're crushing their skulls. How did anypony survive the long winter with them all over the place?"

As I gazed the healing potion, my wounds closed up. But even now, looking at these rusty blades that were in me, I was going to need a painful shot from Doctor Helga after this.

"I don't know, but we're going to survive like they did!" I said with full confidence, the influence of the battle brew numbing all pain and making me feel like I can take on the world.

Rushing after Will-o-Wisp, and turning a corner, more zombies blocked our path, but I didn't stop, and barreled through them. The grizzly gauntlets crushing their fragile bones under my hooves.

We couldn't waste time fighting, as more and more zombies appear, choking up the hallway behind us. So taking another turn and smashing through more undead, Will-o-Wisp finally entered a room, and as the two of us entered, we both slammed the door shut and pushed whatever we could in the way. Once the door was properly blocked, I quickly checked myself, finding a pitchfork in my leg, and another knife in my back.

So I chugged another healing potion as I turned around to see where we were.

This room was rather grand and still in good condition compared to the rest of the manor. Paintings of ponies decorated the walls, along with vases and other works of art. More amazing was the fireplace, which currently had a warm fire burning from a gemstone.

"Well this makes sense." Spell said. "This is my fathers study, if there's a secret passage, it would be here."

Will-o-Wisp hovered over a rather large desk, of which had an equally large chair at it.

We both then jumped as the door gave a loud thud and the zombies outside began to pound on it and wail with murderous intent. A loud creek then caught our attention, and we turned to the desk as the chair slowly turned.

I let out a gasp as the corps of Arcane Naysayer sat in the large chair, the hole from when Tripwire shot him still there.

"F… father!" Spell said in shock.

Arcane's eyes then flared open, milky white and void of any life. The undead pony then opened its mouth, letting out a ghastly moan as his horn glowed with power. Everything in the room began to shake as his magic reached out wildly.

Spell snarled. "No! This ends now!" His own horn glowed, and with his magic, he grabbed his undead father and threw him against the wall. "You damn fool! You intellectual moron! A bastard to the end!" Spell yelled as he slammed his father into the ground repeatedly.

But it didn't stop Arcane ability to cast magic, and shit began flying around and at us. Spell himself taking a few hits from what had to be heavy pieces of art.

"I get your pissed, but now is not the time!" I told him.

"Of course!" He said as he then dragged his fathers corpses to him. "Even you, despite all the damage you've caused father, don't deserve this fate. Be at rest, and may you find mercy in Tartarus."

As Spell's horn glowed brighter, fire spared across Arcanes body, and the zombie's body cracked as it burst into flames. In a few seconds, the zombie was reduced to nothing but an ash pile on the floor.

I watched, a bit shocked. "You have attack spells!?"

Spell shook his head. "It's a cremation spell. Hard to cast on a pony that is trying to stab you. Thankfully father was rather physically weak before his death."

He then trotted over the ash pile and over to the desk. "Let me see… oh, this is clever."

I looked over, and saw an artistic pattern on the inside of the desk. But one of the platters let off a slight glow I saw through my glasses.

Spell pressed down on the glowing pattern, and it let out a click. "A pony would need to be either rather lucky to find the button, skilled at detecting magic, or-"

"Have some nifty glasses that can see magic." I finished off what he was about to say.

The fire then went out, and bricks in the fireplace began to move.

I then watched as Spell ran his hoof across the desk, it stopping at a gold plated gem embedded quill in an equally fancy ink pot. Taking a deep breath, he then launched them, along with several other items across the desk and into the wall.

"Do you feel better now?" I asked him.

But Spell shook his head. "No, not a bit."

The thumping on the door then became a crack, and it was clear the undead were now breaking through.

Spell then trotted to the fireplace, looking down a deep dark tunnel. "But I'm not here to make myself feel better, I'm here to make Equestria better." He then began to climb down.

Joining him, the bricks reformed above me as I heard a crash from the study, and malicious wailing. The wails were then muffled by the sound of a crackling fire as darkness then engulfed us.

But a soft light flickered to life as Will-o-Wisp joined us, guiding us down into the unknown darkness.

Whatever Tripwire and Catalyst have been getting up to, we will soon find out.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighty One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighty One

_______________________________________________________

I was expecting some old bunker, a place made by the ponies from the old world before the wasteland. Something like the stables, or some other fortification. But as my hooves finally reached the bottom it became clear to me that this was far older. The smell, the feeling, the everything was just old, older than old. It was absolutely ancient.

"By Celestia it… Celestia?" Spell said as he trotted up to a moss covered statue of two alicorns. "But it looks too small to be her, and same for Luna… wait, this must be when they were… young?"

Getting a closer look, I could see it. What had to be Celestia looked to be around my age, if younger. I had seen photos of Celestia and Luna in the old magazine, and they always appear bigger, and just… more. But the masterfully carved stone depicted what had to be teenagers, not regal adults. Even still, it gave off a faint warmth, as though the stone radiated magic.

Spell Circuit then blew off some dust on a plack in front of the statue. "Right, here we are. It says, in dedication to the fifth anniversary of Celestia's and Luna's ascension to the throne, commissioned by their mother, Princesses Platinum."

"Wait… Princesses Platinum is their mother?" I asked, a bit confused.

"Adopted mother." Spell answered. "There's a biography found in Tenpony Tower about Princesses Celestia, where she talks about her first ten years in Equestria. The royal family at the time were supposedly animated about adopting her and her sister when Starswerled the bearded brought them to Equestria. Even gave them their own palace."

As Will-o-Wisp floated around this ancient place, other artifacts could be seen. Mostly artworks, but also swords, shields, twisted staffs, even several guns, though far bigger than what I used. "What in Tartarus is this place?"

"One guess, my ancestors had a habit of collecting artifacts." He trotted over to the large gun, eyeing it. "King Grover's imperial musket, post griffinstones economic collapse." He read. "And it's clearly not just from Equestria's past either. I wonder if some of the things here are magical artifacts too?" He then frowned. "Maybe this is why the Necromancer came here in the first place. He wanted something here that my ancestors kept locked away, but when he couldn't get to it, he cursed the mountain and left."

Looking around, the fur along my spine stood on end, as I saw shadows in the corner of my eye. Vague black shapes of ponies peeking out from behind pillars, or a kind of outcoav, their white lifeless eyes clear as day.

"Probably, but I really don't want to find out what such a monster wanted here." I said as I then tugged at the egghead to move on. "You can come back here later, but right now lets just get fucking moving."

As we trotted, we passed more and more artifacts, each given their own little place with plenty of space between them, as though on display. But as we reached what had to be the end of this place and to a door, something caught my attention, but I don't know why.

It was a jar, just a simple old cracked jar. Nothing about it was remarkable, though at some point it must have been painted in bright colors, but only faded flakes of paint remained. Yet I felt drawn to it, as though something important was inside.

Come here.

The cracked clay jar seemingly rippled, as though the faded paint depicted a beautiful golden mare sitting on top of the jar.

Open me.

The golden mare stood in front of a crowd of ponies, who were bowing in worship. Not of her, but of who she represented.

Open my lid, and tell me your secrets.

The face of the perfect mare was filled with… disdain, disgust, and overall disinterest in the other ponies, as though they were beneath her.

A secret for a secret, I offer you this.

I then felt magic restricting me, my hooves just barely touching the jar. "Lottery!" Spell Circuit shouted in surprise before dragging me away from the jar. "Thank goodness Will-o-Wisp broke its control over me just in time."

"Wh… what happened?" I asked as my head started to pound.

He eyed the jar as we both backed away from it. "Very ancient and very evil magic." He then checked to see if his glasses were still on. And they were. "It appears that it's powerful enough to break through our defenses… or more likely, devious enough to get around it."

"Why did it want us to open it? What is it?" I then asked, further putting more distance between us and it.

"Not sure. But it's probably a corrupting influence. Thanks to Will-o-Wisp, we both would have been further under its influence." He then adjusted his glasses trying to read the plaque from afar. "Ancient jar of secrets, recovered by Dr. Caballeron. Warning, dangerous magic, do not break the seal! Do not stare at for extended period of time!"

"Wait… Dr. Caballeron, as in the fictional villain from the Daring Do books… weird." Spell said in confusion before he then scowled. "Not even the warning of our ancestors is heeded by my brother." He then pointed below the jar where I saw several hoofprints in the dust. "My guess is that both Tripwire and Catalyst were here, and they unsealed the jar for some stupid reason."

"Maybe it killed them?" I suggested with hope.

"We can only hope, but the next outcoav says differently." Spell said as he pointed to the next display.

I raised an eyebrow at it, as whatever belonged there was missing, but in its place were bent iron bars, a destroyed glass display case. But stranger was the black crystals growing like an infection all over the display case.

"Umbral Infinium, recovered by Dr. Caballeron. Warning, dangerous magic, do not break the seal! Also a bad idea to look at for too long!" Spell read, shaking his head. "It's a guess, but there must have been a cursed book here. Which does not bold well for whatever Tripwire is doing."

I didn't know books, but if Spell was worried, so was I. So we moved on, leaving the artifacts behind.

_______________________________________________________

The ancient stonework gave way to the more familiar concrete, looking more and more like the proto stable, though still older than that. We eventually came to a blast door, nothing as grand as a big cog, but there was no easy way past this door.

"Wait, why are all the relics outside, and not inside?" I then asked.

Spell scratched his goatee for a second as he studied the door and terminal that stood before us. "My guess, this is actually the back door, not the front. In all likelihood, this place is only meant to be entered through magic." He tapped on the terminal for a moment, and text scrolled across the screen. "And before you ask, the reason why my ancestors didn't live down here like a stable, is the same reason for the library back at the Elysium Memorial site. From what Pentagram wrote down about this place, it could only keep a group of ponies alive for a few months at best."

A buzz sound then came from the terminal.

"No, that's not it. Let's try this." Spell muttered to himself. "My ancestor didn't write too much about this place, only that it was a test build for a newly formed Stable-Tec, as he performed his phycological tests at the other proto-stable. And that his family stayed here as Pentagram when looking for help in the wasteland. After his return, he didn't write anything more about this place. Which is strange, with how useful these shelters are."

The terminal then beeped, and the blast door opened. "I knew it had to be one of the passwords that Pentagram wrote at the back of his journal." A foul smell of rot and chemicals then hit our noses. "Oh, how I don't miss that smell." Spell said in mild annoyance.

I covered my nostrils with my neck bandana. "It smells like rotting eggs mixed with a dead radroach and ancient socks!"

"Worse, that's the smell of cooking taint byproduct used for making chems." Spell said with disgust. "But I doubt Catalyst is making chems."

"Her alicorn fetish?" I asked.

"Ya, and I have a really bad feeling about this." Spell ancwered.

We hesitantly trotted inside, the smell only getting worse, but not overpowering. The walls of this place were a bleak gray concrete, the lights a dull fluorescent white. Though everything was clean, it was bleak and lifeless, as well as dead silent. Our hooves echoing on the hard concrete floor, with each step a threat at warning the enemy of our presence

Then we heard it, heavy hoof steps coming our way. There was no room to hide, just the hallway and what was now coming for us.

Pulling out my IF-64, and taking aim, both Spell and I got ready for a fight. And slowly, this pony came into view.

An armored smelter rounded the corner, the eyes of his gas mask glinting at us, his head tilting back as to size us up. He said no words, just standing there looking at us. A gurgling sound then came from the smelter, and from his air filter dripped a prismatic fluid. The fluid sizzled on the ground, melting the concrete.

He then took a step forward.

"Fuck, don't let him near us!" Spell said as he opened fire.

Joining in, my shots landed, but didn't do enough damage. So I pulled out Last Dance, and sent a .308 round through the Smelters head.

Our ears were ringing despite my rifle's suppressor, but the bastard fell over. The rifle round sprayed rainbow fluid across the wall, staining it as the concrete sizzled and melted.

"What the fuck was that?" I huffed out.

"Not sure, but that was clearly taint coming out of that pony." He took a few steps forward, and with his magic, pushed the dead smelter against the wall. "Looks more or less inert, but best be careful to not get too close, unless you want to grow an extra leg."

"Noted." I said as I carefully followed Spell, and further down the hallway. Rounding the corner, things didn't get any better as the concrete warped, becoming a prismatic stain of magic that was hard to understand. Thankfully our glasses filtered out most of whatever the fuck was going on down here, as the light along the edges of the glasses was a swelling of sickness.

"By Celestia, what is Catalyst doing down here?" Spell muttered as he pushed forward, clearly having trouble trotting straight.

I wasn't doing any better, using Spell as my anchor as everything else was slowly pulsing. "You holding up?"

"I know how to filter out magical corruption like this, how about you?" He asked back.

"The glasses are helping, I just need to focus on your flank." I answered. "So how fucked are we by just being here?"

"My guess, so long as we're out of this mess and soon, we can recover. Fortunately the taint here is mostly inert, just byproduct fucking with our vision, it's the radiation I'm more worried about." Spell told me as he pushed forward.

We then passed a dead pony, their body twisted like gnarled roots, but from their back a single beautiful rainbow feathered wing. Another pony was nearby, it shriveled to a skeleton, but with a long majestic horn that radiated magic.

"This is horrible!" I commented.

Spell let out growl as he said. "Indeed. Catalyst has no morals in her experiment. But no surprise from a member of my family that turned raider."

Pushing on, things didn't get better, and I worried for our safety, but Spell insisted that most of the taint was inert, used up. Still, I didn't like it. From the walls that rippled, to the mangled corpses haphazardly discarded. Not all of them were dead, not completely, as a few corpses twitched, one growing tentacles that reached out for us, which I used Rime Frost to destroy. I figured that freezing and shattering them was the most effective way to keep them down,

"By Celestia!" Spell said in shock as he passed by an open door, whatever was inside making him on the verge of throwing up.

And seeing myself, I didn't blame him. It looked like a moving mound of flesh, where the ponies trapped in it were still alive. A mass of flesh fused together like patchwork stuffed animals, with limbs everywhere some splitting and forming new ones. I even saw a head in the process of becoming two heads. The mass gave off a labored breath as it struggled to breath.

Surrounding it was several malformed alicorns, some far more complete than the others. The longer I watched the more I began to realize that this mound of flesh was giving birth to those alicorns.

"What the… what fuck is that!?" I asked silently.

"Not sure, but it's horrible." He said. "If this is a result of her taint experiment, then it's a bad sign. Mutations on this scale rarely result in anything living, as what we saw in the hallway. But Catalyst managed to keep this one from dying, which should be impossible. From what Majestic told me, only Twilight figured it out, but only just barely, and that's with the pure materials, not taint."

"Wait, this is a success!?" I said, feeling confused.

"Maybe, I'm no expert on this." He then pulled out a canister from his saddle bag. "But I do know that without the Goddess to control the transformation, a pony either dies or becomes a mindless horror when exposed to that much taint. And this, as horrible as it sounds, must be a step towards alicornification. Or at least she has found a way to prevent the horror mutation from happening. This mass of ponies, it's similar to what Majestic said the Goddess was. A pony goes in, and an alicorn comes out."

Spell tossed the canister in, and it began bellowing spark and then smoke. Using his magic, he then blocked the doorway with a barrier just as the canister filled the room and then popped. A bright flash was followed by intense heat, and I watched as the poor mass of ponies were set on fire.

Spell then sighed. "Along with the mezmetron, whatever Catalyst has figured out must never leave this place."

Once the flames died down, and the mass of ponies were now smoldering, we moved on. Only more mangled ponies greeted us, victims of Catalysts experiments, though the further we went, the less they looked twisted. Some didn't even seem to have died on their own, having a bullet hole through the head.

"It's like a trail of her experiments. Each one is closer to perfection than the next." Spell said before freezing at one victim.

A little filly with both a normal unicorn horn and normal pegasus wings. She was so thin and frail, but what pissed me off even more was the curt across her neck. Actually all the bodies now had similar injuries, rainbow red blood staining the floor.

"By Celestia, she must have succeeded, and then repeated the experiment. Then slaughtered her subjects." Spell said through gritted teeth.

I got Rime Frost ready, making sure she was fully loaded. "Fuck sneaking around, lets just find the bitch and kill her." I said and Spell just nodded.

Rushing past the rest of the bodies, and down the blood stained hallway into an atrium like area, we were greeted by the sight of bodies and body parts hanging from the wall. At the center of the atrium was a large cauldron in which a rainbow-like fluid boiled inside, sending prismatic smoke out in puffs.

Spell reached out his hoof to block me. "Careful, that taint is still active, and it is likely condensed."

Just then, something flew through the air and fell into the cauldron, making a splash. In a panicked struggle, a normal looking rat hast fully crawled out and flopped to the ground. Within seconds, its tutored riddled skin began to pulsate and bubble. Massive boils formed on the rat as it grew to size, not just expanded, but its legs grew longer, its eyes bulged, and its small claws became like daggers.

"Oh, I'm calling this one a death rat, or maybe a rodent claws." Catalyst said as she stepped out from behind a pillar. The raider looked far cleaner than before, and on her head was a crystal like glowing horn, and out of her back were two wings that were covered in prismatic feathers. "You two got here just in time for my new experiment. Since I've obtained perfection, I now need my own army."

"Your insane Catalyst." Spell said to her. "Who knows what that stuff has done to you!"

She rolled her eyes as she trotted towards us. Giving the mutant rat a glance, she then waved her wing at it and the thing burst into bubbles. "You know, I need something to match my majesty. A creature more elegant… or maybe a pony." As she got closer, I went to draw Rime Frost, but found myself unable to move. "Oh no no no, you can't be acting all savage now."

"Big words from a raider!" I growled out at her.

She glared at me and I felt a pressure on my throat. "I did what I must to survive! Everything was taken from me, everything. When Redeye attacked, I had only just proven myself worthy to be part of the Naysayer family, and freed from that disgusting half brother of mine. That pathetic hoof licker Chainlink threw himself at Redeye's hooves when he should have fought him. No way was I going to run back to him, so I chose to be a raider and lay low!"

Spell let out a chuckle. "So you're from that family of power hungry bullies. No better than raiders, so not much of a change for you."

Catalyst flung Spell over to her like he was nothing more than a paperweight. "Unlike a coddled failure like you, I had to suffer under that damn family as their unwanted child. And unlike you I actually proved myself to both father and our brother, despite all the torment I endured." She then smiled as she opened her wings. "Now look at me, I have reached the level of a god. And nothing like that mutant Goddess, a real god, a true god!"

Dropping Spell, she then got muzzle to muzzle with me, her eyes wide. "Pathetic mortals like you can do nothing to me. Though I'll enjoy watching you try." From the corner of her eyes I could see black specks, and some kind of wiggling strand of darkness. She was absolutely insane, and something was inside her, something evil.

But her teeth were the same yellow as any raider, both cracked and filed to a point. She may say she did it to survive, and I'd believe her too, but it was clear that unlike Molo she never wanted to leave that life behind. She just wanted more power, and felt no guilt for what she did. Whatever she has become, her true self could be easily seen through this face alicorn skin.

I chucked as the thoughts ran through my head.

Catalysts eyes flared with anger as I was lifted into the air, my neck being squeezed like there was a noose around it. "What's so funny ya pathetic mortal!" She growled out at me. But I couldn't say what was on my mind, I couldn't even breathe. This seemed to make Catalyst smile. "Oh not like it matters."

I was then roughly moved, placed over the cauldron of concentrated taint. Laughter convulsed out of Catalyst as she held me there. "You see, I needed a medium, something to take the burden of transformation, so that only what I want I get." The bitch fluttered her wings, showing them off. "Took awhile to get it just so. Unfortunately my previous medium burnt out from it, became utterly useless. But if I'm to make my perfect army, I need a new one, which will be you."

Spell got up and shot a blast of magic from his horn, but with a flick of her own horn, Catalyst sent the blast back at him, flinging Spell into a wall.

Again Catalyst laughed, louder and more vindictive. "Oh this power, it is everything I wanted and more. Not even my elder brother can do anything to stop me. Yes, I'll even make Tripwire grovel at my hooves." Her attention then returned to me. "But first, a whore like you needs to be put-"

I fired Rime Frost at the bitch, having pulled her out while Catalyst was distracted.

"Oh, nice try!" Catalyst said, unharmed due to the magical barrier around her. "I know your tricks, using that cursed weapon to catch others off guard." She then rolled her eyes at me. "I ain't no second rate goon, such tricks don't work on me!"

That was my last trick, and she easily deflected it. Was there anything I could do, something? But nothing came to mind.

Catalyst smiled wide. "Yes, that's it, that's what I live for. The look of utter defeat. You lost and you know it."

She was right, but something nagged at the back of my head, like somepony was whispering to me. Maybe it was the lack of air, or my impending loss, but someone in me was still not ready to surrender.

No, not just me, but Rime Frost. She pulsed in my hooves, wanting to do something, but what. Each pulse threatened to drop her, but I could do that, not into that cauldron. But again she pulsed, trying to break free.

Still I didn't want to let her go, not after what we had been through.

It will be fine.

The words resonated through my head, comforting me.

I'll still be with you.

But I still needed Rime Frost, I needed her!

I know, but I must go. And thank you for accepting me. My long nightmare became a pleasant dream because of you. But now the dream must end, I must wake up.

With one more pulse, Rime Frost slipped from my hooves and fell into the condensed taint. The sickly rainbow fluid bubbled fiercely as it consumed Rime Frost, melting her.

"Well I don't know much about cursed things, but I'm sure it cannot stand up to that." Catalyst said with a chuckle. "But enough of the brahmin shit, you're getting dunked in… enjoy!"

I was then let go, my stomach churning as I fell. But I only hit a cold and hard surface. The taint had frozen solid, and now looked a multicolored of blues and white.

Pressing my head to the ice, I whispered, "thank you my dear Rime."

Absolut shock formed on Catalyst's face, which quickly turned to pure rage. "You bitch! You know how long it took me to gather that shit. How many ponies I had to sacrifice to refine it!" She then took a deep breath and calmed down. "On, it's fine. I can easily do it again. Just as easily as I can crush you."

Though the threat of the taint had been neutralized, Catalyst was still going to be a problem. Her magic was too strong. But If I could get close to her, then maybe I can get a hit in.

Stepping off the frozen cauldron, I glared at Catalyst. "Tell me, what is your endgame, why do you need all this power?"

"Really, you want me to monologue." She glared at me with disappointment in her eyes. "Probably buying Spell time to pull some brahman shit out of his hat." With her magic, she dragged the two of us over to her with a psychotic look in her eyes. "Now what to do first?"

I then smiled. "You know, if you didn't have your magic, I'd only need a minute to beat the shit out of you."

She then slapped me while keeping me restrained with her magic. "No, that's not how this works, you whore." I felt a crushing pressure from all sides, making it impossible to breathe. "From the very moment you passed through that blast door, I could have crushed you like a bug. But I wanted to have fun, to play a little." I then threw up as the content of my stomach was forced out of me. "But now I'm done playing. So will you just die already!"

An electrical burst engulfed up, sending a tingling through my body as I took a deep breath and hit the ground.

"The fuck was that!?" Catalyst said in shock as she stumbled back.

Spell chuckled. "An anti-magic bomb, my pathetic sister!" he then glanced at me with a smile. "Go kick her flank, Lottery!"

He didn't need to tell me that twice as I dug my claws into the concrete floor and launched myself at Catalyst.

One hoof strike connected, sending blood spraying to the floor, and then the second… was blocked! I was then thrown over Catalyst's shoulder, and slammed into the ground.

"I was a fucking raider ya ignorant bitch!" She shouted. "Ya don't think I don't know how to throw down without magic!"

Bouncing back up, I shoulder checked Catalyst, following with a back hoof of my gauntlets. She took the hit and the head butted me, dazing me for a second. The next thing I knew, a hoof connected to my jaw, causing me to stumble back and spit out a tooth.

Catalyst then charged at me, throwing herself into a tackle, knocking the wind out of me. But I used the momentum to roll, and in getting on top of her I began slamming my hooves down on her face. She didn't block my attacks as they came down on her face, instead bending herself backwards and sending me face first into the floor. Separating herself from me, she kicked my side before I could get up, and if I still had anything in my stomach, it would have come out from that hit.

But this pain was nothing, and again I threw myself at her, but this time going low, and kicking at her legs. She reared back, seeing through the attack, and with bloodlust in her eyes, slammed her hooves back down on my own. Loud clunk resonated as her hooves connected with my gauntlets, and she then stumbled back from her own attack. I still felt it myself, but the gauntlets were unbending, protecting me from most of that attack.

Taking the opportunity, I charged again, throwing my hoof at her face. Catalyst smirked seeing the predictable attack coming, and with a graceful dance-like step, moved to the side, ready to use my own attack against me. Then I dug the claws on my back hooves into the ground, stopping my moment and twisting my body to the other side as I reversed the position of my other forehoof as I spun around in a wide arch.

Catalyst took the hit with her face, cutting three deep gashes across it and sending her stumbling back. Before could recover, I charged again, reversing my body as soon as I got close, and bucked her as hard as I could, sending her flying into the cauldron.

Sitting up against the cauldron, Catalyst, wheezing for air before hacking up blood, glared at me with pure hate. "Where did a fucking whore like you learn a move like that!"

It took a second for me to catch my breath, the brawl having taken a lot out of me in just a short amount of time. "I… happen to know a few… griffins, that taught me a few tricks." I lifted a clawed hoof. "So happens that their way of fighting works well with my gauntlets,"

Catalyst gave a pained laugh, "I bet you had to fucked them to get-"

*BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG!*

I unloaded my bandit revolver at Catalyst, but to my annoyance, her magic had returned, and all shots were stopped by a barrier.

"Checkmate whore!" She said as her injuries began to heal. She then pointed at me with her hoof, smiling wide with her madness. "I won and you…" she stopped and looked at her hoof, ice blue boils forming on it. One popped, and frost spread over the leg. "Wh… why?"

Turning her head around, she saw that the cauldron had a crack in it, in which the concentrated frost taint was now leaking.

Scrambling to get away from it, one of Catalyst's forelegs shattered into ice shards, sending her to the ground. "No! Not like this! Not when I just won!" She dragged herself forward, more of the boils forming all over her. With a pull, her lower half broke away from her body, reducing Catalyst to just a torso, a leg and a hate filled head. She then grind wild as she glared at me.

From her horn a ball of pure magic, and I still to out of breath to run. "I still win!" She yelled.

*BANG*

Her horn shattered, the magic going wild before sputtering out into harmless shards. Spell stood not far from her, holding Grizzly's pistol, a look of disgust on his face. As Catalyst turned to look at him, her face cracked, and began to flake off. Her mouth moved but nothing but a fog came out, her voice frozen.

Spell and I just watched as Catalyst cracked and crumbled, turning into nothing more the shares of bloody ice. Once the moment had passed, I looked up at Spell, telling him, "nice shot."

He shrugged. "It wasn't a hard target, now let's get out of here." His eyes glanced at the leaky cauldron, the dangerous fluid pooling around it. "I don't want to find out how dangerous that stuff can be."

Tapping my gauntlets, they likely saved me from Catalyst's fate, so I gave him a nod. "Ya, let's not test fait."

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighty Two

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighty Two

_______________________________________________________

Upon exiting the atrium we realized how cold we were, shivering as flakes of frost fell from our bodies. Looking back before closing the door, everything inside the atrium was covered in a fine layer of frost, and quickly being encased in ice.

I reached out my hoof, grasping for her, hoping for Rim Frost to appear. But once the doors closed and warmth returned to us, I knew she wasn't going to return. I felt that she was still with me, but no longer could I rely on her power.

Will-o-Wisp floated around me, aiding in warming us up. "Right, you're still with me." I said to her, and she bobbed in acknowledgment.

"So you no longer feel the cursed axe then?" Spell asked.

I shook my head. "No, Rime Frost is no longer with us."

"Sorry to hear that. It was a good weapon for you. A shame I never got to properly study it." Spell said to me.

"She was, and she didn't like your probing. That's why you never had her for more than a minute." I said back to him.

Adjusting his glasses, he then let out a long sigh. "Ya, I can see that being the reason." The lights then flickered for a second, and then buzzed as they grew brighter before returning to normal. Spell frowned as he looked at the lights. "I don't know what's causing that, but I know I don't like it."

I nodded in agreement. "Ya, let's end this."

This part of this proto-stable was clean, free from the taint byproduct and bodies that Catalyst had left behind, but instead there was a quiet tension. Everything was clean, not a speck of dust to be found, yet no sense of life, nothing to show who cleaned this place. But I knew who, Tripwire's slaves.

Actually, some of the metal here was polished to a mirrored shine, to the point I could see my reflection. In which I saw that the dyed pink streak in my mane was now a pure white again. So white that that it almost glowed. "Well… fuck." I then glared at Spell, "and you didn't tell me that my mane changed, why?"

The stallion looked nervous, but told me clearly, "Because I didn't think it was important. We're lucky it's only your mane that got affected anyways."

I guess he was right, so I ran it over my hoof, finding the streak to be as cold as ice, with bits of frost flaking off of it. "Okay, I got a magically frosty highlight in my mane. That's… cool I guess. At least it doesn't seem to affect my face."

"Having fun looking at your reflection, Lottery! All hard work was done by my personal servants, so to make this place perfectly clean." Tripwire's mocking voice echoed through the halls. "And yet you track filth into this place. Such disrespect."

"Come here and I'll show you disrespect!" I shouted out

The bastard laughed, mocking me. "I'm guessing you're yelling something like, if you want disrespect, come down here and I'll show you disrespect." Tripwire chucked again. "And no, I'm not so stupid as to sink to your level. As for you my brother, I'm guessing you're why my security system shorted out. Very shrewd of you, little brother. To think you predicted the defense mechanism I put in place to use on our dearly insane sister. Oh well, I have several backup plans in place."

I looked at Spell with my eyebrow cocked.

Spell rolled his eyes. "The anti-magic pulse bomb, Tripwire thinks it was to disable some turrets he had hidden."

"We must have used so much good luck with that then." I said with a sigh.

Stomping hoofsteps echoed from down the hall, quickly getting closer. So both of us drew our IF-64's and ran to a doorway on Either side of us. Pulling a lever, the door opened to a rather cramped room, it was perfectly clean, but less than comfortable looking. I was half expecting to see bodies, or some poor brainwashed sex slave, so I was relieved to see that nothing was here.

"How does it feel, little brother, to be so insignificant. I'd love to drag you to me so that I may show you. But I don't care for the thought of mere insects below my hooves. So Ill just have my slaves kill you and be over with it." Tripwire said over the speakers.

Cocking my rifle and taking aim, the speakers crackled to life once again. "And you, Lottery, I can't say you were a good fuck. But you were better at servicing me than you were at doing any other job. A shame you too will die, but I got better things to do then having a cheep fuck."

"You fucking prick, come here and I'll fuck you with my gun!" I shouted.

"If you're yelling another threat, then you clearly are stupid. Now be a good whore and get fucked." Tripwire mocked through the speakers.

Six well armored ponies then trotted into view, blank looks on their faces, and Redeye Rifles at their side. They had metal plates over thick cloth, and helmets similar to that of the Murder Ballers, bit with extra mettle bolted in. Each step had a clang to it, all in perfect unison that it sounded almost like one pony.

We opened fired, and our rounds slammed into the armored ponies, but they didn't flinch as they drew their own rifles, even as blood began to pool under some of them. Pulling back right before they fired, both Spell and I shared a worried look.

"I'll try to pull their fire, you use Last Dance!" Spell shouted as bullet ricocheted passed us.

As I Changed rifles, Spell, holding his rifle with his magic, blin firing down the hallway. All of the attention then came at him as he nearly lost the rifle as it got hit with the gunfire.

Quickly peeking out, I took aim and fired at the head of the first pony I saw, the .308 round puncturing the helmet and turning whatever was inside into mush. Before the mind controlled solder fell to the ground, I fired a second shot, taking out a second solder.

The bullets came for me, but I pulled my head back first before I lost my other eye. Several shots hit the armor of my brigandine duster, and though they only bounced off, It still felt like getting kicked in the chest.

Looking back at Spell, one of the barrels of his rifle was bent, and the other looked in rough shape. So he drew the pistol, but I shook my head. "Can you use your magic to pull their rifles up!" I shouted.

Putting the pistol away, Spell nodded and a glow wrapped around his horn.

The gunfire was unending, getting closer and louder, hurting our ears. Already my head rang like the loudest bell's ever, and I knew if I didn't get a healing potion in my ears soon, I was sure I would go deaf. Then I saw the barrel of a gun, and a bloody hoof. In that second, all the remaining armored ponies lifted a hoof off the ground, their guns firing wildly upwards.

Jumping in, I thrusted my hoof between the leg and chest, where the armor could not fully protect them. Both ripping off metal, cloth, and flesh. Then following with my other hoof, the claws gutted them.

The remaining three ponies landed on the ground as Spell let them go, and they quickly recovered. But I had already jumped into the middle of them, and without a care for each other, they turned to me while still firing their guns. Bullets went everywhere, hitting each other to a devastating extent. Two more fell over as the last clicked their empty gun.

I then watched as the pony robotically reloaded their rifle, lettings them rack it just as I cut the wire to their battle saddle. Then proceeding to buck the already heavily wounded pony, where they hit the wall and slumped onto the floor dead.

Spell trotted out, looking around before saying something at me, but all I could hear was the ringing. Pointing at my own ear. He pulled out a healing potion, putting a few drops in his, then mine.

Slowly the ringing faded and my hearing returned. "-all I have, you're wrong! Come and try to get me, you won't succeed, I guarantee that!" Tripwire said through the speakers, both Spell and I having missed the beginning of his mocking.

Spell then groaned as he picked up a redeye rifle and a few unused magazines. "I had forgotten how much he loves the sound of his own voice."

"Ya, I never realized it when I was with him, but all he ever did was talk." I commented.

Trotting over the bodies, we made our way further into the proto-stable, unsure where we were exactly going, but since there were no branching paths, strait was our only option.

"Umm… why is this place just one big hallway?" I then asked, keeping my eyes open for dangers.

"This place is actually just an old mine tunnel, and a test run for a stable." Spell explained as he levitated the rifle. "The entrance is at the bottom of the mountain, where the old town is, and spiraled up to the manor."

Then doors in front of us and behind us opened up, where several ponies jumped out, aiming mezmetrons at us. I felt compelled to look at the device, staring at the swirling magic at its center. But as I gazed deep into it, I then snapped out of its control and regained control over myself.

"Good, now you two listen to my voice and obey." Tripwire commanded over the speakers, chuckling to himself as he then told us, "now take your guns and shoot yourselves! Put yourselves out of my misery!"

Both Spell and I stood there, a bit dumbfounded, but not surprised by the order. "Well the glasses work as intended." I then said, before drawing Whisky Shot, and sending six bullets down the hallway at the unarmored ponies.

Spell had done the same, shooting the few ponies behind us, then quickly trotting over to recover the mezmetron they had. Smashing the thing against the wall, Spell reduced the mind control weapon to scrap, then with his own magic, melted it to slag.

I trotted over to the mezmetron in front of us, stopping it until it was unrecognizable parts, then stomping it some more to make sure it was utterly unrecoverable.

Silence greeted us as Spell rejoined me, not a peep from Tripwire. A smile formed on Spell's muzzle as he said, "I think he just realized how fucked he is."

"Lets just hope he doesn't have anymore tricks up his sleeves." I said as I looked at the silent speakers, the camra above it watching us coldly.

Spell sighed. "He probably does, though I doubt it's anything elaborate. It's unlikely he thought anypony would get this far, much less resist the mezmetron. Whatever we face from here will be an act of desperation."

"I'm not sure if that's better or worse." I said, worried about what a desperate Tripwire might do.

"At best, it means he will destroy everything just so that nopony else can have what he thinks is his." Spell told me.

"And at worse?" I asked.

His answer sent a cold shiver down my spine. "He will try to take as many ponies with him as possible out of spite."

Quietly we then made our way down the unending hallway. The further down we went, the more aged and cracked things became. It was all still clean, and it was clear that recent attempts to fix things had been made. But it was clear that no matter how many cracks were filled in, or new paint added to this place, it was still a crumbling ruin.

Several more ponies came running up on us, armed with pipe pistols and pipe shotguns, sending smoke into the air as they fired. Spell easily stopped the attack with a barrier spell, though it had clearly taken a lot of energy out of him doing so. But it bought me time to counter attack, killing the attackers with automatic fire from my IF-64.

They had no armor or any skill, having only shot wildly at us, wasting most of the ammo. So it was easy, if sad, to take them out. Likely they were innocent ponies unable to stop themselves. But they were too dangerous to ignore and let ourselves be shot in the back.

Trotting further, the smoke left behind staind the walls and floor, mixing with crimson blood. It was a contrast to the cleanliness of everything else.

Just then, a door opened up, and both Spell and I pointed our rifles. But out came a pony in a red rider jumpsuit, pushing a mop towards the mess, a blank look on their face. We watched as they simply pushed the blood around, and bumped his mop into a corps, unable to recognize what they were doing.

"Typical." Spell huffed.

Looking at where this pony had come from, I was shocked to see three more ponies sitting on a bench with the same uniform on. One was dead, their head missing as a flies covered the exposed flesh. Another was a ghoul, who looked ready to go feral. And the third was a young mare whose jumpsuit was half on, and she was quite thin looking. She also was quite bruised and had blood staining the crotch of her jumpsuit.

My own stomach twisted in disgust, but I was not surprised by it at all. I wanted to take the poor mare away with us, but it was too dangerous to do so.

"This way now." Spell said to the janitor that had been cleaning, bringing him back into the room. "Just stay in here, and we'll come back for you later."

Trotting out, the door was closed behind us, and Spell used his magic on it's lever.

"Will we be able to come back for them?" I asked, not feeling sure about it.

He sighed, "If we can, we should. At least they weren't programmed to kill us."

I nodded. "Ya, it'll leave a bad taste in my mouth if we don't try to help them."

Moving on, the further down we went, the more and more we heard some kind of buzzing. The damp air felt strange, and I was sure I could taste… mint?

Even Spell seemed confused, and we both hurried our pace. With each hurried hoof step, something felt more and more wrong. As though we were heading into Tartarus itself.

Stopping at a door, it covered in rust spots, and the scrapes of somepony attempting to polish the rust out. This was the first door blocking our path since the atrium, and I had a feeling that it was the last step of our journey.

Spell placed his hoof on the lever, a serious look on his face. "If what I remember from Pentagrams journal is correct, then this should lead to a large storage room, and beyond it the door out."

"Wait, why would Spell be near the entrance to this place?" I asked.

He shook his head. "No clue. Like I said, Pentagram didn't write much about it after he returned to the manor. I wanted to find the entrance, but since it's in the town below, and near where the mound maker was. So I left it alone."

"Ya, I'd have stayed the fuck away too if I had known about that place." I replied.

Pulling on the leaver, the blast door gave out a blast of steam, and with a loud screech, slowly opened.

Stepping in, we found ourselves in some sort of warehouse. Not that big, but filled with many things. Old rusty motor wagons, rotting crates everywhere, and too many barrels to count.

There were also six more armored ponies pointing machine guns at us.

The clapping of hooves turned our attention past the ponies with guns and to Tripwire. "Oh you've done well getting here, but it's the end of the line for you. I'm done playing around. "

I rolled my eyes. "What, no monologue, a grand speech, or offering us to join you?" I asked mockingly as I stepped closer to Spell.

Tripwire smirked. "Kill them!"

With a flash, Spell and I were above the armed ponies, and quickly we fell to them. Landing on one gauntlet first, the pony crumbled under me. Spell on the other hoof hit the ground hard, knocking the wind out of himself. So jumping to the next pony, I swiped my hooves under him, knocking the stallion over, and causing them to fire wildly. The remaining ponies also fired wildly, forcing me to duck down low as bullets whizzed ahead.

Like last time, all but one had been taken out by friendly fire, though the remaining pony was still badly injured. Aiming its gun down at me, the mind controlled soldier was then shot by a shaken Spell Circuit, who was holding the redeye rifle he took earlier.

With one last strike, I finished off the pony I knocked over, a sharp pain running up my leg. Looking down, a plate of armor had ripped off and a chunk of the leg had gone missing with it.

"Drink!" Spell said, tossing me another healing potion and drank a potion himself to get rid of a bleeding hole in his shoulder.

Guzzling it down, I watched as the skin patched itself together, and a short layer of fur returned. Then drawing my bandit revolver, I looked around for Tripwire, but the bastard was gone, only a bloody trail leading further back left behind.

Putting the revolver away, I looked at an exhausted Spell. "You good?"

He shook his head and pointed to his horn, which looked burnt. "No, that last teleport burnt out my horn. I'll live, but don't expect any magic from me anytime soon."

Helping Spell up, we trotted after Tripwire, following the trail of blood he left behind. Further in the back, the rotting crates, barrels and other things gave way to a mess of terminals and wires. Mezmetrons in different stages of construction were all over the place, with many having wires connecting them to the terminals.

"Well we found them." I said.

Spell nodded. "But why isn't Tripwire here, this should be where his last stand is? Also, where are the rest of his soldiers?"

My eye followed the blood trail, going even further back, past another wall of crates covered in dirty sheets. "Well, we're about to find out." I said as we then moved on,

I was expecting some strange magic circle with dead ponies around it. Or some sort of trapped mobster that Tripwire was trying to free. But what we did see was a fucking log cabin? Stranger was the at least twenty unicorns standing around it, all unmoving with their horns glowing. On the ground around the unicorns was more of that strange writing and symbols from the manor, all made with a strange black liquid that seemingly absorbed the light around it. The closer we got, the more we could hear and feel a humming, along with that odd taste of mint in my mouth.

"What is this?" I asked.

"I… l don't know." Spell said with concern in his voice. "But it's clearly not related to the mezmetron… I think."

Trotting to the cabin, none of the unicorns paid us any mine, all looking half dead and focused on whatever kind of magic they were casting. The front door was wide open, the trail of blood leading inside. Taking a step in, a glint shined in the corner of my eye.

Ducking, a shot rang out over my head, and then I leapt forward to a moldy couch as two more shots came after me. "You bitch! You're trying to ruin everything!" Two more shots came at me as I jumped from the couch and kicked a nearby chair at him. He caught the chair with his magic, throwing it to the side, and firing two more shots as I rolled. They connected with my duster, feeling like a kick to my side, but not penetrating. "My destiny, my fucking birthright!" I charged at him as he fired two more shots, and clicked empty. The two shots managed to hit me, with one getting past the armor, but barely slowing me down.

With a crack, my hoof hit his face, a claw cutting his chin, and sending Tripwire to the ground, crashing into a smoldering fireplace. A pot spilled over, and a thick mint smelling smoke spread everywhere, causing me to choke for a few seconds.

"You fucking birthright! Our lives aren't your damn property to inherit!" I shouted. "You're just some narcissistic asshole who can't share anything, and nothing can satisfy your damn greed."

As the smoke cleared, I finally got a look at Tripwire as he pushed himself up. The dead icey blue eye was now a sickly black, and cracks had spread along the side of his face. Strategy was that the eye and cracks seemed to absorb the light, and from them something looked back at me.

He then smiled, his once perfectly straight and perfectly white teeth were now jagged and black. "You would never understand. Not with that pathetically small brain of yours, not in a thousand years."

I took a step back, something felt very wrong. "What… what's wrong with you?"

He cocked his head like some simple yet confused animal. "What's wrong with me? Nothings wrong with me, It's you who had gone fucking mad." He then grinded his teeth in frustration, glaring at me with his one good eye, "Everything was going so damn smoothly, not even this cursed frozen eye was stopping me! Then I had to take over for Onyx when you killed her, then Angle. More and more work, more and more shortcuts were needed! I left the fighting to Grinder, and in case he fucked up, I had Flyright ready to clean up his mess. But even they can't do their damn jobs right!"

He stepped onto a still bubbling pool on the ground, kicking it at me. "Almost, I almost had the last peace to open the door! And everything would have been mine."

"Door, what door. Weren't you making a mind control spell?" I asked, wondering if he had gone mad.

Tripwire laughed as he regained his composure, but as he straightened up, a black crack moved closer to his horn. "Well, yes, I still am. But unfortunately the mezmetron is… imperfect. As you can tell. I was close, so very close, yet it was… too damn imperfect. But then I found the book, the book had the answers. The pot too, telling secrets to Catalyst and I, filling in what the book left out!"

A glow wrapped around his horn and I drew my bandit revolver. But he levitated a book bound in black crystals, in which the pattern on the cover seemed to move as though alive. "See… no of course you can't, too stupid to understand anything."

"Lottery! Get out of there!" Spell Circuit shouted from outside.

Tripwire laughed as he opened the book. "He thinks he figured it out, but not everything, that stupid brother of mine."

The cabin began to shake as black crystals began to grow from the pool of liquid under Tripwire. They sparked with energy that caused the hairs along my spine to stand up straight.

Firing my revolver at him, the bullets seemed to just travel around him, spinning a few times before flying off into the ceiling. Magic was not my area of expertise, but I did know that this was bad, really bad. So I holstered the revolver, I got the fuck out of the cabin, where I then collided into Spell.

"The fucks going on!" I shouted as I got back up, freezing as I saw all the unicorns around the cabin impaled by black crystals. "By Celestia!"

"We need to move, and now!" Spell said as he pushed me.

Running from the cabin, more crystals speared out from the ground violently, nearly catching Spell and I. But we managed to make it far enough away to be sure that we were no longer in danger, and looking back, the log cabin had changed. Before us was a hut made of those black crystals, surrounded by forest if black crystal pillars that reached all the way up into the ceiling.

"What the fuck is going on, Spell?" I asked in shock.

Adjusting his glasses, Spell took a deep breath before answering. "It's only a guess, but I think it's a megaspell."

I pointed a hoof at it. "That! That's a fucking megaspell? It looks like a nightmare playhouse, not a fucking bomb!"

"I know, though it's only a guess." Spell shook his head and slapped his cheeks, obviously trying to clear his head. "No, I'm sure of it."

"How are you sure?" I calmly asked this time.

"The crystals, that's why." He pointed at them, and I watched as a bolt of magic passed from one to another. "It was written in Pentagram's notebook, on how he developed the memory orb. The original memory orbs were made from black crystal, something they dug up from the crystal empire."

Spell trotted closer, but backed up when a small crystal poked out of the ground in front of him. "It's imperfect, but Tripwire managed to make a megaspell to summon the crystals, likely to use their mind effecting properties. But how?"

"That book maybe." I said. "He was ranting about it before all this happened."

His eyes flared wide open. "A book? Must be the Umbral Infinium. What did it look like, Lottery?"

"The book's cover was made of the same black crystals, and he said it had secrets. Also said the pot filled in what the book was missing." I told him.

A concerned look formed on Spells face, "A… black book… but that's not possible?"

"What's not?" I said.

"Life Bloom told me about a black book the Stable Dweller recovered. Made by some insane zebra that contains dark and evil magics. But she left it with the Goddess, along with a bailfire bomb. But why did my ancestor have it, and the crystals… no, but then again." Spell mumbled to himself for a few more seconds, then looked back at the black crystal hut. "We need to stop whatever my brother is doing in there, and soon."

He took a step forward, but keeled over, spitting up some blood.

Running over I lifted him up. "I don't think you're in any condition to stop anything right now. So just let me take care of this."

"No, you-" He tried to protest, but I pressed my hoof to his mouth.

"You can't even cast magic, much less trot properly." Pushing him back, I then took a step forward. "I got this, you stay here in case I need help."

Wiping the blood from his lips, Spell then nodded. "Alright, but when you catch Tripwire, take his medallions, otherwise we're not getting out of here. Not alive at least."

I flashed him a smile. "Right, kill Tripwire, stop whatever this is, and get the fuck out with those medallions. Can't be that hard."

Turning, I galloped into the black crystal forest, where even more of the crystals were popping up around me, filling me with dread.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighty Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighty Three

_______________________________________________________

I hit the dirt ground with a rather unceremonial thud, my face first in the ground, my flank in the air over me. Pushing my body straight and back up, I was confused to find myself in a green field as far as the eye could see. Doting the hills were brightly colored trees made of crystals, with gems growing from them like fruit, and the sky was a clear warm blue with a soft sun looking at me.

It was… beautiful.

"Hello new friend!" A whimsical voice called out to me. It was a small pony that magically flew over, with a body seemingly made of mist, and brightly colored transparent wings. "Welcome to our home."

I was considerably confused. "And where is this… home?"

Another of these mist ponies appeared, giggling as though I just made a joke. "Home is here, home is Elysium, a place of eternal joy."

That… didn't sound right to me, not at all. But everything here looked just so beautiful. It made me want to frolic through the grass, roll in it even. Then I remembered why I was here. "Sorry, but I can't just say and have fun, there's a bad pony here that I need to stop. You might have seen him. Swav, but with a fucked up eye, likely running around with a black book."

The two mist ponies looked at each other and giggled again. "Oh we have seen him, he is this way, so follow us."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Alright, but be careful, he has a mind control device."

Checking to see if I still had the protective glasses, I did not. But they weren't hard to find, even though it was in some tall grass. Everything around it was strangely gray and lifeless, which seemed odd. Cutting the grass away with my claws, and putting on the glasses, I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that I was again safe from the mezmetron's magic.

I held my breath as I looked through the glasses, seeing only a wasteland. Everything was a mix of gray and black, as though permanently burnt. The grass was more like razors, cutting through my duster wherever it brushed up on it. The trees were nothing more than the twisted black crystals that I had passed through to get here. But then I looked up at the foreboding dark purple sky, seeing a malevolent golden eye in the place of the sun, looking back down at me.

"Hurry up." Said the mist pony, it's voice twisted, as though it was a warped recording of a pony saying that. Its form looked more like dark smoke and shadows twisting into a mocking form of a pony. "Just down this way little pony." It then laughed, or more, cackled malevolently.

Quickly finding my hat and putting it on, strangely the big eye in the sky then looked away, as though losing sight of me.

So I followed the shadow ponies, thankfully my gauntlets protected me from this razor grass as I passed through it. And as I crested over a hill, I saw a dark and foreboding castle, it made of the same crystals as everything else. But without my glasses, the castle was like the ones I imagined as a filly, pretending to be a princess waiting for my prince. With my glasses, it was like out of a nightmare, a place in which would contain a rape dungeon and a cannibalistic cult.

As I finally left the razor grass, and onto a path made of dark crystals, each step echoed forebodingly. And as I entered the structure and was surrounded by the crystals, everywhere I looked I saw a dark reflection of myself. It was like a hallway of black mirrors, in which my reflections mocked me.

Sometimes I saw the old me, the reflection unmarred by my time in the wasteland, but as I passed each crystal panel, my reflection took on more injuries. A black eye here, a cut there, thinner and thinner I became, until I looked worse than a ghoul, a pony ready for death.

Looking away, I saw another reflection, but now I was clearly a raider. My tongue split, piercings on top of piercings. Blood trickled from my crotch as I smiled at me with jagged yellowed teeth.

"Almost there." The shadow pony told me, and I refocus on it daring to not look at my reflections here. It had taken me to a grand hall, in which music played seemingly from nowhere, grand, yet slightly off tune. A long black crystal table sat with black crystals like fruits decorating all along it. Along the walls were crystal statu of ponies, expertly carved and each looking angry and ready to attack. At the far end, set up like an altar, was another statue, but this one of a massive black dragon, holding a cracked and aged jar and looking down at it with golden eyes that radiated evil.

I lifted the glasses to just to see what the illusion was, and I was not disappointed. Everything looked cut out of pure white marble, and radiated warmth. The statues were laughing and friendly. My reflection showed me in the most beautiful of dresses. And the grand statue at the end of the table was of beautify golden mare holding the exact same jar.

I then recognized the jar as the one in Pentagram's collection. The Jar of Secrets. But the reason why it was here eluded me, as did the connection between it, that black dragon, or the golden mare.

"Sit, sit! We will get you something to eat, friend." The shadow pony said, still pretending to be something more friendly, as another dropped a basket of fruit in front of me.

Looking up, there was no ceiling, only sky and the sun. Putting the glasses back on, again I saw the golden eye again. It was still looking for me, almost as though I was invisible to it. Turning my eyes to the fruit, I was not the least bit surprised to see fruit shaped crystals, with one having a crack, which was bleeding what looked to be black blood.

"Eat up, friend, it's good." The shadow pony said with a grin that only oozed malevolence.

I slowly pushed it away. "Sorry, I mean no offense. But I was told not to eat food of other realms, or I become part of it." I paused as I tried to remember who told me this, but couldn't. Yet I knew it was an important rule to know and to follow.

"Fine then." The shadow pony said with a frown, and took the basket away.

Another came around, holding jewelry made from the same black crystals. "Take these, they will look beautiful on you."

I shook my head. "I'm sure they would, but I have no need for jewelry."

And another came with more behind it, offering me wine, though the iron smell reminded me more of blood then booze. "Drink, I implore you. It is the finest of all drinks, none like it in all existence."

I lightly, but firmly, put my hoof down. "No, I will not drink, eat, or take anything from here. What is your game you malevolent shadows! Just bring me Tripwire so that I can kill him!"

All the shadow ponies in the room then stopped and then snarled at me, like a storm they began zipping around wildly as though throwing a temper tantrum.

One, a bigger of their kind, then landed on the table in front of me. "So you see us for what we are! What is it that gives you such a sight?" The thing studied me, its eyes slowly scanning me. "Such marvelous magic you have on you, giving you protection from us. The champions grizzly gauntlets, which are engraved onto your soul. The blessing of Dionysus that protects one from addiction. And the guiding light of the hopeful and dead, which is a shard of Hades helm. Then there is the terrible embrace of the dread queen Persephone herself, may she suffer for denying us."

That all felt familiar, yet I didn't know what it was on about, and didn't feel to care to ask about it. "Whatever, now what are you, and where am I really."

The shadow pony huffed at me as though it was a dumb question, "you are in the Umbral Plains, and we are the Umbra. True rulers of your world, and servants of the first nightmare. We were there when the magic was wild and young. When you ponies were but clay dolls made for a lonely and pathetic filly goddess. We were to inherit all, become part of the magics, yet it was stolen from us by that titan and it was given to your kind!"

I… didn't understand any of that. "Umm… can you tell me it in a way that I can understand?"

The Umbra slammed its hoof on the table, cracking it. "You ignorant sow, mentally deficient fool. We wish to return to your world and take your magic that was originally ours. We will replace you all with ourselves, and become the rightful rulers as it should have always been!"

"Ahh, so you bad ponies, got it." I then reached for the pony, but it moved away. This got me to smirk. "What's wrong, scared of me?"

It snarled out. "I fear you not, nothing you can do to me is permanent. But the protection over you prevents us from truly harming you either."

"So a stalemate then." I said.

Tapping its hoof on the table, all the other Umbra stopped zipping around. "Bring out the champion of Strife. It is clear this day is not yet ours, and we must wait ever more." It then looked at me and smiled. "Little pony, your… accidental intrusion upon the Umbral Plains has been a fine distraction, but now we grow tired of you. Take your hunt and go. Do with him as you please, and never bother us again."

Then they all just vanished, leaving me alone.

Hoofsteps echoed ever closer, and from the other end of the room, Tripwire dressed in a black crystal covered robe trotted in, his eye wild with madness, and holding the black book. "Oh, so you actually came, how wonderful!"

I drew my Whisky Shot.

But Tripwire held up the book in front of him. "Oh come now, doing the same thing and expecting something different is the definition of madness."

I holstered the revolver. "What's your game, why are you here!"

He laughed. "What else, I seek answers from these fine ponies."

"Monsters you mean." I said with a snarl.

Shaking his head, Tripwire tutted at me. "A bit harsh don't you think? Unlike the rest of you fools, they recognize my greatness, and their inferiority. Subservient to my will, and only my will, with no hint of thinking beyond their station. A refreshing change from all of you, who scheme endlessly, thinking you're all so smart."

He then opened the book, flipping through the pages. "Amazing, Pentagram used this book to develop the memory orb, but then sealed it away… Such a waist. But in my hooves I can do so much more! And my genius amazes even me. Before I could barely decipher even the first page. Only scratched the surface, but now thanks to the Umbra simple guidance, I understand it all." He let out a laugh and showed the open book to me. "Look you ignorant fuck, see what my ancestors could not understand, and weep. Pentagram was a fool to fear it, my father an imbasil for keeping it locked away. Even the necromancer that cursed the mountain to get this book would never fully comprehend it. Yet I understand it all."

A black acrid mist formed around his horn, staurating it. From the table a crystal formed, then shaped into that of a helmet. It looked aggressive and evil, and by just looking at it felt as though it was trying to strip my free will away.

Grabbing it with his hooves, Tripwire then threw it at me, and I swatted it away with my gauntlets. But by just touching it, for only a split second, It felt just like the mezmetron. No worse, for that moment in time, it stripped me of everything.

"You felt it didn't you, the raw power at my hooves. Pentagram attempted to use that power to heal. My father wanted to use it to save himself." Tripwire then made another helmet. "But I… I'll use it for its true purpose. I'll make myself into the immortal emperor of Equestria. No, of the world!"

And I was done listening to this braman shit!

Jumping onto the table, I charged at him, claws digging into the crystals, cracking it. He responded by tossing another helmet at me, along with several shards of the dark crystals. But I didn't care, and just powered through it. Each hit drained me of my will, but I had will to spare. Enough will to power through this and crush him!

He then formed a wall of the crystals and I had to slide to a stop, then pulled out Last Dance and fired. I didn't stop firing until I heard the ping of its clip flying out of the chamber and hitting the table. The fragile crystal wall was now riddled with holes and began to crumble, so I put my rifle away and jumped into a dashed.

It shattered under my hoof, throwing shards of black crystals everywhere. My eyes locked onto Tripwire's as he again pointed his pistol at me, and began firing wildly. Several shots hit, most thudding hard into the metal plates of my armor, but two got in, they burnt into my flesh and were logging inside of me. But they didn't hit anything vital, and it was no rifle round, so I didn't stop.

With a swipe, I knocked the gun away, and with another swipe I sent Tripwire to the floor. "We're done here Tripwire, I win!."

He snarled as his horn crackled with dark magic. Just then, Will-o-Wisp appeared, and frantically danced in a spot to my left. Trusting her, I lept to my left. Several spikes of black crystals shot up from where I had just been, causing Tripwire to snarl again. "Why won't you die already!" He shouted, his horn crackling again.

Will-o-Wisp jumped to another spot and I followed as more of the crystals shot us behind me.

A growl came from Tripwire, and when Will-o-Wisp again jumped, a cage of crystals formed around her. "Ha! You think you outsmarted me! Think ag-"

As he gloated I dashed forward, and before he could cast another spell, I aimed at his horn with my gauntlets.

As the claws made contact, a spark of magic erupted, setting Tripwire's face on fire as his horn shattered. The stallion threw himself to the floor screaming, wildly trying to put the fire out. Trotting after him, Tripwire whipped his cut up and burnt face at me, his broken horn crackling again as he glared with pure hate. But not wasting even a moment I stomped on his face, breaking his nose and spraying his putrid blood onto the ground

Breathing heavily, Tripwire struggled to get back up, only to slip on his own blood and fall over.

"Why? Why do any of this, Tripwire? Was all the death and pain worth it? The lives ruined, the foals left without their parents?" I asked angrily, cracking the ground with a stomp. "You had a fucking family for Celestia's sake! I'm sure that bitch Onyx would have loved to pretend to be normal ponies with you and Cable. With how smart you are, you could have rebuilt your damn family from scratch, or changed your image like Grizzly!"

Tripwire breathing was labored and filled with pain, yet he still managed to laugh at me. "You could never… understand. I was born… to lead… to rule over all. It's the… natural state of this… world…. There are masters, and there are… slaves. A master should never be… a slave. It is unnaturally… wrong… I can only rule… never will I dig through the dirt like a slave… for that's how things… always have been, and should always… be."

The more he spoke the more I felt pity and disgust. There was no grand plan, no ideals or an excuse. I don't know why, but I was hoping he would finally reveal to me some big secret, something to convince me that there was some good in him. Like how some others would talk of Redeye, and how he truly did want to help, but became lost along the way. No, Tripwire was different, as he had always been a bastard and he was absolutely pathetic.

"So that's it. All this just because you believed that only you are worthy to rule over all others. Because your Ma said your the fucking emperor of Equestria!" I snarled at him as I pressed my hoof onto his head. "No ideals or grand plan. Just a selfish desire to make everything yours because you just want it all!"

He again laughed, spitting up blood as he did so. "Don't tell me your… free from that…desire. Every one of… you, are just like… me. But I'm smarter, and even more clever. Given the… chance, you and all the… others would do the same. You just… pretend to care, pretend that you're not… all like me!"

"You delusional bastard." I huffed out, wondering what I ever saw in him. He seriously thinks everypony is some calculating psychopath.

Taking in a deep breath, and letting out a long and frustrated sigh, I then bent down and held his head in my hooves. "I'd love to stay and further confirm my disgust with you, but I must leave here. But first I must make sure you never return." With a twist of my hooves and a loud snap, Tripwire's body as he stopped breathing.

Rummaging through his pockets, I found the medallions, and then trotted over and picked up his pistol. At the very least, the gun now belonged to Wiretap. So putting it away, I looked at the Medallions, a wave of confusion hit me as I realized, "fuck, how do I use these?"

The sound of whispering tickled at my ears as my attention was then drawn to the black book. A book of untold power and vast knowledge, all at my hooves. It may even know how to use the medallions

Trotting over, I opened the book… only to remember that I can't read. "Well this is dumb!" I said as I tossed the book away from me.

Laughter again came from Tripwire, and it was unnatural, as he was, well… dead.

Turning to look at the body, it twitched and garaged, black ooze seeping from every orifice. Then a black hoof pushed itself out of Tripwire's mouth, and another, then pulling itself up, a head and body forced itself out.

"You, why do you keep rejecting me, how are you rejecting me!" Spoke the black entity… of which I somehow knew its name, the mad god Strife. "Again and again you deny me, deny my love and power. But no more, If you will not embrace me, I will take you by force."

She then finished pulling herself free, flopping onto the floor like some black toxic slime. As she then stood up, appearing as some large pony shaped black mass, I drew Whisky Shot, and unloaded into her. Blasting six holes through the mad god, but Strife was unaffected, the holes simply closing up once more.

"It is of no use my little pony. Here I am made manifest, and you can not destroy me. Soon we will be one, and you will be free of all pain and worry." Bending, Strife's neck extended unnaturally, and spun around, blocking any way for me to escape. "It will be quick, and very painful."

Hooves reached out all around, as though looking for me, coming close but none directly at me. Was it blind, I didn't know, but it would find me eventually. Backing up, I tripped over one of the hooves, falling over and knocking my hat off.

"There you are!" It screamed as its head rose high above and then dived down at me. But then the mad god caught on fire, her extended neck failing around as blue fire and smoke spread over its formless body.

"Lottery, this way! Run while the bitch is distracted!" A faintly familiar voice called to me as a hoof reached out through the ever growing thick smoke.

Confusion ran through my head, as I was utterly lost on what the fuck was happening. But one thing was clear to me, somepony was offering me help, reaching a hoof out to me. This time I was taking it without hesitation. This time I'll do what I should have done a long time ago.

Grabbing my hat and shoving it into my jacket, I took the hoof and pushed through the ever expanding smoke. My hooves stopped hard onto the crystal floor, digging in so as not to slow down, and each step fueling my hope to get out of this mess. When I finally cleared the smoke, I was in the long crystal hallway of the castle, far off in the distance was a mare clocked in blue fire, becoming me to come to her.

So digging my claws into the ground, I leapt into a run, hoping that she knew the way out.

"Pick up the pace!" The mare called out to, as she then ran herself, giving off a radiant trail of blue fire for me to follow.

I could feel my body growing cold, the gunshot from the cabin and the two just recently starting to catch up with me. But I dug down into myself and found the strength to keep going, to not give in.

Crashes and slamming could be heard all around me as the Umbra broke through the windows and walls. They started throwing chunks of crystal at me, or knocking over pillars of crystal in my path. All malevolently laughing at me as they rained down destruction.

"Slow her down!" One Umbra shouted.

"Don't let her escape!" Another demanded.

And as crystals pelted me, as I was forced to jump despite my blood loss, I didn't let them stop me, nor slow me down. Strangely, as I pushed the lighter I felt, and with each step following the trail of blue fire the coldness was pushed back.

But the sound of a roar did draw my attention, and as I looked back, a burning Strife was behind me. A black mass of putrid ooze, forming many legs which hit the floor, walls, and ceiling to push itself forward. It had many heads that formed and vanished from inside the ooze, some familiar as they snapped at me.

"You know you're nothing more than a whore!" The warped voice of Onyx shouted at me.

"A piece of meat to be used." Grinder joined in.

"A mare not worth mentioning." Angle said with his now creeper voice.

"Too stupid to see or understand the truth in front of your face!" Tripwire said calmly and coldly.

I burst out of the castle as Strife mocked me with the voices of many ponies, raiders and slavers alike. Pointing out my shortcomings, my doubts.

The mare covered the blue fire stood on top of a hill, where magic was swirling and pulsed wildly. "You're almost there! Just a bit more."

Fortunately, strife had a harder time following me out in the open, so as I slowed down, so did she.

It hurt, just to climb the hill, but as I reached near the top, the mare pulled me the rest of the way up. "There you go, I knew you had it in you." She told me as her touch seemed to slowly heal me, making me warmer and in less pain.

It was strange looking at her. Just a normal earth pony mare, gray cote, straight black mane that sat just above her shoulders. She was old, really old, yet considerably youthful. Surrounding her was a blue fire, in which the edges danced and formed both translucent wings and a horn.

The mare then looked over at Strife, disgust in her eyes. "That bitch is the epitome of cancer, never giving up, and never doing Equestria any good." She then looked at me and smiled. "Well now that you're with me, she can't get any closer, so take a breather."

Looking back for myself, she was right, Strife had stopped climbing, and when she did reach out a leg, it caught on fire. "Thanks, but… who are you?"

"Nopony you need concerning yourself with. I'm just an old mare with a convoluted history, and an important responsibility." She said with a chuckle.

"Right, I think I can understand… sorta. Well actually all this just doesn't make any sense to me." I told the mare.

She chuckled again, and as she pointed to a portal behind her, she told me. "Oh ya, you don't even know the half of it. Also, when you get back to the other side, tell Lucky Shot that she's still a bitch."

I raised an eyebrow at that, but wasn't all that surprised. It seems that my grandmother pissed off a lot of ponies. "Will do." I told her as I trotted to the rift in reality.

"Lottery!" I froze as I heard the voice of my best friend. "You ain't going to leave without saying hi to your friend are ya?" Molo asked me.

Turning, there she was, enwrapped in Strife's embrace.

"M… Molo." I whimpered.

"It's too late for her, just go already!" The mysterious mare told me.

Molo let out a sigh. "Looks like I was right, a pony like me cannot be redeemed so easily. You should listen to that mare, and run while you still have the strength."

"But why? You tried so hard to help, and because of you many lives were saved." I shouted at her.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Lottery ya fucking fool. I was a raider, a pony that did terrible things just for the laughs of it. This is the afterlife I deserve! "

"Lottery, she is nothing more than Strife's puppet. She's appealing to your better nature, trying to stall your escape. You need to go, and now!" The mare told me.

She was right, I knew she was right. "But… I can't leave Molo, not with her."

"You can and you will. Trust me when I say this, we can't save everypony, no matter how much we want to." The mare told me softly, a hint of sorrow and regret in her voice.

"ya, stop being an id- mrhhh hhrfff!" Molo yelled, only for strife to cover her mouth and pull her away.

It was stupid, so Celestia damn stupid. Molo was dead, I watched her die, but she was here, right here!

"Will-o-Wisp." I called out, and my little blue flame burst to life.

The blue flame mare thrusted a hoof in front of me. "No, you need go, your way out is closing, and soon."

I smiled. "Then this will be quick. Now Willow, take me to Molo!"

Will-o-Wisp seemed to nod at the mare, who then nodded back at her and sighed. "Fine, it's not like you ever listened to me when we were alive. So why start now. Go on, be the hero this time. May we meet again during better times." Then Will-o-Wisp shot forward and into Strife.

I followed, passing through the blue flame coated mare, who now seemed more ghost then mare. As I charged forward, the Maw of Strife opened wide, as to both embrace me and to devour me.

Then darkness.

Absolut darkness.

Yet not quite.

In the distance I could see Will-o-Wisp hanging above, and below her was Molo. My friend half submerged in black water, surrounded my hundreds, no, hundreds of thousands of ponies, if not more. It was a stagnant lake filled with the dead, a place of true hopelessness.

Black tar dripped from above like cold rain, sticking to me like the most vile of glue. So putting my hat back on, I made my way to Molo, wading into the black water… no, it was more like thick ooze. It was a struggle to trot through, and the longer it took to pull my leg up, the more I sank into it. It must have known I didn't belong, and now was trying to consume me, add me to the uncountable hopeless dead already here.

But when I used my grizzly gauntlets, they cut through the ooze, boiling it by just the touch. With them I was able to keep myself from sinking down, and move forward with even more haste. A trot became a gallop, and behind me a trial of flaming hoofprints had formed, and in between them the ooze had hardened into a bridge.

"Where are you!" Strife screamed. And looking up, I saw a shadow like a mare fly about. A crooked horn stretched out from her head, and crooked wings flapped as she flew above. She resembled Celestia, yet black as though burnt into coal, and malevolently crooked.

Her eyes fell onto me, yet it was as though she saw nothing, flying off as she screamed! "How, how did she get away again!"

Pushing on, the closer I got to Molo, the more bodies I came across. They struggled to move, trapped within the sluge-like floor, some letting out muffled and breath-like screams. I did my best to avoid them, in case they were to react and warn Strife of my location.

As I finally got to Molo, I reached out and grabbed onto her, and began to pull. Using everything I had, even as I began to feel cold, I pulled. "Stop… please just go." Molo whispered weakly, her body staying limp.

"Not going to happen!" I said through clenched teeth as slowly but surely, Molo was being pulled out.

"You will die here if you don't." She told me.

But I didn't yield. "Shut up and accept my help!"

"You idiot!" She growled weekly.

Pulling a hoof back, I then slammed it into the black ooze, holding it next to Molo. It began to bubble, and slowly Molo began to move. Then with a pop, Molo came free and we both fell over. Pushing myself up, I began to quietly chuckle to myself. "I'm dumber than you know, ya know."

"Clearly." she said as she slowly got up herself. "But now what, how do you plan on getting out of here?"

I smiled as I looked up. "Willow, it's time we go!"

Will-o-Wisp bobbed up and down excitedly, and zoomed off.

Molo sighed. "Right, follow the dead flaming pony, brilliant plan. But we'll just sink along the way."

I tapped my hoof onto the ooze, making a satisfying clop sound. "Just stay in-between the flaming hoofprints and you will be fine..

Molo did the same, tapping on the hardened ooze.

"Alright, enough talking and more running." I said as I pushed her along, we rushed after Will-o-Wisp.

I had done it, and soon Molo will be back with me, I had finally saved her! I had my best friend back! But as we ran, I began to feel colder, my vision blurred, and my strength faded.

Then I stumbled,

Then fell.

Pain erupted all over me as I felt, eyes on me.

Pushing myself up, I looked around. Everything was looking at me, absolutely everything. Hundreds, thousands, hundreds of thousands of eyes were looking at me. Then, in unison, they all wailed at me.

So loud that it hurt.

Then came laughter, and with a loud slam, Strife landed near me. Her crooked face twisted into a crooked smile, and her eyes glared at me with hunger. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you, my darling little, Lottery. You're going to stay here with me, forever and ever more. One among all my darling children, safe within my womb. "

I was where!. . . . Ew.

"Not a chance ya bitch!" Molo screamed as she jumped to me, and forced my hat back on and held me tight.

"What, how? Where did you go! My dear Lottery!!" Strife screamed loudly, the sound reverberating in my chest.

Leaning on each other, Molo and I ran as hard as we could, slipping under Strafe and rushing to Will-o-Wisp.

A deep and reverberating growler came from strive, it filled with such malevolence that I felt it in my bones. "LOTTERY, I CURSE YOU! YOU WILL NEVER BE FREE FROM ME, NEVER!Z" Her voice was so loud that my ears rang as reached the edge of the black lake, and closer to Will-o-Wisp.

As we reached Will-o-Wisp, Molo and I saw a light past her, and drawing the last bit of strength I had, web pushed past her and into the light.

_______________________________________________________

I was cold and everything hurt. But that was a good sign, as the dead felt no pain.

"Even I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself." Spoke the voice of the mysterious mare covered in blue fire. "Charging into the heart of a mad god and pulling out a claimed soul, it's beyond impressive."

"Well that's my Lottery, always doing what's least expected at the worst of times." Molo said with a laugh.

"And reckless too. No pony can hope to not only wade through that hate filled sludge, much less do so while being unseen by Strife." Lethe spoke as I got up. She then eyed me with her cold blue glowing eye sockets. "As though powers beyond our own predicted that something like this would happen."

Taking a deep breath, the air felt cold, and stale. Looking around, I was on the edge of a dark river, the ground under my hooves bone white… no not just bone white, it was made of bones! "Wh… where am I?"

"The land of the dead, Lottery, a border land between the land of the living, and the lands beyond, we're all souls are to travel to." Lethe told me as she pointed to a lone boat. "I'll be taking Miss Sparking Passion to Tartarus, where she will work off her many sins."

"What, why? I only just saved her, why must she be further punished!" I pleaded.

Molo trotted over to me, giving me a hug. "It's fine, Lottery, it will be okay."

I tried to push her away, but I had no strength left to do so. "How is it okay? Why can you come back with me? Crowned and Flashed have only just begun to accept you, and there's so much more you can do."

Patting me on the back, I could feel tears not of my own on my cheek. "I know, I know. How stupid of me to think the best thing I could do for them was die like a damned hero. But dead is dead. Anyway, thanks to you, I'll at least have a chance to see them again. And you, and the others. So long as I'm a good girl."

Molo then pulled away, wiping a tear from her eye.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

The mysterious mare stepped over, a mischievous grin on her face. "Since you went through all that trouble of recovering her soul, I decided to pull a few strings. Molo will be working as a guard of Tartarus for the next hundred or so years. It's a rather hard job from what I've been told, but the king of Tartarus is said to be a fair stallion to those who are diligent in their duty. Anyways, the underworld has been severely in need of new guards since the old ones got quite lazy due to their deal with Celestia."

"Umm, sorry, but I don't understand." I said, feeling a bit confused.

"Right, long story short, Celestia helped keep the undead in check, and entities like Lethe here stayed out of the business of the living." The mysterious mare explained. "But for the last two hundred years, Celestia hasn't been able to do her end of the bargain, and shit has been rolling down hill. Fuck, that Necromancer only got taken out because I was literally crafted as a failsafe for such events."

Then it hit me. "Wait! Your the hero of the long winter!"

Storm Rider nodded. "Yap, in the flesh… well, in the spirit actually. And sorry, all this only happened because I missed a cures the Necromancer left behind. I imagine he was after this actually." Storm then pulled out the Umbral Infinium. I still got a creepy feeling from just looking at it. "Oh, and don't worry, we will keep a close eye on this bastard. Now if we can only get our hooves on the other's before some idiot finds them."

I nodded, still a bit confused. "I'm sure it's in good hooves then, and I do hope you find those other nasty books. Or whatever they are."

Molo then laughed. "I agree, and is it wrong that I'm glad you're illiterate, since the book couldn't enthrall you and such."

Storm rolled her eyes and chuckled. "Imagine that, an all powerful and evil book, defeated by a severe case of dyslexia. Anyways, it's time we go, as it is the same for you. But it was fun getting to talk to the living again. Actually, you remind me a bit of my granddaughter, though far less ornery and far better with the stallions."

I chuckled too, a bit glad that my inability to read once again foiled a magical trap. "Ya, meeting a legend is quite something for me as well." Turning my attention back to Molo, I gave her a hug, holding her as tightly as possible. "I won't stop missing you, ya know that."

"I feel the same Lottery. You were too good for me, but I'm glad I met you." Molo replied. Letting her go, she then trotted to the boat, where she waved at me from.

Lethe then trotted over to me, a stern look on her thin face. "I can't say this has been fun, or this went as well as it could have. But at least a great evil was averted, and we have you to thank for that. Still, I'll have to talk with my fellow reapers about all this, see if it can be done again, but with less unforeseen consequences."

"You want to do all this again?" I asked in shock.

The reaper smiled mischievously. "That is to be seen mortal. Times have changed and a new era is being born. But ghosts of the past still yet haunt Equestria. Ghosts whom will take any opportunity to rise once again. So we must prepare, for it is the job of my kind to maintain the cycle of life and death, or all will suffer." She then patted me on my shoulder with her thin, almost skeletal hoof. "As it is your job to, by user in new life. And worry not, even at your darkest moments, when you feel you are all alone and it is time to move on from life, I'll be there to trot beside you. For none should venture into the land of the dead alone."

Lethe then trotted off to the boat, leaving me feeling cold, but strangely, confronted.

"Odd things, those reapers all." Storm Rider said as she held out her hoof to me. "Alright, if you stay any longer, you'll not leave this place except by boat, so take my hoof."

"Will I remember any of this?" I then asked, reaching out my hoof.

"Some, though most of it will be nothing more than a dream. Some weird magical brahman shit that you'll barely understand. To anypony who hears of your story, it will be just another crazy Wastelander's Tale. No Strife, old gods or grim reapers. Just a hero, a villain, and an uncaring wasteland." She explained to me.

Taking a deep breath, I didn't like the idea of forgetting again, but maybe it was for the best. Less insane I felt, the easier it might be to get back to normal. So I took her hoof.

_______________________________________________________

My eyes opened wide as my veins felt like it was on fire. "OHFUCKWASTHAT!" I blurted out in a panic.

Spell Circuit let out a sigh of relief, then pulled out an absurdly long needle from my chest. "Thank Celestia that worked. I thought I lost you there."

Looking at the needle and pressing on my chest, I quickly realized he stabbed me in the heart with it. "What. Did. You. Stab. Me. With?" I asked with bearly contained energy.

"Doctor Helga gave it to me, it's a griffin resurrection serum, though I think it's just a healing potion mixed with hydra and adrenaline… oh and traces of dash." He then looked away as though guilty. "She said it will either bring you back from the brink of death, or blow up your heart."

The proto-stable then shook as the pillars of crystals cracked and crumbled.

Standing up faster than I ever had in my life, my mind was running at triple speed as I had no time to worry about being dead, that's a silly thing to worry about. "We need to go!" I said jittering. "Oh, and those ponies in the janitor's room… and other rooms too! What about the mezmetrons?"

Spell looked a bit worried, but maintained his composure, he was really good at that, like super good. "We can't go back where we came then… wait, did you grab the medallions?" I tossed him them, practically hitting him in the face, no, I did hit him in the face with them. "Good, we got a bit of time before this place collapses, so grab who you can before that energy runs out, I'll deal with the mezmetrons"

Giving him a salute, I then zipped away, the world a blurre.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighty Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighty Four

_______________________________________________________

My head pounded like the worst hangover in my life, and as I tried to remember what exactly happened, most of it was nothing more than a blur to me, or utter nonsense. I remember fighting Tripwire, and him doing some weird magic. But also way too many crystals and shadow ponies wanting me to eat stuff… I think.

Doctor Helga let out a long stressful sigh. "We there is no long term damage that I can see, but that shot of resurrection still bruised your heart. If you weren't already absurdly sturdy, you might not be standing here."

"Then why give it to Spell?" I asked.

She poked me in the chest. "Because you tend to get yourself nearly killed. A living Lottery is better than a dead Lottery. Anyways, as your doctor, I'm advising you to avoid any straining activities for the next three months. That should give your heart a chance to properly heal."

"But-" I tried to protest, but Doctor Helga held my muzzle shut with her talons.

"No fucking arguing with me on this." She said sternly. "Anyways, you've done more than enough as it is."

"And yet, there's still more I can do." I mumbled through my teeth.

She let me go, then passed me a bottle of Sparkle-Cola and two pills of painkillers. "Maybe so, but you already did more than enough, so just let yourself relax,"

I took the pills and sipped on the sugary drink. "Fine, but I'm not in as bad of a condition as you think."

Doctor Helga put her talon on my shoulder and squeezed ever so slightly. Pain shot through my body, causing me to clench my teeth.

"I… I get it, you can stop!" I pleaded.

She let me go, and picked up a clipboard. "Alright. So I'll be having you coming in for regular checkups to make sure you're not lying to me. You're also required at least twelve hours of bed rest for this month, and only the lightest of exercise. It goes without saying, but you are to avoid any chems when possible, this includes both alcohol and cigarettes. I'm also putting you on a high nutrition diet, since your pregnancy is going to take a lot more out of you than originally suspected."

"What… why?" I asked.

Doctor Helga gently pulled me off of her table, and pushed me out of her office. "We can go over the details later, but I'm extremely busy right now, and rather not deal with explaining more magical brahman shit." She then closed the door, leaving me there, a bit worried.

"Well… fuck." Was all I could say, my mind trying to possess what she just told me.

But before I could bang on her door to get her to tell me what was wrong, I felt a little pony latch onto my leg.

"Lottery!" Wiretap squealed. "I heard you did it, you… got the villain." That last part she said with a bitter sweet tone, clearly understanding that it also meant that I killed her father.

Kneeling down, I patted the older filly on the head. "Yes, I made sure he couldn't hurt anypony else. Not you, your mother, me, or anypony. All that's left is to clean up the mess left behind and pick up the pieces."

A smile returned to her muzzle, as she pulled back on her jacket. "Oh look, mom let me have them." Holstered on her was not just her .45 revolver, but the two custom 9mm pistols, one depicting a pink alicorn with hearts, and the other depicting Celestia. "Mom still wont let me trot around with them loaded, also Cable is being a bitch about it, wanting one of them."

"Well she is your sister… regrettably. Maybe if she can prove herself responsible, you can share." I suggested.

Wiretap frowned at that. "But it's mine!" She grumbled.

"I can't argue with that." I said with a sigh, but I knew that where Wiretap never saw Tripwire as her father, Cable did. It only made me hate him even more from just thinking about it. But at least the filly still had some family, and a future, so I wanted the sisters to get along. "How about this, if you can help train her to be responsible with a gun… I'll let you have my Whisky Shot."

Her eyes opened wide. "Really!" She then grinned. "Ya, it's not like I liked princess Cadence all that much anyways." She said, trying to sound mature.

"Really now." Grizzly said as she trotted over, looking at her daughter with some annoyance. "Weren't you all wanting to collect the full set?"

Wiretap looked a bit guilty as she said, "well… maybe."

Grizzly sighed. "Whatever my little darling, so long as you're being responsible and keeping up with your studies, I'll let you collect guns. Anyways, since we're stuck with Cable, getting the brat under control isn't a bad idea." Her eyes then drifted to me with a curious stare. "And forgive me if I'm not letting you rest, but I have to know, is he truly gone?"

I nodded. "My mind is still a blur about it, but I know for sure that both Tripwire and Catalyst are dead. Spell can give you more details, I'm sure, but whatever was going on down there, the two had completely lost their minds. What about the ponies we pulled out?"

Looking down at her daughter, Grizzly motioned for her to move on ahead. "Were going to talk about some private stuff, can you go to the penthouse ahead of us?"

Wiretap frowned, but complied, trotting on ahead of us.

"Let's trot and talk, Lottery." Grizzly told me as she began to move. "Well it's clear that the revival you were given saved your life, it also made you a bit… crazy."

"Please don't tell me I killed somepony!? " I asked worriedly

"Well yes, but not not quite." She replied. "By the time Spell pulled you through the portal, you were picking up the corpses of Tripwire's soldiers. But you somehow managed to save fifteen ponies trapped down there. Though whatever Tripwire did to them, it will take some time before they even begin to recover. Both physically and mentally. "

"That's… I don't know, but at least they're alive." I commented.

Grizzly smiled faintly, "that they are. Still it sickens me to see how he was using those ponies as personal kicking bags… among other things. A few are also results of Catalyst experiments, and to say Majestic was shocked is an understatement. But I think we're finally passed the worst of it, and all that's left is the cleanup. As for the manor, the Rangers made sure it was properly burnt to the ground."

"So that means what? No secret radio messages to investigate something mysterious, or some simple job to do that goes horribly wrong?" I said, trying to lighten the mood some more.

She let out a slight laugh. "No, no. Well, not for you at least. You would be surprised what crazy shit has been passing through my desk for the last few months. I think the Stable Dweller's control over the spire has unburied a lot of stuff best left underground and forgotten. But that's no concern of yours, or mine as a matter of fact. Right now we just need to focus on what comes next."

"And that's?" I asked.

"Lots of paperwork, managing of resources, ponies, and time. At least now I can get some sleep with at least one less proverbial sword hanging over my head." She told me, a bit lighter in step. "And don't think I'll just let you be completely lazy while you recover. You're prone to run off if you're not busy."

"Oh, and like what will you have me do, Doctor Helga ordered me bedrest for a few months." I told her.

Grizzly grinned at me playfully. "Well for one, I need somepony to keep an eye on Wiretap. Unfortunately Hans contract was in the deal I had with Gwadina, the bitch was very insistent on getting him to join her. Something about putting together a team of the best fighters in the wasteland. I mean, there's a reason why I paid top cap to have him protect my daughter."

It was sad to hear that Hans was leaving, but good to know he was off to make Equestria a better place. Even if he was doing it for the pay. "You sure you want me taking over his job? I mean, from what Doctor Helga told me, I'm in no condition to do much protecting."

"It's optics, Lottery, you're a local hero, and a damn scary one at that. With you close by, most assholes will not even think about doing something stupid. Anyway, I have a few other ponies nearby to provide the real security." Grizzly told me. "All you really need to do is to show Wiretap how to fight, or some other things to keep her busy."

"I'm guessing the Red Light Showroom is out of the question then?" I asked jokingly.

"By Celestia, no!" She answered as she gave me the side eye. "More and more she's reminding me of myself at her age. But unlike me, I'm worried she's more into the colts like I was with other fillies. Just… make sure she's not getting into trouble while you're still around."

Giving Grizzly a light jab, I told her. "No worry, I perfectly understand what you mean. Anyways, I think she already understand, Wiretap is a smart girl after all… well smarter than me at least."

_______________________________________________________

Arriving at my penthouse, there was a small and relatively tame party going on. Probably because of the foals present, and that some of us were pregnant. So any booze present was not in any great amount, and none of it was the hard stuff. Still, it was a good selection of food and drink, in which I was more then willing to indulge

"To victory, and a brighter future!" Grizzly cheered, holding her drink high.

"To the destruction of vile magic, and a hope they never return!" Spell joined in.

"And to a fun and free future!" Plasma added, getting the side eye from some of us.

I didn't join in on the cheering, satisfied with just sitting at the bar, sipping on a Sparkle-Cola. Not that I didn't enjoy the celebration, but for me it was rather bittersweet then anything.

"Here you go, Lady Lottery." Margaret said as the robot placed down a slice of pie. "It's not much, but I managed to whip up a pear cobbler pie, though the cobbler is more improvised, and the crust used razor grain instead of proper wheat. Still, I'm sure it's delicious… I mean, I hope it is, I have no taste buds to actually know for sure."

Taking a small bite, it was surprisingly sweet, almost painfully so. "It's… I don't know, but it is good, I know that."

She smiled at me with her robot eyes. "Good to know. Just ask me if you want more, I made a lot after all." Humming to herself, she then floated away, offering slices of pie to anypony nearby.

"Wow this is good!" Cold Trails said, having taken a bite of the pie. He sported several nasty bruises and some bandages that covered what looked like burn scars.

"The fuck happened to you?" I asked.

He smiled, showing that he was missing a tooth. "Ya, kind of messed up out there. The group I was with trotted into a raider trap, we didn't find out that all the traffic cones had mines under them until they were exploding." He rubbed the side of his head, where the worst of the bruises were. "Thank Celestia we all had power armor, so it only shook us up… then they started throwing explosives, like a lot of them. We lost a few of ours, but at least wiped out all the raiders there. It was a pyrrhic victory at best."

I passed him a bottle of Sparkle-Cola. "Sorry to hear that."

Cold took a sip, his eyes widening in surprise. "So that's what this tastes like." Then he sighed. "But ya, I didn't know those Rangers well, but they reminded me a lot of my old squadron. Motivated, disciplined, rather knuckleheaded, and overall good ponies once you get past the propaganda. But we knew what we were getting into, and because of their sacrifice the raiders in this region will not be able to easily reestablish themselves."

He finished off his drink, and held a hoof over his muzzle as he let out a long burp. "Oh, sorry." He said bashfully. "But anyways, I was told that most of the heavy hoofed operations are over, so it's unlikely they will need me out there. Actually, Grizzly wants me to help train up a new militia unit for Ursa's Rest, since most of the Talons and current militia are now heading to Fillydelphia."

"Right, I heard that Hans got his contact bought up, but didn't think it was almost all of them." I said in surprise.

Cold nodded. "Oh ya, actually Hogan Highborn is going as well to provide Gwadina some more legitimacy among the Talons. But get this, Elder Honeycrisp is going too, and joining this elite strike team too. Something about making sure that if the NCR finds any lost tech, she can make sure it's not abused. So you can imagine that most of the rangers are following her as well."

That concerned me a little. "Are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, we only just won this war, and having most of the fighting force leave might be dangerous."

"That is a concern." Sparkling Delight said as she took a seat on my other side. "But my brother has promised to help keep an eye on things in the region. So we should be able to find any trouble rather quickly, and nip it in the bud before it becomes a real problem. Truthfully, Pharynx plans to strengthen the Dukedoms relationship with Ursa's Rest since it's clear that we are entering a new era in Equestria's history."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, that's quite a statement, are you sure he's not just trying to swoon Grizzly? Well, jokes aside I hope, if he is right, I do hope it's a more peaceful era."

Sparkling grinned a little. "I do too, thought I have no doubts that there will be more bloodshed. But at least if this NCR Gwadina is building stays true to their word, things will get better… I hope." She then nudged me with her elbow. "Don't tell anypony I said this, but my brother actually still has a thing for Grizzly. So you might be about that."

"My mouth is sealed." I told her, performing a zipper motion over my muzzle. "Anyways, do you have any name ideas for your baby?"

She chuckled. "No not yet. My brother thinks, if it's a girl, to name her after Queen Chrysalis, but I shot that down fast. Something tells me that it's bad luck to use that name."

"Ya, the… vidose I did with Pharynx didn't depict her in a nice light." I commented, remembering the porn I was talked into doing. "About those… vidiose… any way you can destroy the ones I'm in?"

The half changeling mistress narrowed her eyes at me. "If I said I would, would you even believe me?"

I sighed. "No, not at all." Then a bit of realization hit me. "Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if you had your own videos of me that you took secretly."

I felt hooves wrap around me gently, and a mare nuzzling the back of my head. "Oh, I'd love to see them." Plasma said before letting go of me. "What about you, Cold?"

The stallion looked both nervous and annoyed. "How about no. With how I'm trying to start a relationship with Lottery, I really don't want to see her with other stallions."

"That I can agree." I said sternly. "And I never want it to be brought up again, okay."

Both Plasma and Sparkling rolled their eyes at me.

"Seriously now. I want that part of my life dead and buried, okay?" I told them with a glare. Then I saw Low Pressure making his way over, and shot him an even meaner glare, causing him to back off.

I seriously want my life to get back on track, and if I had to beat the shit out of a pony to do it, I will.

Deep laughter came from our side as Cauterize hobbled over. "Ya that's how a real mare dose it, with murderous intent. I know my mares would castrate me if I tried to dig up their past partners. So I say best just keep those tapes buried."

A bit odd to get him backing me up, but I'll take it. "Thanks. Oh and about the twins, I heard they are ready to give birth any day now? You sure you should be here?"

He shrugged. "Would be with them if I could but they need their space. Anyways, they're in good hooves."

"Yes, Aloe is currently keeping an eye on them." Mint said as she trotted over, joining our small crowd. "Actually it will be a good practice for what's coming in the next six months."

"Right, a lot of ponies did get busy after the fall of Redeye and the clearing of the clouds." Sparkling commented. "Actually, if you look around, there's a lot of mares who are starting to show. The baby boom that's coming is going to be really big."

"I heard that Velvet Remedy is too." Cold added, getting everypony to look at him a bit confused. "What… oh, right. Actually I got a thank you letter from Deadshot Calamity for helping to hunt down Flyright. She was the one who helped brand him, and many other Dashites. In the letter he mentioned he was an expecting father and such, and hoped we can have a reunion one day." We all looked at him in surprise. "Hay, it's nothing all that big, we just served in the same bunker for over a year, not like we were good friends or nothing. There were a lot of us there… and… none of us came to his defense when it mattered the most."

We all looked away, feeling a bit guilty ourselves.

Then Wiretap burst through, followed by Cable, Spur, Crown and Flashed. "Lottery, tell them that Six Gun Red is the best!"

"You're crazy, hired gun is the bigger hero! Literally!" Cable argued.

"You're both wrong, Brimstone Blitz is a real living legend. Last I heard he was still kicking flanks in Fillydelphia. " Spur added in.

Wiretap then put her hoof to my leg, looking smug. "Come on, tell them. I mean you're the best, but Six Gun is close, right?

Looking at them, my eyes fell onto Molo's Daughters, who looked nervous. "What about you two, personally I think the Stable Dweller is rather high up there."

Crowned scrunched her nose. "No way, that mare is the worst, and short! Redeye was a real hero, he sacrificed everything to make things better." She said as she pouted.

"What about Security?" Flashed squeaked out. "Or the pink ghost?"

"Pfff! No way their real ponies, especially security!" Crowned argued.

Spell Circuit cleared his throat to get their attention before Redeye was mentioned again. "I think you all have had too much cola, so either take it to the bedroom or stop running around and bothering everypony."

"Okay uncle." Wiretap said, then smiled at me, saying "later!" before bouncing off, with the other fillies following her.

I looked over at Spell, who looked more tired than me. "I guess you're getting a hoof on being a dad then."

"It's not easy, I can tell you that." He said with a shigh, "Already have to keep the colts away from them. Seems one of the Gunrunner chicks are school friends of theirs, and this Skipper is a bit of a flirt for his age. Cheeky little colt."

"Well, good news on That" Grizzly said as she joined us. "The negotiations between the Gunrunners and Gwadina were successful, so that twerp and his family will be heading back to Fillydelphia soon."

I perked up hearing that. "So that means Horus was successful in helping his family, that's good to hear. Will he be coming back?"

Grizzly shook her head. "Sadly, he will need to stay with Gwadina as her armory master, so he won't be able to return here to fill out his contract with me. I did get payment for the contract cancellation, which only amazes me further on how that buzzard is able to throw so many caps around."

"From what Life Bloom told me, Gwadina currently has a lot of supporters. Powerful ponies who want her and the Stable Dweller on their side." Spell told us.

"That and everything she's pulling out of Fillydelphia." Grizzly added. "Once she has full control over that city, things will get interesting to say the least."

"Lets pray that Gwadina doesn't make the same mistakes as those who came her." Mint said with a solemn tone.

We all got quiet for a bit, my own mind running through the possibilities. There were likely far more ponies and other creatures that I didn't know of who rose to power in Equestria, then fell. Redeye who started on a noble path to restore Equestria, but lost his way. The Goddess, ever powerful, and driven mad by that power. Tripwire who saw no future, only caring that he himself was the one in power. Grizzly Deal, a mare whose decisions got her power she wanted, but at the cost of the ones she loved. Duke Pharynx the Fifth, ever waiting for the return of his queen.

Then there was Celestia and Luna, Princesses and gods, now lost to us because of our inability to let go of our hate. Or so how my Ma would tell me.

The six Ministries, founded by hero's, and likely the ones who made this wasteland. If what Rainbow Dash had left behind is true, their friendship had failed, and it doomed us all.

Yet it wasn't the end. We have hope. Hope in each other, hope in the future, and hope in ourselves.

"I know one thing." I spoke up, getting everyponies attention. "Even if Gwadina fails, nothing stops us from picking up the pieces and trying to do it ourselves."

We were all silent for a moment again, but Spell Circuit then lifted up his glass. "Lets invest in a better future, even if it means we have to build it all ourselves. It's the least we can do for our children."

"Ya, I can get behind that." Sparkling joined in, glass raised high.

The rest of us joined in, with smiles and cheer. It was still a somber affair, but one filled with hope. We had secured a future, a harsh unforgiving future, but one that is ours to live.

_______________________________________________________

The calm celebration went on for a few more hours, with ponies talking about anything and everything, but mainly their plans on what they will do next. It was a rather nice event that put my nerves at ease, though I could still go for a beer and a smoke.

Trotting to the balcony, the cool night air caressing my nose, bringing with it the smell of a lit cigarette. Grizzly Deal leaned on the balcony, a glass of hard liquor half full at her side and a smoke in her mouth.

"You know I'm half tempted to toss you over the edge to get my hooves on that drink and smoke." I said jokingly.

Grizzly smiled at me before taking the cigarette out and placing it on an ashtray. "You wouldn't be the first, and over for even less." She then motioned for me to join her.

"Let me guess, over a canister of dash." I said as I trotted up to the balcony. Looking down, the town below was a buzz of activity, as the tension that once gripped this place was now gone. It was rather annoying that I quickly spotted at least five different pairs of ponies having sex in poorly thought out hiding spots.

"No… well yes actually, but I was talking about a Sunset Sarsaparilla bottle caps. Had some star on each of them. My brother was rather obsessed over them, talking about some hidden treasure." Grizzly let out a sigh. "Always said he was crazy for believing such a legend. And one day some crazy wastelander pushed him off the building just to steal those damned bottle caps. He got lucky and survived his fall."

She then chuckled to herself. "He was more pissed off about losing his bottle caps than about almost losing his life. Made me so mad that mother and father entrusted him with Ursa's Rest over me. I mean I was not the one making stupid decisions over useless stuff."

Grizzly then took a long drag from her cigarette, blowing out a massive cloud from her muzzle. "What a retard I was."

"Ya, I get that. I wanted adventure and romance, thought that it was safe now to go out into the wasteland. Thought my Ma and Pa were being paranoid." I tapped on my eyepatch. "Well at least I'm not dead, so they were wrong about that at least."

"So, will you be sticking around once you recover, or be finally going home?" Grizzly then asked me.

It had been awhile since I gave it some serious thought, but I knew the answer already. "I'll stick around for a bit, but I need to check on them. I know Doctor Helga said to rest and such, but I rather go before I start to show. Anyways, my brothers must be driving Ma up the walls without me there to help. And Pa, I'm half shocked that he hasn't shown up out of the blue yet. I also miss my baby sis."

"Good, because I need somepony to do a speech before those heading to Fillydelphia set out in a few days. After that I can get you some transportation, make it real easy for you." Grizzly offered.

I raised an eyebrow at that. "You sure you want me… to do a speech?"

Grizzly shrugged. "Nothing big, just the local hero encouraging everypony to stay strong. Trust me, it will be easy."

"Easy you say, then why not you do it?" I asked.

"Because I'm the ex-slave lord, sending troops to Fillydelphia. Even if we're helping Gwadina, it doesn't look good." She explained.

I took a deep breath, wishing I was drunk so that this would make more sense to me. "Fine, but you're going to owe me for it, okay!"

She then took her glass, and shot the liquor down her throat like it was nothing. "It's a deal. Now let's enjoy the view."

Looking over, I was sure even more ponies were having sex below. "Really now?"

Grizzly let out a sharp whistle and pointed to one building not far away. "Look at that mare go, she should work for me if she's willing to go that deep."

Following her hoof, I saw a petite pegasus with two stallions, all three going verry hot and heavy. A familiar pegasus actually. "I… think that's Chain Lightning!?"

"You know her, then introduce me to her?" Grizzly asked as her face started to turn red.

I shrugged, giving up on this situation. "I'll talk with her, but trust me, she's got better things to do."

Letting myself relax, I decided to enjoy the happy, if a bit voyeuristic show.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Eighty Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Eighty Five

_______________________________________________________

Sleep proved harder to get now that everything was over, and all that was left was… was… was the unknown. My mind racing with possibilities, both good and bad. I did want to go home, but would they want me back, or even accept these children within me. Would my friends stay my friends, or were there still enemies out there I didn't know about.

My mind wouldn't shut up until the daylight came, and only then did sleep come. It was a surprisingly pleasant sleep, all things considered. No nightmares, or anything reminding me of what I've been through. I did remember anything about it, but somehow I knew there were three fillies snuggling me.

I didn't wake until midday, which nopony cared, as they wanted me to rest anyway. So I rested, ate food, and spent some time with both Doctor Helga and Mint. Just to make sure I was actually healthy, physically and mentally.

Cold Trails was also my escort again, though this time it was more for the company then to keep myself from trotting off and whoring myself. Even now I remember some of my actions and feel shameful for it. But that was all in the past now, and I can work on a new better me. I do know that Cold appreciates that I'm in better control over myself, as we were able to have a normal conversation while on a normal date. Though it was a bit awkward when we met up with Chain Lightning, the image of her getting spitroasted was still fresh in my mind.

I actually spent much of the day checking up on my friends, since there was nothing better to do. For most of them it was what I expected, with Spell, Margaret, Pecan, and Benday looking after the foals. Low and High Pressure helping Grizzly with logistics and pony resources. The ghouls were still treating ponies in medicine, and looking after a ready to burst Dust and Smoke, as a worried Cauterize was kept outside.

Majestic was still recovering, but already ponies had gathered around her. Being alicorns, ghouls and waste ponies. All planning on leaving for one of the nopony zones bathed in radiation. Surprisingly enough, the cult of unity was with her, and from what Majestic explained to me, they were slowly turning into artificial alicorns already, so Majestic wanted to help guide their transformation over the next few years. It was a bit odd to me, but I wasn't going to complain about ponies wanting to live in a safe place far from all this chaos.

And so the day went on, and as more of the militia returned from hunting down Slavers and Raider, the more light the atmosphere became. Peonies celebrating a job well done and looking to do more good work in the near future. We were all fighting the good fight, doing what we could to make Equestria safer.

_______________________________________________________

"Okay, and just a twist… done!" Plasma adjusted a cable, which caused a fuzzy sound from a speaker to stop. "You're good to go."

"Are you sure, I don't feel like I'm good to go." I said nervously.

She rolled her eyes at me. "Come on, if I can put on a live performance full bear, you can do a speech."

I glared at my friend, and she glanced away. "I'm not some nympho exhibitionist, so forgive me if having to talk in front of all Ursa's Rest is a bit nerve racking to me."

Plasma then winked at me with a sly grin. "You know, I could always go out and help you on stage."

"No! Not ever!" I told her and sighed. "Last thing I need is half the stallions here getting a stiffy while I'm on stage."

She then gave me a light hug, "I know, I know. Anyways, I may still have issues, but I'm not that crazy." Plasma then took a step back. "So, do you still feel nervous?"

Thinking about it, I was a bit less jittery now. "Ya, I think I'm good. Not completely, but I'll be fine. And speaking of issues, how did your appointment with Mint go?"

A long sigh came from my friend. "Let's just say that I am indeed confirmed fucked in the head. She thinks that my month with the raider before getting cursed solidified my trauma into several fetishes, and now I'm officially a sex addicted nympho." Plasma then shrugged. "Well, it could be worse, since I'm not aggressive over it, and if I'm working I'm not horny. Though it's a shame she has to go, but Mint did assure me that I'll be fine so long as I keep writing in my journal, and take my medicine daily. In time I should partly recover, so long as I'm vigilant over myself"

She then smiled a little. "Though I did miss how good sex felt with the curse."

"And risk mutating any more than you already did?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Plasma shrugged. "I thought the little wings and horns those unfortunate mares got were a bit cute, and their large udders were sexy." She then lightly slapped my flank. "On that, why were you the only one to keep your tits?"

I rolled my eyes. "Fuck you, you know you that. Having to relearn to trot a second time is no damn fun. I also hate how I bite my tongue all the time too. I did it three times just practicing this speech."

"Ya ya, miss brahman tits, keep complaining, but don't go pretending that you haven't been enjoying them. I heard what you and Cold Trails got up to last night." Plasma mocked me.

I wanted to say she was wrong, but she was not. Weird as it was, my new tongue and tits were rather fun to use on Cold, and if I was still a showroom mare, I'd make a fuck tone of caps with them. Still they did make trotting and talking more difficult, but I could live with that.

Taking a deep breath, I trotted over to the edge of the stage and peaked out. It was like all of Ursa's Rest was here, and two more towns on top of that. Actually, that might be true, all things considered.

"You got this!" Plasma told me.

"Ya, I know. Just don't mess with nothing, please." I said back.

She just winked at me, which didn't fill me with full confidence.

Doing one last check on my clothes, everything was still fine, and my makeup was as good as it could be. It still felt a bit off going out in my custom dress and duster, as I wanted a more proper suit, but unfortunately most of the cloth Ursa's Rest had was used for the militia uniforms. But at least the duster would let me hide my revolvers, just in case somepony got stupid.

Taking a step out, cheers from the crowd of militia erupted. I wasn't sure how many of them actually knew who I was, but I did spot many familiar faces among the crowd. Some young and with bright eyes, others old and worn down. But the sun shined on them all.

"H… hello…." I nervously croaked out to the microphone, my voice amplified and echo. Clearing my throat, I made sure I spoke clearly for all to hear. "Hello every creature, I'm glad to see you all here. We have come a long way to get here, trotting a long road filled with hardship and compromises. Many of us have done things were not proud of, driven to dark places in which some never came back from. And for those others in that dark place, though we wish they were with us today, we can at least take solace in that their suffering is over."

"But through those hard times, and all the suffering we had endured, we come out stronger, and hopefully wiser. Iron sharpens iron as they say. So by looking into our past, we can plot our future. We can do what we can to make things better. Not just for us, or for those around us, but for those yet to come. That means the road ahead is even longer, and filled with chalanges. A road we might never see the end to, but it's one we can clear for those behind us. You all have taken many of the first steps to this goal, and may Celestia bless you for it, and may she bless you for what you all will do next."

The crowd cheered, though I wasn't sure if it resonated with anypony, or if it was just them humoring me. But none of it was a lie. So much suffering, yet they still fight the good fight.

Once the crowd settled down, I continued. "I don't claim to be a smart pony, as I'm clearly not all that clever. Actually I left my home thinking that Equestria was safe now, having only ever known about the world through the radio. The Light Bringer had cast down the villains, and driven the raiders into hiding. That's what I heard and believed. Oh how wrong I was. Naively, I would be taken advantage of several times, never seen as nothing more than a tool to be used, or a toy to be played with. I would lose my innocence and fall into despair, but in that dark place a pony would pull me out, and drag me back into the light. That simple act started the counter attack against our enemy, as I found myself a prostitute one day, and rescuing a filly from the hooves of raiders the next."

"My good friend was not a good pony, though she wanted to be. Much of what she had done in her past hunted her, but through her wish to be better, she helped just as many others. Through her I found myself once again able to stand on my own, seeing myself as more than what I had become, and far more than what others had made me into. But the wasteland is not a forgiving place, and its cruelty knows no bounds. For even the strongest of us can break. This friend of mine should be standing here with us, enjoying our victory, but like so many others, she chose to lift others up as she fell."

I let the moment linger, as did everypony in the crowd, it was the most quiet I had ever heard this town to be.

"But… Thanks to their sacrifices, we all can stand here today. And now we now carry on their hopes, their dreams, and their will to fight on our backs. So as you march towards Fillydelphia, march with pride. As through your willingness to fight, you help make Equestria a better place, slowly yet gradually."

And though not all of us can join you in this fight, we can still give it our all to support you. As fighting the good fight is not done through just guns, but through acts of kindness, and through the forging of friendship. And when the fighting is over, and all that's left is the long road home, I promise you that you will find that home. Even if it must be built brick by brick, it will be there. And in that home you will be able to start a new life, a happier life.

I spent a moment, taking a deep breath sucking in the air, and slowly exhaling. All the militia looked at me, as though entranced.

"So as you head on out, as you fight with all you can. Please… don't lose yourself. Remember why you fight, and where you want to return to. Fight not because you hate, or that it's all you know, but fight for what you love, and for what you may come to love. We're all in this together, and together we will achieve victory. From this day on, you all will become the hero's you wished would save Equestria. Those myths and legends of ponies who change this world, that is here, and that is now, and you are them! So march, and become legends!"

They all erupted into cheers as I took a step back from the podium, surprised by how well that went. I wasn't sure if I should give a bow or not, since I didn't think I'd even get this far. Deciding to just step off stage, I turned and began trotting.

But then I froze. Plasma way laying sprawled out on the floor as a crooked pony stood there watching me. The smell of rot and decay hit my nose as I looked into one ruby-like red eye. Then she smiled wide, a mouth full of broken yellow teeth.

I drew Whisky Shot as Bandsaw dashed forward, somehow faster with two back peg legs, moving like the shadows as she dogged my first shot, then my second, and with a back hoof, knocked my revolver out of my mouth.

Falling over I felt a barrel shove its way into my mouth, as a hoof stomped on my head. "Oh nice fucking speech there Lottery, almost heart warming with all the hopes and fucking cunt dreams ya carry. I wonder how they all will feel when ya fucking brain scatter all over? Wonder how many will lose their nerves and start to go raider?"

As Bandsaw talked, infected black ooze seeped from her burnt cracked skin, dripping near my face. She was a dead mare trotting, and she knew it, and she had me in her grasp.

"Oh yes, there's the look I enjoy. Hopeless and defeated." She cackled to herself, sounding like she had fluid in her lungs.

But I didn't give in, and glared at her, even smiled. "Duuu, ith!" I said through the gun in my mouth.

Rage filled her eye, as she scratched at her face with a broken hoof, cutting her already cut up face. "No no no! Show me fear, not that. Piss yourself in front of everypony, lose your will to fight! Become broken like me! Brake, why won't you fucking brake already!"

*BANG!*

Bandsaw's horn shattered, and she screamed as she fell back. The hold over me was gone, and I quickly spat the gun out of my mouth and got back up, drawing my bandit revolver, wasting no time finishing her off for good.

I stood there with a smoking barrel, half expecting Bandsaw to get back up, or for some other nonsense to happen. But as the putrid black blood seeped from the raiders corpses, and the already dim light from her eye faded to nothing, a sense of finality finally washed over me, and I holstered my revolver.

The sound of heavy, yet familiar hoofsteps then caught my ear. I turned to see a stallion in an old tattered duster, and on his head was a well kept wide brim hat decorated with playing cards. Resting on his back was an old Martini Breech rifle, dark smoke still drifting out of it.

"I'm half a mind to beat your flank right here for disobeying your Ma and I like that, but I see the wasteland did that for me." My pa said.

A tear ran down my eye as I stumbled, then dashed forward, jumping into his hooves. "Pa! I… I missed you so much."

He sighed, the smell of tobacco strong in his breath. "And I do too. Now we should get up on moving, best to end the show here."

I nodded as I let him go. "I got so much to tell you… and ahh… you're not going to like some of it."

"I reckon I ain't going to like most of it, so let's get some drinks first, on you since you're the big old important mare here." He said as we trotted off stage.

"Ya… that's fair, I'll just ask Grizzly to send over the good stuff. Oh, and I can't drink, not right now anyways."

My Pa didn't say anything for a long moment, a serious look on his face. "Truthfully, I'm not fucking surprised my stupid, stupid." He then sighed. "my stupid little filly."

I sighed. "Sorry… Pa."

He then gave me a hug, tighter than he ever had. "At least you're alive, so don't ever run off like that again, you got that."

I nodded, tears welling up again. "Yes Pa."

"Uhhh… oh who's that fine stallion?" Plasma said, rubbing her head as she got up.

I cracked a smile as I hugged him again. "He's my Pa!"

Even though I knew I was in for the beating of a lifetime, I felt that now everything was truly going to be okay. Yes, though things weren't going to be perfect, with all the evil banished, but things were at least better now. truly better than it was before.

And soon I'll be going home.

_______________________________________________________

The rhythmic marching of hoofsteps would leave Ursa's Rest, the Ursa's militia making their way to Fillydelphia to reinforce Gwadina's New Canterlot Republic. In their wake a calm peace would remain in the land around Ursa's Rest, a peace it had not known for over Two hundred years. No longer were their raiders blocking safe routes, demanding payment in exchange for ponies being left unmolested. And the slaver caravans dragging ponies to uncertain fate had all but become just a bitter memory. The once frightened ponies hiding from the cruel wasteland now stand in the sun, though still vigilant of the dangers in the wasteland, but now able to see a brighter future.

The influx of trained and well armed Talons leading a militia shift battle for Fillydelphia in Gwadina's favor. The remaining slavers and raiders now completely outnumbered and outgunned would fall one by one until a battle known as the final wave. Soon the city fell under NCR control, and a one invading force would become an occupying force, and Gwadina's leadership would transition from military to political.

Though Grizzly Deal's swift move to end slavery in Ursa's Rest would garner her great respect in the rapidly changing wasteland, it still left her with a massive debt. Ultimately, Tripwire's plan to bankrupt her would be complete two months after his death, forcing Grizzly to sell off her rights to Ursa's Rest. But seeing the writing on the wall, Grizzly would turn to Gwadina before payments were due, and all control stripped from her. Effectively making Ursa's rest an official territory of the N.C.R. and with other territories such as Junction town and Fillydelphia, the NCR would make its first steps into forging itself into a civilization.

The NCR quickly established a safe trade route through the lands around Ursa's rest, once again connecting Fillydelphia to Friendship City. With both patrols and infrastructure programs, Ursa's Rest would find itself becoming a major trade hub again, which would help fund the NCR's further expansion. During this time would the first flag depicting a two headed ursa be seen, with many rightfully suspecting the trade hubs influence behind the symbols.

Though in time the raiders would return, it would never be for long. As even in the places where NCR troops would not go, they would be driven out by bandits who now claim the land for themselves. And just like in ancient times before the wasteland, the bandits would become both villains and heroes, charming ponies as they rob them, but rarely ever hurting them. Because unlike raiders, bandits at least have standards, and they understand that more trade in the area means more money for them to make and take.

-

Ursa’s Den would remain as it always has, a place of great joy and great tragedy. Money would be won and lost, with ponies drinking their sorrows away. It would remain the main attraction for creatures to visit, ensuring that trade would flow past its doors and the many creatures have a place to unwind.

Though life had improved for many working there, not all could adapt fully to their freedom, and where some were able to move on with their lives, others chose to end it. With Pecan leaving to reclama her home, Sugar Honey would spend a short stint as that most populated mare of the Showroom, but would commit suicide only a few months after giving birth, unable to handle life outside of sexwork.

-

Seeing a time of great change upon them, the changelings of the Dukedoms of Chrysalis Moters would change with it. So needing new leadership, Duke Pharynx the Fifth would abdicate his crown to his sister. Where Sparkling Delight would later give birth to a healthy changeling nymph, whom would show signs that it would grow into a true changing queen. In order to further protect their hive by further solidify their alliance with pony kind, Duke Pharynx the Fifth would marry Grizzly Deal, and despite Grizzly's disinterest in stallions, she was more than just willing to take part in the union.

-

Though still stubborn in their ways, the local chapter of the Applejack Rangers would let themselves become absorbed into the NCR, seeing it better to help guide ponies as one of them, then as an outsider. But before they could move valuable and dangerous tech held inside their bunker, the bunker would be taken over by a large chapter of Steel rangers, and the tech removed before a counter attack could be launched. An event that would become more common as tension between the two ranger groups would only grow worse.

-

As the NCR's reach would grow, the Elysium Fields Memorial site would eventually fall under their protection, and become a base for the Followers of the Apocalypse. There, the Followers would repair the machinery, and begin printing and distributing the book inside the hidden library. At the same time, many of the survivor's of the town of Elysium would return, once again taking up their ancestors duty in protected the resting place of the fallen.

-

The Pear Valley Tribe's would return to their land after having defeated a long hated enemy, and recovering a lost daughter. But even with their best efforts, knowledge about the Glittering Matrix would become known, and many seeking revenge would come for the filly. None would find her and few would ever return. In time, and through great efforts from Velvet Remedy, the existence of Glittering Matrix would eventually become nothing more than just another rumor. A rumor of a genius young mare that looks exactly like Redeye, traveling with an aged stallion wielding a staff that has the skill of a yao guai at its top.

-

Dead Pass would once again become a hot spot for trouble, as it had always been, but now firmly under the control of a large group of Enclave Remnants. The pegasus guarding their small bit of land, building a tower there in which only pegasus can enter. This would bring them into conflict with the NCR, with the pass being the only train route through, and the pegasus unwilling to compromise.

-

Naysayer Manor would remain a burnt ruin, with many of its secrets buried under the rubble. But despite the danger, ponies would be drawn to the ruin, dark whispering calling to them, promising secrets. Many would not return, adding to the mindless undead that infested the mountain around it. But every now and then a pony would return, eyes filled with a dark madness, speaking of secrets revealed to them and books they must find.

-

Low Pressure

With his sister keeping an eye on him, Low Pressure's narcissism would be kept in check, making him only a little bit more tolerable. Strangely, though under supervision, Low would find himself enjoying fatherhood after the birth of his son. It helped that the colt was almost a carbon copy of his father, which concerned both aunt and mother alike.

-

Spell Circuit

Though offered a place in the Twilight Society, Spell would choose to stay in Ursa's rest with his daughters and nieces, where he would start a school. Finding teaching to be his true passion, deep down Spell found the pride he never had with his family, and with it a sense of purpose in which the Naysayer family had lost long ago. And though it took time, both Crowned and Flashed would come to love their father and forgive their mother.

In time, Spell would become known as a great scholar. One who would make sure that the lesions of the past were not forgotten, all so that it's mistakes would not again happen.

-

Plasma Cutter

Trauma is something nopony just recovers from, in which even the most vigilant can fail. Unfortunately Plasma's traumas would continue to hunt her for years, and bad habits once suppressed would surface. And though she’d find work as an engineer to distract herself, she would find work at the Red Light Showroom on and off, often sporting new scars along her fetlocks. After Sugar Honeys suicide, Plasma would become top mare of the Showroom, even quitting her engineering job, and even making several fetish porn vids.

Not letting her friend continue to let herself go, Lottery would eventually take Plasma under her direct supervision, where she would be kept busy at Pecans farm. With proper support and less distractions, Plasma would start to recover properly, and the worst of her habits kept under control. Though this didn’t stop Plasma’s sexual apatite, it did help her have a stable life in which she could look after what would become ten children in a safe environment.

-

Cauterize

After the birth of his foals, Cauterize would start working for Grizzly Deal as security, using his aggressive demeanor to keep the more rough elements in check. Though Dust and Smoke would continue to be their own problem for him, Cauterize would rarely complain as he showered his children with the love and affection he never had.

Despite his officially going legit, Cauterize's bandit connections would remain strong. And when the NCR would show up to purge the bandits, the bandits would always be conveniently where the NCR is not, along with Cauterize conveniently finding a box full of caps.

-

Mint, Aloe, Basil, and Coriander

After joining up with the Followers of the Apocalypse and sharing all they knew, the four ghoul would begin properly training a new generation of doctors and nurses. To their surprise, among those who joined the Followers was none other than a traumatized Ministry mare Fluttershy. Reunited with their former boss, they would help the former hero on her long road to recovery, using the skills they learned over the last 200 years.

Mint and Aloe would periodically return to the Ursa's Rest region to visit her friends, and make sure they were getting the treatment they needed, along with aiding in the child birthing process. Strangely, as they helped ponies recover from their trauma and bring in new life, their goulash features would slowly heal, but at the same time they would begin to age.

-

Benday

Free from unity and able to fully think for himself, the artificial alicorn would return to the stable that once was his home and find the grave of his mother. Confronted by Sand Castle the two alicorns would form a close relationship as Benday would continue to struggle his body, a sense of loss always following him as he never truly got to be the stallion he should have been. But with support of his friends and help from Mint, he would find a balance in his new life and with it happiness. Wanting to give back to the ponies that accepted them, both Benday and Sand Castle would build an orphanage within Ursa's Rest. There, the many lost foals, runaways, and crusaders would find a roof over their heads and warm food to eat, all under the protection of ponies who care.

-

Silver Bristle Brush

Though she would never reign her old memories that the Goddess had taken from her, Silver would find a new family among the other waste ponies who followed Majestic. Traveling deep into a vast and empty nopony zone. Through chard black forests and around a tainted lake, they would find a town of waste ponies. And though none knew of a Silver, or any of theirs stolen from them, they would take them in all the same.

Years later after the firing of the Gardens of Equestria, the vast nopony zone would be cleansed and the ponies living there would face a new hardship as raiders and scavengers rushed in to calm the thought empty land. Many waste ponies would be killed, seen as nothing more as feral mutants, or at least that’s what the scavengers told others. Their Silver would emerge and seek out her old friends in order to save her new family. It didn’t take long for the NCR to move in themselves to help protect the waste ponies, but also to clam the now opened lands for themselves.

-

Grizzly Deal

Everything Grizzly did to change her image and adapt to the changing world would come at a great cost, and she would lose much of what her family had built. But in the end it would prove worth it, as with her dealing with Gwadina Grimfeather, Grizzly would receive an official pardon for her dealing with Redeye, and the NCR would take over her debts she accord for ending slavery in the Ursa’s Rest reagan. And because of her experience in the cut throat politics of the wasteland, Grizzly Deal would be taken in as part of Gwadina council, in which she would help form the NCR into a viable government.

To no surprise to anypony in the know, Grizzly’s union with Pharynx the Fifth would result in her becoming pregnant again. Pharynx the Sixth would grow up to be a well respected politician, and though some suspected it was through the influence of his mother, he would become the mayor of Ursa’s Rest. Where he would stay as Mayor until his retirement, and was fondly loved by those who live there.

-

Wiretap

Growing up idolizing the heroes of the wasteland, Wiretap would emulate them as an adult. Upon reaching the age of 18, she would join the NCR, and find herself fast tracked into the Ranger program. There she would carve out her own legend, helping the NCR to expand their territory through the ruthless elimination or raider lords, slaver masters, and other threats to the ponies of the wasteland.

When Gwadina eventually stepped down as president of the NCR, many of the Rangers left with her, once being Talons themselves, and Wiretap would find herself promoted to Chief. Working closely with President Calamity, the Rangers would be reformed into a more independent force, acting more like heroes then as a propaganda strike force. There Wiretap would remain as Chief for many years, still expanding the NCR territory, but through acts of kindness and heroism then that of blood and battle.

-

Hans

Helping to form the NCR Rangers, Hans would spend many years fighting as part of a special ops strike force. But one day he would loose and claw and a wing, permanently grounding him when they could not get him to the medics in time. Though it was a token gesture, he would accept his promotion to Chief of the NCR Rangers, where his experience would prove valuable in leading the Rangers thought President Gwadinas administration.

After his retirement from the rangers he would return to Hogen Highborn, and help the old griffin train a new generation of Talons. In time, he would take over Hogan's place, becoming a true Talon veteran, and well respected by those who work in a job where most die young.

-

Pecan Harvester

Though she did enjoy being Ursa’s Den top mare, Pecan enjoyed working in the dirt far more, so she was more than willing to return to her family farm with her son and leave the life of a showroom mare behind her. But life would not be easy for Pecan, as the feud between her siblings would only grow worse as time marched on, and they would form rival companies in which a private war would spark. Focusing on pony management over actual farming, Pecans Eldest sister would farm the Golden Harvest Farmers Union. Pecan herself would be more concerned with independent farmers, forming the Homesteaders Alliance in which they would receive the aid and protection needed. Though the NCR would attempt to keep the fighting from going hot, the two sides of the family would remain bitter enemies for generations.

But not all things would remain a problem for Pecan, as Lottery and Cold would join her, and became a symbol in which she needed to draw others to their new company. With their help, Pecan would be able to find time to relax, and even grow close to Cold, who she did like. In time Pecan would become pregnant with Cold's child and the two would get married. Lottery herself would embrace the union, having grown distant from Cold over the years and wanting her friends to be happy. Though Pecan offered Lottery to join them in a their relationship, but she would turn it down, becoming more focused on work than love.

-

Majestic

After helping the Ghouls and Waste Ponies find a new home, Majestic and the other alicorns, along with the cult of Unity, would vanish from the wasteland. Many would hunt for the Overseer of the Goddess, some seeking vengeance, others for her vast knowledge taken from Twilight Sparkle, and a fair few seeking to become alicorns themselves. But none would find her, or find those who vanished with her.

In time she would become but a legend, an old tale few could remember if it was true or not. But there are times when a trope of old artificial alicorns would wander into a town. There they would put on a performance, igniting the sense of aw of magic into the young, a sense of mystery in which drives the curious to seek out answers. Then they would vanish as mysteriously as they arrived, non knowing where they came from, or where they left too.

-

Cold Trails

A sense of guilt would forever hang over Cold’s head, but he would not let it dominant his life. Instead he would push forwarded to further fix the mistakes of the Grand Pegasus Enclave. After helping Grizzly form a second militia, he would take Pecan on her offer, and help her on her farm, planting many of the cloud crops he had recovered. Soon after, Lottery would join them, bring seeds and crops from her own home to plant in the fields. As Cold suspected, the cloud crops would become more flavorful and have texter when grown from soil, though they would remain lighter, and fluffier than normal crops/

The relationship between Cold and Lottery would struggle, both having to deal with their PTSD, often breaking up and getting back together again several times. Despite trying to stay loyal to Lottery, Cold would find himself growing closer to Pecan. After some time, it would become clear that Both Lottery and himself were not a good match, and would officially break up for good. Afterwards Pecan's pregnancy would become known, and Cold would take responsibility and marry Pecan, where they would have several more children in a long and happy life.

-

Lottery

The wasteland was not kind to Lottery, leaving her scared both outside and in. But life is what you make it, and she would stubbornly force herself to make it a good life. Though her parents were considerably crossed with her, they were more overjoyed to see her again then anything, openly sharing their warmth with her and accepting her back. There she would convince her family to rejoin the wasteland, even share their skills at farming, and as Lottery’s pregnancy began to show her mother was there to help her through it. Even at Pecans farm did her family help make things a success, both with growing crops, and with fighting.

When it was time, Lottery would give birth to three fillies. A blue pegasus she named Will-o-wisp, a white Unicorn she named Rime Frost, and a very pretty earth pony that looked just like her, which she named Sparking Passion. All three fillies would be shower with love, but at the same time make sure they knew right from wrong, along with the dangers of the wasteland. And with help of her friends and family, they would be kept safe and raised well.

Unfortunately not all things would work out, and as Mint predicted, Lottery’s trauma would eventually resurface, plaguing her with depression and episodes of PTSD, along with frequent night terrors. And though Cold Trails attempted to help her, his own issues would push the two apart, and prevent their relationship from growing. But with help from Mint, over time Lottery would recover, if slowly, she would be able to fight against her demons and become stronger.

As the Homesteaders Alliance grew, and Lottery would become busier, she would once more cross paths with Horus. Seeking to help arm the many homesteaders within their corporation, she would turn to the Gunrunners for help, in which Horus was their representative. Though their meeting was brief, their passion burned bright, and a few months later Lottery would find herself pregnant again. Seeking out Horus, the griffon would first be shocked, but then accepted the situation. Despite Lottery’s problems, Horus would become the rock she needed in which her demons would be smashed upon.

-

And so as one bloody chapter in Equestria's history ends, another begins, but one filled with hope. Where the many creatures of Equestria could finally come together and find common ground. Where the wasteland that once dominated the lives of many would slowly lose its grip, and the beautiful land it once was would slowly begin to return. A time of hopes and dreams could be seen just beyond the horizon, but until that day comes, strife would continue to dominate the lives of ponies, drawing them into conflict big and small, in which they must fight to survive so to see that day come. For war never changes.

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, End.

Chapter One

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander’s Tale, Chapter One.

_______________________________________________________

A dry breeze brushed over the land, sending up a blanket of dust that slowly raced along the ground, swirling when it hit the crumbling old walls of the long dead town. Nestled in between a dead bush and that old crumbling wall was a rusty spring trap cage, and inside laid a carrot. A creature crawled out from a nearby hole in the ground that served as its hiding spot, sniffing the air as it detected the food. It had patchy black and gray fur that exposed its rough boiled covered skin, and one of its eyes was bigger than the other.

I held my breath as I watched the mangy raider of an animal slowly flop its body to the cage, stopping to look around. Unfortunately for it, I had dragged an old dumpster over here to give myself a hiding place it would never expect. Keeping a low profile, I managed to not be seen by the critter as it returned its attention to the carrot.

Rolling along the ground, it stopped in front of the cage and then stood up on its two hind legs to look around. Feeling sure it was safe, the little raider reached in to grab the carrot while doing it’s best to not go in the cage, only to find that the shriveled up root vegetable was too far in for it’s little claws to just grab and run. Seeing that there was no other way to get it, and that the area was seemingly safe, the little fuzzy raider became committed to the act of theft and crawled into the cage.

*Clunk*

The cage door slammed shut on the beast, and it gave a loud squealing scream that was music to my ears.

“Lottery, you finally caught that little fucker!” I said to myself as I got out of the dumpster.

Trotting over to the trap, the mutant raccoon hissed and growled at me as it ate my lunch. I was sad to let the carrot go, but the fucker had been harassing my family for weeks now, and it had to be stopped. Biting onto the handle of the cage, the raccoon continued to thrash about as I carried it back home. It’s screams echoing into the dry and empty wasteland, so far from anypony that none would ever hear it.

It took an hour of trotting, but I managed to make it home, dropping the now exhausted raccoon in front of the gate. It was not a big place, but Ma and Pa had spent years making it into a home. They had found a small bunker in the middle of a small valley, so far from anything that no raider or slaver would ever come out this far. Old world motor wagons were used to help make up the walls that blocked both sides of the valley to protect the bunkers entrance, along with wire fencing and other sturdy stuff that could keep out most large creatures. We would add to it every now and then whenever we go out salvaging.

Salvaging has been a rare occasion lately, as Pa would scout an area first, and only take me out if nopony was in the area. Other than the nearby ruins, I have never been far from Home without Pa with me.

Taking a deep breath, I unlocked the gate and pushed on it with my hooves, slowly opening the thing, making a loud creek. It was a pain in the neck to open or close, but Pa always said that if it was easy for us to do, it would be easy for bad ponies to do too.

Trotting through with the raccoon, the dry browns and grays of the land were replaced by the greens of plant life. This little patch of paradise was carefully crafted by my parents, using only good old-fashioned earth pony hard work.

I was then met by my little brothers, whose eyes lit up with the sight of the critter.

“Ya caught the raider, sis!” Raffle exclaimed.

“You're like a hero!” Venture said giddily.

They both had dusty light green coats speckled with golden brown freckles just like myself and the rest of our family, but Raffle had a light brown mane, and Venture a rust red mane. I myself had a more carrot orange main, and unlike them, I had grown mine out, where they both had theirs cut short.

Passing Raffle the caged raccoon, as he was less likely to start shaking the damn thing. Now with my mouth free, I then told them, “Go put this bastard someplace where it can't get out, Pa will know what to do with it later.”

The two quickly sped off, likely to dutifully torment the thing. Not that I'd blame them.

Looking around, I saw Ma working in the field, waving me over. In a basket next to her was my baby sis, still too young to be moving about on her own. So trotting over, being careful to not step on the carrot and potato plants we grew here, and gave my Ma a hug.

She accepted the hug, but I knew I could feel her frowning. “Why did you go out alone again? We told you so many times how dangerous it is out there.”

Gently breaking off the hug, I looked away, avoiding eye contact. Looking in the distance at Pa’s long-cared for project of growing some lime trees. The four trees had been planted here from seeds, and had been fiercely protected. They only have been producing the fruit for the last few years now, which has been a nice treat. Not far from it was the chicken coop, of which has been a lot quieter due to the racoon having killed half of the birds. Now that the little raider has been captured, we can finally let them out to properly graze.

“Lottery! Look at me.” Ma demanded as she forcefully turned my head to her. She was a good-looking mare for her age, with an orange mane much like my own, but under her well maintained fur I could see several scars along her body. “The wasteland will not play fair. As soon as you let your guard down, it will fuck you! So why did you go out there without telling us?”

I held back a groan, not wanting Ma to start beating me with her brush. “Because Pa takes forever to get going. By the time he is ready to go, the raccoon will already have killed another chicken. Without the chicken eggs, how are we supposed to make fertilizer for the crops!”

My Ma sighed. “I know, I know. But there's a reason for that. You've never seen real raiders, or slavers. You have not had to hide as a Yougui eats your neighbor, or have to run away from feral ghouls. It may be safe out here, but you don’t have to go far for trouble to find you.”

Ma and Pa were always like this, never wanting me to venture out far, and never alone. “Ma, I’m already nineteen years old, an adult. I know all about surviving out there, and can be as quiet as a mouse. I’ve also gotten a hold on making those traps, like the one I used to capture that raccoon. I’ll be fine if I go a little out there, I mean, we're literally in the middle of nowhere.”

She looked me in the eyes, her gaze was warm, but filled with irritation and worry. “Lottery, that kind of thinking is what’s going to get you in trouble, or worse, killed. I mean, the raiders alone will-”

I cut her off and explained, “The raiders are dead Ma, haven't you heard the radio, the Lightbringer got 'em, along with the slavers. She even gave us back the sky, I mean have you ever seen this place so green before she did that? The wasteland is a lot safer now, so why can’t I go further out?”

“There will always be more raiders.” the voice of my Pa spoke up as he trotted out from our bunker. He was a lean stallion with a dark brown mane and hard golden yellow eyes, the same color as my own eyes. Just like Ma, he had scars along his body, though they were deeper and more prominent than Ma’s. “Anyway, that DJ lives in Tenpony Tower, like fuck is he going to know how any of us live, or the dangers we deal with out there every day.” Pa finished by spitting on the ground.

I did my best to not roll my eyes at him, but couldn't help but say. “You never go that far out there, Pa, you can’t know how things could have changed. There are good ponies out there fighting the good fight, making things better.”

Pa then sighed. “There have always been good ponies out there, fighting the good fight as the DJ says. But there are also bad ponies waiting for some idiot they can use or rob. I've seen good ponies be tricked by the bad time and time again, and if they didn't end up dead, the bad ponies currently made sure they were left broken. Just because things might be better doesn't mean that things are good or even safe now.” He then bent down and pulled a carrot from our garden, tossing it in a nearby basket. “We're safe here, and have a stable food supply, something most ponies have neither of out there, so you should feel blessed and not want to venture out there. Now help your Ma with this harvest like ya promised to do yesterday. She has enough troubles keeping an eye on your brothers.”

“Fine!” I told my Pa before grabbing a basket, placing it by a patch of ripped carrot stocks.

Ma waited for Pa to trot off to where my brothers were before telling me. “He worries because he knows how dangerous it can be out there. We just don’t want you to go through the same pain we had to, that's all.”

“I know, you both told me about it like a hundred and one times now” I said before pulling out a carrot and dropping it in the basket. “But what harm can it be to go out for even a little. I can’t just stay here my whole life and pretend like this is all there is. I want to go on an adventure, do some good, maybe even find a stallion of my own.”

There was a pause as a look of resignation crossed Ma’s face, she's taking the moment to pull out another carrot. “I… I understand Lottery, and maybe it is time we start reconnecting with the rest of Equestria. But you have to understand, it’s not just dangerous to you if you go out there, but to everypony here. What we have here... I’m not exaggerating when I say that ponies would kill for it, and have. I've seen it first hoof… and have done things that we've regretted. So please just give us some time, that’s all we ask.”

This time I sighed. “You said that last year, and the year before that. By the time you're ready, I’ll be an old mare myself… I… I’m sorry.”

Ma smiled. “No, no, you're right, Lottery, we can’t keep you here forever. But we also don’t want to let you go, not alone into the wasteland. You're… just too innocent to how dangerous it is, and I don't mean just the raiders and slavers. But with how you are, even the average wastelander can take advantage of you. With all we have tried in teaching you how to read and..." she paused as I tried to suppress a glare, a look of guilt forming on her face. "Here, just let me talk with Pa about it, I mean, you did catch that dastardly raccoon. I'm sure we can work something out.”

I didn't have confidence that much would change, but I at least trusted Ma. Though she was less than happy whenever my brothers and I got out of line, she did listen to us when we wanted to do something new. So I nodded and helped harvest the rest of the carrots.

The day rolled on and the hot sun began to set, bathing the sky in an orange and red haze. Checking on the chickens, I noticed they were setting down for the night. Silk, one of our only birds with a mostly intact plumage, had become the boss hen after the raccoon killed Magg. Not far was our rooster, Jonny, who had several scars from fighting that same raccoon, having almost died from his injuries.

Because of that raccoon, we had stopped harvesting the eggs, letting the hens care for them. It was annoying not being able to have eggs for breakfast, but the chicken came first.

Checking the coop itself, everything looked in place. Well, as in place as a scrap built chicken coop could be. Pa and I had reinforced it with some of the scrap we had in storage, including some spikes to help ward off any other critters that wanted to break in. Testing one spot, I found a loose board that could become a problem later, and moved some scrap to help keep it in place. One day, maybe, we will get what was called a chicken fence, and then have a proper chicken coop.

Next I checked on the gates, making sure the barricades were properly in place, and our warning system was not slacked. All it was, was several lines of rope with strings of cans hanging off them. If anypony tried to climb over, they would make such a racket that even Nightmare Moon would wake up.

Unless they were a raccoon.

I didn't get why we needed all this, as nopony ever came out this far. Though we did see the odd beast, they never got as far as scratching at the wall before moving on. One time I did spot a Yougui in the distance, but the mutant bear never came close.

With the last of my chores done, I trotted back inside our home. The bunker wasn't that big, if what Pa said about other places like this was true. It is just a room with two other rooms further in, one on each side. Ma and Pa told us that it was once a Ministry of Moral bunker or something, made to spy on the ruined town an hour away. Once, it had a bunch of tech that they traded off to buy seeds and other more useful stuff. Now it was home, with one room we used to store all the food we grow, the other was Ma and Pa's bedroom. The main room was for everything else.

Closing the door, I turned the bar lock, ensuring that nopony could get in, even with a bomb. There, everypony was at the dinner table, each with a plate of carrots and potatoes. It was all we ever ate, but I was still grateful.

"All good Lottery?" My Pa asked.

I nodded. "Chickens are safe, gates are locked, and the can traps are tight."

He nodded back at me and then motioned for me to join them.

Sitting at the table, we held our hooves together, closed our eyes and said a prayer. "Oh, we thank Celestia for this bounty for which we shall eat, remembering the times of plenty she had once given to our ancestors. Oh, we thank Luna for protecting our ancestors though a time of strife, for which we live as proof of her diligence. And we thank our ancestors, who struggled through these troubling times, sacrificing their bodies for those who follow."

We remain silent for several seconds to quietly honor the dead, and to give our own quiet prayer. I prayed to see the world and not be trapped here.

After that, we dug in. The one carrot and single potato was not much, but they still tasted good for being fresh from the ground. My mind still wondered what kind of foods could be out there, what I could be missing by staying here.

I wanted to wear a dress like in the old world magazine and have a fancy dinner with a handsome stallion. Or uncover some lost tech with a dashing adventure, keeping it out of the hooves of a vile villain just like Daring Do. Maybe be like the Lightbringer from the radio, and slay a villain that threatened all of Equestria.

My Pa cleared his throat, getting my attention. "Lottery, elbows off the table."

I quickly straighten myself out and finished my dinner.

"Lottery…." My Pa said slowly, which didn't bold well for anything. "Your Ma and I have been talking about you going out into the wasteland."

My ears perked up.

"And we agree that maybe it's soon time we let you have some more freedom." He said with care.

"So, you're going to let me head out, go scavenge some ruins, or help some village nearby?" I asked excitedly.

My Ma and Pa looked at each other with an unsure look on their faces before looking back at me, my Ma telling me. "Well, not exactly."

Hearing that caused my ears to droop.

Pa then continued. "I know of a place where honest ponies gather, if Redeye is really gone, I'm sure ponies I know will return there. So I'll go and see them, possibly see if there's anything worth trading and what new faces might be there. If it's all good, you can come back there with me, see if there's a nice stallion we can bring back."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's it? You want me to go out once, just to bring home the first decent stallion who wants to come back with us?"

Ma reached out and placed a hoof on my shoulder. "Honey, we know you have been lonely, but because of the Redeye situation it was too dangerous to go out and find a stallion for you. Most mares your age would have a foal or two, and happily settled down."

I huffed at her as I gently pushed her hoof off me. "I don't want to settle down and have a bunch of foals, I want to go explore Equestria, to see the world. Have an adventure!"

"Stop this nonsense, Lottery!" Pa said sternly.

I glared at him with annoyance. "It's not nonsense, Pa! I want to go out there, help ponies like the Lightbringer did, you know, be a hero."

"If you go out there, you will die!" Pa said coldly.

His voice caused me to shrink back, and I was unable to talk back.

He took a deep breath. Exhaling slowly as he calmed down. "Lottery, trust your Ma and Pa, the wasteland eats up ponies like you. We both saw it plenty of times, and to ponies we cared about. We even did bad things just to survive, and made terrible enemies. So this conversation is over. After I return, and it's safe, I'll take you out there. You will stay here until then, and you will stay close to me when we head out. This is final!"

I nodded, knowing that there would be no use arguing with him.

"Good!" Pa said sternly before his eyes softened. "You have to trust us, there are only bad things out there. We do this for your own good because we love you."

I simply looked away, not wanting to acknowledge his words. If they really loved me, they set me free.

Everpony continued their meal in silence before leaving to do their own little project. Ma was nursing my baby sis as she whittled a toy from a plank of wood we recovered long ago. Pa was helping my brothers make a knife from scrap metal, it being a slow process of grinding it on a rock. I didn't want to do anything, so I trotted over to the vanity before I settled down.

The vanity was one of the few nice things Ma and Pa recovered from the ruined town nearby. It clearly saw better days, but miraculously the mirror was still intact, only having three cracks along one side. Inside the drawers were combos and bruises Ma had made over the years, the few things available to us to help keep ourselves clean. We also keep several old magazines in one drawer my mother collected, my only peek at the outside world, even if it's over two hundred years old.

Untying the red scarfs that used to keep my mane and tail from going all over the place, and carefully putting them to the side. I then removed my last scarf around my neck, putting it with the others. The thing for blocking the dust whenever it kicked up. It was all I really had that was close to a sense of fashion, a splash of color within all this dullness.

Pulling out an old fashion magazine and a brush, I flipped to a page showing several mares with long stylish manes. The pages were faded and a bit torn, but their beauty still showed through. The mares were famous ponies from long ago, I only knew their names from when Ma read the articles to me. The photos were for something called a movie, with a mare in charge called Rarity, having photos taken with an actor called Lilac Lace. They both were stylish beyond belief.

I spent some time trying to imitate the mane styles I saw in the magazine. But, as always, I never could quite get anything to stick. But for just a brief moment, I could imagine myself being one of those mares.

It was something I wanted, even though it would never happen. But I could at least take care of my looks, no matter how plain I was. If a dashing stallion did come along, I at least wanted to look good when he did.

After I finished grooming my main and tail, along with brushing some dirt out of my coat, I left to curl up on our bed and turned on the radio, keeping the volume low to not bother my family.

A song from Sweetie Bell was coming to a close, fading before the smooth deep voice of DJ Pon3 spoke up.

"Hello my fellow Wastelanders, this is your ever vigilant DJ Pon3, bringing you the honest news, no matter how much it hurts. It's been over a month since the Day of Sunshine and Rainbows, and by Celestia does the sun feel good. But the old saying about too much of a good thing even applies here. That's right, this is a public health announcement, going out to all you Wastelanders. Turns out there's a thing called heatstroke, which happens when you get too much sun and not enough water. I know right, before there was just too much water, it rained every day, but now we're not getting enough! Well my little Wastelanders, if you're planning to go out into that bad wasteland, make sure to pack plenty of water, drink it when you feel hot, and refill when you can. Also make sure the water is clean by boiling it first, there's more than just radiation out there to worry about."

I took that advice to memory. Pack plenty of clean water, and boil any new water before rebottling. I already knew most of this from what Pa taught me, but this heat stroke was new to me.

"Now for the news, and it is good news at that." The DJ continued. "The siege on Fillydelphia being led by Gawdia Grimfeathers has made a break in the lines as more ponies rally to the banner of the New Canterlot Republic. Though the slavers show no signs of surrendering any time soon, the loss of ground has allowed the rescue of more slaves and the capture of a vital industrial zone. Already, members of the Followers of the Apocalypse are tending to the recently freed ponies, ensuring they will make a quick recovery from their time in bondage. Furthermore, reports on Redeye holdouts outside the Fillydelphia area being struck by vigilante militias are coming in almost daily, further dismantling the slave trade routs across Equestria.”

It filled me with joy to know so many ponies were working together to end such a horrible practice, and frustrated me to no end that I could not go out and join them.

A quiet horn-like instrument played in the background as the DJ changed his tune. “Now I know that you dear listeners are likely wondering: “How can I help?” Well, there are many ways. For one, you can join the NCR or the Followers, recruiters can be found all over, but mainly in Friendship City, Junction Town, New Appaloosa, and outside Fillydelphia. If joining up is not your thing, simply helping your fellow pony in need is more than enough. What is most important is that you do the best to make Equestria a better place by fighting the good fight, so never lose hope, because... I believe in you.”

It was simple, but made me want to go out there even more. I may not be much of a fighter, but I was sure I could do some good out there, all I needed to do was try.

“One last thing before I go good listeners, my dear friend the Stable Dweller, or the Lightbringer as some of you out there have started calling her, she is doing her best to make sure we can all move forward. She could have struck the pegasi down with storms unending, but she chose not to, because they, like every creature in Equestria, deserve a chance. Not every pegasi was a part of the Enclave, and not every member of the Enclave knew what they were doing, so I ask you all, my little wastelanders, please put your hatred aside and give them a chance. We're all at our best when we work together, and we get there by having love and tolerance in our hearts. So even if you can’t forgive what the Enclave did, I ask you to at least give them a chance.”

I nodded vigorously at that. No group of ponies should be hated for the action of a few.

The music on the radio shifted to something with more of a beat to it, getting a bit louder as the DJ talked. “Now, with that all said, I think it’s time for some music. This is a classic party mix recovered by the Stable Dweller herself, so any of you who like to let loose and dance, this is for you.”

I turned down the radio more, the music was too fast and hard for me to simply enjoy. Rolling over, I just layed in the large bed, making sure to take the good spot before my brothers finished making their new knives and jumped over to sleep. My mind filled with the things I could do out in the wasteland, how I could help make things better.

But more importantly, I quietly plotted how I was getting out of here without Pa chasing after me.

_______________________________________________________

A few days had passed and life went on as usual; helping Ma with the crops, keeping an eye on the chickens, and watching from our walls for any other critters that might be a problem.

It was all so boring.

But today was different, as Pa had packed up more than he ever had before. With large and stuffed saddlebags, with the caged raccoon hanging off the side.

He wore a very old duster that covered equally as old leather armor, which held sheaths for several knives and holsters for revolvers which had no ammunition. Though he was still Pa, he now looked very dangerous, like some pony who let his actions speak for him. In contrast to his duster, was a black and red checkered scarf, and a stylish wide brim hat that had four playing cards attached to it, all aces. It gave him a charismatic look, the look ruined by him being the gruff looking Pa we know.

He also took the only gun we had, his Martini-Breech rifle. A single shot black powder rifle that Pa said was older than the Great War that made this wasteland itself. Pa had shown me how it worked, inside and out, even how to make new bullets for it. It was the gun Pa taught me how to shoot. So even if it was ancient, I knew it would never fail Pa, ever.

"Remember, if you see any pony that's not me, lock everything up. Don't go fighting a pony that could be a killer." Pa told my brothers before eying me. "And you Lottery, stay close to home."

I gave a long huff as I said. "Yes Pa." And he just shook his head before giving Ma a hug and trotting off.

Pa had said it would take him several days to get where other ponies were, and several more days to find the gathering spot his friend might be. I guess that gave me two weeks or more before he got back. It was more than enough time for me to get ready myself

Ma had been vigilant for the last few days, but the more she kept her eyes on me, the less she watched my brothers. Lately, Raffle and Venture had found some new stupid game to play, and it was ramping up to usual stupidity. Which meant that Ma would soon have to divide her attention to maintain order without Pa to step in.

Trotting over to our little well, I poured myself a bit of water into our bucket to drink. Now that I thought about it, with the clouds gone it had gotten hotter, not to say it never gotten hot before, but it was always a damp heat, and this was a dry heat. Between that and what DJ Pon3 had told everypony, making sure I had enough water made sense in a way.

This is why I had been quietly filling and hiding old world bottles with water. The old ruins of the town were full of them, so finding them and finding a hiding spot for them was easy. It was something I had started doing for a month now, because of the sun making me more thirsty when I did go out.

I actually had everything ready for well over a week now, but I knew Pa would find me if I left before he had. Now I just needed to wait for the best time.

_______________________________________________________

As the day rolled on, the night fell, and morning was creeping in, I had woken up early, as I had been doing for days now. It was all part of my plan, and that I didn't want to bother Ma by skipping out on my morning chores. So while everypony slept, I checked the walls, traps, and chickens. I even filled a few watering cans for Ma, since she already had enough trouble dealing with my little brothers and sister.

Once it was all done, I carefully left through the gate, making sure it closed completely before trotting away.

After an hour, I had made my way to the ruins, the old town had only a few roads crossing through it and only collapsed and rotting houses as landmarks. Pa didn't want to rebuild here, as he said it was a cursed place. Also, because there were a lot of radroaches and other big bugs around here. But it didn't stop him from scavenging everything he could from this place years ago.

Now the place was my personal wasteland practice ground, though my brothers come here occasionally, it was mostly mine. From hunting some bugs as combat practice, to putting my survival knowledge to work, it had been perfect to prepare me for what was going to be out there.

Ma and Pa hated that I came out here, and I had gotten a few beatings for it when I was younger. Now they just lecture me whenever I come back.

Trotting around a little clearing behind one of the ruined houses, I found my private garden. It was one of a few I had planted around here, and the most successful, though pathetic compared to what was grown back home. There were just a few scrawny potatoes and carrots, enough to live off of for a while if I needed to.

Not far was a hiding hole that I covered with some rubble and other trash. Inside I kept an old box, which contained my water bottle and other supplies I had slowly collected, patched up, and modified over the years.

It wasn't much, but I was proud of it. Inside was a dry grass hat and blue tarp cloak I made, and a saddlebag I fixed up with what cloth I could find. But the crown jewels of my collection were my weapons. One tire iron that I attached a slab of scrap metal to and sharpened into an axe. The other was a flare gun I had found, and reinforced into a proper gun. Its ammo was some simple black powder charges I put in the dead shells, and used rocks as bullets. Not all that accurate at any range, but works well enough on radroaches.

Trotting to another hidden hole, where a metal box was kept, it had a cross with several butterflies on it. In it, I was keeping numerous bandages, the materials for making more bullets, and a map I copied long ago. The map was crude, only showing the roads and the landmarks that the original mad had on it. Everything else I had left out, mostly because it was all words, of which I couldn't read. Not that I needed to read, the symbols Pa drew were good enough.

Looking at the map, I first positioned it on the ground so that it was pointing north, easy enough. Then plotting my course, and making sure it was not the same direction as Pa, the plan was coming together.

If I head east by northeast, towards Fillydelphia, I should be able to avoid some big dangers marked on the map. South was the sign of radiation, and north was some sort of monster with big claws. But east had the symbol of a collar and chain, which had to mean slavers. But with Redeye gone, that was not going to be a problem, though it was a bit odd it was just east, and not pointed where Fillydelphia was.

Satisfied with my direction, I threw on my patchwork saddlebags, and loaded one side with food and water, then everything else on the other side. To complete my wasteland look, I put on my hat to help block the sun, then stretched my legs.

"Lookout wasteland, here I come!" I shouted as I trotted into the sunrises, the start of my adventure.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Three

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Three

_______________________________________________________

Bitterness filled my mouth as I chewed on the tough root of a shrubbery. The kind that grew out of the cracks on the road. It was a literal bitter reminder of how much of an idiot I had been. Daral had to have been a scavenger, it would explain everything. And here I just believed everything he said like a fool, a damned fool.

I could only hope not everything he said was a lie, as I rather not go home pregnant only after less then a week in the wasteland. Ma and Pa would never let me live that down.

The feeling of being used only added to my sense of shame and regret, the memories of my short time with Daral still fresh in my mind. It only made worse by the fact that some of what he left behind was still stuck to me until I could find more than dry rags to clean myself with.

The more I had thought about it, the less I was certain about my own sanity. I was pissed about losing my supplies, and likely being used as bait for those ghouls, but that was it.

The sex… It made me more pissed at myself for being so easily seduced into it. I wanted my first time to be something more… I don't know… special, maybe.

What I did know was that it had satisfied some curiosities I've had for a long time now, mainly how it would feel, and some I've never asked myself. Overall, once the shock of having been robbed had passed, and the need to gather food and water became my biggest worry, the memory of that night kept me entertained as I worked.

Actually, I felt relatively refreshed as I gathered anything I could. Like scratching an itch I never knew I had. It strangely made me wish Daral had stuck around to do more, in which that thought led me to think that I might actually be crazy.

My internal tomoral at least helped the time pass quickly, and soon I was again heading east. In my saddlebags was less than clean bottles of mostly clean water clanked and more edible bitter roots rustled. It wasn't much, far inferior to what I originally had, but it was enough to survive a day. Longer if I keep foraging as I trot east.

I was not planning on going home, not yet at least, not until I have seen more of the wasteland. I still wanted to do something, to fight the good fight. So I stuck to my original plan of finding more ponies…. And this time not getting tricked by some scavenger.

Though if there was some dashingly handsome stallion, getting seduced by him didn't sound so bad.

_________________________________________________

Another day had come and gone, and my poor stomach acked for more than the random roots or dead grasses I found along the way. My water had quickly dwindled, leaving my mouth parched and lips cracked as I ration the life giving liquid.

There were a few wrecks and small ruins, but nothing that had what I needed. Just the bones of the dead still locked inside.

Unfortunately I didn't have the energy to lay the dead to rest this time.

Crossing over a hill I froze in place as the wind brushed over me, it was not just cooling, but was also moist. Pointing my head in the direction of where the wind came from, I closed my eyes and took in the environment. Focusing with my other senses, there was a faint smell of wet dirt and grass, along with an even fainter pitter patter of… water!

Trotting over, the mostly dead land gradually became greener as found a building hidden behind a hill and inside a very small valley. Here there were trees, grass, and strange red vines with yellow leaves that looked like they were glowing.

Odd.

I slowly made my way to the building, making sure my gun and axe were ready to be grabbed, while keeping an eye out for danger. There were some critters here, mostly wasteland toads sitting in fouled puddles, and plenty of flies.

Though I had rarely cooked and ate critters, I knew enough about what was and was not good for eating. Wasteland toads were mostly toxic, with only their legs that could be cooked and eaten without messing with a ponies stomach.

But fortunately there was grass here, so I didn’t need to worry about cooking some damn toads.

As for the water, it flowed out from a large crack higher up in the building's wall, loudly pattering into a puddle that streamed out.

The door inside was not far, and I began wondering what might be inside. The closer I got, the warmer it strangely became. I could also see a slight green glow from within.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you." The voice of a stallion spoke up, causing me to almost fall over in shock. "Or eat anything here as a matter of fact."

Looking around, I saw an off white pony in a dark gray suit trotting out from behind a tree, poking out from his well groomed, slicked back, dark brown mane was a horn… a unicorn horn! "You're a unicorn, sorry, but I've nevers seen one befor… oh where's my manners, my name is Lottery."

The stallion cocked an eyebrow for a moment, then smirked, "Call me Tripwire, and you should get away from that building unless you want to turn into a ghoul."

I didn't know if I could trust him, but it was best to humor the pony, so I trotted back making sure I kept some distance between him and I. "What's wrong with this place, I mean it looks healthy to me."

Tripwire shook his head. "This is a toxic waste dump, mainly for radioactive sludge. Everything here feeds off it, making it all poisonous to us ponies, as you should know."

I scratched my head feeling a bit embarrassed. "Well you know, never been around radiation before, so I didn't realize. Is that why it got hotter near the entrance?"

"Yes, that's why they're called hot spots. Fortunately you're only going to get irradiated if you go inside." He trotted a little closer, and I could see that Tripwire's suit was surprisingly well maintained, if a bit dirty. He even had a white shirt underneath, but what really caught my eyes the most was a bright pink tie with the letters M.O.M. embordered on it. "Now tell me, how did you find this place?"

"Just smelt the air and used my ears, that's all." I told him. But now my own curiosity had been peaked. "How about you, why are you here if it's so dangerous?"

He seemed to ponder what I said before answering. "I'm here to see a pony, well a ghoul, been here for a few days, but he refuses to hear me out. Now you said you... smelled this place?"

I looked at the building and shivered instinctively as I remembered the two feral ghoul from several days ago. Turning my attention back to Tripwire, I relaxed a little, finding this stallion to be a lot more informative than Daral was, and he was clearly not a scavenger. "Well ya. Smells a bit like home, so I knew there was water here. Got to know these things when you live far away from everything. Too bad for the radiation though, this place is really nice, like real beautiful."

"Most beautiful things are deadly in this wasteland." Tripwire said as he pulled something out from his chest pocket. It was a silver like round object that had a chain attached to it. It then opened up. Letting out a soft light, of which he looked in and sighed.

The stallion then looked up at the building, a scowl on his face as his horn glowed. Taking a deep breath, he yelled out. "BRASS COLLAR, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO KEEP FUCKING AROUND! COME OUT HERE, I KNOW YOU WANT THIS AS MUCH AS I DO!"

His loud voice made my ears ring even though I was nowhere near him.

A rustling came from inside the building, where a gaunt stallion trotted out, patches of his fur were missing and his eyes a milky white emptiness. It was a ghoul, but unlike the two feral ghouls I dealt with before. He was calm and looked far better dressed in his burnt suit than the dead should ever look.

He then spoke with a deep gravelly voice, as though he gargled sand or something. "As I've told you thrice before, I have my own plans, and you're not part of it. And that pony you brought to get your shit, looks like she made a wrong turn and fell into a gecko nest. Saw it from the roof, real nasty."

Brass then pulled out a chain, tugging it. "I have been patient with you for the last few days, even played along. But it's clear to me that no matter how smart you are, the wasteland deems you unworthy. Now you better get the fuck off my lawn befor I unleash my hounds on you."

With scraping hooved, a pony slowly trotted out, blindfolded and attached to the chain held by Brass. The sight of it sent a wave of fear through me, as it was a feral ghoul, but so much worse. Plates of spiky scrap metal were letteral bolted onto the pony, and a jagged metal jaw covered its muzzle. Worse was the sound of more of them from within, scraping along the ground and moaning in anguished.

I knew from just looking at one of them, I would have no chance in a fight, not with what I had for weapons.

Clicking his tongue, Tripwire turned and trotted off.

Not wanting to stick where the armored ghoul was around, I turned to follow Tripwire.

"Oy missy!" Brass called out. "I don't know who the fuck you are or what hole you fucking crawled out of, but you best turn on back now. These lands are cursed, and it's not the great war that has made it so."

The ghough began to laugh as I trotted away, which only made me move faster.

Leaving the grove, it was not hard to find where Tripwire had gone too. There was a small trail, and a bit further on was a hidden campsite. There, Tripwire was currently kicking a rusty old trailer. The campsite looked like it had been lived in for a few days, with garbage scattered around, and the sign of a fire having long turned to ash.

"That. Rat. Ass. Cunt!" Tripwire huffed with each kick.

I still kept my distance, but couldn't help but ask, "Hay… is there any way I can… help?"

Tripwire stopped kicking the trailer and took a deep breath before turning around, his eyes filled with irritation that slowly softened. "So you want to help?"

I nodded.

The unicorn scratched his chin for a moment as he looked at me over. "Hmmm, maybe. How good are you at killing geckos?"

"Yall mean the ones that run at ya as soon as they see you. Not many live around where I'm from, but I know how to make a simple gecko trap right here if you need it. I also can cook a good gecko steak, well that's what my Pa told me." I explained.

A small smile formed on Tripwire's face as he trotted over to me. "Alright, if you do me a favor, I'll give you the caps meant for the poor pony that the ghoul mentioned. Come with me and I'll show you."

Now that he was up close, the stallion was actually not bad looking. Quite handsome actually. Far cleaner than I felt, and has clearly had his mane trimmed recently. It actually made me feel a bit self conscious, especially about my smell, with how I had not been able to wash for days now.

Again following him, we went over a hill, and to some crumbling ruins. Curiously, I asked, "So why do you need the geckos dead?"

Tripwire glanced at me for a moment, as though thinking about what to say. "There was an old stach over there, it was filled with documents I needed to restart my family business, along with the caps to pay certain ponies. My father died keeping it out of Redeye's hooves, hiding it here."

My ears perked up. "Redeye, as in that evil slaver lord? So you are among the ponies that were fighting him. That's so amazing!"

"Unfortunately I never got my shot at him, had to stick to the shadows just to not get caught by his slaver dogs. Never expected another stable dweller to be the one to throw him off his tower." Tripwire then chuckled. "The wasteland is a cruel mare with an even crueler sense of humor."

As we reached a ridge Tripwire raised his hoof to stop me, then directed me where to look. The place was a mess, the stuff that made the roads was piled up everywhere with rods of rusted metal sticking out of it. Further out was a small building, half crumbled, but still standing strong.

My eyes then fell onto a group of geckos, they were as large as a racoon, with the teeth and claws to match. In the center of the group of geckos was the corps of a pony, the mare having been ripped apart by the ravenous beats.

I had to look away as my stomach wretched. Red blood covered the gecko's mouths and claws as they tugged at fat and organs. Even from here I could smell it, the stench of death.

"First time seeing a dead pony?" Tripwire asked.

I nodded as I refocused on the geckos, doing my best to not look at the poor mare. "Only ever seen skeletons before."

"Must be nice. Once you get to raider infested territory, the sight of dead ponies is a lot more common." Tripwire said, his voice neither sounding sad nor angry, just matter of fact like.

Counting the geckos, there weren't too many of them, with quite a few dead ones here and there. The poor mare must have put up a good fight before they got her. At least I'll be able to finish what she started.

"Raiders you say, I heard most of them got killed by the Lightbringer, so there can't be many left to worry about." I commented.

"You'd be surprised." He said calmly. "But you're not wrong, between the Stable Dweller and some other crazy ponies out there, a lot of the major raider tribes have ceased to exist. The raiders that are still around are either the smart ones, the lucky ones, or the ones that just haven't been taken out yet. Though this region has been seen more raiders lately, stragglers from the other regions it seems. I have heard word that its the Balefire Fiends that are directing raider groups here."

That sounded nasty. "Who are the Balefire Fiends?" I asked.

"A raider tribe up north, they live between Fillydelphia and this region, and mostly stay secluded. From what I know about them, their all mares, and like to control other raider groups like vassals. My guess is that their trying to fill in the raider power vacuum that's going on, so I'd watch out for any expressly nasty raider mares." He explained.

I nodded, taking a mental note of what he told me.

Tripwire then pulled out the silver thing from his pocket, opening it to reveal a glass cover with three little arms underneath. It also produced a small ball of light that made several words in the air. One arm moved with a consistent click as Tripwire watched it for a moment before looking at me. "So can you take out those geckos?"

"Well not directly, no. Too many of them. But if you give me some time I can make something that can. I just need some scrap, some wood, and something to bind them. Maybe vines?"

Taking a moment to think about it, a smile slowly formed on Tripwire's face. "Luckily there is plenty of that nearby."

Returning to the camp, I got to work making my trap. Since geckos like to just charge blindly at prey, I didn't have to worry about making anything complicated. All I really needed was a bunch of spikes that can be lifted up all at once, a piece of pie.

"Sooo… not to pry, but you said your family had a run in with Redeye, what happened?" I asked as I used my axe to cut the wood into shape.

"No, no, it's fine." Tripwire said calmly with a smile. "My family used to be quite prominent in this region, and further north, with lots of connections and wealth. When Redeye first rose to power, my family helped lead the opposition, provided the funding for an army to meet him. I was actually the lead strategist in that war, as was expected of me."

"So how did he win?" I then asked.

There was a long paus, followed by a sigh. "I unfortunately underestimated him. We all did. Redeye was a skilled tactician and speaker himself. He knew what we were going to do before the fight ever started. Worse, he had ponies helping him get around our defenses. By the time anypony caught on, it was too late, and he had us in his trap."

I spat on the ground in disgust. "That vile villain and those slavers that followed him. Glad he's dead, now every pony can get their lives back. Like you, and whatever your family did."

"Yes, too true…" he said slowly, as though carefully thinking about something.

The trap was almost done, it being a simple row of spikes I could easily lift up. "Say, what did your family do? You said they were important, right?"

Tripwire eyed me a bit longer, a little smirk on his face. "We managed ponies, providing training and work for them. We also owned several mines we kept well hidden, as well as a few hidden farms. It's why Redeye came for us, an army marches on their stomach and fights better if they have weapons."

He then stretched out, making a few cracking sounds from his back. "It's what I'm after, among other things. I mean to take back what was lost, but firstly I need the deeds of ownership which are currently guarded by those geckos. On that topic, are you sure that will work?"

Tying a knot with a vine, I tested its strength and found it good enough. "Oh ya, geckos are real nasty, but really dumb. This should kill a bunch of them right quick. Now whenever you're good, I can get started."

"Then let's get started." Tripwire said as he got up.

Hoofing my spike trap onto my back and trotted off to the ruins, It didn't take long to get there and find a good spot. It was a narrow bit of road with plenty of obstacles to either side of it, which would funnel any gecko through here. Placing the trap on a good spot, it being a little hole in the ground, which would anchor the trap in place when the geckos slam into it.

With everything in place, it was time for action. Tripwire stayed at a safe distance, a proper pistol poked out of his suit, ready to be used. So I trotted into the ruins, prepared for another fight, my heart pounding with excitement and a bit of fear.

It was not hard to draw the gecko's attention, all it took was one seeing me and hissing loudly. The other geckos stopped eating the dead mare to turn to me, all started hissing at me before charging.

With the pack of geckos now after me, I wasted no time galloping back to my trap, then waited.

The little bastards were fast as they spread out, their tactic of overwhelming prey with a mass assault about to be their undoing. Grabbing the vine with my hoof, I prepared for the attack, hoping I hadn't messed up.

They closed in and then jumped at me, practically in unison, their jaws wide open with many dagger like teeth showing. Pulling back on the vine, the spikes lifted to meet the geckos, followed by several wet crunches and beastal screams.

One of the geckos was dead, going head first into the spike, where the other three squirmed in pain as they found themselves impaled. Another crunch followed as a fifth gecko slammed into one in front of it, also impaling itself. Then a sixth, causing the trap to buckle under the strain.

A loud snap announced the trap's failure as a seventh gecko slammed into its friends and avoided being impaled, breaking my crude trap. As it scrambled over the dying geckos I took a step back and pulled out my gun. Clumsily rushing at me with its mouth wide open, I took am.

*BLAM*

The gecko's head turned into a red mist as a thick cloud of smoke engulfed us both.

Stepping back to get out of the cloud, my ears twitched as I heard a hiss through the ringing.

*BANG BANG BANG BANG*

A gecko that had managed to come around my side fell over at my hooves, riddled with several bloody holes. I then looked over at Tripwire, who held his pistol in its magic, a thin trail of white smoke coming from its barrel.

"Is that all of them?" Tripwire asked.

"That was eight, so ya, should be all." I answered.

He trotted over, still holding his gun. The weapon shined in the sunlight, it having a well maintained mirror polished. A floral pattern was engraved along the slide, and the image of a pink alicorn holding a heart was imprinted along the magazine hold in front of the bit guard.

Tripwire caught me staring and smiled. "She's beautiful, don't you think?" He then levitated it closer to me so I could get a closer look, and he was right, the thing was a work of art. "It's a 9mm colt special called Love. I Inherited it from my grandmother as the symbol of me becoming the family head. Little it mattered after Redeye killed them all."

The gun slowly levitated back to Tripwire as he put it into its holster. "Unfortunately it's just one small gun, not much help against a group of geckos. So thanks, I would have been fucked without your help. Now I'm going to start the reclamation of my family's legacy."

I smile back at him, feeling quite good about helping a good pony like himself. "While you do that, I'll skin and butcher the geckos, Celestia knows I need the food."

Tripwire nodded. "Alright, when we go back to camp, I have some clean water to share."

That got me even more excited as I was reminded of my already dry mouth. Proper clean water sounded like the sweetest of drinks right now.

_______________________________________________________

It didn't take long to skin and drain the geckos of their blood. If I could get the hide tanned, it wouldn't be a bad Idea to make it into some clothing. As for now, I was more concentrated on cooking the gecko meat.

Using the spikes impale the piece of meat, and hang them over the fire, the smell of cooking meat made my mouth water. Making sure they were thoroughly cooked, so that no pony got sick, I had a bit of time to do other things.

While I waited, I dug a shallow grave for the poor mare, she was almost unrecognizable as a pony now.

Collecting her rifle, and taking it apart, its construction was not that complex. It had clearly been repaired many times and had parts replaced, reminding me a bit of my own gun. Unfortunately the rifle was unusable due to a bent barrel, likely from cracking the gun over a gecko's skull.

This didn't stop me from at least trying to figure out how to make it work, or at least what I could salvage. Though I was left a bit confused as to why the ammo for it was so small, it labeled for a .22LR. Still, the mare had a lot of it on her, at least over fifty rounds, so getting it fixed up would be worth it.

Tripwire on the other hoof was reading some collection of papers as he kept several metal tins near him. It made me wonder how important they were.

"So, how is that paper going to help you, it's just words on paper, right?" I asked.

He shuffled the paper and levitated one to me. "Some are yes, but the importance is what's on it. Bill of sales, loans, credit, that kind of stuff. Also location of assets that belong to me. This one here shows the location of an iron mine and my rightful ownership over it. In these documents are clues to where my father hid more of my familys legacy, like a big annoying scavenger hunt."

I looked at the paper, the lines of letters and words seemed to blend together, and even as I tried to sound some of them out, but it just felt wrong. Tripwire seemed to see the frustration on my face, and gently took the paper back.

"You… can't read, can you?" He asked, neither sounding annoyed or sympathetic.

I felt embarrassed by it, but it would be really dumb to deny it. "Naw, I can't. Ma and Pa tried to teach me, and I tried to learn, but they said I was reading everything backwards and writing upside-down. It didn't help that Ma and Pa only knew a little, so they didn't know how to help me."

"Right, well fortunately a pony like you doesn't need to read and write to get by in the wasteland. And it makes life needlessly complicated for ponies like you. Ignorance is bliss, as the saying goes." Tripwire said in a matter of fact tone.

He then pulled out another paper, but it looked rougher and more like cloth, or some other material. "Then there are the magical contracts. This piece of parchment binds a pony to it, where they must uphold the promise or face a curse. They are commonly used by Griffins for their mercenary contracts, but it's also useful for trade deals with shifty merchants. It's even used when making a financial contract, making sure that if the pony can't pay back what they owe, they can't run away from the contract holder."

I was honestly amazed, so much paper and words having so much power, it felt like he could make a real difference with it. Now that things were better with Redeye gone, he could use this to aid the NCR, or other wastelanders.

"Now that you have that, what do you plan to do? I mean you can do a lot of good if what you say is true, lots of ponies could use the help I'm sure." I asked

"Well not quite," Tripwire answered before correcting himself. "I mean I'll first need to recover some of the other assets first. Along with a family heirloom that was kept hidden from Redeye. The legacy I mentioned you see."

"Like what, a magical artifact that makes clean water or clears radiation? Or something to activate a robot army to help bring peace and order to Equestria?" I had asked excitedly.

He chuckled at my question. "A robot army would make things easier, that's for sure. Robots never think they're too good for the role they're given and don't cause needless trouble. But no, it was simply the key to my family's success, and what I'll need to use to take everything back. If Redeye had gotten it, I'm sure the whole stable dweller business would never have happened."

That thought sent a shiver of dread down my spine. "It's that powerful?"

A nod came from Tripwire. "Lets just say that with it, even the most obstinate pony can be made to see reason. In the right hooves it can bring order to chaos, in the wrong hooves it makes even worse chaos."

Checking on the skewers of meat, finding that they were now fully cooked and starting to burn a little. "Then your family was smart to hide it. But if it's that powerful, why didn't you use it against Redeye?"

Passing him a skewer, Tripwire bit down and chewed for a moment. "This is… surprisingly good." He said before finishing off the rest of it. "But as to why, it's simple. Over the generations, my family forgot how to properly use it. What we did have was a pale imitation, and easily countered unfortunately. After our fall, I spent years researching it, with only scraps of information to work from. Now, if I can get my hooves on it, I might be able to unlock its full potential."

"That would be amazing to see." I commented as I gave him a second skewer of meat while eating my own.

We sat there eating for a moment, enjoying the gecko skewers and clean water. Just having more than merger roots filled me with energy, and though my stomach protested a little from taking in the meat, I didn't care, I was fucking hungry.

"Say, about that ghoul, why were you trying to talk with him?" I asked.

Tripwire sighed. "His family and my family were friends once, but then most of them stabbed everypony in the back and sided with Redeye. He was among the few who I didn't and ran here to hide. I figured that if there is anypony who can get around this land, he would. Unfortunately it seems that the radiation has affected his mind."

Looking at me, Tripwire scratched his chin. "Miss Lottery, how much do you know about getting around the wasteland?"

Deciding to finish off the gecko skewer before answering, chewing on the meat for a long moment to savor the flavor.

"Loads." I answered, but saw that Tripwire wanted to know more. "Well I know how to hunt, track, and set traps. How to avoid big beasts and monsters got drilled into me by my Pa. Ma showed me what to eat and what not to eat in this wasteland. I also know how to navigate without a compass, along with skinning and cooking critters."

Tripwire stayed silent for a long moment, his closed as though in deep thought. "Yes, that might do." He said to himself, then opened his eyes and looked at me before saying. "I'm going to need the help of a pony that can traverse the wasteland, and I currently don't have the time to go find a pony who can do it. Which would make you a lucky break for me. That is, if you're for hire?"

It took me a long moment to grasp what he had just asked me. "Wait… you want me to… help you get around the wasteland, and pay me for it? But shouldn't there be like, lots of ponies who can do that?"

"Ponies who can get around the wasteland, yes, ponies that won't shoot me in the back, no." Tripwire said calmly. "I'm offering you this job not just because you can do it, but also because your mentality tells me you are more trustworthy."

I blushed a little. "Ma always said that I'm too trusting. But wouldn't there be bigger, tougher and smarter ponies out there?"

He nodded again. "True, but it's not always a good idea to go with the best pony. They are more likely to have rouge thoughts and start plotting. From what I've seen, the smarter the pony, the less trustworthy they are."

Tripwire then tossed me a tin that rattled in my hooves. Checking inside it, it was filled with bottle caps, lots of them. He then added. "From what I've seen of you so far, you're very capable and very trustworthy. Keep what's there, it's yours."

I closed the tin, unsure how much money this was actually, or what I could get for it. Looking back up at Tripwire, the offer felt too true. Help him on an adventure to recover his family's lost wealth and help bring order to the wasteland. It was like my dreams were finally coming true, and in the hooves of a good looking stallion, which was also part of my dreams.

It was a once in a lifetime opportunity, it had to be.

Putting the tin into my saddlebag, I flashed him a smile. "I'm in!"

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventeen

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventeen

_______________________________________________________

Having taken the lead, I decided to go to the only place I knew, back to Ursa's Rest. But the journey was going to take a week, maybe less than that if we go at my pace. Spell Circuit struggled to keep up, but managed to use magic to get around obstacles, or simply teleported to me after taking a rest. Low Pressure on the other hoof, just flew. The Pegasus stayed near the ground, worried about getting shot, but flying made it easy for him to match my pace.

The old rusty pipe rifle proved useful enough to keep smaller critters away, even snagging us some meat. But predictably, the guns could not constantly shoot straight, and frequently misfired. It was no wonder ponies say that raiders are poor shots if they use guns like this all the time.

At night we would find someplace safe, and I'd drink myself to sleep. The booze had the benefit of keeping me from dreaming. As I had a feeling that any dream I could have, would be a nightmare.

I did get to learn more about Low Pressure, mostly because his favorite topic was himself. He talked about his ex-colt-friends, having several at a time. And he talked about how good he had it in the Enclave.

"You know, if I didn't have the job of being the sedition inspector, I would have still been living in New Cloudsdale. That cloud city was remarkable." Low boasted about something I didn't quite understand.

Wanting to at least hear about something more useful, I interjected with a question. "So how did you get involved with those raiders?"

Low paused for a long moment, then answered nervously. "Weird story that is. You see, after the Enclave fell, I decided to sacrifice myself for the good of the group I was in, and left. Some pony needed to look for a safer place, you see, and I was the best pony for the job, naturally."

I remember being told that he got kicked out, but whatever.

"Now as I flew around, I almost got shot out of the sky." Low pantomimed with his hooves of him nearly crashing down. "Bandsaw was quite scary when I first met her, still scary even now. Well, after talking them into not killing me, they said I still had to pay a toll, but I had nothing unfortunately."

"So you chose to fuck them. From what I remember, it's an option." I commented.

Low Sighed. "In essence, yes. But I was able to convince them I was worth more than some cheap plaything. Still, I had to pay up, so to say. It wasn't all that bad. I mean it was not my first orgy, or even the roughest I had taken part of. Enclave soldiers really know how to get rough, I can tell you. Though these ponies do love their body modification, so it was at least interesting. Just wish they would bathe more often."

"Can you not, please." I pleaded.

"Right right, sorry." Low said before taking a deep breath. "Well they decided to keep me around. I was at least safe, and fed... sometimes. And they avoided beating me so long as I did as they say. Strangely one of my jobs Bandsaw insisted about me doing was servicing the raider mares, and not just ones from the Brain Nails too. They would wander in, stick around for a few days, then vanished. Personally, it was annoying having to bed so many mares, just keeping it up was a challenge as mares aren't my thing after all."

"Move on!" Spell demand.

"Right, again, sorry." Low said before continuing. "Well eventually the raider boss claimed me for himself, though I still had the job with the mares, now I had a big strong stallion, so I got to have some real fun. Well, it may have been too much fun for him, and after a few days, he just died. Like, went to sleep and never woke up. Well Bandsaw found out before I even knew it. Which was weird, as I was in the same bed as him, and then they announced me as the new boss. Well after the shock faded, I realized that of course I would become their boss, who else could do the job better than me."

That sounded all too convenient to even me, but what did I know? Clearly not enough to see that I was helping slavers.

"If you were in power, why did you not make them stop being raiders?" I asked.

Low shivered a little at my question. "I tried, or well, I suggested something like that. But Bandsaw reminded me who they are, it was a bad idea to tell them to stop. So I decided to at least make them look more friendly. They also liked how I got other ponies to just pay us if they could. Sometimes a pony wouldn't listen, or had nothing. Less said about that the better."

"Like the Steel Ranger mare they had." I commented as I remembered the poor mare

He nodded. "I did try to negotiate with her, as she seemed to know her way around arcno-tech, but then she got into an argument with Bandsaw. I even tried to stop it, but I was just glared down by her. Never get into an argument with Bandsaw." He then sighed. "Well after that, I just started getting a bad feeling. Some of the mares were getting more demanding, and the others listened to me less and less. Then you two came, thanks by the way."

It was a bit more than what I wanted to know, and I had the feeling that Low Pressure was never their boss. Thinking about it, I was a bit worried that there was more to the Brain Nails then just being raiders. But hearing more about that poor mare, it reminded me how easily it could have been me in her position, how I ignorantly suggested fighting the Brain Nails the first time I came across them. With nothing but my flare gun, I wanted to fight, thinking raiders were no real threat.

Up until recently, I had just been lucky.

"So…" Spell Circuit spoke up, braking my train of thought. "Basically, you got caught by raiders, and made into a breeding sex slave. Where you got to be the twink for their so-called boss. Then they poisoned him and put you up as the new leader."

Low frowned at that. "When you put it that way, it sounds a lot less impressive. And what do you mean by breeding?"

Spell rolled his eyes. "It's as I said. If I had to guess, those mares likely wanted to have Pegasus foals. Fortunately, pegasus raiders have been few and far between, but they've always been a nightmare for wastelanders with how they can just fly over walls."

"Wait, but where would those mares go? I mean, their raiders." I asked.

"Raiders is a loose term." Spell said, as he explained. "There are more kinds of raiders than we could ever really know. It was always a problem in Fillydelphia, though we at least had a deal with the more lucid raider bands. Mainly paying them to bring in new slaves. Well, except for the Smiles, we just stayed as far away from them as possible. But as to where the mares would go, knowing this region, likely south into Bailfire Fiends territory. Their an ancient raider clan made up mainly of mare, who's sons often form smaller raider bands in the surrounding areas. In all likelihood, the Brain Nails are made up of Bailfire Fiends stallions, and would explain why Bandsaw had so much power."

"So… Bandsaw is not a Brain Nail raider?" I asked.

"Ya, she's possibly a Bailfire Fiend." Spell replied, then looked over at Low. "It would explain the whole breeding thing. One of their things is all about breeding better raiders. That mare they have, I have no doubt that once she shows signs of pregnancy, she will be taken to their base and kept there until she dies."

I gritted my teeth at my own powerlessness. "And why has no pony gotten rid of them?"

Spell sighed. "Ponies have tried, but they live in an active fortress, with walls, and gun turrets. The Institute of Foal Welfare I think it's called, though I don't know why. Well lets just say that Fillydelphia gave up on trying to purge them, and made a deal with them instead. It shames me to say, but my own family found them good trade partners in the slave trade, and has a long, if thorny relationship with them."

"That's horrible." I said, but not in any kind of surprise.

"It was just how things were." Spell said nonchalantly. "Back before Redeye, slavery was just more normal. Well it was always bad in Fillydelphia, but in most of the wasteland, it was not so bad. So it was a good deal for everypony. "

My eyes twitched at that. "Not so bad, slavery is a monstrous act. All the pain and suffering it caused, and you say, it was not so bad."

Spell sighed again. "It was mostly just for farm work, or servants for more well off ponies. Much of the time, those slaves were treated well. It wasn't until Redeye that things got as bad as it became. But even before that, I still came to know it was wrong."

"Because Redeye taught you." I said back to him.

"He WASN'T Redeye then!" Spell snapped back, causing me to flinch.

We both then stopped talking, not wanting to escalate.

Time passed, and though Low Pressure tried to fill the silence, neither Spell or I were interested.

As the sun grew low, I saw the little blue fame again, dancing over a hill. "You see that?" I asked the others, but they shook their heads.

I was sure I had gone a bit mad, but I followed the thing from my dreams anyway. Will-o-Wisp I think it was called. It was a strange, but comforting light.

We arrived at a place that had many of the rusted out motor wagons surrounding it. It also had what looked like a large scooter built into the support beam. Other than being a wreck, it was impressive looking.

"Strange, it's a Red Racer wagon stop." Spell stated.

Low was the one to ask, as I still didn't feel like talking to Spell. "What's that?"

Spell scratch his scraggly goatee for a moment before answering. "Lets see, not just refueling, but also maintenance, yes. Right, this place was used to repower the motor wagons spark batteries. If one of the wagons were damaged, they could be repaired here. Though strange, most wagon stops are radioactive hot zones that even ghouls tend to avoid them."

"And you can tell it's not a death trap, how?" Low asked skeptical.

The unicorn lifted up his mane that covered his face, showing his one cyber eye. "I have a few sensors in my cybernetics. One checks the radiation level, and it says it's safe here."

"If it's fine, then let's go." I said as I trotted to the building.

Closer, I could see that though time had worn this building out, it still looked rather sturdy. Actually, other than its ancient paint and rusting metal, it didn't look like it was crumbling at all. A shame the windows were all broken, but those can be boarded up. Overall, this place could make a good home.

My train of thought came to a crashing stop and tears welled up in me. Home, I want to go home. The feeling was so overwhelming that my legs gave out under me.

Was it the shock, the shame, or was I trying to not think about it. But now that the thought of home had jumped into my mind, it wasn't going to leave. I no longer cared about proving Ma and Pa wrong, as in the end, they were undeniably right.

Both Low and Spell rushed over.

"I thought you said it was safe!" Low said sternly as he got to me.

Both stallions then paused as they saw that I was crying.

"Ar...are you okay Miss Lottery?" Spell asked me.

I quickly wiped my tears away and wobbly got up. "What do you think!" I snapped while still hiding my face.

He backed away. "Oh, right, sorry."

His apology only made me angry. Like he was trying to forgive what his brother had done. It was like a nail being pressed into my gut.

"Don't fucking apologize!" I growled at him.

With a huff, I trotted into the building.

"And this is why I feel lucky to be into stallions over mares." Low said in a joking manner.

Trying to get my mind off… well everything, I began looking about the wagon stop. The place was rather untouched, by ponies at least. Though aged and weathered, it felt that everything here had not been moved since it was abandoned. Papers, tools, and the decorations looked to have never been touched, only left to rust and rot.

This also meant that unfortunately anything in here was rather useless. Maybe after some heavy cleaning and de-rusting, the tools could be used again. But I didn't have the time or materials to do that.

"Hey, over here!" Low called out from the back of the place.

It was a small room, just past a desk that had many worn and unreadable magazines on it. There Low sat at a terminal, playing some game, it involved staking shapes on top of each other, with a row of them disappearing.

"Haven't played this since I was a foal. Though I distinctly remember it being more cloud-like in style." Low pondered as he played.

Spell sighed. "Well, that is at least interesting."

I looked around the small room, and other than a few cabinets and the terminal on a desk, it was mostly empty. I did see something poking out from behind the cabinets, and investigating, I found a rather intact cot.

"I'm claiming this room for the night." I blurted out.

"Oh come on!?" Low Pressure wined out.

Before I could say anything, Spell placed a hoof on Low's shoulder. "Let's not argue, and just let her have the room."

'Fine!" Low huffed out, then turned to his game. "But I get some more time with this."

Spell looked at me, as though needing my say so or something. I just stomped past him. "Do whatever, but this room is mine."

I then entered what must be the workshop, with a motor wagon inside and in pieces. I didn't expect to see the inner workings of a motor wagon, but here it was, and it confused me. With a sigh, I began looking around for anything useful.

Usable tools were my main focus, as the ones I had before were not in my bag. Again it made me curse Tripwire, a thousand times damn him.

A rustling came from behind me, where I saw Spell Circuit standing in the doorway. "Miss Lottery."

"No, I'm salvaging right now." I told him.

He again sighed. "I'm so… no, I mean, I… I don't know."

"Don't know what?" I asked as I forced a toolbox open, but found nothing usable.

Spell took a deep breath "Don't know what to say. About anything, about how hard it must be for you."

I cocked an eyebrow at him as my irritation grew. "Hard, you think it's hard for me. Weeding a farm is hard, repairing a wall is hard. So I guess taking a friendly trot through nightmare land to only find out that the stallion I fell for was lying to me. Then had his friend brutally rape me for hours, ya, that was just… hard."

"I'm sorry." He whimpered out.

"STOP APOLOGIZING!" I shouted. "Don't apologize for what he did."

Spell then slammed his hoof on the ground. "I'm not apologizing for him! I'm apologizing for not stopping it from happening. For not forcing my father to destroy those abominable magics, for not making sure you were safe before I fled. If… if I went looking for you first, none of what happened to you would have come to pass. But I ran, I hid, like a coward."

"What?" I said, feeling confused.

"I didn't return to the manor till late, and only to grab a few books. That's when I found you… that's why I'm apologizing. Because no matter how much I try to change, I'm still the selfish little foal living in my brother's shadow. And again, because I couldn't think of anypony else but myself, I let you get hurt."

I was left speechless, unable to find the words. All my anger and frustration had left me. "I… see." Was all I could say.

"Again, I'm sorry. I'll leave you alone now." He said before turning around.

"Wait!" I called out, stopping Spell before he could leave. "What do you plan to do? Where are you going to go?"

He paused for a brief moment, then told me. "I'm going to stop Tripwire. Do what my father couldn't, and destroy my family's legacy. If it means I have to kill him… then so be it... What about you, Miss Lottery?"

I nervously rubbed my leg as I answered, feeling uneasy about saying it. "I… I just want to go home. Where nothing like this happens. Where my Ma and Pa are, and my brothers and sister. Where it's safe."

Spell nodded. "That sounds nice, few have any real safe places to return to in the wasteland." With that, he trotted out of view.

With a sigh, I returned my attention to salvaging, again feeling bad about being so rude to him.

Unfortunately it was getting dark, and visibility in this room was quickly getting worse. Any kind of light would be of great help, but such things were not in my favor… unless.

"Will-o-Wisp?" I whispered, giving into my hallucinations.

A small blue flame then popped out of nowhere, floating in the air, and bathing everything in a dim blue light.

I then shrugged at no pony in particular, "well, might as well ask. Say, Will-o-Wisp, I'm looking for something useful here, like tools, but not super rusted. Can you help me with that?"

Will-o-Wisp bobbed about before flying over to a pile of scrap, Illuminating it. Trotting over, I then carefully moved some of it around until I found what looked like a big pair of scissors. Bolt cutters I think it was called, and they didn't look all that rusted, but it gave off an odd oily smell. Unfortunately the wooden hoof hold bars were broken and moldy, making it impossible to use unless replaced. An easy fix, so I tossed it in the middle of the room for me to deal with later.

Again Will-o-Wisp bobbed around and zoomed off to a cabinet. Following, I looked through it, finding a small tool box. Opening it, the same smell that the bolt cutters had waffed out, and I found a bunch of small gunk covered tools, good for small jobs. Like guns, maybe.

Closing the box, I tossed it to where the bolt cutters were, then looked for Will-o-Wisp. Now I was convinced I was not crazy… though now that I remember, magic was a thing in Equestria. Finding the little blue flame, it was dancing on top of the moter wagon's back end.

Investigating, I opened the back compartment, but found it hard to see due to it getting dark. There seemed to be a duffel bag inside, so I pulled it out, finding it heavy, but not too heavy to remove. Then I tossed it with the rest of the stuff.

Looking around, Will-o-Wisp had moved to some crates, so I trotted over. "Okay, I think I'm done for now, It's getting too dark." With that Will-o-Wisp vanished, and I moved the crates to the middle of the room.

I didn't feel like figuring out what I had, so I retired to my room. Low Pressure had finally stopped playing that game, and now Spell was on the terminal.

Spell saw me come in and scooted his chare back to look at me. "Oh, I, um. I figured out why this place is, you know, not a death trap." He told me, pointing at the terminal.

"Remember, I can't read." I told him.

A dejected frown formed on his face. "Right, sorry." He then took a deep breath. "As it turns out, this place worked on only older motor wagons. Some familiar names popped up too, such as the Rout 50 Desperados. Which is amazing, as it means those ponies have been around as long as the Steel Rangers."

"Route 50 what?" I asked.

"They're a large gangger group up north. Nomadic and rather difficult to deal with, but mostly stay in their territory." Spell Circuit informed me before tapping at the terminal. "Well it seems the owner was paranoid about the fuel the newer motor wagons used, and never converted this place to supply it. I think that fuel might be why the other wagon stops were dead zones. It's quite fascinating."

I yawned and grabbed the nearby cot. "Yes… fascinating. Now can you leave."

Spell nodded and got out of the chair, but then stopped to tell me. "Oh, just to let you know, Low Pressure took the last of the alcohol, sorry about that."

Face hoofing, I told him. "Just go."

Laying down, I was now annoyed. It wasn't like there was enough of that drink left to knock me out, thought I did want to numb my mind a bit before I went to sleep. Now I was alone, in the dark, with nothing but my thoughts, and I hated it.

I hated it all. This dirty wasteland, and the vile ponies that lived out here. I wish I never had left home.

Again tears formed in my eyes as I hugged myself, trying not to sob as I fell to sleep.

_______________________________________________________

My hooves galloped, away from something, to something. Tripwire stood ahead of me, never getting closer to him. Wicked laughter from behind, getting closer and closer.

"All you have to do is take my hoof." Tripwire told me, a hood outstretched. "Everything will be fine."

I looked at his blood soaked hoof as it reached unnaturally to me. It caused me to flinch and falter. Falling into nothingness.

Hitting something, I now clung onto a ledge. Another hoof now stretches to me, it made of cold metal. "Please, let me help you."

As I looked up to see Spell Circuit, his red eye was nearly blinding. Slapping his hoof away, I fell again.

Falling, and falling, forever.

When it stopped, I woke to a chain around one of my legs, and a collar tightly around my neck. I had on the outfit Onyx gave me, and I could feel the thick makeup on my face.

Large hooves then wrapped around me and I could see Grinder looking down at me. "Now this is how I like my whores." He said gleefully, then kissed me. His tongue forced its way down my throat, violating it. Not just my throat, but everything felt like it was being violated, and I could do nothing.

_______________________________________________________

Waking up in a cold sweat, it left me feeling dirty. The nightmare felt all too real, and it scared me. Made me wish I didn't need to sleep.

But it was at least, only a nightmare. A horrible nightmare only made worse by my body betraying me. My body felt a bit hot, and my mind wandered, remembering better times, as well as the horror. I wanted to not, but before I realized I was already rubbing myself.

My mind simply refused to work until I was done, until I was satisfied. As I came closer, a thought occurred to me that Spell could probably help me, or Low. It was a disgusting thought, but I thought it all the same. Other horrible thoughts ran rapidly through my mind, imagining myself in the same position as the mare captured by the raiders, being violated with no hope of escape.

I felt ashamed and disgusted with myself as I let out a muffled moan, reaching climax. Then I finally relaxed again. Laying there, my thoughts finally my own, I couldn't help but feel shame. I was just a worthless defiled mare, even to myself.

Again sobbing, I slowly fell back to sleep. Back into the nightmare.

_______________________________________________________

With the daylight came a new day. Forcing myself up and out, I joined the other two in a morning snack of over 200 year old beans we took from the raiders.

After eating, we went to check on the things I had found. Dragging them out of the dim workshop.

Now in the light, I could see that some of the things were covered in some black tar stuff. The tar being the source of the funky smell. Yet, I had a feeling that it might be why there was little to no rust on them.

The bolt cutters were as I had found it, though the wooden hoof holds were in worse condition than I thought. As for the small tool kit, they needed a lot of cleaning, and I mean a lot of cleaning.

Moving onto the crate, I almost squealed upon seeing all the duct tape and lubricant spray. This was definitely something I must take home with me. Even if Ma and Pa were going to be crossed with me, this would at least soften the blow.

Sighing, I moved to the bag, it a waxy olive green canvas duffle bag. On the bag, in darker green were the letters, "A-R-M-Y" I slowly read.

"Must be from the old Equestra army, from what I know, they always had something good." Spell said curiously.

Opening the bag, it didn't disappoint. Inside were several guns, ammo, and a lot of bits. Lots of bits.

Taking the guns out, we laid them on the floor. What we had were seven revolvers, two shotguns, and four rifles.

Low and I looked at Spell for what exactly we were looking at.

"Hey, I research magic, not guns." Spell said before taking a closer look. "But I might know what these are."

Lifting up a rifle, Spell nodded. "Okay, the one is easy, it's an early war battle rifle made in Griffonstone, the four of them. Semi auto clip fed, and quite powerful. I think they were called Grover, after an old Griffonstone King."

Next was the two shotguns, one having a heat shield over the barrel and the other had a fancy hoof guard that extended along the stock. "Lets see, I think these are Windchester shotguns." A frown then formed on his face, looking closer at the heat-shielded shotgun. "Unfortunately this one has several holes in it, making it useless. But the lever action might still work."

Then he took the revolvers. "Not sure about these. I've seen revolvers before, but not in .45. But looking at them, they do have the Equestria army's stamp on them. My guess, they might have been used alongside the .45 auto pistol as an alternative sidearm."

Taking the lever action shotgun so that I could get a closer look, it reminded me a lot of my Pa's gun, down to a symbol on it. That being a "WC" in between two wings. If I remember right, Pa said his gun was a Windchester breech action single shot called a Martini Breech.

Pulling on the lever, it required some effort to get the chamber open, resulting in releasing a still un-shot brass shell, throwing it into the air. Looking at its insides, I quickly began to understand how this gun should work. Similar to my Pa's gun, but self loading.

"I'll take this." I said to the others.

"Alright, and take this too." Spell said, passing me a revolver. "Since there's more than enough for all of us, take this as well" he then levitated one of the battle rifles to me.

Spell kept two revolvers and a rifle. He then gave one revolver to Low, who didn't seem to mind not getting a big gun. Actually, Low Pressure seemed more interested in posing with the revolver than practicing with it. Making me a bit worried he will eventually shoot himself accidentally.

Unfortunately, after looking the guns over, they were not in the best condition and in clear need of cleaning. Where the black tar didn't coat the guns inside, rust had set in. Fortunately the bag had a gun cleaning kit, but I would still need to switch parts.

Returning to the duffle bag, my attention came to the bits inside. "So, what do we do with these?" I asked.

"Unfortunately they're mostly worthless," Spell said, as he took one of the coins. "But they can be used to get drinks from a sparkle cola machine. I think I saw one outside. I'll be right back" He then took a few more then trotted away.

As we waited, Low Pressure did another pose. Holding the revolver in his front hooves, standing on his back hooves, all while arching his back. "So, how do I look?"

I cocked an eyebrow at him. "Like an idiot."

Low finally relaxed, putting the gun down. "A shame, must be all the grime. I seriously need a wash."

Sighing, I nodded. "Same here. Say what do you plan to do, like once we're somewhere safe?"

Taking a moment to think, Low answered. "Probably find myself a new colt friend, and live it up. Not like I can return to how things were, not with the Enclave all fucked up. I have no connection and no power anymore, so best I just take what I can get. Also avoid raiders."

"Sounds like a plan." I said, feeling a bit sympathetic for the stallion.

Spell finally returned, holding several bottles of sparkle-cola in his magic. Good news everypony!

With some food in our bellies, guns at our side, and as much soda we could take, we left. Heading to Ursa's Rest, where I hope to end this horrid adventure. But after I get some drinks to help me forget.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Twenty Nine

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Twenty Nine

_______________________________________________________

I never thought I’d return to Dead Pony Pass, the place still as ruined as when I last left the place. Looking through my binoculars, I could see what had to be the smugglers from below my hiding spot, from on top of the valley's edge. The setting sun helped keep me hidden, as I spied, with no worry that any glare would betray my position.

“I see a few ponies on guard, pipe weapons and minimal armor. With more that have gone inside. They all look like your standard scavenger to me.” I old Hans

The griffon looked over with his own binoculars. “Ya, except look at their weapons. One of them has a peculiar rifle. See the curve in the magazine and that it’s gas operated.”

Focusing on one of the ponies I could see the impressive looking rifle. It was clearly made from scrap materials, with a shovel hoof hold as the butt stock, but it wasn't a simple blowback gun like what Molo had. This gun was a bit more complicated and likely used larger ammo.

“Ya, what is it?” I curiously asked.

“A pipe assault rifle, something that the gunrunners were making for Redeye to be his army's standard issue rifle.” Hans explained. “Fortunately the bastard died before it could be put into full production, but plenty of them were still made in time to fight the enclave.”

“Right, and I’m guessing that the NCR aren't just letting ponies trot out with the guns then.” I openly asked as I watched the patrol route of the pony.

Hans grunted in cooperation. “With how the slavers named it the Redeye Rifle, most ponies aren't keen to be seen wielding one.”

I put my binoculars down, and sighed. “A bit weird that we were using a gun as a way to confirm our target. But then again it is odd that these ponies are here when the enclave had taken control of it a month ago. Maybe it was those pegasus that had joined Tripwire, and then let him use this place to set up a supply route.”

“It’s safe to assume so.” Hans said in agreement as he pulled back from the ledge. “Let's head back to camp and prepare for the operation.”

The two of us then turned around and trotted off to a little cove of rocks further back, where we had set up a few tents. Fortunately we hadn't seen any pegasus in the area, so the Talon were confident that the smugglers would not detect us up here.

Inside the command tent, Molo and Cauterize were looking over a map with a few Talons and a merchant. They all turned to us, expecting a report.

Hans spoke first, addressing the others. "Still too early to tell, but we did spot a Redeye rifle among the few ponies on guard. That alone should justify an investigation.

One of the talons clicked his tongue. "Those rifles are no joke, .308 rounds in a compact full auto rifle. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one."

"Well you might get your chance, but I'd advise you to not show that rifle around." Hand, told the other Talon.

The merchant in our group then spoke up, asking an important question. "Collecting guns aside, how dangerous would these smugglers be if they had more of this rifle? Can't you just dive in like you normally do?"

Hans shook his head. "From what the Gunrunners told me, the Redeye rifle is all about power and reliability. If they have more of them, all they need to do is spray and pray. Rapidly firing twenty bullets per magazine, each shot capable of blasting off a limb. Simply put, if they are able to get a shot right at us, the chances that we die are high. No, we need to take them out by surprise, make sure they don't have time to line up any shots on us."

I then spoke up. "I'll be going in on my own, and try to take out the guard's as quietly as possible. Then drop a flare for the talons to move in."

"Then we will perform a slaughterhouse operation." Hans continued the explanation of the plan. "My team will go in from the top floor, and Lottery's team will go in from the ground floor. This way we won't risk crossfire during the assault."

A chuckle came from Cauterize. "Nice and simple. And it lets us tear shit up. I like it."

"Just make sure you don't start shooting until you see the enemy. We need to keep the element of surprise up until the last moment." Hans clarified.

Cauterize shrugged. "Fine by me."

"And no using any fire, the two of you." The merchant said to both Cauterize and Molo. "Whatever is in there we're going to need."

Molo rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue in irritation. "Okay buzzkill."

From the back, Low Pressure raised a hoof. "This doesn't include me, I hope."

This time I shook my head. "I ain't trusting you to shoot at nopony. No, you're staying here with Rainbows End's ponies. Like we told you before, your job is to help talk us into the raider nest."

Molo then trotted over to me. "Lottery, you're sure you will be fine going down there alone? "

"I'll be fine. There's only three on guard, and I have the right tools for the job." I said confidently.

She then jabbed me on the shoulder. "That's the spirit, just don't go having all the fun without me."

Giving Molo a hug, I then trotted to the other tent that held our gear. Following me was Hans, who asked me. "Are you doing alright, and I'm not talking about this operation?"

I pulled out Last Dance from a secure gun case, it looked absolutely beautiful in my hooves. "You mean about Horus, I'll recover. It's not like he's left yet."

"No, but in all likelihood, Regina will take him with her when she leaves." Hans reminded me.

I sighed as I loaded and then holstered the rifle. With my guns secured, I then readjusted my armor. Horus had done a spectacular job on everything. It all didn't look that different, but it all felt stronger. He even managed to fully remove any signs that my armor was ever made for Redeye's army. The black wire mesh on top of the leather was a really nice touch too.

"Horus and I already talked about that. And though I would love to go with him, we both have our responsibilities to fulfill first. So if you wouldn't mind, I would rather focus on the shit at hoof right now."

"Right, just checking your headspace. You'd be surprised, but even griffins can get distracted by such things." Hans then moved to the tent door. "I'll fly you down as soon as you're ready."

_______________________________________________________

We waited for the sun to finish dipping below the horizon before starting this operation. Hans carried me down the valley's edge. Though strong, Hans just didn't have that touch that makes me feel safe like Horus does.

With a quiet thud, we touched the ground. "Alright, just light the flare when you're sure the way is clear." Hans instructed me before flying off, leaving me alone down here.

Sticking to the shadows, I made my way to the former Redeye warehouse. My new boots and front hoof covers help keep me from making clopping sounds as I trotted, but I still moved carefully, just to avoid have an accident and ruining the operation

Peeking with my binoculars, I got a better view at my targets. All three were rather rough looking ponies in thick black leather jackets, decorated with studs. It gave off a dangerously intimidating feeling much like raiders do, yet very different. I'd seen ponies like that before in the Red Light Showroom, most of them being pony mercenaries. They were cold and rough, just like Talons, but also had a wildness that scared me. They were also the most abusive of clients to have, and most likely to start fights.

From where I was I could get a good shot on the smuggler. But the others would discover his body before I could take them out as well.

Moving on, I saw the other two, both mares, one with the Redeye rifle. The one with the rifle was a unicorn with a rather chewed up face, and a bit extra armor built into her jacket. Likely a superior is my guess, so she needed to be taken out first. The other, likely lower in importance, had a pip SMG just like Molo's, making her just as dangerous if she got a shot at me.

Watching them having a smoke break, I listened in.

"Why are we out here again, ain't no pony coming out here?" The lower ranked mare complaint.

The higher ranked mare then groaned in annoyance. "Because we're being paid to be here. And it ain't like any pony else will higher us."

"The boss could have taken Gwadina up on her deal. Like the others did?" The lower ranked mare further asked.

With a shove, the higher ranked mare pushed the other mare up onto a wall. "We ain't no fucking mongrels begging for scraps, not no way. We're bigger and better than that. No way we will ever lower our necks to a Talon! We Bullet Hounds will get back on top, and show those mongrels that call themselves mercenaries what real mercenaries can do."

She then dropped the lower ranked mare, who averted her gaze as she said. "Yes Lieutenant, my mistake. I won't bring it up again."

The lieutenant let out a huff before backing up. "Best if you do. The commander is a less forgiving sort. And our employers, they have ways to… make a foolish pony more compliant."

The other mare physically trembled. "y… yes lieutenant, I understand lieutenant."

"Good, now go check the west sector, I'm going to the watchtower. My mane has been twitching, so we might be being watched." She told her subordinate.

The lower ranked mare saluted and then quickly trotted off, leaving the lieutenant alone with me.

Trailing the dangerous mare, I contemplated on how I should take her out. But the more I thought about it, the less I wanted to get close. Unlike raiders, her body was sturdy and eyes were clear. If I got into a hoof fight with her, she would likely snap me like a twig.

I needed to take her out from afar. But even with the suppressor on my rifle, the other mercenaries might still hear it if they were close.

As I followed, she trotted over to and up a scrap built tower. It was just high enough to see everything in the valley below. Now this made a new problem, that of her body falling if I was not careful. The bitch going splat would put the other ponies on alert. But with how much she looked around, I could not follow her up there.

Backing off to an elevated and shadowed place, I pulled out my rifle and got into a sitting position. Horus was the one who taught me to shoot like this when sniping. It helped keep me stabilized, but let me shoot at most angles.

Looking through the scope, I could see her clearly. The mare seemed paranoid as she scanned her surroundings. But she wasn't wrong, and thankfully I was both down wind and hidden.

Waiting and watching her, my opportunity finally came. The mare had relaxed and stepped back from the tower's railing, pulling out a pack of smokes and lighting one.

As she leaned back and took a long drag, her cig lighting up as it burned and I prepared to shoot. Headshots were good, but harder to do and even harder with a target that can move. So center mass was what I aimed at, and with focus on her lungs. The angle was just right, as her side was to me, so I just needed one good shot to keep her from screaming, and another to put her down.

The mare took in a rather long drag, her chest expanding, and for a long few seconds, she held the smoke in. Then a cloud of smoke streamed out of her muzzle as she let all the smoke out.

Firing Last Dance, it let out a loud click-like sound, and I watched as the mare was hit.

Crumpling to the ground, she was clearly trying to breath, but struggling to take a breath. Her horn then glowed as she grabbed her rifle with her magic. Something I had come to know was difficult for unicorns to do when in extreme pain.

I let out another shot, the bullet slamming into the mare, causing her to lose her grip on her gun. But she still struggled to move, attempting to drag herself to cover. Then I let out another shot, which seemed to put her down permanently as she went limp.

I waited for several long seconds, making sure she didn't try to get back up. Her black armored jacket hiding her gunshots well, but the almost stream of blood dripping from the tower was more than a pony could afford to lose.

Just sitting there, watching the now clearly dead mare, a feeling of dread came over me. How easy it was, with just a few pulls of the trigger and it was over, a life snuffed out. It wasn't my first kill, but fighting raiders was a mad chaotic thing, with no time to think or reflect. This had been cold, quiet, and methodical.

My vision began to blue, so I lowered my gun, finding that I had begun to cry. Then, as though my body rejected what I had just done, my last meal forced its way up. I couldn't stop it as I tried to force my muzzle to stay shut, but puke came out all the same.

"What was that?" A stallion spoke up.

I froze as the mercenary stallion had clearly heard that.

Slowly looking around, he trotted around a corner just below me. So I slowly got flat, laying in my own sick just so he couldn't see me.

He then grunted. "I know I heard something! Radroaches don't make loud clicking sounds like that." The stallion then kicked a can. "Fucking hate this place, and fucking hate those damned slavers were guarding."

Scooting over to the ledge, there he was, so close I could almost touch him. Too close.

But this was also an opportunity.

He looked around, but never up as he stood in one place, with his pipe SMG at the ready, and then grumbled out "Maybe I should have listened to the others, the dash is really making me jittery. Well, not like anypony is here to stop me." The stallion pulled out a canister of dash and placed the rainbow painted inhaler into his mouth.

Pulling up my rifle, I slowly took aim. Waiting for it, his head close enough for my rifle barrel to scratch his mane, he then breathed in his dash and I fired.

Blood, brain and bone decorated the floor as the side of the stallion's head blasted open. Dead before he even hit the floor, I then let out a breath I had been holding.

Taking a moment to collect myself, the feeling of wrongness hadn't hit me as hard. So wiping my own sickness off me, I got moving, heading to the west of this place to find the last pony.

It didn't take long to find her, as she was grumbling as she trotted. "We're too good for this. We're too good for that. Maybe if the boss stopped trying to be better than the Talons, we could get less shady jobs for once." She then kicked a wall a few times before continuing her rant to herself. "And what's with the boss's rapey friend, and that obedience training! I'd rather get a beating than be forced to suck his dick." A long sigh came from the mare. "Best just do as told, at least then the boss will have my back."

As I watched the mare, she proved to be too jittery and always moving. Along with plenty of junk in the way, it would prove too difficult to shoot her like this. But fortunately she was rather loud and chatty, meaning it would be easy to get close to her. And fortunately she didn't keep her gun ready, her pipe SMG still securely holstered.

Drawing Rime Frost, I knew what to do. Just one clear hit and it would be over. So with my shotgun in my mouth, I crept forward, keeping myself in her blind spot.

It was no different from staying out of sight from a critter, or avoiding a rather sadistic client. Though I was glad I was not in high heels this time.

"Now our employer, I wouldn't mind getting raped by him." She said, causing me to freeze, out of confusion. "That suit, his mane, and that cold uncaring eye. What was his name? Trip… Tripper… no, what was it?"

Placing my shotgun back into my hooves, and preparing to attack, I had to at least clarify the name. "You mean Tripwire."

"Ya that's it!" The mare said as she turned to me with a smile.

A look of shock was all she could do as Rime Frost's axe came down on her head. It had made a wet sounding crack as the axe slit her skull, getting stuck in.

To both our shock and horror, the attack had not killed her yet, and she looked at me with unfocused eyes, reaching out to me as she mothed "you… bitch."

As I stood there with the axe in her skull, frost crept from the blade, and extended onto the mare's face. First the trickle of blood froze, then her eyes before taking over her whole head, freezing her face in the look of shock. Pulling the axe out, the mare then fell over. When her head hit the floor, it shattered in frozen gore.

I myself was utterly shocked, too shocked to even wretch at what I just did. Instead I just slowly backed away, unsure how to even explain this if anypony ever saw it.

Remembering the mission, I ran to the tower, and lit the flare. It let out a red light and billowed smoke. As I waited for the others, I saw the lieutenant's corpse, next to her was her Redeye rifle, and a pack of smokes. Even the cigarette she had been smoking was here, and still lit, if barely.

Picking up the pack of smokes, it was a brand I hadn't seen yet, it depicted the pink smiling mare. Using the used cigarette to light a stick I pulled out, I breathed in the smoke and immediately felt calmer. Actually I felt even better, great even.

"Nice kill there." Hans said as he landed in the tower. "But next time try to end it in two shots, if she got even one shot-"

"I know that!" I said, cutting his nagging off, then offered him a cigarette.

Hans reached out to take one, but then pulled back. "I'll pass on one of those."

I cocked an eyebrow. "You smoke like a chimney, why not?"

He pointed at the pack. "Because that's a chem laced cigarette from Fillydelphia. Anyways, I only smoke Coffin Nails."

I paused for a moment at realizing what I was smoking, but didn't spit it out. Instead I took another puff and placed the pack in a pocket. It wasn't bad, so why waste it. "Alright, then let's get moving before I lose my nerves."

Hand nodded. "Right, you're not a Talon or raider like the rest of us. If you want, you can sit this out."

"No, I started this, so I need to finish it." I told him as I picked up the Redeye rifle, and salvaged two magazines from the dead mare.

Looking at the rifle, it gave off a strange sense of power from it. Not like magic with Rime Frost, but more like just raw power. From the thick barrel to the long exposed spring, I was sure this thing was dangerous, no matter who's hooves it was in.

Hans then clicked his tongue. "I really wish I could bring that thing home with me and get it converted for claw fire."

I nodded. "Ya, I think I can understand what you mean."
_______________________________________________________

Molo, Cauterize and I were all in our position, waiting for the Talons to fire a flare as their sign. The formation was simple, with Molo acting as the vanguard, charging in first and laying down as much fire on any enemy as possible. Cauterize will be right behind her and take out anypony she missed. I would cover the rear, and keep any of the enemy from hitting our back.

Molo looked annoyed as she watched Cauterize play with his new gun. "Why does he get the fucking assault rifle?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Why are you complaining, you got four SMGs now."

She rolled her eyes at me. "Ya, but they don't shoot .308's."

I face hoofed. "That's your problem. It's because he gets the bigger bullets."

"Well, it's a cooler gun." Molo grumbled. "I do love my two babies, but they just do have the same bang."

A light then flared to life high above us, signaling that it was time. "Well time to use your babies." I told Molo, then turned to Cauterize. "Break down that door and let's kill some slavers!"

Cauterize smiled wide as he slung the pipe assault rifle onto his back and charged the door. With a loud "wham" Cauterize slammed into the door, knocking it off its hinges.

Molo soon after jumped in guns blazing, the sound of her SMGs deafening her manic laughter. A statement that Cauterize quickly joined in, his rifle clearly louder.

Joining them inside with Whisky Shot ready in my muzzle, the room we entered was a mess of bullet holes and bodies. The ponies here did have a chance, not even for the ones who got to cover. Where Molo's attack had done its damage, it could not go through the metal tables that were used as cover. But Cauterize's attack had, with large holes punched into… well everything.

Seeing it in action, I was starting to understand why the Redeye Rifle was such a big deal. I hadn't seen a gun that could shoot .308 at full auto before, and it was a terrifying thing to say the least. This gun was probably why the NCR was having so much trouble.

Both my companions reloaded and we moved on.

We were quickly met with resistance as we hit a hallway, ponies using the doorway for cover. But like before, Cauterize's new gun just punched through the walls. Molo bolted forward, making sure any pony waiting in ambush didn't get the opportunity. It was more of a mad dash than an orderly assault, both ex-raiders fighting with a mad glee.

Keeping watch on our rear, a mercenary rolled out to attack. Firing as fast as I could, I unloaded all six rounds into the pony as they fired back. We both hit each other, and it felt like I just got kicked in the chest as I kept pulling the trigger, taking a while to realize that my revolver was spent and my opponent was dead.

Checking myself, I found a bullet lodged in my chest armor from under my jumpsuit. "Fuck!" I huffed out.

"What's wrong!" Molo shouted to me.

"Going to need to patch up my suit." I told Molo as I looked her way.

My friend's armor was poked in dents and holes. She herself was bleeding from a few places, but not badly. "Damn, but it looks like your armor works."

"Yours too." I said back to her.

She smiled before drinking a healing potion and continuing her rampage.

Emptying my revolver, I then pulled two half moon clips and loaded the gun. The loading practice I had done for over a month had paid off, and I managed to not fumble the reload while still jittery from the fight.

As I joined the others, I was then shoved back as both Molo and Cauterize took cover. "Eat Shit raiders!" A rather large and armored Bullet Hound merc yelled, with a minigun strapped to his barrel. Getting as low as I could to the floor, bullets then wizarded over me like it was a vertical rainstorm.

But as soon as it started it then stopped.

Looking up from my cover, I saw Hans standing over the merc, with a combat knife in the ponies skull. Pulling it out, Hans let the merc fall over.

"The other two Talons are doing an area sweep to look for any stragglers, but this should be all of them. We successfully caught them with their dicks out." Hans said with a smile.

I let my legs give out, and took a moment to catch my breath. The sound of nonstop gunfire and getting shot had taken a lot out of me.

Then I felt Hans stick his talon into my jumpsuit, causing me to freeze in surprise. His talon brushed against my chest fluff and… began feeling my armor from the inside?

Pulling a flattened bullet out from the inside of my jumpsuit, he then passed it to me. "Lucky you they only had crap ammo, if the round was any bigger or more powerful, you'd have more than just a bruise."

Looking at the bullet, I then put it into an unused pocket. "Th… Thanks, I'll remember that." I then gave him a hard slap. "And ask me the next time you want to shove a talon under my clothes."

Hans laughed, looking a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, just a bit of a habit."

There was then the pop of a gunshot, followed by a torrent of rifle fire. After a moment, we heard one of the other Talons call out. "Now it's all clear, and they didn't hit anything vital!"

Hans then shrugged. "We get shot... a lot."

With everything now clear, the Talons flew off to grab the merchants as my team gathered bodies to throw in a single room. It was to minimize the smell of death, and so that we didn't have to step over the bodies.

Molo and Cauterize were quick to loot the corpse; chems, ammo, spare guns, and they both claimed an intact jacket for themselves. It all looked natural to them, and knowing what they used to be, it definitely was.

I didn't need any new guns, but I was more than fine with a few more bullets, and a bottle of booze. All the while I puffed on a chem laced cigarette to keep my nerves calm.

Where some bodies were mostly intact, others had been turned into a mutilated mess. Just looking at some made my stomach wretch, and then I had to move them. Worse was that some ponies were barely adults, and a few of them were rather pretty mares who probably could have done some other work then this. But it was too late for them as I forced their cold dead eyes shut.

"Nasty business, aint it." Molo said as she tossed the last corps into the now named, corps room.

It was chosen because it already had several dead bodies in it. Of which looked like the poor ponies had been thoroughly tortured before their death, and probably raped before and after. It at least gave me some solace, as we gave those ponies some justice, and prepared their bodies for a proper burial. No way I would let their bodies be stored with those who abused and murdered them.

I nodded at Molo's statement as we trotted away. "But it had to be done."

As we came to a table, she then passed me a glass of whisky. "To better days."

Taking the glass, I clinked it with hers. "May it come sooner than later."

Soon after the merchants got to work looking though the warehouse, pulling out materials, and reading papers. Among the things the smugglers here were moving were a shit ton of guns, ammo, and a chem called stamped.

"Well this confirms it, they are planning on making a raider horde, and a dangerous one at that." The lead merchant said as he tossed the chem filled syringe to Hans.

Our Talon friend scowled as he looked at the chem. "Where the fuck are they getting so many combat chems? This makes no sense."

The merchant nodded in agreement. "Ya, even our own chem suppliers can't produce this much anymore. Not without slave labor and a factory space for them to work in. At least the guns and ammo are a known factor, as the NCR are still finding weapons caches all over Fillydelphia. Many of which had already been emptied." He then grunted in irritation. "We should have taken a prisoner."

Hans then trotted over to a crate and pulled out a Redeye rifle. "You and I both know that the guards here likely know nothing. It's how Fillydelphia slavers work when they want to keep secrets. Best to stick with the plan and wait for the ponies from the raider camp to arrive. If Rainbows End connections are right, they should appear sometime this morning."

Again, the merchant nodded. "Yes, you're right. I just spoke too soon. A prisoner would put this operation at risk."

I then trotted up to the two, passing them a bottle of whisky. "Then we might as well settle in for the night, wake up early in the morning."

Hans took the bottle, but then passed it to the merchant. "We Talons will take watch, the rest of you ponies go and rest up." He then eyed me and sighed. "And maybe wash up too."

"Ya, got to wash the blood off my hooves." I said, now feeling a bit tipsy. "I'll be right back."

As I trotted off, I shook my hips in a strut. It felt dumb, but also fun. So long as it kept me from thinking about all the cold dead eyes from tonight.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Thirty Six

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Thirty six

_______________________________________________________

We arrived at a shabby looking shack, where the two pegasus that were with Cold Trails stood guard. The foals were hiding behind a third pegusus, a mare that wore an Enclave uniform with a ministry of peace band over her forelegs. The ghouls were keeping their distance from the others, looking just as worried as the three pegasus seemed to be about the company.

As we helped the ponies we saved off the wagon to take a quick rest, a few foals rushed out to what was likely their parents, but most of them just looked on with dejected eyes. This wagon was likely their last hope to see their parents, and if they weren't here, they were likely dead.

Cold Trails was not doing well, with the med-x quickly wearing off, he had trouble moving, even with the help of power armor. Thankfully we had a doctor here, so I called Coriander over for help. Strangely he was now in a white radiation suit, the suit glowing green from the face shield.

"Before you ask, the lovely lady over there gave it to me." He pointed over at the pegasus mare with the foals. "Now let's see what I can do. Fortunately I have made sure all my medical tools have been well cared for and sterilized." The head of the suit then looked at me bathing me in green light. "And you are clearly next to be looked at."

The pegasus mare then trotted over and addressed Cold with a salute. "Medical officer Chain Lighting, requesting permission to speak freely."

Cold Trails grunted and said. "Fuck... ya, permission granted."

Chain then scowled. "The fuck are you thinking. You said in and out, no taking major risks. But you flew back into that shitshow for the fucking dirt tredders." She then glanced at me, "no offense." Then back to Cold. "Now look at what you did. That armor survived the great war and two hundred years of bureaucratic bullshit, only for you to fuck it up. And where's the other plasma rifle, those MEW's cost more than a lifetime salary as a trooper, and it's gone!"

The mare then took a deep breath and sighed, then turned to Coriander. "Doctor, make sure he lives, but don't waste any pain killers if possible. It's clear we have other ponies who need them more than him."

Coriander chuckled. "Oh this brings me back, you field medics never change."

With this situation done, it was time to address the ponies we saved. Trotting over to them, I put on my best smile, doing what I can to put them at ease. "Hello everypony. We got a long road ahead of us, so the sooner we get moving, the sooner we will arrive at Ursa's Rest. "

One pony spoke up and asked. "We don't have food or water, will we even make it there?"

Fortunately this was an easy question. "I can hunt, and I know how to find water. We got a bunch of pegasus with us, so they can easily scout ahead. So let's stick together. Oh, and if any of you are hurt or need counseling, some of the ghouls are medical ponies, they will be able to help you."

They didn't seem to look all that sure about what I said, but just like before, the mare with the scars and fierce eyes stood up and took charge. She had found some clothes along the way, along with a jacket tightly wrapped around her flank, something I could understand why. "You heard the mare, anyways if we stay here, the raiders or ferals might find us. Let's just focus on getting somewhere safer, then we can nitpick the details. Having doubts now will get us nowhere. So if you can trot, get trotting, if you can't, load up in the cart, and the foals get priority."

That seemed to be what they needed and once I gave them a direction, remembering where we had come from, they all started trotting.

As I took the lead, Molo joined me, looking a bit nervous. It was out of character for her, and concerned me greatly. "Is something wrong? I'm not in the mood for any crazy shit you understand."

Molo rolled her eyes. "No, no, nothing of the sort. Well nothing raider crazy I mean." She then glanced back at Spell for a quick second. "Ahh, you know how I said I was born and raised in a brothel." I nodded and she continued. "And how I started out as a honey trap for more important ponies." I nodded again. "Well… the stallion I was with was a… Naysayer…"

My eyes felt like they almost popped out, and I was getting a bad feeling about this, but the dots were not connecting together. "Please don't tell me it was Tripwire."

Molo looked disgusted at the suggestion. "No, by Celestia no."

Inbreathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss Lottery, can we talk?" Spell Circuit spoke up, startling me as he matched my pace.

"Uh, ya, just let me finish talking to my friend here… oh, I haven't introduced you, this is Molotov, Molo for short. And Molo, this is, Spell Circuit."

Spell gave Molo a polite nod. "Hello miss Molotov…" he raised an eyebrow, clearly thinking of something. "Say, have we met before?"

Molo averted her eyes, looking at the sky instead of at Spell. "Ahh, no…. But, you might have met my… ahhh… sister, ya. Does the name Sparking Passion ring a bell."

Spell went silent for a moment as we trotted, then blushed profusely as he looked away. "I… I… I do believe I know a Sparking Passion. But it's been a long time… how is she faring?"

"Could be better, could be worse." Molo said nervously, not acting as herself.

I then realized something. "Say Molo, isn't you name actually-"

Molo cut me off by thrusting her hoof into my mouth and whispered in my ear. "Shhhh, don't say a thing, talk later."

As I looked at Molo, it finally clicked, and I was shocked! The foals Molo was trying to reclama, their father is Spell Circuits! I looked at Spell for a moment, and awkwardly smiled at him. "So… what was it you wanted to talk about?"

_______________________________________________________

We managed to get to the meeting spot, where the Talons would eventually show up to take us home, just as the sun began to set. That being a highway overpass with a shack under it. Using a barrel to set a fire, everypony quickly got warm and I got to cooking. I had also managed to catch a group of geckos, and now roasted them over the fire. It wasn't much, but it was clear that everypony was grateful for anything. Except for Low Pressure, who preferred something less crude, but was willing to settle for less.

The three pegasus had flown off, as it had turned out, there were a lot more of them in hiding. So we had agreed to bring them along, and so long as Cold Trails was with us, they could find us. Not that he was in any condition to fly off. The other ponies were worried about more pegasus joining us, partly out of worry for food and water, but likely more out of fear they would do something to harm us. We reassured them that they would be safe, as Talon should show up tomorrow to take us to Ursa's Rest.

Though it would be cutting it close, the three pegasus were confident that they would be back before then. Since they all could fly, I didn't doubt them.

Spell Circuit and I had a long talk about what the two of us had been up to. The stallion had been tracking his brother's movement, and doing what he could to slow him down. But it seemed all he accomplished was just being an annoyance until he met Cold Trails. I had decided to not tell him about my time working in the Red Light Showroom, but did tell him about how I had helped save Wiretap. He was glad that I was doing well for myself, though the possibility of having to talk to Grizzly did seem to make him nervous.

I had also tried to get Molo to clarify more about her relationship with Spell, but she became tight-lipped about it, not wanting to say any more so long as Spell was nearby. It was strange, as my normally brash friend was now uncritically shy. Though I understood why, as the stallion she had thought died ten years ago was very much alive and with us.

Fortunately the ghouls and the other ponies had started to get along. It was more tolerating each other than any real acceptance, but it was a start. Coriander was allowed to look at the other ponies, thanks to the enclave radiation suit. And the freed ponies were at least glad to have a doctor look them over, ghoul or not.

The nurses on the other hoof had gathered some of us for an as private as possible group counseling whenever we stopped. When I learned what it was about, I tried to run, but Mint managed to convince me to stick around and at least listen. I was fine, and I neither wanted to talk about, or hear another pony talk about their own abuse or rape.

So under the ruins of a highway overpasses, many of us sat in a wide circle around a fire to… talk.

…

"Well my father was against it, always saying that he will work twice as hard to provide… but that just gave mother more opportunities. While he was out, she would… she…"

Aloe gently held the mare's hoof. "It's okay, you don't have to tell us if you're not comfortable. Just remember we're here for you when you're ready."

The mare shook her head. "I'm fine… I need to say it… you see, my mother would whore me out when my father was away. To make extra caps for the family she say… but she only spent it on herself. Father came home from work one day and saw it all. He… he killed them all and beat mom to death… after that the town hung him and left me and my siblings on the street to starve." The mare then cover her face with her hooves, years flowing. "I did what I only knew what to do, but at least my siblings got the caps this time."

She was then hugged by Aloe until the mare calmed down.

Once things were silent, Mint got up and looked around. "Any pony wishes to share, were all friends here? No pony will judge you."

Most of us here don't really want to talk, some barely responding. The one stallion I saved hadn't said much since we got free, something I could understand.

Mint then looked at me. "Lottery, how about you?"

"Rather not." I grumbled.

"You sure?" She pressed.

I let out a sigh. "Fine. If you want to know so bad. I was the one who helped these bastards start this shit in the first place. When I found out I chose to fight them. My reward, getting fucked in every way possible, then escaping to only find out the set me up with their debt. Oh and I was too stupid to understand that I could have done other thing then to whore myself out to pay off the cap. Or do you want me tell you about how the Raider boss of the Murder Balls publicly scarred my cunt. Or how about how right after that I was delivered to a raider ganged rape!"

"I think I'm ready to tell my story." Spoke up the scared up earth pony mare. Next to her, holding her hoof was unicorn mare, in much of the same condition as she was. I could guess how bad the earth pony's story was, as the first time I saw her was over a month ago in the care of the Brain Nails. I could still hear her pained moans as I could do nothing to help.

As she spoke, her voice quivered, but also a sense of resolve to it. "I'm... A Steel Ranger Scribe… named Plasma Cutter. My job is to maintain the power armor… was, it was my job." There was a bitterness in her voice. "When the Applejack Rangers schism happened, I was too busy to even realize what was going on. And by the time the shooting had ended, star paladin Spritz Cookie saw me as a traitor for not joining the fight. Half the chapter dead, or captured and awaiting a joke of a trial. I was at least not executed, just banished without any gear."

A look of pain was in Plasma's eyes, taking a moment to collect herself before continually. "I… I managed to survive on my own for a few weeks, remembering my survival training. But then I stupidly trotted into a raider toll stop. I couldn't pay, and they didn't let me leave… I… I foolishly decided to get into an argument with some of them, not expecting their offer to have them all fuck me and then let me be on my way… lets just say I lost track of time as they still had their way with me in some dark cell. And when they weren't raping me, I was forced to do tasks they weren't bothered to do themselves."

Plasma then rubbed her abdomen and grimaced. "They made sure to mark my body, like I was some cruel art project. Later I ended up in that town, where the head mare of the Brain Nails showed me off with a few other ponies to the other raiders. The others… they were broken, and I knew she was trying to brake me like that too."

The Unicorn next to her squeezed Plasma's hoof, shaking ever so slightly. Unlike Plasma, she hadn't thorn on any clothes on, or we just didn't have any for her, so I could see all the scars on her. It was only a guess, but she looked like she was possibly pregnant too, the poor mare. One more oddity was that on her abdomen was a heart shaped tattoo that seemed to shift colors. Seeing the tattoo caused me to rub my abdomen too, wincing in pain from the touch.

"Only Silver Bristle Brush and I kept our sanity through it all" Plasma said as she held the other mare.

She then took a deep breath, looking at her chipped hoof. "I think they hated how we hadn't given up, how we weren't going to let them break us. So they just found new ways to torment, to hurt. But what the raiders did… It's nothing compared to how my brothers and sisters betrayed me."

Listening to her, I felt like I could understand. But her pain was deeper, yet she didn't let herself be broken. She been a raider slave but could still hold her head up high like that. It… it made me feel that I could go on for a bit longer.

As the night went on, eventually everypony had their say, either it being short, or longer than anypony expected. Strangely it helped me feel more… relaxed. Almost everypony had been through something similar to my own experience, and were scared by it. Mentally and or physically. Even Aloe shared her story, how a patient had stolen several chems and assaulted her. It was a reminder that bad things happened even back during better times.

"So you're really fine with it?" I asked Plasma.

The mare rubbed her belly, a resolved look on her face. "The foal is innocent, that's all I know or care about this." Doctor Coriander had looked Plasma over, and confirmed she had two at lest treatable STD's and was pregnant. Neither she was happy about it, but she also seemed relieved that it was not worse. Plasma then asked me! "How about you, miss hero?"

I rolled my eyes and answered, "I'm no hero, and I'm safe. My doctor gave me an immunity shot before heading out, and I took some contraception with me… I have a tendency to pick up stallions when drunk, you see. And I thought I was ready for the risks…"

She patted me on the shoulder. "We're alive and free thanks to you and your friends, so you're a hero. Ya, you got ganged raped by raiders, but almost all of us in the meeting had been. What's important is that we're alive, and they're dead."

Plasma then looked up at the moon and sighed. "Its sad really, my first sexual experience was being tied to a post and bread. I could have had a stallion in my Ranger compony, was courted a few times, but so absorbed in my work that I didn't pat them no mind. Probably why I was exiled over executed, some of them may have still liked me."

She then shook her head, and again rubbed her stomach. "Now its wait and see if the pony growing in me looks like a raider or not."

"I'm sure they will be cute if they look anything like their mother." I reassured her.

She smiled. "Oh I hope so. Been having nightmares about it, and if I was anything like those savages, I'd probably believe I had a monster in me then some unfortunate foal."

I didn't have anymore words, just the though of being impregnated by raiders was terrifying to me. It only made me glad I had those contraceptives.

The sound of wings caught our attention as Cold Trails laned in front of us, out of his armor and covered in bandages. He was looking better for a pony who had such a hard crash, but still was far worse then most of us. As it had turned out, the plasma rifle exploding had partly gone into his armor, burning the side of his barrel, his right back leg, and right wing. Fortunately med-x and a healing potion helped keep him going, but it was clear he was doing his best to hide the pain.

"You two alright? Heard your meeting was over." He asked

"Ya… it was a thing." I told him.

The pegasus had a solom loom on his face, then looked at the ground as though guilty. "I… I spied in on a bit of it… and is okay if we talk… about my sister, Chilly."

I signed and gave Plasm a look that told her we needed some space. She nodded and trotted off to rejoin Silver Bristle Brush and the other ponies.

Once she was far enough away, and I was sure the wind would mask our voices I looked over the horizon. This shelter had a nice view overlooking the mostly barren wasteland, the moon illuminating everything in a silver glow.

"I can't say I understand why she did it, not when she was so close to being free. But I can honestly say I understand some of the pain she felt." I told Cold Trails.

"I think i know why." Cold Trails said with a sigh as he look out at the scenery. "You see, she wanted to be an architect, to help build the next cloud city. She was even streamlined into the advanced program in school. When the letter came in, it was the best day in her life. All her dreams were in reach, she just had to work hard and then… then she…"

Cold began to cry, though his face remained stoic. "When the clouds fell, so did all her dreams. She was almost catatonic when I found her. Barely eating, hadn't even bathed, her wings disheveled. That spark in her eyes… it was gone. It was like she was already dead. Then Flyright got her hooves on my sister."

I just listened as Cold wiped his tears away and continued. "Flyright said she would unify all of us, drill in a sense of community. I guess my sister was looking for anything that would make sense of the world, and I was just happy that she was eating… then I lost her, and was simply told it was a soldier's duty." He then took a deep breath and let out a pained sigh. "I was too blind to see that Flyright was culling the weak, and unifying us through fear. I should have taken my sister and few as far away from the enclave as possible."

He then looked at me, and asked. "Tell me, what actually happened to my sister? Did she really sacrifice herself to kill the raiders?"

Slowly I breathed in, and slowly breathed out. "I think she flew down to save another pony who got shot out of the sky. Then they were overwhelmed by raiders, is my guess. I found Chilly as she was being raped, her wings wrapped in barbed wire. Almost joined her when I stepped on a bear trap."

The moment played through my head. The muffled groan of pain, the slowly moving raider. Frantically fighting while in extreme pain. All of it.

"It was a close fight, but I won and freed her." I explained, taking a moment to take a breath before continuing. "There was another raider, I managed to kill it, but the raider dropped a grenade… a grenade Chill picked up."

"That's when she died?" Cold Trails asked.

I nodded. "I think she just wanted it to all stop. And I can understand that. Still, I wish she hadn't, I know I could have gotten her to safety."

Cold Trails shook his head. "No, she should have never been there in the first place. She should have been somewhere safe."

"Like how I should have never left home." I said with a huff.

Cold Trails clicked his tongue. "Just like how the Enclave should have just minded their own business and stayed up in the clouds."

We then spent a long moment just looking over the horizon, sitting in silence. The wasteland was bustling with life, if you knew where to look. Mostly small critters going about their business, but there was even a pack of coyotes far off in the distance, tracking their prey. It was tranquil, and reminded me of home.

A yawn came from me, and I got up. "It's been nice, but I should get some rest. Molo's on watch, so you should rest too."

"Ya, I'll do that." Cold Trails answered as he rubbed his neck. "The Med-x is wearing off anyways.

I couldn't help but notice how handsome he looked, the parts not covered by bandages, much like the stallions in the old magazines. Though he looked more natural then that of Tripwire, no need for suits or accessories. A part of me wanted to comfort him, but another didn't want to be touched, or touch others. Yet another part of me twitched, wanting to be mounted by him, which filled me with disgust, as it only caused me to remember the raiders. I had to bite my tongue to calm down.

It was just so… conflicting.

Giving up, I left. Seeking sleep, but dreading the nightmares.

_______________________________________________________

I sat along the edges of a circle, along with other versions of me. One was in my Red Light Showroom outfit, chewing gum. Another was in the scout armor I had so long ago. A third in my jumpsuit.

They were passing along a pipe, smoking it before talking. One version of me let out a cloud of smoke, and as it passed, her face became mangled and twisted. "Turns out laughing in their face gets a led pipe to the jaw. Didn't stop them from having their way with me, even after I was dead, but not that I cared after that."

"Oh, after another month of whoring, I just accepted it and enjoyed myself." The Red Light me said, taking a puff. The smoke revealed a sickly and thin mare. "The chems are good too, though the shakes suck."

Again and again, each version of me was revealed to be… broken in some way. Then the pipe came to me, all of them looking at me.

"Come on, breathe it in." The voice of Strife spoke in my ear. I turned to loom for her but saw nothing. "Embrace the wasteland, it will make it all easier in the end."

I laughed, and the dream shifted and changed. Now I was at a table, and other versions of me were all rabbits having a tea party. "I beat you, killed those raiders and put a wrench in Tripwire's plans."

One rabbit began to clap, it was pitch black, like a hole in reality. "And it was wonderful. Their deaths were gloriously pathetic, truly wondrous. The terror and dread, along with the pure ecstasy of a real fight. You can't say you didn't enjoy seeing Pink Haze die so viciously. And I know you wish Onyx had died in a similar way."

On the table, the napkins turned into ponies, who fought each other, ripping their paper bodies apart. One was clearly Onyx, desperately fighting off feral ghouls, but slowly getting overwhelmed. Then they got her, taking small chunks out of her bit by bit until she was confetti.

"I'll not deny I wished her death was more… painful." I admitted.

The rabbit jumped onto the table, turning into a pony, and getting muzzle to muzzle with me. "That's the spirit! Embrace it, let it fuel you. There will be more death, more suffering to come, but you can survive it, master it. You still have three more ponies to see dead, and I will enjoy watching it."

She then offered her hoof, it sending a chill up my spine. "So, will you accept me, accept my power into yourself?"

A spark of blue light got in between us, and Strife jumped back as Will-o-Wisp formed and then danced.

Strife huffed and then vanished, the table I was at now became a stage covered in dead ponies.

Getting up, I shouted, "and what if I don't want that, what if I quit now?"

Strife chuckled, her voice coming from all the corpses in unison. "And let your own suffering be for not? You can't let it go now, you can't just let those raiders and slavers go free. They left their mark on you, on others, and you're going to make them pay for it. So fight my little pony, scream and shout out all your hate. Keep the fires of conflict burning."

_______________________________________________________

I woke up with a cold sweat, breathing hard and feeling horrible.

"You okay?" Molo asked me, she having been sitting near me.

I nodded. "Ys just a bad-" the feeling of my stomach churning sent me charging out of the shelter and to a ditch. Puking out bile, my stomach forcefully evacuating what little I have in my stomach.

As I wretched, Molo magickly held back my mane as she patted me on the back with her hoof. "Right, right, let it all out. You will feel better soon."

"Oh shut it." I groaned. "Was it all quiet last night?"

"As the grave." She answered. "It looks like none of the raiders or ferals followed us, so we are in the clear. As long as the bigger beasties don't find us, we'll be fine until the Talons show up. This is the right place, right?"

Wiping the sick from my mouth trotted over to the view from last night and looked over the land. Now the sun was rising, and everything had a pinkish red hue to it. "Ya, where we need to be, Grizzly told me she has them scouting the area for any major raider movements. A scouting party should swing by here in the morning, and they will get the recovery team."

Molo shrugged. "So we wait."

"Well in the meantime, why don't you tell me about you and-" before I could finish my question, Spell Circuit trotted out with Cold Trails, with them were the three Pegasus from before, along with at least ten more pegasus, and several more rough looking foals. They had arrived with time to spare, which was a wait off my shoulders, as I didn't like the idea of leaving ponies behind.

But to my surprise, with them was the robot Margaret hovering along, humming a song I didn't recognize.

The miss nanny's eyes seem to beam with joy upon seeing me. "Oh miss Lottery, good to see you again! Have you been well? Washing regularly?"

I don't know why, but seeing the robot got me to crack a genuine smile. "You're… okay! I mean I could be worse, but what about you? Why did you leave the manor?"

Margaret gave a polite chuckle. "Oh master Spell Circuit came to pick the maids and I up. Though it was pleasant to work under master Tripwire, his company has been all but polite to us. It was a shame, but when master Spell said he needed us, I felt it was best to go with him."

I raised an eyebrow. "You… and the maids?"

She bobbed her large eye spheres in a nod. "Oh yes, we have been following around master Spell for some time now. They should be here in but a moment. That aside, what have you been doing?"

"Fine, just… living." I told the robot.

Margaret didn't seem satisfied with that answer, but thankfully didn't press me. "Well once were back at the manor, we can get you and everypony washed up."

I looked at Spell, a bit confused, and he replied, "Her programing is not set for roaming, so she doesn't understand we're not going back to Naysayers Manor."

"I can help with that." Plasma Torch spoke up as she eyed Margaret. "Annoyingly enough, robots and power armor have a similar spell matrix." She then looked at Cold Trails. "Speaking of which, let me see your armor too. I bet you fly ponies never gave those things a proper tune-up, just let the repair talismans do the work."

The pegasus mare, Chain Lighting, then got between Cold and Plasma. "And what would a savage know about power armor?"

Plasma furrowed her brow at the pegasus. "Savage! I probably know more about arcano-tech than you will ever know, and with on hoof experience. I have been repairing power armor since before I was ten years old as a squire!"

Chain backed up a little. "What? Who lets foals touch artifacts, and what's a squire?"

Spell cleared his throat. "She's a Steel Ranger, as in the old Equestria Steel Rangers. They're very much still around, just like the Enclave."

Realization sparked in Chain's eyes. "What, seriously! The fucking ground military has been around this entire time and the Enclave said nothing!"

"Actually, the Enclave said they were all dead, and savages had taken their armor." Cold Trails spoke up. "By now you should have realized that the Enclave lied to us about a lot of things."

She then scratched her chin. "Wait, if the ground military survived, what about the navy"

"Maybe we can talk about all this after we get to Ursa's Rest." I reminded the mare.

Chain let out a long sigh. "Ya, I clearly have a lot more thinking to do."

"It will also be good to have a proper medical facility for us to give all these ponies a proper examination, and a private room for individual counseling." Mint spoke up, joining the ever growing crowd.

"And a place with a machine shop, I miss the smell of oil" Plasma said whimsically.

"0ersonal, I just want a proper bed and some booze." I said, only for my stomach to then grumble.

"Oh, how impolite of me." Margaret spoke, and from seemingly nowhere she pulled out a large and colorful loaf of bread. "Here, I have the Naysayers family fruitcake, filled with healthy herbs and tea leaves. There's enough for everypony!"

Though there was enough for everypony, the slice of bread didn't seem like much, but it was surprisingly filling. We were also offered some tea as well, which also lifted everponi3s spirits.

The five robot maids soon joined us, meaning that everypony was here now. The maid quickly got to cleaning the area, which was a bit funny, and helped get everypony's mind off of things as they "helped" out.

Actually they helped get everypony to feel more comfortable with each other as they shared gossip. I was starting to think it might become a problem, even after some of us had opened up. Most of the ghouls had been reclusive, beastly talking. The freed slave, well they were more open verbally, but understandably flinched at nearly everything. And the pegasus, they just looked disheveled and lost.

But now the atmosphere felt far less tense, and some of them seemed to be cracking honest smiles.

Spell trotted over and sat next to me. "You know, I didn't think I had gotten through to Cold Trails when I first met him."

"Oh, what happened?" I asked.

"Retraced my brother's steps, and came across them at Dead Ponies Pass." He explained. "When I found out that they had made a deal with my brother, I tried to warn them, but Flyright had me kicked out. Well Cold Trails took what I said to heart, and investigated o. His own. A week later he found me, and since then we have been trying to figure out how to stop Tripwire and Flyright. Unfortunately more pegusi followed Flyright, so it's going to be a challenge."

"And how did you find Pleasantville?" I further asked.

"The foals actually." He said. "Some of them are Crusaders, a collection of orphans who somehow survive on their own. Crusaders have been around for a long time, just don't ask me how. But a few of them got captured by the slavers, and they asked us for help. Pointed us to Pleasantville."

"So it was just by luck you happened to be in the area then." I said.

Spell shook his head. "Actually we had been watching the place for a few days, waiting for when they would transport the foals away so as to free them. Then we saw the horde of ghouls coming to the town and knew it was now or never. A brilliant play by the way."

He then looked at me with curiosity. "I never quite got to properly ask, but what have you been doing since we parted? I thought you were heading home."

I let out a long breath, feeling that now was as good as anytime. Anyways, Mint said it's unhealthy to bottle things up and such. "As it turns out, your brother had one more fuck you for me. He and his friends left me with a sizable debt, and Grizzly was not going to just let me go with it unpaid." I then flicked the neon pink streak in my mane. "Stupidly sighed a new contract to work off the debt, and was living as a wh… a brothel worker up until a week ago."

"WHAT!" Spell shouted in surprise, causing our group to lookin our direction.

"Keep it down will you." I told him sternly. "Anyways that's all behind me now, and I made friends with Grizzly and Wiretap. Your niece is adorable by the way. But it was thanks to Molo that I got myself out of that life before I let it consume me. And now we're both working to stop Tripwire, with Grizzly's support. Actually, that's who we're going to see once we get to Ursa's Rest."

Spell Circuit now looked nervous, and a bit sad. "I should have-"

"No!" I cut him off. "No apologizing for you brother, or for my own mistakes. I'm not the smartest pony, I mean I can't even read, but I should have known better. I was just too wrapped up in a fantasy to see the truth about your brother. Then too deep in my own self loathing to value myself and let Grizzly assign me my worth. It still hurts, and the nightmares haven't gone away, but if I don't take responsibility for myself… then when will I."

"Oh, s… I see." Spell meekly said.

I then looked over at the horizon, the sun now full over and bathing the land in light. In the distance I could see something flying to us, likely the Talons. "It's not like I'll just let it go, I want revenge for myself, and justice for all those hurt by him. I want to stop what I help start, and I have accepted that bad things will happen to me. It's the wasteland after all, it's not a safe place, not at all."

"No it is not." Spell said, then looked at me, still with sorrow in his eyes. "But must you go through… that? You can stop now, let others take care of the rest."

I shook my head. "No, I need to do this. What was done to me, I shouldn't have happened. Plasma and the other ponies shouldn't have been playthings to raider, but it happened. Chilly should be alive with her brother, and yet she's dead. Molo should be part of a happy family, not trying to get them back."

My eyes then locked onto Spell's, sharing my own sorrowful look. "I won't lie, I was just as terrifying when Spine Breaker had me as I was when Grinders had me… and when those raiders mobbed me. But I'm also angry about it, all so pissed off about it. So no, I'm not going to stop, not until at least other ponies are safe from them."

Spell looked away, eyeing the horizon as well. "Maybe… just maybe… If I had not stopped, if I had tried to talk to my friend more… Maybe I could have prevented all of this. But I didn't, and you all had to live with Redeye, and now… my brother." He then let out a sigh and smiled. "Lottery, you're a lot stronger of a pony then I am."

Quietly I said, "I don't know… But I hope I am."

_______________________________________________________

Hans looked down at us with a concerned look on his face as he passed over. Clearly wondering what to do with all the ponies we brought with us. Flying down the Talon crossed his… talons, then said to me in an annoyed tone. "I know you wanted to save ponies…. But what's with the parade?"

I rolled my eyes at him and sighed. "It just happened, so can you get them to Ursa's Rest?"

Landing, Hans face clawed. "Ya, though it will take more than one trip. But where are they even going to go? The town doesn't have a surplus of space right now."

Shrugging, I told him, "We'll figure it out later. There are a few ponies Grizzly might like working for her… and one she's going to want to talk to."

"That being?" He asked.

"Tripwire's brother, Spell Circuit." I informed him.

The Talon scratched his beak for a moment and then sighed. "Right, but before we go, did you get any documents?"

Molo trotted over, levitating said papers. "Right here, it has all the information on the supply routes and the places Tripwire has under his control."

Hans took the documents and quickly scanned them. "Lots of numbers and names, but I'm sure you're right. Now we just need to get this to Grizzly, along with you two to report it. And we should take Spell Circuit as well, all things considered. Once were at Ursa's Rest, I send a few wagons back here for the others"

I looked back at my two unicorn friends. "You ready?"

They both nodded, but Spell then asked, "what about the others, we can't just leave them here by themselves?"

"I'll leave a few Talons here," Hans answered, "we still need to keep an eye on the raider situation. Pick off any stragglers so to be sure."

With that, Spell Circuit stepped forward and we watched as two griffon laned with a crude looking sky carriage. The three of us got on, and soon we were off.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Fifty Five

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Fifty Five

_______________________________________________________

After some time of rest, and idol chatter, it was time I got moving again. Plasma and Sugar Honey stayed behind to look after Cable, where the rest of us decided to go see Grizzly Deal. Wiretap went with us mainly to get away from her new little sister, and Sparkling had some business of her own to do.

"Say, you sure you shouldn't check on the Showroom?" Molo asked Sparkling as we stood in the elevator.

Sparkling looked less than pleased by the question. "Truthfully, I'm quite worried. Pecan is right and the girls know how to take care of themselves, but with how busy it has been, greed might blind them. Not to mention the new girls they've brought in. I've only managed to meet half of them, and the quality of those girls are rather poor as was pointed out."

"Sounds like a lot of work for you once this war is over." Molo said with a laugh.

"So very true. I just hope I won't have to kill anypony once I return." She coldly stated.

Before I could ask if she was joking or not, the elevator pinged, and the doors opened. Wiretap rushed out and galloped to her mother. The rest of us trotted slowly after her, as I whent as fast as I could.

Though still a bit of a mess, Grizzly's office was far more orderly now, with less ponies rushing about. The guards were as intimidating as usual, except for the one asleep on Grizzly's bed, looking like she had an intense wrestling match with Grizzly. A big change was the IF-64 rifle on her desk, being used as a paperweight.

Grizzly herself looked clean and proper, though her mane was a bit messy, and she had a lipstick smudge on her cheek. But the dark rings under her eyes showed that she hadn't been getting any sleep at all.

"When was it the last time you got a proper night's sleep?" I asked.

"I get plenty of sleep" she said, waving her hoof at me dismissively.

"She hasn't." Sparkling said, trotting next to Grizzly, and saying to her. "See, even she can see it. Micro napping is not enough, you and I aren't young mares anymore."

"Let's not talk about this now." Grizzly huffed.

"Fine, but you are going to pass out sometime soon because of this." Sparkling warned her.

Grizzly then turned her attention to me, looking a bit annoyed. "I should slap you, ya know. Telling Cable that she has a sister here. If some of the assholes here find out that Wiretap is the daughter of the asshole causing this mess… lets just say I will not show mercy to anypony that tries to hurt her. Or you for telling them about it."

"Also, Cable is really annoying!" Wiretap added.

"I'm sorry about that, I was just caught off guard and it slipped out." I apologized.

Letting out a long sigh, Grizzly calmed down before continuing. "Well Cable is at least a problem that I can contain. The other filly on the other hoof."

"You meen-" I began to ask, but Grizzly cut me off by clearing her throat.

"Before you say anymore then necessary." She then ruffled Wiretap's mane. "Dear, can you step out for a moment, this is a sensitive topic."

"But mom!" Wiretap pleaded, but Grizzly didn't argue, just waited. "Fine!" The filly huffed, and trotted out.

A guard slowly closed the door as another guard ushered Wiretap away from it.

As soon as I heard the click of the door, I then asked "Matrix, right?"

Grizzly nodded slowly. "Yes, Glittering Matrix, the only foal of Redeye, or at least that I know of. I was shocked to hear about her, moreover that she was even alive to begin with."

I cocked an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Well I've met Matrix once before, when she was just a baby with her mother. At the time Redeye was trying to improve his image, and the best way to do that was to show yourself as a caring husband and father. All for show of course, but on some level he did seem to care for them. At the very least Glitter Spark, the mother, knew how to play her role well." Grizzly explained.

Molo gasped. "Well fuck me sideways, she got hitched to Redeye! How didn't I know about that?" I looked at Molo in surprise, but neither Grizzly nor Sparkling did. So Molo explained to me. "Glitter Spark and I were good friends, practically sisters. Where I had the talent of a Pillow mare, she was more interested in reading books and the like. She didn't even want to be a pillow mare actually, and mainly helped manage the caps and such. When she went up and vanished, I thought she just got sick of all the backstabbing and got hitched to a mercenary. Who knew she would make it to the top… wait, please tell me she's alive, out of all my sisters, I missed her the most!"

"Sadly she is not." Sparkling said as she looked away, as though guilty of something.

"She was assassinated." Grizzly told us. "Her sudden rise to power rubbed a lot of ponies the wrong way and… they hired ponies to get rid of her. I had heard that Glittering Matrix had been killed at the same time, but we were in no position to confirm the claims as the Bailfire Friends had begun their assault on Ursa's Rest soon after. I had only met them once before the mess, and… well let's say I don't blame Redeye for keeping her hidden."

"So… what's going to happen to her?" I asked, feeling a bit worried about the filly.

"Well it's obvious that any knowledge about her must be kept secret. There's a lot of ponies out there who would use Matrix as a proxy for their revenge on Redeye. As illogical as it sounds, ponies are not logical creatures." Grizzly stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing. "Myself sadly included. That said, ponies love to gossip, and I'm sure a few of the ones you rescued had already suspected the connection between the two. And let's not forget that Tripwire knows about her, it's likely he will use her to sow chaos within Ursa's Rest. So we need to get rid of her as soon as possible."

I didn't know why, but her saying that last part made me feel… upset.

"That's a load of brahmin…" Molo spoke up angrily, but calmed herself down before continuing. "I mean, that's way too harsh on an innocent little filly. Getting rid of her, like she's some garbage you can just throw out!"

Grizzly pressed on the temples of her head, clearly annoyed. "Will you shut up, I wasn't talking about abandoning the poor filly. You moron. I simply meant that it's too dangerous for her to stay here. She needs to be sent someplace safe, out of the way, and with ponies who nearther knows her father nor will even care. Unfortunately such places are few and far between because of the damage Redeye has done, well except for one place."

"But will Stable 2 even take in an outsider?" Sparkling asked.

"Wait, Stable 2, as in the Stable Dweller's Stable?" I blurted out.

Grizzly nodded. "Ya, that's why I've already sent a message to the Followers of the Apocalypse. I originally wrote the letter to request for them to take the retarded alicorns off our hooves since their boss loves them so damn much. But then I remembered that Velvet Remedy was from Stable 2, and if the filly was Redeye's, she would be bleeding heart enough to help. I also thought about her taking Cable off my hooves too, but it's best if I don't push my luck too much."

"And the other foals?" I pressed.

Grizzly shrugged. "The Followers might take them as well, I heard they already are looking after all the other brats recovered from Redeye's school."

"Even so, we're already prepared to keep them if the Followers can't," Sparkling said.

"Best to be prepared, even if it's only to help fix our reputation. Knowing bleeding hearts like Velvet Remedy, they tend to react badly to the abandonment or mistreatment of foals. Not to mention the fact that only a few months ago, Ursa's Rest was the main slaver trade hub for the last hundred years. So it pays to do a bit of charity. Since I would rather not be on the bad side of the hero of the day of Sunshine and Rainbows." Grizzly explained.

Molo chuckled. "They're calling it the day of Sunshine and Rainbows! Personally I thought they were going to call it the day of raining food. I mean all those crops that fell out if the sky tasted bland and all, but in my area no pony was hungry that night, or the next."

"I liked that name, The Day of the Lightbringer." I commented.

Again Grizzly sighed. "I don't care what the day is called. The important thing is that we get Matrix out of here soon than later. Make her somepony else's problem, without that problem coming back to bite us." She then looked Molo in the eyes. "Speaking of which, what do you plan to do now that your fillies have been recovered. Annoying as it is, I'll not hold it against you if you back out now. Unlike me, you don't have any direct connection to this land. If I could, I'd have taken Wiretap and gotten out of here."

Molo's confidence faded again, fear welling up in her eyes. "I.. don't know. I'll need to talk to them first. It's been years after all, and I've changed a lot. Can you let me think about it first, I mean, Tripwire is still a danger to everypony after all."

"Fair enough. And it's not like we will need you any time soon. As a victory as it was with your mission, we're still licking our wounds because of it. It's going to take a lot of planning and preparation before we make another push on the Breaking Grounds." Grizzly explained, then looked at me. "Same goes for you, Lottery. I'm not going to force you to continue, and definitely not when you're still recovering. Truthfully, I'm just glad we still had the medical chems to even restore you."

I lifted my stiff leg and smiled. "Not that I couldn't run off even if I wanted to. A Wasteland tortoise would be faster than me right now."

"True… I guess I've been around Talons for too long." Grizzly sighed. "Anyways, since you do seem to be feeling better, I might as well tell you. Doctor Helga told me that until your fully recovered, you can't take the abortion poison. It will be too dangerous and will likely kill you right now."

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "Alright, I still haven't talked with Mint about it. I guess I should do that while I recover."

"Good, now if there's nothing more you want to bring up, I suggest you let me get back to work." Grizzly says as she grabbed a sheet of paper.

But Sparkling then snached it from her hooves. "No, you need to take a rest, at least until it's time for the war council. I'll take care of the paperwork and I'll wake you up when it's time."

Grizzly glared at Sparkling, but the half Changeling didn't budge. "Fine, I'll get some sleep." Grizzly said in defeat.

Sparkling then trotted over to the door, opening it. "Alright, you should get going, maybe go see Spell Circuit. He is currently with the foals. Oh and take Wiretap with you, and maybe Cable."

"Why!" Wiretap protected as she trotted to the door.

"Because unlike the feral foals you hung out with before, your mother and I are less bothered if you make friends with these better educated and behaved foals. Now go." Sparkling said with authority.

Wiretap deflated a little, giving up and trotting over to us.

I looked over at Molo, who still seemed nervous. "It will be alright, Molo, you don't need to talk with them just yet."

My friend shook her head. "No, I've waited too long already. I need to get this over with."

So taking Sparkling's advice, we made our way back to the penthouse floor.

_______________________________________________________

"Say whaaa…" Wiretap said in mild shock. "I have cousins too!"

I nodded. "Ya, it's a bit complicated, and it was a shock to Spell Circuit too. So please keep quiet about it until Molo has her chance to talk to them. Anyways, it must be awkward to suddenly have so much family being found."

"Not really." Wiretap said like it was nothing. "Got like over fifty cousins and over a hundred second and third cousins in the Pear Valley tribes alone. Some of them are even here right now at the tribe's camp. Oh, and Prickly's new baby is so cute! You should go over and see them."

"Oh…" was all I could say, a little shocked at how big her family was.

Molo then trotted out of the back room, holding Cable in the air with her magic. "Got the brat!" She announced.

"Put me down, put me down!" Cable shouted in protest.

Plasma sat next to me, looking a bit concerned. "Are you sure this is a good idea, she was separated from the rest for a reason, right?"

"Probably not, but if Ben Day is there, he might be able to help us control that filly." I openly guessed.

Plasma shrugged. "Well, at least it might teach me a few things about dealing with foals."

"Say Plasma, how are you, ya know… feeling?" I asked.

She sighed. "Fortunately it's still a good month or two until I should start feeling sick, so I'll be fine until then. What about you, still planning on getting rid of… you know?"

"Ya… well… maybe… I just don't know right now. I need to talk with Mint about it. Anyways, I can't do anything about it until I recover, so I have time to think about it." I explained, then asked, "what do you think I should do?"

Plasma though for a moment before answering. "It's really up to you. I'm not sure this is the right thing for me. After what they did to me… I don't know… maybe I just want to get one good thing out of this nightmare. Or maybe I've just deluded myself into accepting it. But Mint and the others have helped me feel at ease about it all. What happened… happened, you know. We just have to make the best of a bad situation." She then smiled a little. "Anyways, I've always wanted to be a mother, but I was always kept at the bottom of the breeding list. So there's no way I'd come to hate my foal when I've always wanted them."

I leaned on Plasma a little. "You're really strong, you know that. Stronger than maybe even me."

"Steel Ranger don't raise weaklings after all." Plasma said with a sad but bigger smile. "I actually already have a name my foal. This little one is going to be named Torque Screwdriver."

Cocking an eyebrow, I asked, "why that?"

Plasma shrugged. "A family thing. Mom's name was Claw Hammer, And my fathers name was Plasma Charge. My name was a compromise, so I'm doing the same."

"But… you don't know who the father is." I told her, feeling a bit confused.

"Maybe." Plasma said as she looked at the window of the penthouse. And after a long moment she then told me, "lets just say that I got free range to name the foal whatever I want, and I want to name them Torque Screwdriver, Okay?"

"Alright, sorry for bringing that up." I told her, feeling a bit awkward as I backed up. "You know what, before I shove my hoof down my throat any harder, I should go. Take care."

"Lottery?" Plasma then spoke up.

"Ya?" I said.

"What if… I did know who the father was, what would you do?" She asked.

Angered boiled in me, and before I could think about it, I told her. "Well firstly a bullet to the brain would be too good for him. But castration would be a start!"

She nodded. "I see…"

"Um, Plasma, do you know who the father is?" I asked, feeling concerned.

"Maybe. But I won't know until my little Torque is born." She told me.

Taking a deep breath, I let her know. "Well Plasma, if you see any of those raider, let me know. You deserve revenge just as much as I did."

Plasma smiled at that, but it didn't look like a happy smile. "Thanks Lottery." Getting off the couch, she then trotted over to me, and lightly jabbed me in the chest. "Let's get going, I want to see the foals too."

"Alright." I said and we turned to leave our room, Leaving a sleeping Sugar Honey on the couch as we trotted out and over to the next room. The two guard ponies moved out of our way as we arrived. Inside was both far worse than we hoped it would be, but better then what we feared. The foals were all over the place, and the room was a mess, but a fair many of them were peaceful in a group as Spell Circuit read a book to them. There were a few others, looking rather clean, if a bit wet, one leaving the bathroom as Pecan towel dried them off.

Seeing us, Ben Day trotted over, relief on his face. "Lottery, thank Celestia you're better." His eyes then drifted to Cable, and he frowned. "Hello Cable."

The younger filly avoided eye contact, ignoring Ben Day.

I stepped in between them, bringing his attention back to me. "Ya, got a griffin cure, which oddly involved them just chopping off my legs and regrowing new ones. Now I need to move about a bunch to make sure they heal right. Also got four new magical scars."

Ben Day didn't look happy to hear that. "As long as you're feeling better… I guess. So are you just dropping off Cable?"

I shook my head. "We're actually here to see, Crown and Flash. Well… Molo is."

He looked nervous at mentioning them, and even swallowed nervously. Though he was a big beautiful mare, Ben Day did remind me of my little brothers, even when nervous. "About that, I asked them what the deal is… and well."

"What! Tell me!" Molo blurted out.

"Shhhhhhh!" Ben Day went, before explaining. "Sorry, but keep it down. Anyways, I asked them, and well, you see…" he took a deep breath before continuing. "Catalyst told them all about you, including all the bad stuff."

Pure shock and horror formed on Molo's face as she dropped Cable, the small filly getting caught by Ben Day before she hit the ground.

"M… maybe I should come back later." Molo mumbled.

"I disagree, you've waited so long for this moment. I mean they're still your daughters, I'm sure they will understand." I told my good friend.

"Ya, you're awesome!" Wiretap added.

Molo took a deep breath, puffing up her chest. "You're right, I need to do this, I have to."

Ben Day then spread out a wing in front of us. "Um… well, before you go, maybe I should come along. Just in case. But can one of you stay here to help keep an eye on things?"

Plasma raised a hoof. "I'll stay here, you all go."

"Thanks, Plasma." Molo said, then slowly trotted to the back room, with Ben Day quickly getting ahead of her, and presenting the right door.

It didn't take long to find out why they were back here and not with the others. Crown and Flash were brushing Matrix's mane as Redeye's filly read a rather thick book.

Looking back and seeing us, Flashed then hid behind her older sister. Crown didn't look pleased, her ears flattening in annoyance.

"What do you want!" Crown snarled as she made sure that Flashed and Matrix stayed behind her.

"I… I just want to…. Talk." Molo said softly, her voice quivering.

"Well I don't, go away!" Crown lashed back

Molo retreated a step and looked at me. When I gave her a head nod, she then swallowed before stepping forward. "I just wanted to see you… do you know who I am?"

Crowned glared at Molo, then said, "I know all about you. "

A nervous smile formed on Molo's face, tears forming in her eyes as she got closer. "I've missed you two for so long, hardly a night went by that I yearned to have you two with me again. We…. We can be a family again. A real one."

"Impossible!" Crown snarled, causing Molo to freeze.

Crown then got up, trotting up to Molo. Though smaller, she looked just like her mother

"I know who you are, what you have done, Auntie told me everything." Crown said with hate in her voice. "That if Redeye hadn't taken us away, Flashed and I would be raised to be whores like you. It's true isn't it! Or if we had stayed with you when you were thrown out, would we have become dirty raiders like you. Just look at you, are you even a pony anymore? After the things you've done, the ponies you hurt, and you want to be our mother! You're nothing but a raider whore!"

"I didn't choose any of this!" Molo yelled.

"Everypony has a choice, and you chose to be a monster!" Crown snarled out at her mother.

"I chose to survive!" Molo further yelled her her hoof raised in the air.

We all froze in shock, but nothing happened. Molo was frozen, a green aura surrounded her, originating from Ben Day.

Crown Glared at Molo, taking a step back. "All I see is a raider, not a pony!"

Molo was pulled back and let go by Ben Day. As soon as she could move, I reached out to comfort my best friend, but she knocked my hoof away and ran off. "Molo, wait!" I called her.

*SLAP!*

My neck snapped around to see that Wiretap had slapped Crown, and hard.

"What the fuck is wrong with you! Talking to your mother like that when you don't even know her!" Wiretap shouted.

Crown slapped her cousin back. "I know enough, and what would you know?"

Wiretap slapped Crown again, "More than you, you moron. Molo's a hero!"

Crown again slapped back. "How can a dirty raider be a hero! What good could she have done!"

Wiretap got into her face, and told her. "Ask anypony here, she's helped save so many ponies! She was there with Lottery when I was taken by Raiders. Didn't even hesitate to go and save me!" Tears formed in Wiretap's eyes. "But all she cared about was finding you two, wanting to make sure you're both safe."

"Y… you're wrong!" Crown spat back nervously.

But Wiretap pushed her over, tears forming on her face. "And that Catalyst isn't. Do you know what she did, I do, I was told. That mare who told you everything about your mother, our fucking aunt. She helped my father try and murder your father just a few days ago!"

Crown looked shocked and confused as Wiretap continued. "At least Molo's trying to be better, at least she knows what she has done is wrong. But my father is trying to enslave everypony in the wasteland. That's the reason why Hans almost lost an eye is because of him. Why Lottery drinks herself to sleep is because of him. He's why my mother can't even get proper sleep right now. Everything that is going wrong, all the dead ponies, it's my fathers fault! But Molo's the bad pony! Go fuck yourself you stupid brat!"

Wiretap then rushed out, but collided into Spell Circuit, who looked just as confused as Crown. "S… sorry uncle!" She said, then pushed around him and ran out.

The room remained silent as Crown looked at Spell with bewilderment, but I had no time to see how this gets even more messed up, I had a friend to help.

"Move!" I told everypony blocking the door, and they gave way.

_______________________________________________________

Running was extremely difficult to do, but I somehow managed it, even if it was slow. At least finding Molo was easy, as most of the ponies she charged past were more than willing to point me in the right direction. Unfortunately it was to the roof.

By the time I got to the top floor, my legs felt like jelly, but I made it, and I could see my friend. Slowly, I made my way to her, pushing my legs as hard as I could.

"Really… why… here." I huffed.

Molo sighed as she looked over the edge. "Because… I can see everything. And that helps me think."

I joined her, looking out at the dry and dusty wasteland. "It could do with more green."

She nodded. "At least we got some blue now, and at least it's far better than what it still is back home. So much black smoke, and that garish pink. Not to mention the noise. Fillydelphia is a true shithole. I could have left at any time. Hook up with a merchant like some of my sisters and get as far away from that place as possible. Yet I stayed until I was forced out."

"It's not your fault Molo." I told my friend.

She laughed a bitter laugh. "Molo, Molotov, Molo, Molotov. Took that name because it sounded cooler than Sparkling Passion. Invokes fear and danger, just like a raider name should be. Then it became who I am." Molo then looked at me, one pupil having gone into a pinpoint. "I'm nothing more than a raider whore, Lottery. Crown Glass is right about me, completely."

Using what strength I had, I hugged Molo. Held onto her tightly. "No! No you're not! You're my friend, you're the pony who pulled me out of the darkness. You saved me, and saved so many others. You're not a raider anymore. You're a good pony.

Molo gently pushed me off her. "No I'm not. You saw it… you saw it! How I was about to attack my own daughter… It's been so long and the first thing I do is that. Ya, I'm not a raider… I'm worse than that." She then let out a laugh that felt cold and bitter. "I'm just like my mother."

She turned around and began trotting away.

"Molo stop, that's not true!" I called out to her, and she stopped for a moment, looking back at me. But her eyes seemed empty, and that terrified me even more.

I couldn't say anything else, only watched as she just left, that spark in her, it was going cold.

As I sat there feeling helpless, a sweet smell caught my nose. Looking over at the ledge Molo had been at, I saw a cocktail glass. In it were the remains of a red glowing drink. But before I could get closer to see what it was, a strong gust of wind blew, knocking the glass over the edge

I didn't like this, not at all.

_______________________________________________________

Chapter Seventy Four

Fallout Equestria: A Wastelander Tale, Chapter Seventy Four

_______________________________________________________

With a slam and a click, the heavy metal door was securely locked, leaving us in a room filled with terminals and a few skeletons at them. It was eerily quiet in here, asides the sound of clicking from the machines, and the occasional buzzing.

I looked around to make sure everypony was here, counting five heads, including myself. Slowly, my eyes drifted to the older filly, Spur, who looked rather worried, but not scared. "Why did you run with us?" I asked the young raider.

Her eyes darted between the four of us, and nervously, she said, "ya fucks looked less likely to kill be then that burnt up bitch Bandsaw." She then forced a smile, showing off already yellowing teeth.

I face hoofed and sighed. "You might have jumped the gun there Spur."

The smile on the little raider dropped, and now she looked even more worried. "H… how'd ya know my name?"

Grizzly placed her hoof onto Spur's head, a vicious smile on the mare's face. "So your Spur, my darling Wiretap told me all about you."

Now horror formed on the fillies face. "Y… ya the bitch milf, that brat's mother!" Grizzly nodded. "I… ummm… I'm sorry…"

The insincere apology did not warm her up to Grizzly, instead getting a full force slap across the face by the adult mare. "You filly napped my little girl you peace of shit! You should be glad I don't beat you to death right here!"

Spur was on the ground, holding her cheek as she glared back at Grizzly. Taking in a deep breath, she was clearly going to say something stupid. But I stepped between them, and shoved my hoof over Sper's muzzle to keep her quiet. "How about this, we deal with this idiots punishments later, after we fuck over the Fiends."

An intense glare of anger came at me from Grizzly. "That's a mistake, Lottery."

"Maybe, but I don't feel right about killing a foal. Anyways, at least Cauterize should have a say in it," I explained.

An annoyed huff came from Spur as she freed her mouth to talk. "My piss ant uncle ain't going to do shit. And once my moms get back for me, your fucked!"

For the second time now, I became the bearer of bad news, something which was not going to be the last time, I was sure of. So looking over as Spur, I let her know the truth. "About that, Short Fuse died a few days ago. Your bitch of a mother got taken out by that piss ant uncle of yours."

There was shock in Spur's face, but not a hint of sorrow. "Oh, I see."

"That's all?" I asked her.

Spur shrugged. "It was going to happen, may the flames take her. And not like she did shit for me. Other then beating me when she was mad… and she was always mad. So does that mean the Smelters are over and dead?"

"Most of them were wiped out by both our side and by Tripwire's." Grizzly told her. "You clan is nothing but a pile of corpses now."

The filly rolled her eyes. "Typical, pops said we should have just left the region, but moms was like no, we must stay for the grate flame. If pops was still around, none of this would have happened." She then let out a long groan, and another huff in frustration. "Fine I let you take me to uncle Cauterize, not like I'll live long with the Bailfire fucks."

"No we are not." Grizzly protested.

"Were not abandoning or killing a kid! And that's final." I said with a stomp of my hoof. "Anyways, I'm sure Wiretap is going to want to say a few things to her old friend."

The intense look on Grizzly's face softened, and then she let out a long and annoyed sigh. "Alright, but if she trys anything, I will wring her damned neck, and enjoy it." Her eyes then glared down at Spur. "You understand."

Spur vigorously nodded, saying, "crystal fucking clear mama!"

With that all done, our attention turned to Plasma, who had already gotten to work on a terminal.

"Anything useful?" I asked.

"Lots of history here, all untouched." She then pointed at some stage box she had plugged into the terminal. "Downloading it to this external memory bank."

"The mission Plasma!" Grizzly growled out.

"No worry, I'm working on it." She said confidently as she tapped away. "It's just that the main system is protected by several layers of security. I had to use several back doors just to get in this far. So it may take a few more minutes. Luckily, those who stayed here left us some clues to getting into the system."

I looked over at one of the skeletons, the ragged dress and wide hips made it clear to me that it had been a mare. The hole in her skull and the rusty gun on the floor told me that she took the easy way out. Was it guilt, shame, or just cowardice that drove her to suicide, we may never know, but soon it will be time we end what they started.

A loud bang came from the door, along with muffled yelling from the other side. "Do you think they can get in?" I asked.

"It's a high security door, not even explosives can get through them." Plasma told us.

The walls on either side of the door then blasted open, shaking the building and sending dust all around us.

I propped my IF-64 at a desk and took aim, Grizzly joining me at another desk.

"MORE MEAT IS ON THE MENU!" A raider mare screamed as she charged in, only to get ventilated.

A few more rushed in, only to get cut down or disintegrated, before they wizened up. Annoyingly, the door still stood, providing cover for the raiders, allowing them to spray and pray the room while we could not hit them back.

*Tink* a firebomb landed near to me, and time slowed as I watched the glass bottle bounce off the ground and towards me. But before it could hit the ground again and break apart to engulf me in fire, it just stopped in mid air. Silver had grabbed it with her magic, and then tossed it back, setting a raider on fire.

"How the fuck ya get here Lottery! And oh, is that Plasma, did you miss me?" Bandsaw mocked.

There was a spray of bullets from Plasma and she unloaded her double rifle at the raiders.

"Temper temper." Bandsaw said with a laugh. "If you all just surrender now, we'll treat ya real nice."

"Not gonna happen, Bandsaw, so choke on a bag of dicks ya bitch!" I yelled back.

Bandsaw laughed, "Been there, done that, oh and so have you!" Then a spray of bullets filled the room, forcing all of our heads down.

Once the barrage of led ended, we resumed our suppressing fire, only to have several raiders rushing our position. With spiked hooves and a spiked covered muzzle a raider slammed into me, knocking me down. But it was not enough to take me out or slow me down. And as the raider jumped onto me to continue her assault, I racked a back hoof across her unarmored underbelly. Shoving her off me as she screamed, I then slammed my hoof into the side of her head to shut her up, permanently.

Another raider came diving at me, but this time I found Rime Frost in my hooves and swung, scoring an axe blade hit to her head, splitting it as she fell to my side. Not waiting for another attack, I pulled Rime Frost into a shooting stands, and began unloading everything she had at the other raiders, killing some and forcing the others back down.

Looking over to check on the others, Grizzly had a gash on her cheek, and held her pistol in her muzzle. Plasma's hat was missing, but she was fine. And Spur was hiding behind Silver, who used a heavy metal table to crush a raider.

There was then a loud click, and a door further back opened up. "Were in!" Plasma yelled as she unplugged her things from the terminal.

I glanced back at the raiders, and though a thick smoke of a growing fire, I saw that a few were still here with their heads down, I didn't see Bandsaw. Which worried me.

Falling back, Silver provided us cover with the metal table she held as we made our way to the next room. Several more fire bombs came flying out, smashing on and around the table Silver held before she made it through to us, the door then struggling to close shut due to rust.

"Wh… why do they ke… keep towing fire bombs! Are th… they trying to burn this place down?" Silver struggled to say between breaths.

The tip of Silver's tail had a small flame on it, much like a candle light, in which Grizzly quickly put out. "Their raiders, I doubt they do much thinking. Anyways, I doubt they expected to be fighting inside their own base."

"Shit!" Plasma then shouted as she tapped at what was the biggest terminal I had seen in my life, it having several screens attached to it. "The fucking fire is spreading, those fucking morons!"

Trotting over, I saw the room we were just in on one of the terminal screens, a fire was quickly growing, causing the raiders to fall back. "Isn't that good for us?" I asked.

Plasma gave me an annoyed look. "Only if we don't care about the hostages and other captives here."

Damnit, she's right. "Any way to stop it?"

"Lets pray to Celestia that the water tower isn't dry!" Plasma said as she typed on the terminal's keyboard.

Loud clunks came out all around us, as though the building itself had come alive, and then above us, from several mettle nozzles, black acrid fluid dripped out.

"Oh fuck!" Grizzly said as she dashed to a nearby desk and got under it.

The nozzles then spurted as bit by bit they began to spray more of that ungodly nasty fluid. Thankfully my hat and jacket protected me, but even through the thick leather and iron, the nasty water seemingly sucked all the heat out of me.

A now drenched Plasma breathed a sigh of relief as the fire on the screen began to die down. "Disaster averted. Now it's time to turn off their security, permanently." Attaching that strange box to it, several of the screen began scrolling zeros and ones before stopping, and allowing Plasma to begin typing. "Give me a few minutes, and then we can get the fuck out of here."

I looked up at the screen, seeing the raiders return, one with a fucking rocket launcher! Turning to the others, they had already taken defensive positions. Silver now had Plasma's dubble rifle, and Spur with some rusty 10mm SMG.

"Walls about to bow!" I wanted them as I too took a position, this time pulling out Last Dance.

Stupidly, and predicably, the raiders shot the door, but where the door held, the walls again, didn't.

"Hah! The ponies who built this place are idiots!" Spur shouted and then fired wildly. Despite it being muzzle fired, it barely recoiled. But it did make a loud ping sound when it stopped firing. "Fuck, it broke!"

Again the raiders charged in, and again we drove them back, but something was different. There were more of them, but most hung back, watching us. Then I saw her, Candy Corn, and braided around her neck like a trophy was my mane.

I took aim and fired, but the shots bounced off some magical barrier. That's all I needed to know as I then told Plasma, "get the bomb read!" I knew that Majestic must be nearby, invisible, but still under their control.

Then she stepped out… no, they stepped out?

Two green alicorns stepped into view, both sporting the spiked and colored mains of raiders.

Candy Corn cackled. "Surprised! Oh you didn't think we would have our own mutants did you! My dear Hooftack Treat and Razor Apple, returned to me after giving themselves to the Goddess." The raider boss nuzzled both raider alicorn. "Mama is so proud of you two."

Both alicorn then began slowly trotting forward, the acrid water getting displaced by their barrier. But then they stopped at the hole the raiders had made and parted. We got ready for the raiders to come charging through, yet none did. All the while Candy Corn kept smiling wide.

There was a rumbling, and the raiders parted as a metal monstrosity rolled in on tracks. A robot covered in rusty spiky armor, with two armed endings in spiked clubs. On its chest was a cracked screen that depicted a crazed eye, and most disturbingly, its head was a clear glass jar with a brain inside.

"Oh look, ponies have come to end our utopia!" The robot spoke, and I knew that voice, it was the mare from the video. Her digital eye twitching wildly before some strange substance puffed into the jar, and the eye relaxed. "Ohh mentats, aren't they the best! You should try them. And if you want a real rush, party-time mentats are better. Their Ministry mare Pinky Pie approved! HahahahHAHAHAhaHAha!"

"The fuck are we looking at! ?" I asked.

"A robo-brain," Plasma answered. "And from the looks of it, a Solaris Industries robo-brain. Meaning the worst kind of robo-brain."

"And It's a fair guess that the brain in that thing once belonged to the head of this place." Grizzly added.

Candy Corn's eyes flared wide open. "Grizzly Deal, is that you? It is, it is. Been too long, and you haven't thanked me for my help."

Grizzly grinded her teeth before shouting back. "I only wanted to be the successor, not for you to killed my family!"

Candy Corn tilted her head. "But that was the best way to do it. No way we would want some filthy stallion ever being in charge. You should thank me for it"

Firing a few shots, the beams feutaly bounced off the magical sheals. "My brother was far more worthy to lead Ursa's Rest then I am! You used me, used my jealousy to get to him, get to my parents and sister, and you think I would thank you for it!"

"How ungrateful." Candy Corn said in a disappointed tone. "Well, where you fail to understand, your daughter will succeed in aiding our utopia."

Pure rage vented off grizzly as the energy SMG trembled in her hooves. "You will never touch my daughter, not even a strand on her mane! I'll rip out your spine before you even try to get close to her!"

The cruel smile on Candy Corn's muzzle didn't fade, as though plastered on her aged face. "Ohhh… you poor ignorant fool. Here I was hoping you'd see reason, and talk like a civilized pony. But no, your kind only knows barbarity and violence. Well, once your out of the way, we will be sure to properly educate Wiretap in the proper way of thinking." The old mare then tapped on the robot. "Oh grate, grate, grate, grandmama. Those ponies over there are zebra spies, here to corrupt the foals."

"Spies! Corrupting the foals! I will not have any of that!" The robot bellowed, and from the ceiling several turrets descended. A bright pink light glowed from within them and they fired, shooting at each other and all blowing up.

"What!?" Candy shouted, the smile on her face finally gone.

Plasma let out a laugh, and from the outside chaos erupted. "Adjusted the FoF to make the security target itself."

Turrets in the room with the raider also descended and began to destroy each other.

I could see it, rage on Candy Corn's face. The raider boss then kicked the robot, and shouted. "They're going to destroy everything Grandmama, go do something about it!"

The lights on the robo-brain all turned red and the spiked maces began to spin. "Some foals need a spanking!" It rolled forward, the door opening for it, but getting stuck on the table in the way.

Another door clicked, and slowly opened, screeching from the rust. Spur bolting to it and squeezing through the crack in clear panic.

"Let's go! Unless you want to fight that thing!" Plasma said as she pulled her box from the large terminal and ran to the door.

Rushing to the door, I made sure everypony made it through before running in myself. The robo-brain with a mighty swing of its mace, shattered the heavy metal table and rolled in. Taking one last look before leaving, I looked at the brain in the jar, and somehow I knew it looked back at me.

I went flying back as some invisible force hit me, making my skull feel like hundreds of hammers had struck it. Everything felt like a blur as I realized I was being dragged up a flight of stairs. Then light I could feel light, and something being poured down my throat, and the dizziness came to an abrupt stop.

"The fuck was that!" I weekly said as I got up, finding myself on the roof.

"Some robo-brain have special abilities, or so the archives say." Plasma told me as she held her crossbow at the ready.

Looking up, the smoke flair for the signal was high in the sky, green smoke clear for all to see. "So it's done."

"Ya, except Silvers having trouble." Grizzly said. A loud bang then came from a door as the metal bent. "Any time now!"

"I'm trying, but I can't seem to cast it!" Silver said as her horn sparked but did nothing.

"YOUR GOING NOWHERE!" Boomed the voice of one of the green alicorns.

A green bubble surrounded us as the other then landed. "MOTHER MADAM WISHES FOR YOU TO STAY!"

The door burst open as the robo-brain rolled in, and behind it was Candy Corn and her raiders.

"You think you've done anything!" Candy snarled. "It's already too late, even if you've damaged our fortress, we will soon bring about our utopia. Even now Tripwire is neatly finished with his super mezmetron, and it will be ours!" Grizzly was then lifted off the ground, her legs dangling as she hoofed at her neck. "Fools like you will be but shit under our hooves, worthless and to be scraped off."

I drew Whisky Shot, and fired at Cany, but another green barrier formed around her, protecting her.

Grizzly began to gurgle in pain, the color of her face turning blue.

Gritting my teeth as I racked my brain on what to do, I then remembered the last time I was in this situation and how Rime Frost had an effect. Rushing forward I struck at the barrier with my Grizzly Gauntlets.

"What do you think that's going to do?" Candy Corn mocked.

The claws dug into the green barrier and it caught fire, bursting it, and causing the alicorn to fall back in pain.

I watched as the angered face of Candy quickly turned to panic as I glared at her with my one eye. Growling out at her I said, "you know the old saying, an eye for an eye. Well I'm going to collect on that, with interest!"

A hammer strike came down at me from the robot, in which I dogged by just a hoof space, and digging into the ground with my back claws, I burst back at the robot. It rolled back to avoid me, so I only managed to rake a claw across an armored shoulder, and ripped it off.

Landing, I didn't stand still this time, and as I rushed around it, the ground behind me exploded. Its invisible attack was strong, and if it hit me again I would be dead. So using the claws to grip the ground, again I bolted to the robot, this time going for its treads. The robot could not move fast enough to get away, instead it began to spin its body around, preventing me from getting close to it.

"You can't touch me, you can't me!" The robot said with an adult voice in a childish manner.

Her swinging prevented me from getting close, and my time for saving Grizzly was getting shorter. I could rush Candy Corn, but her raiders had gathered around her, and by the time it would take to get through them, the robot would be on me.

But maybe if I did something unpredictable. "Will-o-Wisp, " I called out, "blind that bot for me!"

The blue flame sparked to life and rushed the robo-brain, stopping in front of a single mechanical eye attached to the brain. The robot stopped its flailing and began attempting ot get the flame off of it.

"Danger, Danger!" It wailed.

With the robo-brain distracted, I rushed in and jumped onto its back, digging my claws in as I claimed up to the brain in the jar. back my hooves, I felt Rime Frost form in my grasp, and with a heavy swing, the spike of the axe pierced into the glass jar.

The robot figuratively froze as the cloudy fluids began to literally freeze. "ahh… Ahhh… AHHHHHHHH!" It began to scream, the robots movements becoming jerky and uncoordinated.

"Grandmama!" Candy Corn screamed, dropping Grizzly in shock. With a shrill voice she ordered the other raider, "kill her! Save Grandmama you pathetic cunts!"

The raiders charged, only to be hit with an explosion and a lead. Both Plasma and Silver had their weapons ready, decimating the group of raiders.

"I… I… I think I need to sleep…" the robot stated, and proceeded to go limp. The lights were still blinking, but had slowed down, going out one by one as the sound of the mechanics inside clunked less and less. Its jar, now covered in frost, then split in two, along with the brain. Both sides hitting the ground and shattering.

Candy Corn stumbled back, looking absolutely horrified. "You… you monsters, you psychotic monsters!" She accused us.

"Big words." Grizzly crocked out as she rubbed her neck. "From a raider boss."

"And a cannibal." I added.

Grizzly nodded. "One of hundreds of horrible things that can describe her. But… I'll settle for calling her dead."

A snarl came from Candy Corn as she shrieked, "Razor Apple, Hooftack Treat, kill them for mama!"

The two alicorns didn't move, looking more diss-interested than anything.

"Razor Apple, Hooftack Treat?" Candy Corn called out, sounding worried.

With a flash and a loud pop, I was knocked back, and then felt something hold me down.

"Well fuck, you Celestia damn cunts ruined this place!" Bandsaw bellowed out, sounding amused. "Oh, and ya killed that fucking robot, thanks by the way."

I managed to move my head, looking up to see the bandaged Bandsaw standing on the back of Majestic. The alicorn had dead looking eyes, and was still covered in those minds and magic restricting jewelry.

"Bandsaw, you finally showed up!" Candy Corn yelled up at the burnt raider. "I personally hold you responsible for all of this. It was you who pushed for that cunt to join us, and look at what has happened. Ya should have killed her long ago to save us the trouble. I don't even care she's carrying the foal of that pathetic loser you all insist is my son! I want her-"

*BANG!*

Blood and brain sprayed over the ground and doorway from the gaping hole that was now Candy Corn's head, her body standing there for a long and slow moment before collapsing to the ground.

"Finally!" Razor said in an annoyed tone.

"At least in Unity the Goddess didn't fucking nag us unendingly." Hooftack added.

I felt more pressure push down on us as Bandsaw hopped off Majestic, a wide grin on her bandaged face, giving me a peek at her burnt flesh underneath. "I have been waiting for this fucking day for so fucking long! Down to the minute when I could kill her and take over." Her one gemstone shaped eye glared at me, filled with madness and hate. "This place was meant to be my fortress… but looks like that's not meant to fucking be, all because of you cunts!"

She then hoofed at her dirty bandages, trotting closer to me as she scratched herself. "It won't stop hurting, ya know, not even the med-x helps any more. But hurting you will make everything feel better." As she got closer, I could smell rot coming off of her, and see yellowish fluid leak from under the bandages. It was not the usual filth and smell of an unwashed raider, but the smell of death, of a corps as it is decomposing.

Razor Apple stomped her hoof. "We do not have the time to be shoving bottles up a bitches cunt Bandsaw! I can see the enemy coming, and fast!"

Bandsaw eyed the alicorn raider. "Relax, we have the overseer alicorn. It will take but seconds for us to return to Naysayer Manor. So I want to savor this."

Hooftack Treat chuckled. "And what are they fucking going to do sister, knock on our barrier and ask us nicely to lower it. You know how long it has been since the last time I had a good show!"

Razor let out a long sigh. "I gave myself to the Goddess to get away from this stupidly family, so why did I ever rejoin? Oh, right, because I'm a fucking idiot."

"You can leave any time dear sister." Hooftack growled at the other alicorn.

Razor rolled her eyes. "I'd be a fool, so long as Majestic is under your control."

"Ya both shut the fuck up!" Bandsaw yelled, still scratching at her bandages. "I swear you two have gotten even worse! Did that Goddess bitch fuck up your heads too?" She then turned back to me, still grinning wide with her jagged yellow teeth on full display. "But Hooftack is right, they can't easily get through the barrier. Maybe we can stay, have them watch as I kill you one by one, ever so slowly. Oh, maybe I'll take one of you?"

She then poked me on the nose. "Well I can't just give up on you now, after all the work I went through on you, it be such a fucking waist. I mean, you would make such a good fuck toy for all my soon to be slaves!"

Her eye drifted to Plasma, and she let out a chuckle. "But I don't think I had so much fucking fun as when I had you as a toy, dear Plasma. The sounds you made, all the crying, and making you lap my cunt like the hungry bitch you are."

She gave Silver a disappointing glance. "You… I remember you, and no, you don't interest me at all…"

"But Grizzly Deal!" Bandsaw said with excitement as she clapped her fore hooves together rapidly. "There hasn't been a day I haven't wanted to cut you a Fillydelphia smile, and then sew that fucking muzzle up. Ya… you're coming with me. I know Tripwire will be happy to see you, not that I care, I just want to see how he reacts."

"Fuck off!" Grizzly struggled to yell.

Then I heard laughter, it coming from Plasma.

"Oh, what's so funny, bitch?" Bandsaw asked Plasma.

Taking a deep and labored breath, Plasma then gave her answer. "Because, I can say the same. Every time I close my eyes, you're there, and every day I want to kill you… and today! Today is that day!"

There was a loud click followed by a sharp ringing that quickly got louder and sharper.

Blue bolts of electricity bolted out in a wave, washing over all of us. Majestic's hold over us stopped, and I shoved myself up, and slammed my hoof into a surprised Bandsaw, the claws on my gauntlets cutting into her jaw.

I wanted to finish the raider off once and for all, but there was another pony I needed to save first. So digging the claws into the ground, I dashed at Majestic, jumping into her. With as much speed I could muster, I used the claws to cut or pull off the jewelry. As I worked as fast as I could, I could see the jewels slowly begin to shine with magic, and each time I touched one, I felt drained and dulled.

"That's as far as you go, Lottery!" Bandsaw growled at me as I felt magic grab hold of me, and pull me away from Majestic. "Thanks Hooftack, now hold her steady. I want to keep her head as a trophy."

Nearly at point blank range, Bandsaw pointed the sniper rifle, Desert Rose, at my neck. My friends were on the other side of a green barrier, unable to help me.

I should have killed the bitch first!

*BANG!*

I had shut my eyes, expecting the pain, but other than the ringing in my ears, there was none. Opening my eyes, I saw the bullet just floating in front of me, a dark blue aura wrapping around it.

"Thank you, Lottery, I'll take over from here." Majestic said calmly and coldly as she let the bullet drop to the ground. The deformed led projectile clattered, sounding far louder then it should, as nopony made a sound.

Feeling a tugging, Majestic magic overpowered the other alicorns holding on me, levitating me gently to my friends. It was awe inspiring as Majestic stepped towards Bandsaw, life retiring to her mane as it took on an ethereal visage. Looking into her mane was like looking at the night sky itself, filled with mystery and endless possibilities.

The muzzle of the sniper rifle pressed against Majestic's head, the alicorn overseer daring Bandsaw to fire.

*click… click, click, click*

Bandsaw pulled on the trigger of Deserted Rose vigorously as she glared at the alicorn. The rifle then was ripped from the raiders hooves, disassembling in mid air, and gently being placed on the ground in organized parts.

"Any other surprises, mongral?" Majestic asked, her voice was still calm, and still cold.

Bandsaw then, from her mouth, sprayed fluid in Majestic's face, causing the alicorn to flinch. "Ya, Knife!"

A large knife was drawn from Bandsaw's armor, and plunged down at Majestic. But then Bandsaw was knocked back by a wave of magic, sending her flying into some wires that hung just over the edge of the building. I watched as her good back hoof got tangled in the wires, the only thing keeping her from falling four stories down.

"I'll… kill… you… all… and… fuck… you… corpses!" Bandsaw struggled to say as blood dribbled from her leg and covered her face. She then pulled out a sawed off shotgun and aimed at her hoof. Laughing like the mad mare she was, she blasted off her own hoof and dropped.

Rushing over to the building's edge, I looked down to see the raider laid flat on the ground in a pool of blood. Seeing her dead filled me with nothing but relief, no rage or joy, just the relief that we were now free from her madness.

A scream drew my attention as Majestic had her hoof on Hooftack's neck, the raider alicorn struggling and foaming at the mouth like a feral ghoul. And with a loud snap, Hooftack went limp, her body twitching periodically.

Majestic then turned to Razor Apple, glaring at the raider. "Are you going to make this easy, or are you going to be difficult."

Razor Apple sighed. "I ain't going to do shit. Not like I can do shit even if I wanna. I know when I'm beat."

"Good, your not as stupid as the other one. So why shouldn't I kill you?" Majestic asked the raider.

"Fuck, I should be asking that about myself. I reckon there ain't no place I can go, I mean I was trying to get away from this mess by joining Unity. Unlike my sister, who wanted power." Razor explained, but then added. "Anyways, I much rather try to enjoy being a mare, since moms never let me become a stallion."

"W… wait what?" Majestic stammered out.

Razor looked a bit embarrassed. "Ya, moms castrated me as a colt. Always hated that I came out with Hooftack. She thought I raped her in the womb."

Majestic face hoofed and groaned. "Fucking raiders. Whatever, if you behave yourself, then I won't snap your neck like your sister."

"Understood!" Razor said loudly.

Turning her attention back to us, Majestic trotted over. The cold confidence on her face faded, and she became more tired, ragged, and drained of life. "Th… thank you for freeing me, Lottery." She then looked over at Plasma. "You too."

"For a second I thought I made a mistake by not finishing off Bandsaw first. But I'm glad I made the right choice in the end." I told her. "Anyways, I know how it feels to be under that spell."

Majestic nodded. "Yes, it is a terrible thing. At least in Unity you're not alone, at least your voice can reach another." She then looked up at an oncoming cloudship. "Is… Benday alright?"

"He's getting by. Worried sick about you, but he has been keeping your group together." I told her.

She finally let herself relax, practically melting onto the floor as she laid down onto the ground and yawned. "Good, wake me up when you get me to him."

"Ya, get some rest, you deserve it." I said as I sat back myself, watching as our reinforcement finally touched down.

There was gunfire and screaming, but it all quickly died down. It was over, the Bailfire Fiends were gone, and now there were only two ponies left to kill, and one place left to go to.

_______________________________________________________