Fallout Equestria: Refuge
By AgentGei
Chapter 2: Mourn
"The forgiveness for myself is absent."

The sun was just peeking over the horizon, painting the wasteland in a warm orange hue. We were all up early, eager to see Crumpets’ test flight. The upgraded power armor was a marvel - a smooth blend of Steel Ranger and Enclave technology, with black and red accents that gave it a fierce and elegant look. But the most impressive part was the jetpack-like device on the back, powered by an aviation talisman that hummed with energy.

We headed to the hill near the Stable entrance, where we saw a few Rangers doing their morning chores. Crumpets snapped her helmet on, hiding her face behind the visor. “You ready?” I asked her.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said with a confident tone that made me smile.

She tapped her Pip-Buck a few times, signaling the Rangers to clear the landing zone. Then, she activated the power armor’s engines, which roared to life. The ground shook as Crumpets lifted off, the device on her back spewing hot exhaust that propelled her higher and higher.

I watched with awe as she performed amazing aerial stunts, testing the armor’s new features. She rolled, flipped, and looped, her movements so smooth they seemed almost effortless (thanks to my quick lesson on the basics of flight). But I could tell she was still adjusting to the new upgrades, as there was a slight wobble to her flight.

She landed with a loud thud, the earth quaking under our feet. I walked over to her, giving her a congratulatory pat on the back. "That was impressive. The upgrade really paid off,” I said, admiring the intricate design of the armor. “But you still have a lot to learn about flying.”

Crumpets laughed, her voice sounding slightly metallic through her helmet. “Thanks, love. And don’t worry, I’m happy to spend the whole day training with you,” she said, a glint of mischief in her visor.

We spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon going through a crash course in flight, pushing our bodies and minds to the limit as we fine-tuned the armor’s systems. It was hard work, but the thrill of soaring through the air was worth it.

I looked at Crumpets’ sleeping face, feeling a twinge of annoyance that she had fallen asleep in her uniform. But as I watched her, I couldn’t bring myself to wake her up. She looked so peaceful, so content, that I didn’t want to spoil it for her.

We had been training all day, working on her flying skills with the new and improved power armor. It was a remarkable piece of equipment, but it had its limitations. Unlike the regular pegasi, this armor wasn’t made for long distance flights. It needed frequent recharging and refueling of the jetpack thrusters. It was a shame, really, considering the added aviation talisman, which could have done so much more. Still, the upgrade was impressive.

The power armor was a hybrid of Steel Ranger and Enclave technology, enhancing mobility but slightly reducing defense. It was a small trade-off, but a significant one that reminded Crumpets to avoid direct confrontation in future battles.

I decided to pack my stuff for my trip to New Thunderhead, the heart of the Commonwealth. I stuffed my saddlebag and Pew-Pew, and noticed the small engraving on its oak handle: "Glory" above my own, crappy "Dusk". No matter what, I always feel grief just won't fucking get away, knowing that she's gone. Forever.

Just don't think about it.

I shook my head and put on a battle saddle without any weapons attached, planning to get or buy some new ones instead of using the old ones. I never used a primary weapon anyway, as the energy weapons for my power armor were designed for power armor. I wished I had kept the gatling laser that I had used a lot, but I had learned the hard way to conserve ammo. Pew-Pew was the best example of that.

“Off to New Thunderhead I go,” I muttered to myself, marking the location where "The Core" used to be years ago on my map. As I looked at my interface, I saw that "Hoofington" had been renamed to "New Lunar Commonwealth". Huh. Goes off with the strange names on the surface.

I did one final check of my inventory, making sure I wasn’t carrying anything useless. Among the miscellaneous items was a holotape with "For L. Dart" written on it in my handwriting. I remembered when Crumpets had asked me to transfer the recordings from my power armor to the empty holotapes lying around in the Stable’s communication room. I had agreed, thinking that the recordings had no value. To my surprise, I also found Dancer’s old mission logs and personal recordings in my storage, without any memory of transferring them. I intended to transfer them to the holotapes as well, but I had never bothered to listen to them.

I sighed, keeping some of the holotapes in my saddlebags even though I couldn’t play them without a Pip-Buck. As I finished packing, I trotted out of the quarters and along the Stable corridors, heading for the entrance.

I walked through the corridors of the Stable, feeling restless. I needed to stretch my wings and get some fresh air. I stepped out of the entrance and looked up at the sky, my eyes widening in surprise. A few stars sparkled in the distance, a rare sight in the polluted and dusty Wasteland. I didn’t hesitate. I spread my wings and flew into the sky, feeling the wind and freedom on my face.

I soared over the vast and ever-changing landscape below, marveling at the beauty of it all. The rocky, barren terrain gradually gave way to lush green forests and sparkling lakes, a stark contrast to the wasteland I was used to. Small towns and settlements dotted the landscape, their flickering fires and distant chatter of ponies creating a sense of peacefulness in the midst of the chaos.

As I neared the outskirts of the Commonwealth by the bridge, the smell of burning fuel and smoke assaulted my nostrils. Curious, I flew closer to investigate, only to witness five raiders were attacking a small caravan of two traders, their makeshift spears and knives dripping with blood.

Anger boiled in my chest as I saw these scum attacking innocent ponies and stealing their loot. I couldn’t let them get away with it. Without a second thought, I drew my weapon, Pew-Pew, and prepared to take on the raiders. I angled my wings and dived down towards them, firing a few shots and disintegrating two raiders with critical headshots. The remaining three charged at me, brandishing their weapons.

I knew I had to conserve my ammo, so I engaged the raiders in close combat, relying on my combat skills and agility to dodge their attacks and deliver powerful blows with my hooves. The fight was brutal, each blow sending jolts of pain through my body. But I pushed through, using the endurance of my body to take them down one by one.

Disarming one of the raiders, I used his spear to effortlessly stab it through his chest before repeating the move on the other two. As the last raider fell to the ground, I dropped the spear and felt a wave of fatigue wash over me.

With the threat eliminated, I turned my attention to the survivors, relieved to find them unharmed. I made sure they were okay, and they thanked me and rewarded me with some caps and supplies, which I accepted gratefully.

I bid goodbye to them and took off again, feeling pretty good about myself for not being an asshole for once.

After checking the map, I realized I was near Hippocratic Research. As I approached the location, I couldn't help but feel unease crept over me. The building that was marked on the map was nothing but rubble, once maybe a magnificent structure reduced to a pile of debris and was surrounded by overgrown foliage. The explosion that caused this destruction seemed to have happened recently as the map still registers its location despite being useless.

I wondered what had happened to it. Was it a natural disaster, or some kind of war? I didn’t like the feeling of doom that hung over the place, so I kept flying south.

As I flew, I saw some lights in the distance. They were the signs of life, the little towns and camps that ponies had made in the wasteland. Some of the towns had bonfires, where ponies gathered to tell stories and laugh. Some had lanterns, where ponies lived in their makeshift homes. But the most amazing sight was New Thunderhead, the city that shone like a star in the night sky. It was a huge city, with skyscrapers and roads and walls. It had lights of all colors, that made the streets look warm and lively. I could hear the sounds of the city, the music and the chatter and the noise. It reminded me of the old days, when I lived in the clouds. I felt a breeze on my wings, and a pang in my heart.

I flew over the city, and I saw all kinds of ponies doing their thing. Some were watching a street performer, clapping their hooves to the beat. Some were selling stuff, shouting out their prices and deals. Some were just walking around, enjoying the night. I flew closer to the center of the city, where the government buildings were. They were big and impressive. Some of the offices were still lit, meaning that ponies were still working hard even at night.

I landed on one of the skyscrapers, to get a better view of the city. It was beautiful, the city spread out below me like a jewel. I could see the water of the bay, and the mountains on the horizon. I stood there, admiring the city. I thought about how hard it must have been to build it, to make it work in this hellhole. The surface was a scary and crazy place, and every day was a struggle. But the ponies of New Thunderhead had done it, they had made a city that was alive and thriving, just like the old Thunderhead in the sky.

For the first time in a while, I felt proud and amazed by the ponies who had made it happen.

I flapped my wings and flew away, rising above the city before heading to the front gates. Two armored pegasi were guarding the gate, looking out for any trouble. The city’s walls were huge and high, showing that New Thunderhead didn’t mess around with their security. The gates were pretty fancy, but not as fancy as the old Thunderhead.

One of the guards, a lavender mare with purple-blue mane, waved at me as I came closer. "Welcome back, Dusk," Twister said, sounding friendly. I recognized her as a former Neighvarro Enclave Sergeant.

The other guard, a brown stallion with a buzz cut, spoke up, "If that's the case, reckon you should pony up." He grinned and held out his hoof.

I gave him a blank stare, not in the mood for his shit.

He saw my expression and raised his hooves in surrender, "Now, now, I'm just yankin' your tail."

Twister rolled her eyes and punched him lightly on the shoulder. "Don't go jestin' with Striker's young'un, Boomer," she scolded. Then she turned to me and apologized for her colleague's behavior. "Sorry 'bout that, Dusk. He's just a greenhorn lookin' for a little fun 'cause he's gettin' bored. You know how it is 'round these parts," she said with a laugh.

I pulled out a laminated card, my pass for New Thunderhead, from my saddlebag and nodded. "Uh-huh," I said, showing I was not in a mood for a conversation and showing her the card. Twister stepped back and opened the gate.

As I started to walk into the city, I heard some voices behind me. I ignored them until I heard Twister say. "I'm mighty sorry sir and ma'am, but you're a couple of hundred and fifty caps short for that pass."

"A thousand caps?!" A male voice exclaimed. "When did the damn price go up?"

“Apologies, sir, but the entry fee for New Thunderhead's passport is a full thousand caps,” Boomer explained in a sympathetic tone.

"Brahmin shit!" the male voice swore. Then a female voice cut in. "Stop it, Cheese! You're not helping at all." Her voice grew closer as she addressed Twister and Boomer, "Please, we don't have enough caps for the pass. Can we pay at the end of the month?"

Twister's voice was regretful as she explained the policy. "I wish I could help, ma'am, but we're obliged to collect the full payment, just as the council stallion decreed."

As I was about to enter the city, I heard somepony call me, "Excuse me! The pegasus with the purple mane?" The voice was aimed at me, and I turned to see a tired and stressed unicorn mare with an earth stallion who looked just as bad. "Can you spare us two hundred and fifty caps for our pass?" She pointed to the stallion. "My husband and I want to get into New Thunderhead to see his sister. We lost our home in the south and we have nowhere else to go. Please, please…"

I frowned, looking at Twister and Boomer, who both looked sorry but professional. I remembered the times when I visited the surface with the Skyport exchange program, and I felt conflicted. Should I help these ponies out? Or keep my caps for myself?

"Open your heart," I remembered her saying. But I couldn't bring myself to do it as I wasn't feeling generous today. With a heavy heart, I turned around and trotted towards the entrance without looking back.

The night streets of New Thunderhead remind me of the old days in the clouds, but with a twist of Wasteland flavor. I’m amazed by how the heart of the Commonwealth thrives with its diverse and prosperous residents and merchants; the city seems almost out of place in the Wasteland. Despite the harsh realities beyond the city walls, the ponies here have shown remarkable resilience and ingenuity. The city is alive with colorful murals, vibrant marketplaces, and a lively atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the desolate world outside. Even at this late hour, the city never loses its energy and spirit. I weave through the crowds of ponies of all races and backgrounds, their chatter creating a low hum that fills the air. Neon signs flash all kinds of goods and services, lighting up the faces of the passing ponies. It’s a bustling and vibrant metropolis, with tall buildings and wide boulevards that seem almost out of place in the Wasteland.

I’m genuinely impressed by how well the ponies from Thunderhead have adapted to life on the surface.

I open my map and notice that the interface has changed to the layout of New Thunderhead. I mark the "Family home" on my map and start to trot my way there. I could use my wings and fly there in a matter of seconds, but I decide to take a leisurely trot across the city instead. After spending so much time trapped within the white, claustrophobic walls of the Stable, it’s refreshing to have some variety in my life, although I’m still not sure what my purpose is out here.

As I trot down the street, I hear some ponies talking and I can’t help but eavesdrop on their gossip. “Did you hear that the sewers are crawling with radroaches?!” one of them exclaims.

I slow down and move to the side of the street to avoid blocking the way, still listening intently. “That’s Terminus’s problem and they’re way far southwest from here. There’s no way it’ll reach here,” another voice says dismissively.

But the first pony won’t let it go. “No no, I heard maintenance workers here are having trouble cleaning the sewers as the damn radroaches are everywhere underneath the city!”

My mind immediately wonders about it and wishes I had an E.F.S. in my foreleg interface to check for hostiles. I make a mental note to investigate further, maybe ask Moonshadow about it later. She knows a lot about the city and could tell me if there was any truth to the rumor.

The skeptical pony snorts, “Where the hell did you hear about that, anyway? From Granny Rags?”

The other pony insists, “No, I didn’t hear that from her! Everypony’s talking about it…”

I decide it’s time to move on and turn my attention back to my map. It shows an unmarked alleyway with the label "Granny Rag's alleyway." Huh. I wonder if eavesdropping on random gossip could lead to unexpected discoveries about other ponies’ whereabouts.

Lost in thought, I don’t realize how much time has passed until I find myself standing on the porch of my family’s house. The familiar scent of the freshly cut grass fills my nostrils as I look up at the wooden porch that was built with precision and care. It’s fancier than the identical houses that dotted the rest of the city, and the high-quality craftsmanship of the porch and the freshly painted exterior show that they’ve been doing quite well for themselves since founding New Thunderhead.

I hesitate for a moment before approaching the door, unsure of how I’ll be received. I know I’ve been distant and withdrawn lately, and my family might not appreciate my sudden appearance. But I push aside my doubts and knock on the makeshift door.

A few seconds later, the door opens, revealing Moonshadow. She stands before me, a dark gray mare with a short indigo mane that’s neatly trimmed. Her sky-blue eyes peer through her eyeglasses, studying me until she recognizes me.

“Good evening, Dusk,” Moonshadow greets me flatly. I can tell she’s not happy to see me. Her body language is stiff and her voice lacks the warmth that I used to hear from her.

“You sound excited,” I try to joke, remembering my exchange with Boomer at the gates earlier, but it doesn’t seem to amuse her.

Moonshadow purses her lips, then looks down at my appearance and frowns. I follow her gaze and realize that I forgot to clean myself off after fighting the raiders earlier. My barding and coat are caked in dust and grime, and my mane is a tangled mess from my flight.

“Looks like you’ve had a rough day,” she says sarcastically.

I scratch my head, trying to shrug off the awkwardness. “Uh, yeah. It was nothing.” But my mind is still reeling, and I can’t shake off the feeling of unease that lingers in my chest.

Moonshadow nods slowly, but our conversation still feels strained. “Well, come in,” she opens the door wider for me to enter.

I walk into the house, taking a moment to look around the interior. It reminds me of the cloud cities, with its open layout and minimalist decor. But the Wasteland setting means that it lacks the luxury and comfort that I was used to. The walls are bare and the furniture is functional rather than stylish.

“Moon?” I hear Father’s voice call out from the living room. “Who is that?”

Moonshadow closes the door behind me and gives me a look of disdain before walking down the hallway towards the living room. “It’s Dusk, father,” she answers.

I take a deep breath and follow her down the hallway. The air feels heavy and tense, and I know that I have a lot of explaining to do if I want to mend the rift between us, still unsure what it’s all about.

I see Father limping towards me with his cane, his face lighting up a bit as he sees me. I can tell he’s glad to see me, even though his gait shows the pain he’s in. As he gets closer, I can see the wrinkles around his eyes deepen as he smiles. The twins, Lambent and Lucent, follow him, their excitement clear as they spot me. They run towards me, their movements full of youthful exuberance, and almost knock me over with their hug.

“Hey girls,” I greet my younger sisters as they embrace me, their front legs wrapped around me. I can’t help but smile at their energy. As Lucent pulls back, I notice her blue eyes trail down to my bloodied barding, leaving her speechless. My heart starts to race as I wonder if my sisters think less of me for the violence that marks my life. I feel myself getting lost in the thoughts, but Lucent’s enthusiastic voice breaks the silence.

“Whoa, who’d you get this time?” Lucent’s brashness never ceases to amaze me. I’m caught off guard for a moment, unsure of how to respond. “Oh, uh…” I breathe a sigh of relief and reply, “Raiders. They attacked some traders in the wastes.”

Lambent speaks up with her polite tone, “Did you get hurt-” but Lucent interrupts her, eager for more details. “How many of them?”

I pause, thinking of how to answer, feeling the burden of my unwanted thoughts. I look at Lambent and say, “No, I didn’t get hurt,” then turn to Lucent and say, “Five of them.” I can see the excitement in Lucent’s face, and I feel a twinge of guilt. My family shouldn’t be so thrilled about the violence that fills my life.

Moonshadow interrupts our banter and herds us to the living room. I drop my stuff on the floor and peel off my barding, feeling without the armor protecting my body. The only thing I keep on is my interface attached to my foreleg. I quickly wash off the dirt and blood from my coat in the bathroom upstairs, having to endure from staring at my own scars long enough. As we settle in, I feel a sense of unease. There are things I can’t say in front of my younger sisters, even though they’re not fillies anymore. I know they’re old enough to understand the harsh realities of the wasteland, but I don’t want to ruin their innocence just yet.

We sit down for dinner while Moonshadow cooks, and I savor the taste of fresh vegetables. It’s a rare treat compared to the canned crap and dried stuff I usually eat on my travels. As we eat, we chat and joke, and I find myself relaxing and smiling more than I have in ages. We swap stories and laugh over old memories, and I feel a warm glow in my chest. But as much as I love being with my family, I also feel a distance between us. Even as I join in the fun, my heart feels heavy, as if it’s hiding a secret I can’t share.

However, as the night goes on, I feel something bothering me. It’s a nagging feeling in the back of my mind that won’t go away. Despite my attempts to ignore it and enjoy the time with my family, it stays throughout the night. Maybe it’s the weight of my past, or the fear of what might happen in the future, but I feel something is about to change.

We finished dinner, and as Moonshadow and I cleared the table, the twins begged me to give them firearms training, just as I had promised during my last visit. I had brought the necessary equipment, so we headed to the range located at the far end of the property.

The range was simple, with four lanes set side by side and dummies made of straw and tattered fabric at the far ends, near the high walls of the city. I was grateful that our family home was located at the edge of New Thunderhead, so there was no risk of stray bullets reaching neighboring homes. The night was getting colder, but my thick, armored barding protected me from the elements.

I handed the twins two 9mm pistols, one revolver, and cartons of 9mm and .45 rounds from my saddlebag. They quickly dressed in warm clothing, and I showed them the correct way to load ammunition, hold the handguns with their mouths and wings, and engage the safety.

As I demonstrated proper posture, I fired off a few rounds in quick succession, blasting the dummies in the head with tight circles of impact. "It'll take a while to learn to shoot, but with regular practice, you shouldn't have any problems," I unload the gun. "When you're out there, and a radscorpion comes at you, your instinct will be to fire as soon as the gun is in front of you."

Lambent raised the revolver and pulled the trigger, but the gun was leveled at the ground. "You'll miss it. You need to get the gun up to eye level," Lucent commented. With one smooth movement, she swung the gun up, aimed, and pulled the trigger. Unfortunately, the shot missed horribly, making me snort.

Lambent prepared herself by loading the revolver before heading into the shooting range. Though the revolver was a better fit for her, it was still a cumbersome task to load each bullet individually. Thankfully, I had prepared a speed loader to make the process easier. As Lambent got ready, I approached her.

Positioning myself behind her, I slid my hooves along her cheeks to adjust her stance. "Looks good. Just remember to keep your breathing steady," I instructed her before stepping aside with a smile. "Give it a shot."

Lambent raised the handgun to her eye level, her focus intent as she aimed at the dummy using her wing. Pulling the hammer, she took a deep breath and fired off a round, the gun echoing loudly in the range. She frowned slightly at the result.

"Great job," I praised her, giving a thumbs up with my wing.

Lucent snorted, "Yeah, absolutely great that she missed."

Lambent's smile grew wider. "I thought your snarky self was gone for good," she teased.

Undeterred, Lambent lifted the gun again, taking aim and pulling the hammer with her wing. She breathed evenly and squeezed the trigger, but this time the shot missed the target entirely. Lambent huffed in annoyance, nibbling on her lip before taking aim again. As I watched her, I noticed her glance at the dummy where Lucent had shot earlier, noting the inconsistent bullet holes. Lambent seemed determined to reach Lucent's level and focused her attention back on her own gun, steadying her grip.

"Take your time, Lamb. You've got this," I encouraged her. Lambent pulled back the hammer, took aim, and squeezed the trigger. The bullet found its mark in the dummy's head. "Nice!"

For the next hour, the twins practiced diligently. By the time they finished the box of ammunition, Lambent was consistently hitting the target. I instructed them to gather their shells, and they returned their guns and spent casings to me.

I then gave them a final reminder, "Remember, regular practice is key. And don't forget to clean your guns after each use."

The twins nodded in understanding as we walked back to the house. I was glad to see them enjoying their training, and it was always a pleasure to help them improve their skills. It's essential for them to know how to defend themselves, especially in the dangerous world they live in.

As we walked into the house, Moonshadow greeted us with a warm smile, her voice filled with curiosity, "How was the training?"

"It was great. Lambent did really well," I replied, a sense of pride swelling in my chest.

Moonshadow beamed, "That's fantastic to hear." She then turned to the twins, "It's getting late, you two should head off to bed now." The twins yawned in agreement before heading up the stairs, leaving us alone.

"That was a productive day," Moonshadow's voice shifted as we were left alone, going back in her stoic tone. "You're always such a good teacher to them."

"I try my best," I tried to smile. "It's important for them to know how to defend themselves."

Moonshadow nodded in agreement, "I know. It's a dangerous world out there, but with you teaching them, I feel a little more at ease."

I mean, I’m the only one in this family who can shoot shit at this moment, right?

As I don’t hear much from them, knowing they disappeared into their own quarters, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my heart return, and an uneasy sense settled in my chest. "Is father around?" I asked, hoping to distract myself from the emotions that were creeping up on me.

Moonshadow hesitantly nodded, "He's in the dining room." I looked down at my saddlebags, took a deep breath, and made my way towards the dining room, with Moonshadow trailing behind me.

I walked towards the dining room, fuck, I couldn't help but feel the weight of my heart return, and an uneasy sense settled in my chest. I knew what was waiting for me, the same heavy atmosphere that hung around us every time I returned. A sense of guilt that never left me no matter how many times I reminded myself of my reasons for leaving.

I took a deep breath and entered the room, trying to keep my composure intact. Father looked up as I sat down by the chair at the edge of the short side of the table, with Moonshadow sitting in between us. "I forgot to give you guys this," I pulled out a small sack of two thousand bottle caps against the table. "You know, the monthly caps for everypony here."

Moonshadow let out a sad sigh, "Then what? Leave again by tomorrow and come back next month?" Her voice filled with a mixture of disappointment and anger. "Do you even see how much the twins missed you? Do you?"

The weight of Moonshadow's words hit me like a ton of bricks, and I couldn't meet her eyes. It was true, I had been away for far too long, but I couldn't just explain everything to them, not now at least. "I...I didn't mean to hurt them. I just had some important things to take care of."

"Important things?" Moonshadow scoffed, "You mean like running away and leaving us here to fend for ourselves?" She stood up, placing both hooves on the table. "You know what? I'm done with this. I can't keep pretending that everything's okay. You can't just come and go as you please, leaving us behind to pick up the pieces. It's not fair to anypony."

Father cleared his throat, "Moonshadow, let's not make a scene. Your sister had her reasons for leaving."

Moonshadow turned to him, her voice raised, "Reasons? What reasons could possibly justify abandoning your family?" I felt tears forming in my eyes but I held them back.

I tried to speak, but my voice failed me. I felt a knot form in my stomach as the tension in the room escalated. "I didn't abandon anypony," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I had to leave, but I'm back now."

Moonshadow's eyes bore into mine, searching for some sort of explanation that could make sense of it all. I could see the pain and hurt in them, and it made me feel like I was failing her, failing them all. "Then why won't you stay with us? Why won't you just stay in New Thunderhead with your family for the rest of your days?" Her voice was laced with unexplained sadness, a look I hadn't seen since Glory's hospital room. "What makes living out in the Wasteland so damn special compared to being here with your family?"

I could feel my heart sinking as she spoke. I knew she had a point, but it was hard for me to explain why I couldn't stay with them permanently. "I can see that," I said quietly, trying to keep my emotions in check. "But you have to trust me, Moon. There are things out there that need to be taken care of, and I have to be the one to do it. It's not something I can explain right now, but it's important."

My gaze dropped to the floor, my guilt and shame threatening to overwhelm me. My life in the Wasteland was far from ideal, but it gave me a sense of purpose that I couldn't find anywhere else. Working with other ponies to help those in need, even if it meant compromising my morals at times, was more fulfilling to me than living within the walls of New Thunderhead. But I couldn't bring myself to tell Moonshadow or Father any of that, not when I sometimes felt like I didn't deserve to be with them.

But before I could say anything else, Moonshadow spoke again, her tone more desperate this time. And despite my best efforts, I remained silent, not knowing how to respond to her outburst. As she quickly dashed off from the dining room and up the staircase, I sat there in stunned silence, feeling like I had failed yet again.

Father's voice broke through my thoughts, jolting me back to reality. "What was on your mind, Dusk?" he asked, his tone gentle but probing. And as I turned back to face him, I felt a wave of shame wash over me. How could I explain what was going on in my head when I barely understood it myself?

"I just...I wasn't even sure what to say," I muttered, feeling defeated.

Father's voice was low and soothing, but it only added to my frustration. I didn't want their sympathy, I wanted them to understand. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, desperate to find the right words to explain my situation.

"Oh, you definitely have things to say," father sighed, his piercing gray eyes fixed on mine. "Listen Dusk, we talked about you as a family. I wasn't sure when you started giving us your caps-"

"It's for all of you," I quickly interjected, hoping to clarify my intentions.

Father's expression softened, but his eyes remained fixed on mine. "But that's not the damn point," he said firmly. "All we wanted was to help you. Let us help you, Dusk. We know that something is wrong and that you're having a difficult time. Please understand."

I could feel my mind starting to fizz and the ringing noises in my ears coming back. How could they possibly help me? They don't know anything about what I'm going through. The thought made me want to lash out and push them away, but I knew I couldn't. My state of mind was fragile, and I didn't want to hurt them any more than I already had.

Despite my inner turmoil, father kept talking and talking, doing his best to comfort me and make me feel better. But my state of mind refused to cooperate. I felt trapped and suffocated, unable to express my true feelings.

Finally, father stopped talking, his gaze fixed on me, waiting for my answer. I blinked several times, trying to clear my head.

"Is there..." I swallowed hard, feeling like there was a rock lodged in my throat. "Is there something I can make up with?"

Father raised a brow, confused. "What do you mean?"

I felt stupid for even asking. "Obviously there's nothing wrong with me," I said, lying to my own father. "I've always been like this." Stop lying, Dusk. "But I really want to spend more time with you guys. Really. It's just that... I'm busy."

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. It was a feeble attempt to avoid the real issue, to keep them at legs's length. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel like it was the truth. My life was so hectic and unpredictable, and I didn't know how to make time for the ponies who mattered most.

Father's expression softened, and he reached out to take my hoof. "We understand that you're busy, Dusk. But you're not alone. We're here for you, always. And we'll always be here to help you through whatever you're going through."

I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside me, threatening to spill over. But I pushed it down, not wanting to show any weakness.

“Thanks,” I said quietly, hoping he could hear the sincerity in my voice. “I appreciate it.”

I watched as Father left the room, his hoofsteps echoing in my ears. The sound around me seemed to fade away, and all I could hear was his muffled voice followed by some other noises that I couldn’t quite make out. The silence that followed was deafening, and I was left alone with my thoughts.

My chest felt heavy with guilt as I thought about what had just happened. I had lied to Father, and I was still keeping secrets from my family. But how could I possibly tell them the truth? How could I explain that my life in the Wasteland, though dangerous and uncertain, was the only thing that made me feel alive?

I sat there in silence for a while, lost in my thoughts. The sounds of my family moving around the house seemed to blend into the background, leaving me alone with my doubts and fears. I felt like a failure, unable to live up to their expectations and unable to break free from the cycle of violence and chaos that had become my life. At the same time, I knew that I couldn’t keep running from my problems forever, and that I needed to face them head-on if I wanted to have any chance of finding peace.

With a heavy sigh, I got up from the table and headed towards the stairs. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if the weight of the world was resting on my shoulders. As I climbed the stairs, I could hear the sounds of my family members in their rooms, getting ready for bed.

Moonshadow’s door was closed, but I could see a faint light shining from underneath. I knocked softly, hoping she would let me in. After a few seconds, I heard a distant “come in.”

I twisted the knob shyly and slowly opened the door, peeking through to see Moonshadow by her desk, reading something from a blue binder with an oil lamp illuminating the desk. As I fully opened the door and trotted in, she turned her head in my direction and looked surprised to see me.

"Hey," I greeted plainly, feeling a lump form in my throat. Moonshadow furrowed her eyebrows in irritation. "What do you want, Dusk? Saying goodbye or whatnot?"

I stepped into Moonshadow's room and closed the door behind me, feeling the weight of nervousness settle in my stomach. The room looked similar to the one she had back in the research lab, with neatly stacked paperwork by her desk. But this room felt different, almost empty except for the saddlebags in the corner.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I had to say. "Listen Moon, I'm sorry for not being around with the family for most of my time. I was just…" I trailed off, biting my lip in uncertainty. Moonshadow's anticipation wasn't helping, her eyes boring into me with curiosity, waiting for me to finish my sentence. "...busy. Busy with the crap in the Stable."

I knew it was a weak excuse, but it was the only one I had. I didn't want to tell her the real reason I couldn't stay, that I didn't feel like I deserved to be with them, that I didn't feel like I deserved to be happy.

"Please stop lying, Dusk," Moonshadow said softly, her voice tinged with concern. She stood up from her desk, turning her full attention to me. "I know there's something more. You're always running off, disappearing without a word. We all worry about you."

I winced at the reminder of my past, the things I had done, the things I was still doing. "Maybe. I…" I pursed my lips, feeling a wave of guilt wash over me. "I'm doing my best, you know, surviving."

"I know," Moonshadow said, her voice softening. "But I'm worried about you. We're all worried." She adjusted her glasses, looking straight into my eyes. "Is it because you can't escape from killing other ponies? Is that why you can't settle here with us?"

I felt a lump form in my throat, the weight of my past pressing down on me. "Yeah, maybe," I said, barely able to meet her gaze. "I… I don't know if I can ever be free of it."

Moonshadow took a step closer to me, her hoof on my shoulder. "I understand that it's hard, Dusk. But you can't keep running forever and the last thing I want is to lose my sister again..."

"What do you mean you or anypony else can't save her?! She can't keep suffering like this!" Her voice echoes through the back of my head, "Please!!"

I felt a surge of emotion welling up inside of me. "I don't want to lose you either, Moon," I admitted, feeling vulnerable. "You, Father and the twins are the only family I have left."

"What... the fuck happened to her?"

Moonshadow's hoof on my shoulder brought me back to the present moment. Her words echoed in my mind, reminding me that I wasn't alone. That I had a family who cared for me, despite my shortcomings. Despite my... everything. Despite I still hide almost everything from them.

However, as much as I wanted to believe her words, the weight in my chest returned. The all-too-familiar feeling of grief, like a heavy stone pressing down on my heart. It reminded me of the time I spent in the hospital, surrounded by the sick and dying. The smell of antiseptic and death lingering in the air… and she was covered in bandages—

I was lost in my thoughts, reliving those painful memories, when Moonshadow shook me out of my reverie. I blinked, feeling disoriented, before realizing where I was and what she had asked me.

“Uh… yeah,” I said, shaking my head to clear my thoughts. “Just zoning out. Oh, and speaking of which…” I saw Moonshadow raise her brow in curiosity, prompting me to continue. That's one way to distract my displeasing thoughts... “I’ve heard about this issue in New Thunderhead sewers…”

I was intrigued by the rumors of radroaches infesting the sewers of this city. Moonshadow confirmed them with a nervous chuckle, but she also said that the maintenance ponies were clueless about how to deal with the pests, even though the water was filtered. She sighed and admitted that they wanted to keep it a secret, but somepony must have spilled the beans or a resident must have stumbled upon it.

I wondered if Granny Rags was the source of the rumor. The map showed the alleyway where she lived, and I had heard stories about her. I decided to pay her a visit the next day.

By the morning in New Thunderhead and headed to the approximate location, I felt a chill as I approached the abandoned building where Granny Rags supposedly resided. It was a decrepit structure, ready to fall apart at any moment, and it smelled like rot and mold. The floors creaked and groaned under my hooves as I walked through the building, and I heard rats scuttling in the shadows.

I climbed up a rickety staircase and reached a small, cluttered room with a boarded-up window. A lantern flickered in the dim light, casting eerie shadows on the walls. A metal drum served as a stove in the corner, glowing faintly. A croaky voice behind me startled me, “Is that you, my dear husband?” And I turned around to see an old, pale green unicorn mare with a short gray mane slickly styled with a clip. Her clouded gray eyes gazed at me, reminding me of Farsight, except that the older mare’s eyes looked way worse for wear. Her mouth was heavily scarred and stained red.

I approached her carefully, ready to speak, but she raised a hoof to stop me. “Wait, let me guess,” she said with a chuckle. “Are you here with my birdies? I keep losing them over and over.” She trotted away to a makeshift kitchen area with a rundown stove. I cleared my throat and spoke, “Look, listen… Are you… Granny Rags?”

She flashed a wicked grin, “Yes, that’s me,” she replied, her horn glowing with a sickly yellow aura as she levitated a rusty pot onto the stove and lit it with her magic. “That’s right. Everypony called me Granny Rags,” she stated. “So what are you here for? To rob me? Mess me around like those impolite gentlecolts?”

I shook my head quickly, trying to show her that I meant no harm. “No, I’m just here to ask you some questions,” I said, trying to sound calm and friendly.

“Then talk, dearie,” Granny Rags said.

“You know about the radroaches in the sewers, right?” I asked. Granny Rags nodded slowly. “I do, I do,” she said. “Those radroaches disturbed my birdies and even my beauty sleep every night.” She turned her head in my direction, her clouded eyes looking distant. “Nopony believed me when I told them, but of course…” She turned back to the stove, adding more food to the pot. “They think I’m crazy.”

I felt sorry for the old and nearly blind pony. She knew the truth about the infestation, as Moonshadow had confirmed, but the residents of New Thunderhead treated her poorly. As I watched her struggle with a half-eaten carrot, I wanted to help her, and so I spoke up.

“I believe you,” I said, hoping she could hear the sincerity in my voice. “I came here to learn more about the sewers. I want to get rid of those radroaches.”

Granny Rags dropped the carrot and gave me a scornful look. “Well, aren’t you a sweetheart?” she said sarcastically. “I can give you access to the sewers and a nice present from your granny… if you do me a favor. How does that sound?” I was wary of taking on more errands, but I was curious about the sewers and the present. Maybe it was worth it. After all, a little reward couldn't hurt, right?

“I’ll do it,” I said firmly.

Granny Rags nodded, a smile tugging at her lips. “Good,” she said, her horn glowing as she took out a holotape from a sack by her bed. "I want you to deliver this message to the stallion with a thick, sing-song accent." She tossed the holotape to me, and it showed up in my inventory as "For Prudent."

"It appears you have a Pip-Buck with you, mind if I?" Granny Rags reached out her hooves, pointing to my left foreleg. I hesitated, not wanting her to touch my crappy interface. But then I remembered that I needed her help, and that beggars can’t be choosers.

“Sure,” I said, extending my leg to her.

Granny Rags examined the device, her clouded eyes squinting as she tried to make sense of it. "Hmm, not really a Pip-Buck but it has a map…" Her horn glowed as she worked her magic. "There you go. It should be labeled in your map by now where that stallion is."

I thanked her and checked my map, which now had a new location called "Water Purification Center" in New Thunderhead. I was surprised. I knew the city had water purification systems, but I didn’t know there was a dedicated facility for it. I wondered what kind of technology they used and how they kept the water clean in this wasteland.

As I was about to leave, Granny Rags added, "When you come back with that message delivered, I have another gift for you."

II was curious about what she had for me, but I didn’t get my hopes up. It could be anything from a stale loaf of bread to a rusty nail. “What kind of gift?” I asked cautiously.

Granny Rags laughed, a sound that made me shiver. I felt uneasy as I looked at the weird old mare. She seemed harmless, but there was something dark in her voice that made me doubt her.

"It's a surprise, dearie," Granny Rags said with a mischievous grin. "You’ll have to come back and see for yourself.”

I nodded, pretending to be okay with that. “Okay, I’ll be back.”

I left Granny Rags’ home and stepped into the bright sunlight, which blinded me for a moment. I blinked several times, adjusting to the light. The streets of New Thunderhead were busy and noisy, a contrast to the quiet and stillness of Granny Rags’ place. I pulled up my map and looked for the Water Purification Center. It was close, just a few blocks away.

I thought about Granny Rags and how the other ponies treated her as I walked to the center. It was unfair, and I felt bad for her. But maybe she liked being alone. I shook my head, trying to focus on my task. I had a job to do, and I needed to get it done.

I took a deep breath as I walked towards the Water Purification Center, which was guarded by two armed earth ponies. The facility was fenced off, and the sound of the machines filtering the water was loud and constant. I approached the guards cautiously, holding the holotape.

“I need to see Prudent,” I said, trying to sound confident. The guard on the left looked at me suspiciously, his eyes darting to the device on my leg.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"My name is Dusk," I replied with confidence. "Granny Rags sent me with a message for Prudent."

The pony on the right stepped forward, his gruff voice cutting through the air. "Alright, come with me," he said, leading me inside.

The Water Purification Center hummed with activity, the sound of the machines filtering the water and keeping it clean permeating the air. The smell was an acrid blend of chemicals and industry, reminiscent of the old world depicted in picture books. Despite the impressive technology surrounding me, the ponies in the facility appeared gruff and worn, their clothes torn and ragged. Their wary glances made me feel like an outsider.

As we climbed the metal staircase, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. The small office at the top of the facility was occupied by a tall, muscular earth pony stallion with a scruffy mustache. He was surrounded by water bottles and seemed to be busy with paperwork. The guard whispered something to him, and the stallion turned to face me with a skeptical expression.

"Allow me to have a word with her, will ya?" he said with a distinctive accent, beckoning me closer.

I approached Prudent's desk with a hint of apprehension and the guards left us alone in the office. He eyed me warily, his gaze flickering to the holotape that I held in my hoof. I could feel his suspicion emanating from him, but I knew I had to remain calm and deliver the message from Granny Rags.

"It's a message from Granny Rags," I said, holding out the holotape. "She asked me to deliver it to you."

Prudent snatched the holotape from my hoof and quickly slotted it into a nearby terminal. He leaned forward, his eyes scanning the screen as the message played. His expression changed from suspicion to worry, and I could feel the tension in the room.

After the message ended, Prudent turned his attention to me, his gaze piercing into mine. "Yer name's Dusk, ain't it, matey?" he asked.

I hesitated for a moment before nodding my head. "Yes, that's right."

"Be ye a newcomer to New Thunderhead, me hearty?" he asked.

"No, I've been here for a while," I replied, feeling a sense of confusion creeping in.

"Aye, so ye ain't be knowing 'bout that old lass, aye?" Prudent leaned back in his chair. "Listen here, matey, I ain't got a clue what ye've gotten yerself into with Granny Rags."

My confusion turned to concern as Prudent's words hung in the air. "What do you mean?"

"Let's just say...she ain't yer typical friendly old lass ye stumble upon on the streets, unless ye be needin' somethin' from her."

I nodded slowly, unsure of what to say.

"Well, I needed more information about the radroach infestation in New Thunderhead sewers," I finally spoke up, hoping to clear the air.

"Aye, we do, Dusk," Prudent replied, leaning forward. "Them infestations be ruinin' our water supply. Production be gettin' more and more inefficient, and we be havin' to filter the water many times to get rid o' that foul radroach taste and stench. Granny Rags be rumored to be involved in the infestations, which would explain a lot..."

Surprised, I asked, "Really? Granny Rags did that?"

Prudent nodded. "Ye don't spend much time in the city, do ye? But the rumors be spreadin' like wildfire. Is that why ye came to her first?"

I nodded, feeling ashamed for not being more informed.

"Here be me proposal, matey," Prudent said, tapping his hooves. "Ye can take that box outside me office and deliver it to Granny Rags. In return, she'll reward ye. But here's the catch: don't use her access to the tunnels. Ye'll be dealin' with them radroaches alone. Instead, use our tunnels with me boys to help ye clear 'em out. And once ye're done, ye'll get a nice sack o' caps as yer reward."

I eyed Prudent warily. "And why would you want to help me?"

"We share the same goal, mate," Prudent replied confidently. "We be the Bottle Sheet Gang, a privately-owned water company responsible for supplyin' clean water to the Commonwealth. It be a tough job, especially with them damn radroaches infestin' our water supply. But we be managin', and we be always lookin' for ways to improve our efficiency and output. And let me tell ye, I be known as a stallion in keepin' me own damn word, pegasus."

I couldn't help but feel uneasy. What was Prudent's true motive for helping me?

"How exactly do you plan on assisting me with clearing out the sewers?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

Prudent pulled out a paper map from his desk. "We got several tunnel entrances scattered throughout the city that lead directly to the sewers. Our team be already workin' on clearin' out them radroaches, and we can provide ye with access to these tunnels and our team's assistance if ye be willin' to work with us."

As Prudent spoke, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to his offer. What was Granny Rags' involvement in all of this? And what did Prudent and his team want in return for their help?

"Why take me in immediately?" I asked, my curiosity getting the best of me.

"It be simple, really," Prudent replied with a smirk. "Ye be the first pegasus we've seen in a while. And ye look like ye've been through a lot o' shit. All o' me boys be just unicorns and earth ponies. We never had a single pegasus in our gang."

As I listened to Prudent's proposition, I couldn't help but understand why they needed me. The thought of being a valuable asset in such a dangerous task was both thrilling and daunting. After some contemplation, I made up my mind.

"I'll take your offer," I said, extending my hoof for a shake. "But I need to know more about Granny Rags and her involvement in all of this."

Prudent's smile faltered for a moment before he regained his composure. "Ah, Granny Rags," he said, his voice turning grim. "She be a bit o' a wild card, she be. We've had our run-ins with her in the past, and let's just say she ain't no pony to be trifled with."

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What do you mean? Is she dangerous?"

Prudent nodded gravely. "She got some powerful magic at her disposal, and we suspect she be responsible for a lot o' them recent infestations in the sewers. We be tryin' to put a stop to it for a while now, but every time we get close to catchin' her, she slips away like a ghost in the night."

A chill ran down my spine at the mention of Granny Rags' magic. I had seen her easily levitate objects around despite her old age. As much as I tried to hide it, fear crept into my voice. "I'll be sure to keep my eyes peeled."

Before I left, I asked Prudent for a favor. “But first,” I said, “Can I swing by Granny Rags’ place? I need to pick up some stuff.”

Prudent nodded, understanding my need to tie up loose ends.

"Ye be free to do as ye please, matey. But be careful when dealin' with her," he replied. "and don't forget to come back here when ye be done clearin' them tunnels."

I took his warning to heart. Her reputation for using powerful magic was not to be taken lightly, and not many ponies dared to cross her. But I felt like I had to sort some things out before I could fully commit.

I stepped out of the dimly lit office and saw a large box waiting for me at the doorway. The cardboard box was sealed at the top, and I quickly slung it over my back, checking my inventory to make sure it was a box of a dozen filtered water bottles. To my surprise, the stallions around me didn’t seem to care, going about their business as usual, unlike earlier when they glared at me like I was an intruder. It was as if they finally accepted me or realized that I was harmless. Whatever the reason, I was grateful, and I made my way to Granny Rags without any trouble.

I arrived at Granny Rags’ makeshift home, a crumbling building with a collapsed wall that served as a balcony. The old mare was standing at the balcony, and as I climbed up the stairs, she perked up her ear.

“Dearie? Is that you?” she called out, her voice raspy but friendly.

“It’s Dusk,” I answered, setting the box on the floor of the main room.

“You’re back. Did you deliver the holotape?”

“Yeah, and I brought the box for you.”

“Wonderful, wonderful…” She levitated the box towards her with ease, showcasing her impressive telekinetic magic, and placed it next to the stove. “As promised…” Granny Rags’ horn glowed, and a gun case floated in my direction. “Here’s Granny’s gift,” she said with a wicked smile.

I took the case with a mix of excitement and confusion. I opened it and found a long and bulky laser rifle with a glowing prismatic cartridge in mint condition. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the weapon was made by Shadowbolt based on its logo on the wooden stock, a shadow pegasus company famous for producing powerful weapons. There was also an inscription on the stock that read ‘Zap-Zap’. Huh? Was this some kind of sibling weapon to that damn Pew-Pew?

“Where did you get this?” I asked, stunned.

Granny Rags cackled, her raspy voice sounding more creepy than playful. “A gift, one that I never used. I was saving it for somepony who deserved it,” she said slowly. “And you look like a pony who can overcome anything, don’t you? A pony who can just…” she gave me a sideways glance that made me shiver, “…take what you want.”

A knot formed in my stomach at her words, and I began to wonder if she knew about my allegiance to Prudent. Her tone was suspicious, and I couldn’t help but question if she was onto me or if my paranoia was getting the better of me. As I snapped out of my thoughts, I realized Granny Rags was standing in front of me, her horn aglow, and I saw her magic aura enveloping my device. After the magic faded away, I lifted my leg to check the device and saw that it had been upgraded to look like a Pip-Buck, minus the E.F.S. feature. I was surprised, but before I could say anything, Granny Rags gave me a crooked grin.

"And that's what you did to that stallion. I'm proud of you, dear." The elderly mare waved a hoof dismissively. "Now, go take care of the radroach problem, yes?"

With that, I left in a hurry, feeling like a pawn in her game. I checked the gun case and found more gem cartridges for Zap-Zap before bolting out of the building, hoping to avoid any more trouble.

As I walked down the stairs, my mind was flooded with questions. What did Granny Rags mean by taking what I want? Did she know that I was working for Prudent? And most importantly, how did she get that damn laser rifle? Shadowbolt was known for their secrecy, and I never imagined that a surfacer like Granny Rags could get her hooves on one of their weapons.

I stepped out onto the street, and looked around, noticing the rundown buildings and the frantic ponies scurrying about their business. It was as if they were running away from something, or somepony.

Pushing aside my apprehension, I headed back to Prudent’s hideout. Along the way, I felt a surge of gratitude towards Prudent for taking me in. In the short time I had known him, he had shown me more kindness than anypony else. Well, that’s expected when I look like I’ve been through hell and back outside the city’s walls.

Arriving at the basement of the water treatment plant, I was greeted by Prudent and his team, all of them geared up with identical leather bardings that seemed sturdy enough to fend off the pesky radroaches and other unfamiliar equipment to venture into the sewers. Prudent spotted me and walked over, handing me a helmet and flashlight.

"Ahoy there, Dusk! Ye be ready for this?" he asked.

I nodded and put on the helmet, making sure it fit snugly. "Yeah, and lead the way," I replied, trying to sound confident despite the pounding of my heart.

We descended into the dank and musty sewer, feeling the oppressive darkness swallow us. I tried to stay calm and focused on the task at hoof, but my heart wouldn’t stop racing. Prudent and his team were already geared up and waiting for me, their faces grim and determined. I nodded at them, hoping to show them my own resolve. The cool metal of my helmet provided some relief from the suffocating stench of the sewer. The sound of dripping water echoed through the tunnels, and the skittering of rats could be heard in the distance.

Prudent led the way, his flashlight cutting through the gloom. We walked in silence, the only sound being our hooves splashing in the shallow water. As we went deeper into the sewers, the water level rose, and I flew above with my wings to avoid getting wet.

The air was thick with tension as we ventured further into the darkness. We all knew what lurked in these tunnels - the infamous radroaches - and we had to be careful not to let our guard down. I kept my laser rifle ready, scanning the shadows for any signs of movement.

Suddenly, a scuttling sound broke the silence, and Prudent gestured for us to stop. We all froze, holding our breath as we listened for more noise. The silence was deafening, and my heart pounded in my chest.

Then, we heard it again - the skittering of tiny legs, closer and louder this time. Prudent whispered for us to get ready, and we raised our weapons, bracing ourselves for the worst.

The radroaches came out of the shadows, except they were glowing pink? Well, that’s new. Their chittering and clicking annoyed the hell out of me. They swarmed us from all sides, their hard shells glinting in the dim light.

I pulled the trigger of my prismatic rifle for the first time, creating a loud blast and feeling the heat of the beam from the right side of my battle saddle. It hit the first pink roach that crawled on the wall. It screeched before it disintegrated, but more were coming, and they were relentless.

Okay, that laser rifle was way too overkill.

More gunfire and laser blasts filled the air, drowning out the scuttling of the roaches. I felt their hard bodies crunching beneath my feet as I fought to keep them at bay and my new Pip-Buck started to make wild clicking noises like a Geiger counter. They were radioactive and toxic too? Crap, we were in over our heads.

And then it happened. One of the stallions let out a scream, “Holy shit!” and the roaches pounced on him with a ferocity that was horrifying to watch. I saw them gnawing at his flesh, ripping off chunks of his body that I had never seen the damn radroaches do, except for the pink ones like this. His screams were lost in the sound of gunfire, and I had to look away.

But there was no time to dwell on the horror of the situation. Prudent was shouting at us with “Keep moving, ye bastards!” and his shotgun blasting away. I followed his lead, flying above the fray, trying to pick off as many roaches as possible with Pew-Pew instead of Zap-Zap (why did I have weapons with ridiculous names?). The stallions charged ahead, and I flew overhead to provide cover, leading the way towards the main pipeline of the sewers where the radroach colony seemed to come from.

Gunfire and the skittering of radroaches surrounded me as I tried to take out as many of the creatures as possible, to the point it got overwhelming and I had to reload a dozen times that I was afraid I’d run out of ammo.

As we reached the main pipeline, I felt sick to my stomach. The walls were covered in pink egg sacs that bulged and pulsated, and the constant flow of radroaches coming out of them. Fucking Celestia, facing this mutated horde of pests made me want to puke. If this is actually what Granny Rags been doing, then I have more reasons to avoid her as much as possible.

“Dusk!” Prudent’s voice cut through the chaos, holding up an unlit molotov cocktail. “Light this thing up and fry those radroach eggs!”

I maneuvered my flight to catch the molotov Prudent threw my way. I then ignited the rag on the molotov with a burning cartridge from Pew-Pew, flying back to the top of the massive egg sac with its tendrils connecting each of the sections. Taking advantage of my flight, I tossed it towards what I assumed to be the main egg source.

The explosion was deafening, the flames spreading out in a deadly wave that engulfed the entire area. The radroaches scurried and shrieked in terror as they tried to escape the inferno. Prudent and his crew were already out of the room and I flew by last. We made our way through the sewer, flames clearing a path for us.

Finally, we had made it through the worst of it and were close to safety, completely silent from the pests except for the smell of burnt flesh that overwhelmed the stinking aroma in the sewer.

But as I looked around at the carnage, I noticed some of the stallions didn’t make it out alive, and one injured one lay on the ground, his torso was torn apart that even his bandages weren't able to staunch the bleeding.

Prudent knelt beside him, examining his wounds. “He’s fucked,” the stallion simply stated, looking up at me. “We need to get him back to base and get him treated.”

I nodded and volunteered myself to carry him on my back and began the slow and arduous journey back to the Water Treatment Plant. With each step, I felt the weight of the stallion on my back and the exhaustion from the battle weighing me down.

That stallion didn't make it.

The sight of his lifeless body hit Prudent like a punch in the gut. He had lost some of his best stallions in the fight against the radroach infestation, and even though they had cleared the sewers of the pests, he couldn’t help but feel a heavy burden of guilt. "Arr, 'tis a shame we couldn't save 'em all." he muttered, his voice heavy with grief.

I nodded, feeling a pang of sorrow myself. Losing a comrade in battle was never easy, but I tried to focus on the bright side: we had accomplished our objective, and the city was safer because of us. As Prudent led me to his office, I couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride for having proven myself to him and the Bottle Sheet Gang.

"Well done, Dusk," Prudent said, his tone more upbeat than before. "I knew ye were a top-notch pegasus, and ye proved me right." He tossed a sack of caps towards me, which I caught reflexively. "Here ye go, a reward for yer cooperation."

I opened the sack and gasped at the amount of caps inside. I quickly scanned them with my device and confirmed that there were five thousand caps in there. “Holy shit,” I murmured, trying to hide my excitement.

Prudent chuckled. "A hefty sum, indeed. And as I said before, I'm the stallion who keeps his damn word." He leaned back in his chair and lit a cigarette, offering me one as well. I declined, not being a smoker myself. Prudent took a deep drag and blew a cloud of smoke towards the ceiling. "Listen up, matey. I'd like to make ye an offer. Ye're a skilled pony, and we could use somepony like ye in our gang. The Bottle Sheet Gang takes care of its own, and we always lend a hoof when we can. If ye ever need anything, just ask."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the proposal. “What do you want me to do, exactly?”

"Nothin' too specific, really," Prudent stated, shrugging. "Just keep yer ears open for any job or opportunity that might benefit the gang. And if we ever need yer skills again, we'll give ye a call. Fair enough?"

I thought about it for a moment. Being associated with a faction like the Bottle Sheet Gang had its risks - they were known as extortionists and thugs after all - but it also offered advantages in terms of protection and resources. Plus, I respected Prudent and his leadership style. "Yeah, that sounds fair. I'm in."

Prudent smiled, exhaling another puff of smoke. "Great to hear it! Ye be part of the crew now, Dusk. Welcome aboard!"

He then gave me a piece of paper with a bunch of letters and numbers that I couldn’t comprehend. He said it was a code for an encrypted broadcast channel that he used to communicate with his gang members. Huh.

I wrapped up my work at the Water Treatment Center and headed back to my family’s place. Moonshadow was waiting for me, eager to hear the news. I told her everything: how I cleared the sewers, how I met Granny Rags, and how I discovered the goons behind the water supply. She was impressed by my bravery and thanked me for saving the city from a potential disaster, but also warned me to be careful around that sketchy mare from now on. She also handed me a hefty reward of two thousand caps from the officials. Not bad for a day’s work, I thought.

But I couldn’t relax just yet. There were still too many questions swirling in my head. Who was Granny Rags, really? What was her connection to the Shadowbolts? Was there something more to Prudent’s gang than meets the eye? I had a feeling that this was just the tip of the iceberg.

As the sun set, I said goodbye to my family and took off from New Thunderhead. I checked my map, which was now much more detailed than before. It showed me the ground depths and ranges, which would come in handy for exploring. It was a nice upgrade, but it came with a catch. The Pip-Buck replica that Granny Rags had given me was locked to my leg, and only Crumpets had the key to remove it. I wondered what else she had done to it. It seemed like a upgrade from my old hoofmade Pip-Buck, but with fewer features and functions than the standard one. Except for one thing: it had a powerful radio and broadcasting system. Plus it's screen is in tinted amber. Neat.

After a little fiddling, I was able to tune in to Prudent’s channel. It was currently offline, but I figured he would contact me soon enough. I marked my destination as “Thunderhead” and flew on.

I felt a pang in my chest as I approached the ruined city. I tried to shake it off and focused on the air, avoiding the inactive lightning rods. At least they weren’t shooting at me anymore. Soon, I reached an overgrown farmland that used to be a thriving agricultural area. I flew over the broken fence and landed on a familiar street in Thunderhead. The sight of the abandoned sky wagons, the pony skeletons, and the signs of war made me shiver. It was hard to believe that this was once my home.

I looked at my map again and marked the location of the Thunderhead Cemetery. I had to go there, to pay my respects to the fallen. It was the least I could do.

I took a deep breath and started walking down the street, stepping over the debris that littered the ground. As I walked, I couldn’t help but think about the past few days. The sewer infestation, Granny Rags and her mysterious past, the Water Treatment Center and its shady operators… It was a lot to take in.

I wished I knew more about Granny Rags and what she was up to. The fact that she had a Shadowbolt weapon was alarming, to say the least. I had a feeling that she was involved in more than just spreading rumors about the sewers.

My thoughts were interrupted by a loud clang. I looked down and saw a rusty metal can. I kicked it away and continued on my way, keeping an eye out for any trouble.

Thunderhead was a dangerous place now, but I still felt drawn to it. It was where I grew up, where I made friends, where I fell in love. It was where I lost everything. It was my home, once upon a time, and I felt a duty to visit the Thunderhead Cemetery and honor the dead. Memories flooded my mind – laughing in the park with my friends, studying in the grand building that was my school, spending lazy summer days with… No, I couldn’t think about that. It was all gone.

I reached the cemetery and walked through the gate. The graves were overgrown with weeds and flowers, some of them cracked or toppled over. I walked among them, reading the names of the fallen, each one a reminder of the lives lost in the civil war. I wondered how many of them had been buried properly, and how many had been left to rot.

Suddenly, I saw a figure in the distance, standing by a grave. It was a stallion unicorn, his horn glowing faintly with magic. He was using a cloud-walking spell, I realized, something I had seen before in Skyport.

My first instinct was to sneak up on him, but I hesitated. He looked like he was mourning, and I didn’t want to disturb him. But then I noticed whose grave he was standing at. It was Dancer’s mother’s grave, the one I had visited many times before.

A surge of curiosity overcame me, and I decided to approach him. I tried to be quiet, avoiding the tombstones and the vines. But I wasn’t careful enough. I tripped over a vine and fell to the ground, making a loud noise.

The stallion turned around, his eyes wide with fear. He saw me and ran away.

“Hey, wait!” I shouted, reaching out my hoof. But it was too late. He was gone. I got up and ran after him, flying over the obstacles. He reached a clear path and his magic faded, sending him falling through the clouds with a scream.

I didn’t hesitate. I dove through the clouds after him, catching him a few meters below. I held him in my hooves, like a bride. He was heavier than me, being taller, but I managed to hold him.

The moonlight shone on him, revealing his dirty, golden coat and a saddlebag with a red cross. I looked into his startled citrine eyes, and I couldn’t believe it. It was… Dancer? But as a stallion? His citrine eyes remained locked on mine, and his disheveled mane danced over his yellow horn.

"Holy Celestia..." he muttered, bewildered, his gaze locked with mine. "Dusk?"

"Lightning Dart?" My shock was palpable. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. After over a decade, I'd found Dancer's twin brother, an utterly surreal moment that I'd never anticipated.

All I could say is: what the fuck.

User Alert! Such tenacity! You've chugged enough Sparkle-Cola to regain some vitality. You're now officially tougher than a two-headed Brahmin in a radstorm!

Author's Note

Holy shit this chapter took way too long than I initially expected. Maybe due to the fact I come up with a small side quest thing on the spot. I thought about expanding New Thunderhead much more but I don't want to make this chapter way too lengthier and shit.

Also, do you notice the easter eggs? wink wink