Fallout: Equestria - Refuge

Fallout Equestria: Refuge
By AgentGei
Chapter 3: Reunion
"I thought he's gone... how resilient."

"What is family to you?"

The sound of Dancer’s voice cut through my drowsy mind, pulling me out of a half-asleep stupor. I sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I took in the room that was bathed in a faint blue glow from the security monitors that blinked and buzzed like restless insects. I noticed the furrowed brows and the tight lips on Dancer’s face, a clear sign that something was bothering her.

“Hmm?” I grunted, trying to shake off the last of my exhaustion. Night shifts are an absolute nightmare to go through.

“You seem to love your family a lot,” she said, her voice low and heavy. “What is family to you?”

I hesitated for a moment, knowing that this was a weighty topic. “Family is… everything to me,” I replied finally after letting out a quiet yawn. “But sometimes, from what I’ve seen anyway, it’s not just about blood ties. It’s about the connections we make with the ponies around us… you know, through love and loyalty I suppose.”

Dancer’s expression softened as she listened to me, her citrine eyes searching mine for understanding. “Is this how it feels when you lose your mom?” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the monitors.

My heart clenched as I remembered the pain of my own mother leaving, but I pushed the memory aside. “Losing a mother who has passed away is different from a mother who left home for selfish reasons,” I said carefully. “But the pain of losing somepony you love is never easy.”

Dancer nodded, her eyes still sad, but a small smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as I instinctively reached out to squeeze her hoof in comfort. For a moment, it looked like the weight of grief lifted from her shoulders. Not completely, but something to ease off the tense crap she’s been dealing with from the past few days.

We sat in silence, watching the security monitors flicker. I wasn’t sure if I meant it when I said family was more than just a biological connection. I still believe that you can’t just choose who you’re family with. It’s about the bond that we make with those who love and support us through the worst times. But hey, it could be overwhelming, but having the strength and resilience of those who remained could help us like, giving a small advise about family? I guess we could move forward…

The campfire’s orange embers cast a warm glow across the mountainside, lighting up the rugged landscape around us. I stare at the crackling flames, the only sound in the peaceful stillness. Dart’s hot air balloon looms nearby, its bright colors standing out against the dark hues of the mountains.

I think back to the last time I saw Dart - at his mother’s funeral almost a decade ago - and even further back to when we were fillies. The discovery that unicorns were just as important as pegasi in Thunderhead was a shocking yet enlightening realization, especially considering the Enclave’s biased beliefs at the time. Now, the Enclave is long gone, and I wonder about the what-ifs that haunt me.

My thoughts drift back to the funeral, which was held at the same place where Dart and I met earlier tonight. The cemetery’s gray stones still watch silently in the background.

Dart’s scruffy stubble catches my eye, and I realize that he didn’t have it the last time we met. Despite the rough look, he’s slightly cleaner than most surfacers in the Wasteland as if he avoids whatever conflict that he stumbles across. Huh, something that I haven’t done for a while.

Dart breaks the silence, sounding unsure. “So, um… how have you been, Dusk? After the Enclave disbanded and all that.”

I swallow hard, but I try to act casual. “I moved to an open Stable with the Applejack’s Rangers and the Stable Dwellers.”

“An open Stable? Wow, those still exist, huh…” Dart sounds curious. “And… those are the ones with the Steel Ranger outcasts, right?”

I nod. “Yeah, it’s open to the Wasteland. But I’m not one of those Rangers. Just a pony trying to survive.”

He nods slowly, looking nervous. He smiles, trying to lighten the mood. “I guess that means you and Dancer have a purpose in the Wasteland, huh?”

The mention of Dancer stops me, and I feel the emptiness of her absence weighing on me, threatening to overwhelm me. Would things have been different if she were still here? Would I still be in the Stable with Crumpets and the others, or would I be wandering the Wasteland, scavenging to survive?

As I get lost in my thoughts, Dart’s voice snaps me out of it, bringing me back to the present. “Wait, she’s not with you…” he says, his face showing confusion.

My mind flashes back to my bloody hooves, and a surge of grief hits me. Telling Dart that his sister is gone is not something I want to do. He doesn’t know what happened to her.

“She’s gone, Dart,” I whisper, barely audible. As he registers what I just said, a slow, painful expression spreads across his face, and he stammers out a question. “Gone? Like, not with you anymore, or…”

I feel my heart sink as I brace myself to deliver the final blow. “Dead,” I say, the word heavy on my tongue.

The crackling fire fills the silence as Dart takes a moment to process the news. “No, no, no, no…” His face twists with sorrow, and I can see that he can’t comprehend the magnitude of his loss. Memories of Dancer flood my mind, and I remember the first time she introduced her twin brother to me back when we were still fillies.

“How?” Dart’s voice echoes in the stillness. He needs answers, and he’s frustrated and confused as he slumps to the ground, trying to make sense of it all. I know this won’t be easy, but I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before I speak. “Three years ago. The War against the Brood with cyberponies and shit in the Hoof,” I say, the memory of that bloodbath still fresh in my mind. “So much red,” I mutter, “I hated it. I hated having to remember it.”

Dart interrupts my thoughts, and I look up to meet his gaze. His eyes are teary, and I feel his pain as he asks, “What were her last words…? Please tell me.”

“Open your heart,” I say softly, remembering Dancer’s gentle voice.

Dart laughs bitterly, wiping away his tears. “Of course she would say that,” he says, and I sense a hint of calm returning to him. “Goddesses, I’m so sorry, Dusk…”

I frown, confused. “For what?”

“For seeing how Dancer died like that,” Dart says, looking away. “And how you’ve been since… you know.”

I hesitate, unsure if I’m ready to open up to Dart. But I sense his empathy, and I know that he understands what I’ve been through. “I obviously haven’t been well ever since, especially with these constant nightmares,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “And it feels heavy whenever I face difficult situations and shit. I feel like I’m worse off now than I was before.”

I close my eyes, unwilling to meet Dart’s gaze. The weight of my past hangs heavy on my shoulders, and I feel like I’m suffocating. “Maybe it’s because I don’t even know what the hell my purpose is anymore. Ever since the Enclave fell, and then she…” My words trail off, the memories too painful to voice out loud.

Dart’s reassuring voice cuts through the silence. “Hey, no need to continue. It’s okay,” he says, his gaze fixed on the fire. “I understand. Really.” He pauses, lost in thought. “Open your heart… I now understand why she said that specifically to you, Dusk.”

I look at him, curious despite myself. “Why’s that?”

Dart sighs sorrowfully. “Knowing the members of the Enclave, they wouldn’t move on after years of totalitarian teachings embedded in their damn heads…” His voice trails off, and I sense that he knows more about my past than he lets on.

Uncomfortable with discussing my Enclave days, I decide to change the subject. “Not to be rude, but enough about me, Dart,” I say, my voice tense. “What about you? You know I have a ton of questions about you, especially your disappearance from Thunderhead.”

Dart’s eyes glaze over as he’s transported back in time to some long-forgotten memory. His emotions are… indescribable, and I give him a moment to collect himself before speaking.

“It’s a long story,” Dart begins. “But I suppose you have a right to know. Ever since I left, I didn’t plan on coming back to Thunderhead anytime soon back then. Never again. I left to find myself, you know? I needed to get away from all the chaos that we were exposed to every day in the Enclave.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “What about Dancer? You just left her like that?” I ask, feeling a twinge of anger on her behalf.

Dart’s expression turns sour, and I can see the tension in his jaw as he clenches it tightly. “I…have my own damn reasons, Dusk,” he replies. But his words only fuel my anger.

“What, you just fucking left Dancer like that as if she doesn’t matter to you?!” I shout, unable to control the surge of emotions within me. I see Dart flinch at the volume of my voice, but I can’t help myself.

“Like I said, I have my own reasons,” Dart replies, his voice tense and hard. “I understand how much you love Dancer. I really do,” he continues, his expression growing even more sour. “But that doesn’t make her a perfect pony as you think she is.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but he cut me off with a glare. It was clear that I was biased in my defense of Dancer, and Dart had his own reasons to hate her, reasons that I didn’t fully understand. This whole situation made me feel sick to my stomach.

He reached into his saddlebag and pulled out three holotapes. "Before you say anything else, listen to these," he snapped, levitating the holotapes towards me with his magic.

I caught the holotapes with my hooves, feeling a surge of curiosity and confusion. Why had he left without telling anyone, especially his own sister? And what secrets did these tapes hold that could explain his actions? I looked at them closely, noticing the numbers and dates written on them.

“I’ll listen to them,” I said slowly, meeting his eyes. “But you have to promise to tell me everything once I’m done.”

Dart nodded, his eyes shining with unshed tears. I could sense the weight of his past bearing down on him, but for the moment, he seemed content to let the holotapes speak for themselves.

I fiddled with the Pip-Buck, trying to figure out how to play the tapes. I found the Play button and pressed it. With a click, a thin hatch popped open on top of the device, and I inserted the tape with the label "one" facing towards me.

The speakers crackled, and suddenly loud crashing noises erupted from the device. "Don't you fucking get it, retard?!" A gruff, unfamiliar voice filled the air. "I'm tired of your uselessness in this household, just like your mother!"

"Mom isn't useless, dad!" A younger-sounding Dart pleaded, his voice loud and clear in the recording. I heard him shuffle, as if trying to get away. "Please—"

His words were cut off by a slamming noise. "I'm sick of all you useless unicorns in this fucking house!" Another slamming noise, followed by Dart's pained yelp. "Especially you, Dart! You ungrateful shit!"

My heart felt like a stone in my chest as I realized that this was domestic abuse, and the sound of Dart’s father beating him was sickening. I wanted to stop the tape, but I couldn’t for the sake of listening to it. "Please! Please!!" Dart's voice was muffled by the sound of hooves punching against something. The old buck grunted, "Ever since your mom got fucking crippled, I'm fucking sick of it!"

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, but the recording continued. In the background, an older mare, who I assumed Dart's mother, exclaimed, "No!" Followed by a whooshing sound and the old buck's grunt. He mumbled something, but was quickly interrupted by the sound of flesh getting beaten, likely another punch. After a series of punches, I heard a familiar voice – Dancer's – yelling out, "You better stop beating up Dart and Mom, you hear me?!"

The recording went silent, and then Dancer's breathing grew closer, her voice clear as if she was near Dart. "Goddesses, you look like absolute shit."

With a sharp click, the holotape ejected itself, ending the audio. I gaze up and noticed Dart stared off into the distance with an unreadable expression, as if he was reliving the horror after the tape played out. I remembered the news about his father, a former Enclave officer, who had been dishonorably discharged some time ago. Now, with the contents of that holotape, I understood why. Even Dancer had not told me any of this

After a moment to process what I had just heard, I set aside the first holotape and inserted the second. As I pushed play, muffled sobs filled the air. Soon, the sound of hoofsteps echoed through the room, their staccato beat against concrete ominous.

Then, I heard the shifting, followed by a sniffle and Dart's broken voice. "She's gone."

The other voice, Dancer's, stammered in disbelief. "W-What?" Her voice, both familiar and distant, brought a pang of grief.

"SHE'S FUCKING GONE, DANCER! GONE!" Dart's voice was raw with anger, followed by a mellowed tone that still conveyed his fury. "She's been gone for thirty minutes now."

"I'm sorry," Dancer said, her voice shaking.

"Sorry?" Dart's incredulity was palpable. "Do you have any idea how desperate Mom was to see you?"

"She..." Dancer began, but quickly cut off.

"I was there for her, holding her hoof and telling her everything would be okay," Dart continued, his voice rising. "But she kept calling out your name, Dancer... 'Dancer, where is my sweet Dancer?' But you weren't there!"

Dancer remained silent, her breathing ragged.

"It's because you're busy being a damn bootlicker," Dart spat. "That's why you're not there!"

"I have no fucking choice!" Dancer exclaimed, her voice rising in anger.

"No choice?" Dart's voice was disbelieving. "You can choose to stop serving the Enclave in Thunderhead! This isn't about paying hospital bills anymore, Dancer. Mom... she's beyond saving. She was suffocating... all she ever wanted was to spend more time with us during her final moments."

Dart's voice broke, and for a moment there was silence. "You rarely go home... you have no fucking idea how desperate Mom is to hang out with us. Hell, even you and I are grown ponies, she still wants to watch movies with us on the weekends."

"I just..." Dancer sighed, her voice shaking. "...wanted to do what's right."

Silence fell once more, broken only by the sound of their breathing. Dart's voice, when it came, was heavy with emotion. "Just like how Dad used to say after he belittled Mom at the dinner table back then."

"I didn't—" Dancer began, but cut off abruptly.

A sudden tension filled the air, and I wondered what had just passed between the two siblings. Had Dancer said something to provoke Dart's reaction?

"You, Dad... you're all the same," Dart said, his voice trembling.

Another silence followed, and then Dart spoke again, his voice hoarse. "You still have a shift later, right? After the funeral... I don't want to see your face again. I know you prefer to live with Dusk away from here, just like what you told me before."

With a sound like slick tiles, Dart's hoofsteps receded into the distance, leaving Dancer behind. The audio recording ended with static and my Pip-Buck automatically ejected the holotape. The pain and grief that the two siblings were feeling was palpable, and I couldn't help but wonder how they would ever be able to heal from this, especially Dart.

Memories flooded my mind, transporting me back to their mother's funeral where the siblings refused to look at each other. Given the context, I knew I had to ask Dart for the truth.

"Dart," I called out, causing him to tense up and look at me with anticipation. "Why are you and Dancer giving each other the cold shoulder after the funeral?"

He pursed his lips and looked away before meeting my gaze head-on. "And what did she say to you about it?"

Recalling Dancer's broken voice, I paraphrased her words. "She said you weren't too happy that she and I are living together and that you're not taking it well."

"Of course," Dart chuckled, his eyes heavy with sadness. "You believed her."

I bristled at the implication that I was gullible. "She always tells me the truth."

Dart's nod was slow and measured, as if he were trying to take in everything I'd said. "And that's her first lie."

I won’t let my thoughts dwell on it, thus proceeding to replace the holotape with the third one along with the shake of my head. I slide it in and push it, pressing play. The speakers statics with a low humming in a background. Unlike the previous two tapes, this one is eerily quiet except for the humming noise, then suddenly there are sounds of crumpling papers along with the familiar sound of a unicorn using magic or something.

“Damn it,” Dart in the holotape mutters in frustration, “I don’t even know if its worth to send this damn letter to her… fuck…”

There was a sound of something steel grinding through, “I guess it’s best to not regard something to anypony at all. I’m not even that important. Hell, I’m not a damn pegasus to begin with.” His tone by the last sentence has a tinge of sadness to it, “Okay, Dart. Just relax… follow the plan and you’ll be fine. Nopony’s going to hunt you down in a ordinary Enclave fashion, unless I did something wrong, in which I don’t.” He lets out a shaky sigh, “You’ll be fine. You’ll be fine…”

It follows into a silence, then goes on with the following hoofsteps. There are muffled voices in the background, indicating that Dart is passing by other ponies. Eventually, there was a metal click and everything went silent again.

I then hear a tiny click, "Good morning and evening whoever is listening to this… thing. I don't know, I stole this device from the Enclave maintenance and there are no other audio recording devices across Thunderhead." Dart lets out a sigh, "To get to the point… I'm leaving. I'm leaving Thunderhead… specifically, the Enclave. I don't think the Enclave would bother looking for a useless unicorn who happens to disappear under their muzzle." He clears his throat, "Where would I go? I won't tell, I'm sorry. Going to the surface is pretty much a deathwish as everypony say who lives in bliss above the clouds, but the Enclave is known to spew out propaganda that aren't pretty much true. Who knows if the surface is still a inhabitable Wasteland since the Enclave want to comfort the pegasi to let them remain above the cloud… just how they wanted it in the beginning."

Then I hear more shifting noises, "Dancer… I hope you and Dusk take care of each other." It then ended the holotape playing, among the three, this one is the shortest as it was just Dart sending out a message to anypony about him leaving. Or so I thought…

"Does… she know about all this?" I ask Dart, and he raises a brow, prompting me to clarify, "Dancer? Does she know you're leaving?"

He purses his lips before replying, "No, she doesn't know. Nopony knows I'll be leaving Thunderhead. Ever… And Dusk," His citrine eyes meet mine, "I know you won't change your heart after knowing what Dancer and I have been through, especially after…" He closes his eyes and takes a sharp, slow deep breath. "Do you, Dusk?"

Feeling Dart's lingering resentment towards her, I have to open my heart for it. We both have conflicting feelings about Dancer. I look up at the clear night sky, countless stars twinkling above. Knowing all this magic stuff isn't a big deal for a pegasus like me, but the idea of late ponies becoming stars kinda comforts my jumbled emotions. An odd way to deal with grief, but hey, it helps a ton to cope.

I take a deep breath.

"I understand, Dart." I finally turn my gaze back to him, noticing his surprise. "I'm sorry."

Uncertain about his expression, I see a small smile form on his face as he nods slightly, "Thank you."

Examining the three holotapes before me, I piece together the profound impact they've had on me. Dancer's voice echoes in my ears, evoking a surge of emotions within me. A heaviness settles in my chest, tears welling up in my eyes, but I push them back and brush them away with my hoof.

Yet, there's a burning question that I need to ask Dart directly.

Furrowing my eyebrows, curiosity lingers in my head, "Did you manage to get your hooves on any Stable-Tec tech while you were in Thunderhead?"

Dart's horn begins to glow, and the holotapes float towards him. "Well, no," he replies, levitating one of the holotapes with his hoof. "I actually got this Pip-Buck after three years of surviving on the surface. As for the holotapes... they're memories recorded in my mind."

Huh, now it starts to make sense as I contemplate further. Still, that won't stop me from asking more to fully grasp the situation.

"How? You didn't even have access to any recording device hoofside back when..." I catch myself, gesturing dismissively with my hoof to emphasize the point. "You know."

"Well, I can tap into memories from as far back as my foal days if I want to, but I specifically chose these three," Dart explains, casting a fond gaze at the holotapes. "It's like memory orbs, but with only audio and accessible to anypony with a Pip-Buck."

I begin to understand why certain parts of the holotapes contain awkward silences that can only be deciphered visually. "Like memory orbs... so there's still a pony out there who specializes in this sort of thing, and you sought their services?"

Dart nods gingerly. "Yeah, he's quite talented and reliable. But ultimately, it was my choice to extract my memories in this manner."

I nod slowly, refraining from delving deeper into this peculiar thing. It's not the focal point, and I have no intention of dwelling on a pony who's long gone. Continuing to discuss her would only complicate matters and hinder our peace of mind regarding Dancer... Turning my attention back to Dart, I notice he's lost in thought, his gaze fixed on the flickering campfire. It seems he's been waiting for me to inquire further.

"So, Dart..." I soften my voice, catching him off guard with the gentleness of my tone. "Have you been wandering the surface or settling in a town?"

I was flustered by Dart’s insistence that I accompany him to his settlement, but I didn’t have much choice. I ended up assisting him in setting up the hot air balloon, though I mostly scanned the balloon like a maintenance pegasus.

However, my inspection was cut short. Soon, I followed Dart to the edge of the cloud, where a colorful hot air balloon was waiting for us. He handed me a rope and asked me to tie it around the basket, while he used his horn to ignite the burner that filled the balloon with hot air. As a result, the balloon began its descent from the cloud's surface. I had to fly down quickly to land in the spacious basket. It was large enough to fit two full-grown ponies, and I leaned against it to catch my breath.

Dart was busy rummaging through heavy sacks, which I guessed were filled with scraps for selling. The only sound was the wind rushing past us, and I felt the need to break the silence. “So, what are those sacks for?” I asked curiously.

“Scraps,” he said calmly, giving me a point for my guess. “But they’re not for selling. We use them to build things in Sanctuary.”

"Sanctuary?" I repeated, then I noticed something in the distance. But I dismissed it as polluted skies.

"That's the name of the settlement we're heading to," Dart explained, sporting an easy-going smile. "It’ll take us about half an hour to get there. Going down is much faster and easier than going up to the clouds." I could tell he was comfortable sharing mundane information about his settlement, even providing additional details that I found somewhat useful for reference. However, his expression suddenly turned worrisome. "You see something, Dusk?"

"Oh, um..." I glanced behind Dart and noticed figures approaching. "I see something behind you—wait." My eyes widened as I discerned three pony-like silhouettes drawing closer, adorned with raider-like barding. "Shit!"

My exclamation made Dart whirl around and follow my gaze. He swiftly employed his magic to steer the burner. "Sky raiders!" he shouted. "We need to avoid them."

"Avoid them?" I asked, bewildered, uncertain why he didn't suggest fighting them. "Why not take them out? They're a damn threat."

Dart, still multitasking, watched me as I pulled out Pew-Pew from my holster. His lips pursed before he cautioned, "I wouldn't use any guns if I were you, Dusk."

"Why?" I inquired, and Dart gestured with his citrine eyes upward, toward the massive balloon. Oh, right, shooting the balloon. Brilliant idea, Dusk. Annoyed, I holstered the pistol back, resigning myself to face the raiders with nothing but my bare hooves. "Be careful out there. They're using melee weapons..." Dart's warning was the last thing I heard before I flew off from the basket.

Straining to make out the ponies in the dim light emitted by the balloon's burner, I discern three grimy-looking pegasi, each armed with a different weapon. One had a spear clamped between his teeth, another wielded a rusty hunting knife, and the last had his battle saddle equipped, dual automatic rifles at the ready.

Instinctively, I decide to go after the marksman, charging toward him with urgency. As anticipated, he refrains from immediately pulling the trigger, likely wary of damaging the balloon. Swiftly, I deliver a powerful, well-aimed punch to his neck. The sound of crunching bone fills the air, causing him to choke and his wings to give way, sending him hurtling toward the ground. The spear-wielding pony yells something, but I waste no time disarming him, snatching the weapon from his mouth with my bare hooves.

In one fluid motion, I twist the spear, driving it through his head like it's made of soft butter. Blood spews out, splattering across my face, prompting me to instinctively turn my head away.

Momentarily disoriented by the gruesome sight, I fail to maintain awareness of my surroundings. Suddenly, I feel a searing, stabbing pain in my left shoulder. Releasing my grip on the lifeless pegasus, I see the last raider pony digging his knife deeper into my shoulder. I struggle to reach him with my hooves, but he flies out of my range.

As he let go of the knife, a muffled gunshot echoed behind me. I watched as the raider's head sprouted a gaping hole near his temple, his wings ceasing their frantic flapping, and his lifeless body hurtling into the darkness below.

Overwhelmed by exhaustion, I slumped against the basket, clutching the edges with my hooves. I gazed up to see a levitating 10mm pistol, smoke wafting from its suppressor barrel. A yellow hoof extended from above, and I reached out, allowing Dart to pull me into the safety of the basket.

Dart's magical grip on the pistol weakened, and the smoking weapon promptly vanished into his saddlebag. "Crap..." he muttered, his gaze fixated on my bleeding shoulder, the knife still embedded there. "Don't touch it. We'll remove the knife once we reach Sanctuary."

Unable to suppress the piercing agony coursing through my shoulder, I felt my head grow light from the copious blood loss. "Not even a thank you for fending off the raiders?" I managed to utter.

Furrowing his eyebrows, Dart replied, "Of course I would say thank you! But I can't help but worry about you, Dusk. A lot."

I winced, acknowledging Dart's concern. Despite my brashness and impulsiveness, I knew he genuinely cared about my well-being. "Thanks," I murmured, my voice strained. "I just... realized why you prefer to steer clear from them instead fighting them." I glanced at the knife protruding from my shoulder, blood trickling down my coat. "I guess I got lucky this time."

Dart's expression softened as he reached into his saddlebag and pulled out a clean cloth. "Hold on, let me try to stop the bleeding," he said, carefully pressing the cloth against my wound and around the entry point of the blade. "We'll take care of it properly once we arrive the town. The resources there is enough to take care of it."

Gritting my teeth, I nodded and held the cloth in place, the pain throbbing through my shoulder. I looked at the direction where the raiders disappeared into the darkness below. "Atleast they don't cause any more trouble," I muttered, "And thank you, for saving me back there."

Dart's eyes followed my gaze, "Yeah…" His expression growing grave. "And Pacify says 'you're welcome'."

A fucking what? Oh, of course he'll affectionately give his pistol a damn name.

For the following short moments, I started to see a soft glow underneath the clouds, indicating that we were nearing the surface. As we descended, the polluted skies of the wasteland gave way to a more serene landscape. I could see patches of green and even the dark skies peeking through the haze. The moment I took my first glance at Sanctuary, I was struck by its eerie beauty. The remnants of pre-war houses stood in various states of disrepair, their once vibrant colors faded by time and neglect. Vines and moss clung to the cracked walls, giving the place an almost haunting appeal.

The settlement was nestled along the banks of a gentle flow through the tranquil river. The water, despite its murky appearance, maybe breaks off the overwhelming amount of land. Who knew the nature of the surface would be looking spontaneous.

"Welcome to Sanctuary," Dart muttered with a hint of relief in his voice. Then as the balloon safely landed in the middle of the settlement, ponies gathered around to help secure it, and a pony wearing a sheriff hat stepped forward toward us.

"Dart! You came back safe and sound," the earth pony with the sheriff hat greeted while Dart helped me hop out of the basket. "And who is this lovely pegasus? Gosh, you're in bad shape."

I looked at Dart for reassurance, but he just gave a quick glance between me and the earth pony. Just as I furrowed my brows, Dart gave up, "Well, this is Marshall Gravy," the yellow stallion pointed to the other stallion, "Gravy, this is Dusk. My long-lost friend."

"Well, I'll be! I never knew Dart had old connections," Gravy reached out his hooves to shake my right hoof, "Let me tell you, you're welcome in Sanctuary as much as you like!"

Dart stepped between us, "Not to disrespect, Gravy, but Dusk needs medical attention as soon as possible."

"Oh, of course!" Gravy stepped aside and tipped his hat in my direction, "Take care, and welcome to Sanctuary." Perhaps too much for a hospitality, I guess.

After that, he led me towards a small medical tent without stopping to take in the location. Inside, a white-coated earth pony with a left eyepatch greeted us in a gentle smile. I'm guessing he's the doctor here with his filthy white lab coat. The moment he saw me, he immediately went serious and beelined towards the metal cart filled with medical tools and equipment, "Dart, who do we have here?" the doctor asked with his gravelly old voice, looking at me with a concerned expression.

"This is Dusk," Dart answered as he settled me down on a filthy bed. "We had a little run-in with some sky raiders on our way down. She got injured, and one of them left a knife in her shoulder."

The doctor nodded and silently motioned for Dart to retrieve the rest of the equipment. "Let's take a look," He carefully examined my shoulder, and I winced as he took off the bloody cloth and probed around the wound. Time seemed to fly by hastily as my head grew more light-headed. I could feel something cleaning the wound, numbing the area around the knife, and then slowly, but steadily, extracting the blade.

It was a painful process, but I was grateful that he knew what he was doing.

My eyes snapped open, and I jolted upright, taking in my grimy surroundings. I blinked at the faded sheets and the stained mattress, feeling a surge of relief and exhaustion wash over me. It was your typical surface clinic, although surprisingly cleaner than most I’d seen. It almost matched the level of cleanliness of Stable 99.

The clinic reeked of bleach and metal, a harsh combination that stung my nostrils and made me want to gag and brought back memories. Especially since I had some… complicated feelings about this kind of place. At least it beats being on a gurney for a solid two weeks.

I glanced down at my shoulder, where a fresh bandage covered the wound that had almost bleed me to death. It felt numb and sore, but at least it wasn’t bleeding anymore.

How long had I been out? I reached for my trusty Pip-Buck, and my eyes widened when I saw the time. A whole night had passed since I last lost consciousness. Squinting my eyes, I scanned the room, and my gaze fell upon my barding and personal belongings neatly stacked in a corner, right next to the solitary chair.

“You’re awake,” Dart’s voice startled me. He was standing in the doorway, wearing a filthy white lab coat. He looked different from when I first met him, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine, I guess,” I said, trying to sound casual. I moved my left front leg, testing how much it hurt. Yep, still does. “Did I really black out?”

Dart nodded, but he seemed hesitant. He looked away, avoiding my eyes. "Yeah, you were feeling a bit woozy. It seems your body needed some rest after what you went through.”

“Huh…” I nodded slowly, then asked, “Are you a doctor here? Or…”

"Just an assistant to Doctor Floss," the stallion slowly shrug, "You know, the white stallion who took care of you last night? Yeah, just assisting him here in this clinic."

"I see," I slowly nod along, understanding his role in Sanctuary. That must have been why the town’s leader was so relieved to see Dart alive last night. Without having to overthink, I pushed the sheets aside and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, but then I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder.

“Easy,” Dart said, rushing to my side. “Don’t push yourself too hard. You need to stay in bed for a few more hours.”

I groaned, lying back on the pillow. I hated being stuck in bed like a helpless foal. I wanted to get up and get out of here, to restock my ammo and fix my equipment. “I don’t have time for this,” I said.

“Are you in a hurry for something?” Dart asked.

“Um…” I hesitated. Damn it. “No?”

Dart gave me a serious look. “Then there’s no reason for you to be stubborn, Dusk.” He leaned closer to my bandaged shoulder, inspecting it. “If you want to heal properly, you need to listen to us and take it easy.”

“Fine.” I sighed, pulling the sheets over my head. I wished he would leave me alone. Then I remembered something that made me feel even more uncomfortable. “Hey, Dart…”

He looked at me expectantly, and I continued. “So you and that doctor…you took off my clothes…”

"Excuse me?" Dart sputtered, his face turning red. “No! No way! Doctor Floss is married, and I have no interest in…in checking you out!”

Okay, that’s one way to say that he’s very not into me. Which is good I guess? "That’s not what I meant!" I snapped, raising my voice. “I meant my scars!”

Dart seems relieved (and embarrassed) at the clarification but still curious. He hesitates for a moment, clearly choosing his words carefully before finally asking, “I did notice the scars on your body when we were tending to your wounds. They’re…” He pauses a bit, “… quite extensive. How did you get them?”

I bite my lip, a mixture of apprehension and reluctance bubbling up within me. But as much as I want to avoid discussing my past, it’s clear that Dart is genuinely concerned. I let out a sigh and slowly begin to speak, “They’re… hey, do you know about the shit that happened with the Core? Security?” I ask, and I’m not surprised that Dart nods meekly. I continue, “Yeah. I was one of those who helped her, and let’s just say I took a nasty acid bath back then.” I shrug absently as if it’s no big deal despite Dart’s shocked reaction. “At least I survived.”

“Y-You can’t just say that casually—” Dart stops himself before his expression softens, “I… what I mean is, it must have been incredibly tough.”

I can’t help but let out a bitter chuckle, remembering the gross feeling of my coat and skin peeling away while my consciousness is fading in and out for whatever reason. “Tough doesn’t even begin to cover it. But whatever, it’s the past and it already happened.”

We fall silent after that, and I’m grateful for that. Time seems to tick slowly as I lay on the bed and let my body recover itself I guess. Despite the drugs, healing potions and rare ass doctors, us ponies can’t hide the fact that we still need to let ourselves recover naturally. On how eerily peaceful the Sanctuary’s clinic is, at least it makes me doze off until Dart or the doctor wakes me up when I’m free to go.

I wake up again and it’s already noon, according to my Pip-Buck. I manage to sit up from my bed without my body screaming in pain. It’s still sore, but not unbearable like before. I glance around and see Dart waving goodbye to an earth pony who just left the clinic. As I move myself to the edge of the bed, it makes a squeak noise that catches Dart’s attention.

“Hey, if it’s not too much trouble…” I lift my left foreleg a bit, feeling less sore than before. “Is there a market or trading post in this settlement?”

Dart hesitates for a second, but then his eyes light up with understanding. “Of course, Sanctuary has a bustling market where you can find everything you need. It’s just a short walk from here.” His eyes narrow a bit, “But promise me you’ll take it easy and not overdo it.”

I nod, assuring him of my intentions. “Of course.”

With Dart’s help, I gingerly get up from the bed, testing my balance before stepping forward. I wince as I feel a dull ache in my shoulder, making me slow down my pace. I know I have to be careful, but I also have a sense of urgency. Who knows how long Sanctuary will be safe for me?

As we grab my belongings and exit the clinic, the settlement unfolds before me. I can’t help but notice the meticulous efforts of its residents to rebuild their lives amidst the ruins. Scavenged materials are skillfully repurposed, forming makeshift walls and structures that hold the promise of stability and safety.

Dart walks beside me, as ponies bustle about, their faces etched with focus, as they hammer, saw, and paint, turning scraps into something resembling a home. The air is filled with the sounds of hammers pounding nails, the creaking of wooden planks, and the occasional laughter that pierces through the somber atmosphere.

Finally, we arrived at the bustling market square, a vibrant tapestry of commerce and trade. The air was thick with the scent of roasted brahmin, a tempting aroma that stirred my hunger. Stall owners called out to passersby, their voices blending into a harmonious symphony of bartering.

Dart's gesture directed my attention to a vendor skillfully stitching a worn outfit. "That's the one you'll want to visit for your repairs," he said, his tone casual and friendly like he's a salestallion. "And the energy weapon vendor is just a few stalls down. Take your time, and if you need any assistance, don't hesitate to ask."

I nodded gratefully to Dart, feeling a tinge of embarrassment creeping up. "Mind if you join me in the bartering process?"

His soft laughter filled the air. Yep, he's that willing to help in preventing to empty my damn caps. With Dart's persuasive skills, we managed to strike a favorable deal with the outfit repair vendor. Despite the rarity of the materials used in my barding since it's from Thunderhead Enclave, the cost was kept affordable. The vendor even offered an upgrade to enhance the durability of my outfit, bringing the total to 400 caps. I entrusted my barding to the skilled craftspony, allowing a few hours to work his magic.

With the outfit in capable hooves, Dart and I proceeded to the surplus store. Thanks to his impressive bartering prowess, I was able to secure ample ammunition for my energy weapons that would last for weeks. Additionally, I obtained extra weapon mods for my trusty Zap-Zap, courtesy of Dart's negotiation skills.

As our shopping expedition drew to a close, I calculated the expenses in my mind. Surprisingly, I had only spent a total of around 700 caps, including a generous tip of 300 caps for Dart's invaluable assistance. It was undeniably a great deal.

Just as we were about to depart from the market, a mare trotted up to Dart's side and whispered something to him. I strained to hear, but the words were barely audible from where I stood. Dart's expression shifted from content to concerned and unhappy. He exchanged a few words with the mare, who nodded and trotted away. Dart then turned to me, "Gravy needs us."

Confused about what this could be about, I was about to ask Dart for clarification, but he seemed just as clueless as I was. I followed him as he trotted back toward the row of makeshift cabins nestled alongside the pre-war foundation homes. The sight of the cabins made me wonder about their flammability, given the materials and how closely they were built together.

We then stopped infront of the building with red paint all over the exterior of the wooden cabin. The paintjob looks like its been worked from a amateur, obviously Dart still wears a neutral expression on his face as he's been around here most of the time in the surface. I heard Dart sighing then started knocking on the door, "Gravy," he called out, then continues knocking on a door, "It's Dart, and I'm with Dusk."

The door swung open, revealing the familiar face of Marshall Gravy. I couldn't help but notice the worry etched on his red pony features, highlighted by the dimly lit room behind him. The worn wooden floorboards cast long shadows, adding to the somber atmosphere.

"Come in," Gravy beckoned urgently, his voice carrying a sense of desperation. Dart and I entered, immediately enveloped by the musty scent that permeated the cabin. It was a modest space, adorned with trinkets and remnants of whatever obscure objects that I couldn't name of.

"What's going on, Gravy?" Dart asked filled with genuine concern. I stood beside him, my eyes fixed on our distressed host.

Gravy let out a heavy sigh, his gaze shifting between us. "There's trouble brewing, my friends," he began, his voice low and filled with apprehension. "My niece and nephew are still missing! They were supposed to come back this morning, but they haven't returned... I can't bear to think of the worst."

"Small Shot and Small Red?" Dart seeks a confirmation, and Gravy nodded solemnly from behind his desk. "Yes, my sweet little ponies. I need help, a lot of help." He turned to me. "Dusk, I heard you're a great fighter. You'll be a big help to Dart."

Gravy's words made me look at Dart skeptically. He noticed my glance and that makes the yellow unicorn interject. "Hold on," he raise a hoof to the stallion, "Why bring her into this? She's still recovering."

"I'm sorry Dart, but you can see I'm damn desperate." Gravy exhaled, clearly distressed. "These kids volunteered to scout around the raider base near Sanctuary." The thought of two young foals near raiders sent a chill down my spine, and I could see Dart felt the same. Gravy continued, "I keep telling them it's dangerous and that adults should handle it, but Small Red argued that I shouldn't keep them sheltered. And I…"

"Hey, hey, keep it together, Gravy," Dart immediately stepped forward, placing his hooves on Gravy's shoulders to calm him down. "Don't worry, we'll get them back, safe and sound."

Gravy rubbed his face in frustration and then looked back at Dart. "How can you be sure they won't harm my babies?"

"They won't," I interjected firmly, capturing the attention of both stallions. "Dart and I will do everything in our power to bring Small Shot and Small Red back safely. We won't let any harm come to them."

Gravy looked at me, a mixture of hope and desperation in his eyes. "I know it's wrong to hand such responsibility to an outsider, but I trust Dart and he trusted you..." He pauses and takes a deep breath, "Please, find them and bring them home."

Dart nodded in agreement. "You have our word."

We left Gravy's cabin and stepped back into the cool morning air. Dart and I exchanged a glance, silently communicating our shared resolve. "We need to find out where those two might have gone," I suggested, "If they were scouting near the raider base, we should start our search there."

Dart nodded, his eyes focused on his Pip-Buck. "There was a raider outpost south of here. We'll gather whatever supplies we need and head out immediately."

I followed Dart to his small shack, waiting for him to gather his supplies. While waiting, my thoughts drifted to Lambent and Lucent, Gravy's nephew and niece. Was it a sense of relatability that drove me to help a stranger? Perhaps, but that didn't mean I would allow the foals to suffer at the hooves of the raiders.

The shack door opened, revealing Dart in his bare self, with his saddlebag and his holstered pistol by his belt. With a mutual nod, we set off from Sanctuary's gates, Dart leading the way with his knowledge of the area.

We ventured through the treacherous terrain, our hooves cautiously finding their way amidst the uneven ground. The wasteland stretched out before us with an eerie silence hung in the air, disturbed only by the distant howls of lurking creatures.

Approaching the raider outpost, we observed it from a safe distance, taking cover behind the ruins of an ancient building. The outpost stood fortified, with makeshift walls and watchtowers. Laughter and crude conversation drifted toward us, and we see filthy-looking ponies in their similar bardings that screams "raiders". But of course, were not sure if this is the same base where Small Shot and Small Red had dared to approach.

"Dusk," he whispered, keeping his voice low, "Any plan in mind? Knowing you, we can't charge in recklessly."

I pressed my lips together, feeling a bit offended that he damn assumed my plan was a reckless charge to eliminate those fiends. I snorted, "Well, what about you Lightning Dart? Do you have any way more brilliant ideas?"

A small smile broke across his face and shakes his head, appreciating my attempt at humor. His eyes remained fixed on the outpost, "I've been scouting this place for some time now. There's a blind spot on the eastern side where we might slip in unnoticed."

Leaning in closer, our heads almost touching, I asked with anticipation, "Do you have any idea where they might be holding the kids?"

Dart's gaze softened, mirroring the worry that weighed upon me. "I genuinely have no idea, but considering the raiders... mercy isn't in their nature."

We devised a plan, combining Dart's knowledge of the outpost's layout with my own stealth and combat skills. With utmost caution, we made our way toward the blind spot, taking advantage of the cover provided by the ruins and the shadows cast by the blazing sun.

Upon reaching our designated spot, we paused to survey our surroundings. The outpost teemed with activity, raiders moving about with an air of arrogance and cruelty. I restrained myself thinking about the possibility of innocent foals like Small Shot and Small Red falling locked away like slaves, similarly to the captured foals at the Zebra Cargo.

Before pushing further, I added a quick suggestion, "We must gather information without drawing attention."

Dart nodded, scanning the area with his keen eyes. "There's a guard near the eastern wall. If you can silently incapacitate him, we might discover some clues about the whereabouts of Small Shot and Small Red."

We waited for the opportune moment, biding our time until the guard turned his back to us. With a swift motion, I wrapped my front legs around his neck, snapping it with precision. The guard fell unconscious before he could react, and we quickly dragged him into the shadows, ensuring he remained hidden.

With the guard neutralized, we cautiously approached and hugged the wall. Dart touched the guard's pulse by his right jaw and shot me a displeased look. I haven't thought much of it why the unicorn cares about it not until he just shook his head and proceed to search through the guard's belongings, hoping to find any clue that could lead us to the missing foals.

As he rummaged through the pockets, Dart's eyes widened. He held up a small piece of scrap maroon coat.

"This... this belongs to Small Shot," Dart confirmed softly, "They were here. We're on the right track."

Moving deeper into the raider outpost with me flying over the wall in a dash to scale up while I grabbed onto Dart. We landed by the balcony and we hold on our position to check for nearby raiders. With nopony around, we carefully proceeded through the doorway. Every step was a calculated move, the tension thick in the air. Faint sounds of laughter and jeering echoed through the dilapidated corridors. We had to remain vigilant, for one wrong move could cost not only our lives but also the lives of the foals we were determined to rescue.

Dart and I communicated through subtle gestures and shared glances, relying on our unspoken understanding. We navigated the labyrinthine passageways, remaining in the shadows and covers.

In a small room, we stumbled upon a group of raiders engrossed in a game of dice, their attention consumed by their gambling and raucous laughter. It presented a fleeting opportunity. Dart nodded at me, indicating that I should proceed while he kept watch.

Silently, I took a deep breath and crept closer, my hoofsteps muffled by the debris scattered on the floor. My heart pounded in my chest as I surveyed the scene, searching for any sign of little ponies. Among the raucous raiders, I caught a glimpse of dark red by the corner—is that one of the foals? Unsure, I pull out a scrap photograph of the foals from Gravy to verify the identity. The colt with maroon coat beaming with a smile is Small Red, and the other is a filly with slighty bright red coat with different colored eyes; Small Shot. Looking back to the figure, I distinguish Red's features especially with his distinct blue eyes. Then another but filly-like figure is cuddled up with Small Red, confident that's his sister.

My eyes met Dart's, and I signaled for him to join me. Together, we devised a plan—Dart would create a diversion, drawing the raiders' attention away from me while I swiftly and silently retrieved the red foals. The unicorn then initiated his diversion, skillfully using his magic to create chaos at the far end of the room. The raiders, distracted by the unexpected disturbance, turned their attention toward him, confusion and anger evident on their faces.

Seizing the opportunity, I flew toward Small Red, who cowered in a corner, his eyes wide with fear. Placing a gentle hoof on his shoulder, I offered reassurance. "Don't worry, I'm with your uncle Gravy. We're here to take you home," I whispered.

Small Shot, cautiously emerging from behind her brother, visibly relieved at the sight of us, as Dart kept the raiders preoccupied, drawing their attention away from us.

Guiding Red and Shot, I led them through the maze of corridors, evading whatever potential dangers lurking within. The foals were by my sides, their trust makes me hesitate a little as they followed me with their tiny hooves echoing softly on the worn floor. Behind us, Dart emerged, looking exhausted but resolute, following closely.

"Dart!" Shot's small voice rang out, spotting Dart by our side. Before they could engage in a conversation while running, Red halted in his tracks. "Hold on, guys! Are we leaving this place already?"

Dart and I exchanged confused glances, and it was Dart who spoke first, "Yeah, why?"

Red took a deep breath, "I overheard the raiders talking about a huge stash of dynamite they've hoarded in their storage. What if we use it to blow up this place?"

The colt's question lingered in the air, his blue eyes gleaming with determination. Dart and I shared a solemn look, realizing and taking in what the hell did he suggest. Detonating the raider outpost with who-know how much amount of dynamite, likely stored in the armory, was risky, but it could ensure that no more innocent ponies will fallen victims from the raiders' clutches.

"Dart, what do you think?" I asked, turning to him. "It's a high-risk plan, but it might be our best chance to put an end to this outpost."

Dart's eyes flickered with hesitation, "Red, I see your point. We can't allow these raiders to..." He paused a bit, as if he's analyzing what he's about to say, "...continue their atrocities. But we must be sure everypony is safely out of the outpost before we detonate it. Are there any other captives?"

Small Red looked down, his voice tinged with sadness. "Just... me and Shot."

Dart and I exchanged a glance, he then gives me a affirmative nod. "Then..." I began, "We need to locate the armory and set the charges."

A newfound sense of purpose glimmered in Red's eyes. "I know where it is," he declared, taking the lead.

With our plan set in motion, we navigated the labyrinthine corridors of the raider outpost. Huh. It was astonishing how the foals trusted us implicitly, especially with Shot who is eerily quiet throughout this time.

Eventually, we reached the armory, and we got surprisingly lucky that we don't stumble across other ponies at this rate as if the raiders are oblivious to our true intentions. Hell, they even continued their reckless activities like they forgot the intruder doing shit earlier.

As we stood before the heavy metal door, Red searched through his saddlebag that he picked up from the game room, producing a set of keys he had taken from one of the raiders. With a trembling teeth, he inserted the key into the lock and turned it, the door creaking open.

Inside, we were greeted by shelves lined with dynamite sticks. Though neither Dart nor I had experience handling explosives, we decided it would be best to set the charges right there on the spot and let the explosion crumble the entire outpost.

Once the charges were set with the help of the foals, we regrouped outside the armory. Red looked at us, his expression anxious. "Are you ready?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"We're ready," I addressed the three of them firmly, "Remember, none of us should slow down and look back when the explosion takes place. No matter what."

Taking a deep breath and reaching a mutual agreement, Small Red ignited the fuse. Together, we sprinted away from the armory, through the twisting corridors of the raider outpost and retracing back our steps. The ground shook beneath us as the seconds ticked away, and the deafening roar of the explosion grew nearer. Red and Shot, determined yet fearful, followed Dart and me closely, their hooves pounding against the ground.

"Keep moving! Don't slow down!" I urged them, my voice reverberating through the narrow passageways. I couldn't look around to my companions if they're still with me. Fuck. The explosion loomed just behind us, its intense heat singeing our coats. It was a race against time, and we had to get our asses moving before this whole place crumbled upon us.

However, amid the chaos, I heard Small Shot's high pitched scream and yelling out Red's name, followed by the latter's fearful cry, "Wait! Shot! I can't leave her behind! I have to go back!"

Dread gripped me, for I knew the dangers that awaited anyone who turned back.

"No!" Dart desperately shouted. At the corner of my eye, I see him grabbing Red by the shoulders, compelling him to face forward. "You can't go back! There's nothing you can do! We need to get to safety!"

Small Red's eyes welled up with tears, torn between his love for his sister, abandoning her, and the need to escape. Reluctantly, he followed Dart's lead, though his heart was heavy with the burden of leaving his sister behind.

Facing forward, we continued to run through the maze-like passages with the explosion relentlessly pursuing us. The walls trembled, and debris rained down around us. Finally, we burst through the exit as I dived first through the closed door, greeted by the sprawling wasteland. After we landed on the ground, we turned to look back, the outpost was engulfed in flames and smoke, the once formidable fortress reduced to ruins. The explosion had succeeded, but it came at a great cost.

Red lets go of Dart and collapsed, his grief and guilt overwhelming him. "I should've gone back for her... I should've done something," he sobbed.

Dart knelt beside him, placing a comforting hoof on his shoulder. "You did everything you could. No matter the warnings, Small Shot... she made her choice, and she knew the risks. She wouldn't want you to blame yourself."

"I'm sorry," I added, offering my own reassurance. "We couldn't have saved her."

We spent most of our time comforting Red in silence, understanding the weight of the loss. While Dart excelled in finding solace in silence, I could sense the storm brewing within him, and thus I just watch the smoking outpost in a distance, watching the flames consume the remnants of the raider outpost. Looking back to the unicorn, I noticed he had a similar look in his citrine eyes from the moment I first told him about Dancer back in Thunderhead.

We returned to Sanctuary, and the sight of Gravy's reaction struck me deeply. His expression when he realized Small Shot wasn't with us was one of sheer anguish. The red stallion and his nephew cried out for each other, their grief intertwining in the air. Dart and I stood on the sidelines, our own guilt gnawing at us. It was a painful reminder of the risks we faced in the Wasteland, where lives were often lost without warning.

Dart, who's surprisingly pragmatic, urged me not to dwell on the guilt. He reminded me that dwelling on the past wouldn't change anything, and that we had to keep moving forward. It was a harsh truth that I was aware of since the beginning, but a necessary one to be reminded of. We couldn't afford to be consumed by our regrets.

Eventually, Gravy managed to compose himself enough to express his gratitude. He thanked both Dart and me wholeheartedly, his words filled with sincerity. As a token of his appreciation, he rewarded us with a generous amount of caps, which we agreed to split equally. It was a practical gesture, but it meant a lot, considering the scarcity of resources in the Wasteland.

Moreover, Gravy, aware of my affiliation with the Applejack Rangers, handed me a piece of paper. On it was an encrypted code, a key to accessing a broadcast channel in Sanctuary. If we ever needed assistance or wanted to share important information, this code would enable us to reach out for help. It might not seem like much, but in a world where alliances and support were crucial, it was a valuable asset.

As the afternoon settled in, we found ourselves back at Dart's rented shack. It was a simple abode, serving as a storage space for his belongings. Inside, he kept various items he had acquired on his journeys—looted outfits, materials for selling or crafting, and other odds and ends.

Taking a seat on his sofa chair, I allowed the yellow stallion to replace the dressing on my stitched wound. As the comforting sting of antiseptic washed over me, my thoughts drifted to Dart's abilities and his role as an assistant doctor.

"You're really skilled in medical stuff, Dart," I remarked, genuinely impressed. "How come you're only an assistant doctor?"

Dart let out a sad sigh. "Honestly, I don't know. Doctor Floss has been my mentor for nearly a decade, and he's the reason I'm so passionate about helping ponies." He gave the bandage a final tug, his hooves working deftly. "I've always aspired to become a full-fledged doctor in the Wasteland, regardless of the challenges."

A flicker of realization crossed my mind. "Well, you can," I let out a conviction. "Stable 99 is always in need of doctors, and I believe you would be a tremendous asset to them."

Dart hesitated, his gaze shifting. Encouraged by his thoughtful expression, I pressed on. "Just think about it, Dart. You've already helped countless ponies, alongside the Applejack Rangers who share the same passion for aiding others."

His response came in the form of a distant nod. And then, with a playful nudge, I continued, "Besides, who else will go on adventures with me?"

Dart snorted, shaking his head, but a spark of determination ignited in his eyes. "Alright, fine," he relented, rising to his hooves. "I suppose it's time for me to move on from Sanctuary... although this place will always be home to me. But I would love to help more ponies, alongside you, Dusk."

I found myself assisting Dart in bidding farewell to the ponies of Sanctuary, particularly Marshall Gravy, who seemed elated by Dart's decision to move on. The leader himself assured Dart that he could count on their help whenever needed and even hinted at the possibility of an alliance between Sanctuary and Stable 99. I stored the idea in the back of my mind, recognizing the potential for future collaborations.

Finally, the time came for Dart to inform his mentor, Doctor Floss, about his departure. We braced ourselves for what we thought would be a difficult conversation, considering Dart's role as an assistant doctor. To our astonishment, Doctor Floss gracefully accepted Dart's decision, allowing him the freedom to pursue his own path. Though I hadn't experienced a mentor-student relationship firsthand, it was evident that the bond between them ran deep.

With Dart officially joining me outside the confines of Sanctuary, we stood at the threshold, ready to embark on our next venture. I realized that this was the first time I had assumed a leadership role in a group on the surface.

Now that makes me wonder how this'll work out.

User Alert! You've upgraded your sneakiness to 'I'm watching you' level. You're now less likely to wake up a sleeping Radroach. Way to blend in, you stealthy scoundrel!