Fallout Equestria: Liberation

Chapter 2: The Wasteland Endures

A Pipbuck! I rotated my wrist to see the engraving my mother left on it. ‘Love Mom.’ I always wanted a Pipbuck. After all, the light-bringer had one, so as a colt, I thought it essential to have one as well. This must have been my mother’s. I looked up from my wrist to the husks of Manehattan. We made some headway, generally moving North. I thought initially about taking the I-15 and chartering a train to get us as far North as it could. Then I remembered our caps were limited, and we no longer had the support of the Order. I couldn’t just write up a supply request and boom, caps for the necessary job at hoof. Which made me think of ways of earning caps while we trekked North. Our supplies would run out eventually, and trading with the locals was our best bet at survival. “So, anypony have ideas on how to make caps for the journey?”

Strider hummed in thought, “well, scavenging and trading scrap is always an option.” He rubbed his chin with his hoof, “though hauling scrap without power armor doesn’t sound fun.”

“Oh, how about mercenary work!” Lemon grinned devilishly.

Everypony stopped and looked at her.

“What?” she ran a hoof through her mane, “is there something on my mane?” she jumped a little in place. “It’s not a bug, is it?”

Okay, how can such a sweet little pony like her have such an attraction for violence? Clearly, she wasn’t aware of it herself. “No,” I raised a brow looking at her, “but it’s not a bad idea. It’s just.” I stopped, and everypony stopped with me. “I’ve never killed anyone.”

Strider’s ears flattened against his head, and he walked up to me. “It’s a difficult thing to do. I won’t lie to you, Valiant.” Strider sighed, “It will never be easy, especially for a pony like you.”

“Like me?” I narrowed my eyes at Strider; what was that supposed to mean.

“He means you got a big heart kid,” Flag came and tipped my hat, slipping it over my eyes.

“If you have trouble killing anypony,” Lemon came up to me as well and sat on her haunches. “Just remember, raiders don’t really count as ponies.” Lemon shrugged.

Okay, that was a red flag if I ever heard one. “Lemon?” I looked at her, and she smiled sweetly at me. “Hey, I’ll protect you if you ever feel like you can’t do it.” Lemon put a foreleg around my shoulder and threw her other hoof out. “Raiders, slavers, they’re bad ponies, simple as that.” She pulled her outstretched hoof back and tapped my other shoulder, then stood up again. “Always remember, were the good ponies.”

Note to self, keep an eye on Lemon. There was some bad juju hiding underneath the cuteness. With Lemons kind of disturbing reassurance, we all trotted on silently. Hard to have a conversation after that little revelation. As we trudged on, nightfall started to creep upon us. This would be my first night sleeping somewhere I knew wasn’t safe. I looked at the decrepit buildings around us, trying to find a suitable place to sleep for the night. “Flag, you’ve got more experience than us out here; any advice for a place to make camp?”

“That’s easy, high off the ground, dry, and easily defendable.” Flag rubbed his chin and looked at the available options. “There’s a hayburger place over there on the second floor of that skyscraper.”

“Alright, let’s go there everypony!” We trotted to the building in question.

The first floor was shrouded in darkness. The opaque windows shut out most of the light, safe a few beams of moonlight piercing the darkness from broken windows. I reached into my saddlebags and pulled out a flashlight I could put around my neck. I felt my ears flattened against my head; pony skeletons were everywhere. Passing them on the street was one thing; sleeping in the same vicinity was another. I swallowed and pressed on. Flag came up beside me and narrowed his eyes. Strider as well seemed to protectively stand before me.

“You guys okay?” I looked between them. Flag turned to me quickly and put his hoof before his lips. Then he pointed at my flashlight. I nodded and shut it off, stuffing it back in my saddlebags

“Were not alone in here,” Strider whispered.

Oh right, I checked my Pipbuck’s EFS, and several green blips showed up. In addition, there was an arrow on the blips pointing up. “Green,” I whispered back.

“Don’t rely on that thing, kid,” Flag muttered and moved to the stairs at the back of the building. The door to the building was ajar. And there was a low light shining against the far wall. A clear shadow of a pony could be seen milling about. Lemon and I crept up next to Flag; Strider placed himself against the opposite end of the door frame.

“Flag?” I whispered at him.

“shhh,” Flag stressed.

“Did anypony hear that?” A gruff voice said from upstairs. Flag and Strider both gave me withering glances. I was off to a bad start to this squad leader stuff.

“You high on Dash again?” another voice rasped.

“Up yours, I heard something downstairs.” The shadow pony growled, then I heard the sound of a gun being cocked. Flag nodded to Strider, and he reached for his pistol. Oh man, this is it. So much for my luck. Flag signaled for me to fall back as he drew his submachine gun. I slowly fallback and I turned to Lemon. She was gone. I looked back to the stairs; the Pony was coming down. He looked…off. The irises of his eyes were orange, and his veins pronounced. He wore spikey armor meshed together from bits and ends of other stuff. This was a Raider, no doubt about it.

“Holy shit!” A voice shouted from upstairs.

“What!?” The Raider turned back to the stairs.

“There’s a god damn unicorn floating outside! What the hell is she-look out!” The Raider shouted, followed by a loud explosion.

“Fuck, I’m coming!” the Raider in front of us shouted.

“No, you’re not,” Flag popped out from the cover, submachine gun in hooves, and riddled him with bullets. The Raider fell against the stairs into his own blood and brains.

Strider pushed in, stepping over the dead Pony, bloodying his hooves. He stopped at the bend and raised his pistol. He fired at somepony I couldn’t see. In fact, I didn’t even hear his gun going off. I just stared at the lifeless Pony before me. I felt sweat roll down the back of my neck. My heartbeat was like a drum against my ears. Flag’s gun wasn’t particularly powerful. I expected damage from a submachine gun firing 10mm rounds, but I didn’t expect to see this. Half the Raider’s head exploded, spreading his grey matter against the carpeted stairs. I felt morbidly lucky that the red carpet hid the blood somewhat. I swallowed a lump in my throat. My vision shook, and I looked down. Hooves had grabbed me, shaking me hard. I followed the forelegs of those hooves to Flag. He was saying something, but the pounding in my ears drowned it out.

Flag turned his head, his lips moving frantically. I looked to Strider, his mouth as well moved, stopping only to fire at somepony upstairs. I looked back to Flag; he gestured with his hooves at the ground. I looked down and then back at him. He took me looking up and down as some form of affirmation. He nodded, his mouth forming soundless words. He rushed by Striders’ side, and they both pushed up, firing their weapons.

Mom, I want to be a hero!

A young colts voice echoed in my head. I reached into my poncho and grabbed my laser rifle. I stepped around the corpse rifle in hooves. I pointed at the door. Strider and Flag were by the door, and there was a fallen pony between them. I rushed up to meet them; Flag spared me a glance and a nod. On the other hoof, Strider looked at me with something resembling pity.

“I’m fine; what’s the situation!” I barked, leaving no room for argument.

“Lemon cleaned house. Her attack killed a few of them. One of them ran upstairs, but I don’t know for what.” Flag grunted out before shying away from the door as bullets impacted the wall. I heard Lemon’s shotgun go off twice, followed by a scream. Strider saw his chance and rushed in. Flag and I followed suit.

The hayburger place was a gory mess. I saw the blackened area where Lemons grenade blew apart the Raiders. I quickly ducked behind a flipped table. I didn’t need to lose myself again, not when four more raiders were shooting at us. Flag was taking cover behind a pillar, reloading his submachine gun ahead of me. Strider switched to his carbine, firing at two ponies on a balcony overlooking the dining area directly above the register counter. Strider was safely tucked between two tables firing between a small gap between them. Lemon had her back against another pillar to the right of Flag. She was loading shells into her shotgun and had a look of pure malice on her muzzle. “Come on, you freaks!” Lemon barked. She peeked from her cover, wrapping her shotgun in a pink magical aura and floating it before her.

A raider raised from his cover behind the register counter. Lemon gave him a faceful of buckshot, splattering his brains. “Nopony to save you now!” Lemon yelled and galloped from cover.

“Lemon!” Flag yelled, slamming the cocking lever on his submachine gun.

“Riddle her!” The two ponies upstairs yelled. Then, they aimed zebra rifles at the exposed Lemon. Strider shot a burst from his carbine, nailing one of them in the shoulder, sending his shots wild. Then, he quickly aimed and fired at the other Pony. An audible click was his only response. “Shit, I’m out!” Strider hastily reloaded his rifle.

I raised myself from cover and aimed my laser rifle. The remaining Raider was tracking Lemon as she sprinted exposed. Come on, Valiant, shoot! The Raider ducked as Flag sprayed him with bullets. Shit, why am I so useless! I aimed down to the register counter. The remaining Raider there came up to shoot. Lemon withdrew the trench knife on her leg with her hoof; she jumped over the counter and punched the Raider silly. They both went down behind the counter.

I saw Lemon come up, knife raised in her hoof. “Wait!” the Raider shouted, and I saw her stab downward. The Raider let out a gargled scream. Lemon came up again; she put her other hoof over the knife. She stabbed, putting her body behind it, and I heard the sickening sound of bone breaking and flesh being rendered.

“Fuck, alright, alright, you got us!” the last Raider threw his gun over the balcony. He raised his hooves, and I sighed in relief.

I raised myself from cover and aimed my rifle in his direction. “Alright, come out of cover!” I saw Strider and Flag take aim as well.

The Raider stood up, hooves up, showing himself unarmed. “Look, just let,” the Raider paused, looking around, “shit, what’s left of my guys and me get out of here. Alright? We hit a caravan and got our loot stored here. So you let us go; I’ll tell you where it is.”

“What about your friend? The one that galloped upstairs.” I asked, waving my rifle for emphasis.

“Fuck him,” he spat and shrugged.

Each Pony out here for himself, I guess. The Raider slowly lowered his hooves and placed them against the railing. “We got a deal?”

“What happened to the caravan?” I narrowed my eyes.

“If you were hoping for slaves, none of them made it.” The Raider looked annoyed, “fucking bastards refused to give up. Could have gotten a good price for em too.”

“Damn it,” I muttered.

“Well, come on, it’s good shit, just let us go, and it’s all yours!” the Raider gave me a crooked yellow tooth smile.

“No deal!” Lemon roared. She ran from behind the counter, blood splattered against her face and armor. She aimed her grenade launcher at him and fired. The poor bastard didn’t even have time to scream as he was blown to bits along with the wounded Raider. We all dove for cover, shrapnel, and gore splattering the room.

“Everypony!” I groaned, trying to ignore the ringing in my ear. “You okay?”

“My ears are ringing, but I’m good.” Flag groaned from his cover.

Strider just moaned and waved a hoof in response.

“Lemon?” I looked for her and found her wiping the Raider bits off her. I sighed and put my rifle away. “Flag, Strider, can you check upstairs?”

Flag looked at Lemon and me, “yeah, come on, Strider.”

Strider stood and shook his whole body, gaining his bearings back. “Yeah,” Strider looked at Lemon, frowning. He said nothing and just galloped out behind Flag.

“Lemon?” I sighed, and she frowned, looking away from me.

“I’m not sorry!” she stomped her hoof and turned away from me. I was at a loss for words; I mean, I was gonna take the Raider up on his offer. But I knew it was because I couldn’t bring myself to shoot him. What kind of coward would I be if I had just ordered Flag or Strider to do it?

“They killed those caravan ponies,” Lemon hissed, and I saw her wipe at her eyes. Was she crying?

“I know,” I walked up to her and sat behind her. I raised a hoof, but I didn’t reach for her. I wasn’t sure she wouldn’t just shrug me off. “I-“ Lemon turned fast and threw her hooves around me. I felt her body shake as she sobbed onto my poncho.

“I’m sorry, please don’t leave me too,” she pleaded between sobs.

“I’m not going anywhere, Lemon,” I patted her back and wrapped my other foreleg around her. She was not well. I don’t know why anypony cleared her for service. What in the world was Elder Sharp Sides thinking? “Lemon, what happened to you? What made you hate Raiders this badly?” I could understand being angry at Raiders. But this went beyond anger; this was a deep loathing, a personal demon for Lemon.

Lemon sniffed and pulled back from me. She looked at me with puffy red eyes. “Valiant, you wouldn’t understand.” Lemon looked down at the dirty carpet floor.

“Try me,” I smiled at her encouragingly.

“I,” she began before tears pricked at the corner of her eyes. “I lost both my parents in Fillydelphia.” Lemon frowned. “I was just a filly. One day, my parents told me they would help the ponies in Fillydelphia. They marched out with everypony, and I was left alone with my,” Lemon paused.

“If you don’t want to tell me, it’s okay.” I scratched the back of my head.

“No, I mean, it doesn’t matter anymore.” Lemon took a steadying breath. “I was left with my grandmother, Elder Sharp Sides.”

Oh, okay, I didn’t know that. Crispe, did anypony for that matter? “I take it this isn’t common knowledge?”

“Only the Star Paladins are aware,” Lemon sighed. “when my parents got married, my Grandmother disapproved. Because my mother was supposed to marry a Star Paladin.” Lemon chuckled bitterly. “Your father, actually.”

What!? My expression must have been plain as day; Lemon gave me a melancholy smile. “Yeah, I know not many ponies know that.” Lemon frowned, “my mother was in line to be the next Elder.”

Wait, that meant, “Lemon, was your mother, Star Paladin Strawberry Lemonade?” I remembered what she had said back at Stable 29. Earth pony mother, unicorn father.

“The one and only,” she snorted bitterly. “When I was born, my Grandmother didn’t show up. When I turned one, she didn’t show up!” she stomped her hoof on the ground. “Only when everypony came back from Fillydelphia did she show up.” Lemon sighed, “she changed after Fillydelphia. I think everypony did.”

I felt guilty; I remember my father coming home. I remember hugging him, and he hugged me back. I remember feeling nothing but relief that my father had come back. I never even thought about all the good ponies we lost. “I’m so sorry, Lemon,” I wonder if I had been a better pony? If I had tried to make more friends, would I have been with Lemon?

“Don’t be; I mean, I was old enough. I knew why my parents didn’t come back.” Lemon scuffed the ground with her hoof. “For a bit, she was like a real Grandmother to me, but one day she went out. When she came back, she was different. There was something in her eyes I couldn’t put my hoof on.” Lemon looked up, a bitter smile on her lips. “She said I needed to be better, to surpass every expectation placed on me as my mother’s daughter.” Lemon looked at the torn bodies of the Raiders. “That’s when the training started. She trained me every day, from morning to nightfall. For two hellish years, she made me what I am.” Lemon stood up and puffed her chest out. “I won’t let anypony I care about get taken away from me again.”

“Lemon,” I looked down and sighed, “this wasn’t the first time you killed, was it?” I looked at her, and she looked directly back at me. Her face betrayed no conflict about the bloodshed.

“I’ve never killed anypony.” She pointed an accusatory hoof at the remains of the Raiders. “Those…things. Are not ponies!” She stepped up to me, and I won’t lie, I felt my hoof twitch for my gun. Finally, she turned away from me and walked towards the door, “They’re just meat, rotten and unaware they died a long time ago.”

I sighed and strode after Lemon; I guess our talk was done. But, no, wait, that’s not right. “Lemon!” I trotted after her.

“Yeah?” she stopped halfway up the next flight of stairs.

“Okay, look, I know things are weird with you and the Raiders.” I trotted up to block her path up.

“No, it’s not,” Lemon shrugged, “Raiders-” Lemon began.

“That’s not what I mean!” I sighed, “Lemon, you can’t just rush into trouble. Were a team, okay?”

Lemon’s ears flattened against her head, and she pouted. “But,” I stomped my hoof cutting her off.

“No buts!” I pointed a hoof at her, “When dealing with Raiders, you need to let me do the talking. You also don’t decide if we decline surrenders or not!”

“They aren’t ponies!” Lemon insisted.

“Lemon!” I shouted, “Rangers, don’t kill unarmed ponies!”

“We aren’t Rangers anymore, are we!” Lemon shouted back and crossed her forelegs.

“So what, you want to be like a Raider!?” I snarled at her.

“What?” Lemon recoiled like I had just slapped her. “This is different!”

“Is it?” I glared down at her using my height advantage. “You want to kill everypony who surrenders?” I pointed a hoof down where we left the dead Raiders. “Just like they killed everypony in that Caravan.”

Lemon gasped, “no…no, no, no, no.” She held her head, eyes going wild. “I’m not like them; I’m not meat!” Lemon collapsed onto her haunches, shaking. Her breathing quickly turned into short gasps.

“Look at me, Lemon,” I moved her hooves out of the way. I grabbed her head and forced her to look into my eyes. “You don’t have to be what Elder Sharp Sides made you.” I felt icky, I’m not gonna lie. Everypony respected Elder Sharp Sides. Her leadership is what has held us together for all these years. She trusted me with a critical mission, and here I was telling her grandaughter not to listen to her.

“I’m…” Lemon muttered, “I’m not a Ranger.”

“Lemon,” I smiled at her like I felt my mother would smile at me when I needed comfort. “You’re an outcast, and in my book, that means we have to be the heroes.”

“Heroes?” Her breathing evened out, and she didn’t look like she might bolt anymore.

“That’s right, Lemon, heroes aren’t merciless killers. We have to be better,” I let her go and sat on the stairs before her.

“I…” Lemon looked down and closed her eyes. She held her head again, but she looked more like she was in pain. She gritted her teeth, grimacing. “I’ll think about it,” Lemon finally said, sighing in relief.

“Okay,” I tapped her shoulder encouragingly. “It’s a start.”

Somepony coughed above us. Lemon instantly knocked me aside and put herself before me. She floated up her shotgun, pointing at the supposed intruder.

“Whoa!” Strider ducked away from the stairs. “It’s just me.”

“Oh, sorry, Strider!” Lemon was back to her old self at the drop of a hat.

“Ouch,” I was sprawled against the wall upside down, my hind hooves hanging in the air.

“Oh, dear!” Lemon placed her hooves to her mouth, “I’m so sorry Valiant.”

“Anyway,” Strider walked down the stairs to stand above Lemon. “You need to see this.”

***

Thank Celestia Strider found a working elevator. Galloping up twenty floors wasn’t my idea of fun, I thought to myself as I exited onto the roof. “This…can’t be good,” I muttered to myself. The last Raider that had escaped us was dead. Shot either by Flag or Strider, it hardly mattered. What mattered was he lit a flare before he died. Red smoke floated up to the night sky, and across from us, at least a dozen more rooftops had signal flares burning bright against the night. “Why do I feel we just stumbled across something way bigger than us.”

“Does it matter?” Strider turned to me, frowning.

“What do you mean?” I looked at him.

“We have our orders. We aren’t even out of Manehattan yet. Should we really get involved?” Strider glared at the distant signals.

He had a point; this wasn’t our business. I was also tired, hell everypony was. I couldn’t help the guilt creeping up on me. Everypony fought hard against the Raiders, and I hadn’t even fired a single shot. But what if this threatened the Stable? Elder Sharp Sides had been recalling patrols since I recovered the message. Our biggest presence outside the Stable was Outpost Tacitus.

“Whatever you decide, kid, I’m with you.” Flag looked at everypony, his face set in his usual lazy smile.

“Those Raiders are planning on hurting somepony else; I’m with you too.” Lemon stomped her hoof.

“I was just bringing up a point,” Strider shrugged. “What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t help you out?” Strider grinned.

“Then it’s settled; let’s go find out what the Raiders are up to.” I turned to leave, then remembered what that Raider had said. “Oh, before we go, let’s try and find that Raider stash.”

Good thing the Raiders weren’t very smart. We found the ‘hidden’ stash relatively quickly. After divvying up the goods, we came out with healing potions, ammo for Flag and Strider’s guns, and a sawed-off double-barrel shotgun. Lemon quickly laid claim to it and packed it in her saddlebags. We also picked the dead Raiders clean of their ammo and whatever else we could find helpful. With our loot secure, we made for the nearest of the flares. When we made it close enough, I picked up several contacts on my EFS.

“Alright, everypony knows the drill. Sneak in, take out as many as you can.” I looked at Lemon as she floated her shotgun before her. “Quietly,” I deadpanned.

“Phooey,” Lemon pouted and drew her trench knife instead firmly in her mouth.

“Flag, are you sure about sniper cover?” I looked up at the starry night sky.

“They’re all carrying lights, easy pickings, don’t worry.” Flag patted my back and snuck off from behind the wagon we hid behind. I took another peek and watched the Raiders go about their business. They had taken over an old Ironshod weapons store; it laid on a corner bisecting two streets. Just outside, I could see six guards. Two on the roof with sniper rifles, another two by the door, and two patrolling the intersection. I looked to Strider and pointed a hoof at the rooftop ponies. He nodded and snuck off into a back alley to our left.

“Lemon, get the guy on the far right.” I swallowed thickly. “I’ll get the one on the left,” I threw my poncho over my shoulders and drew my combat knife. I slipped my hat down my neck and clenched the combat knife between my teeth. Lemon gave me a worried glance, then lowered herself to the ground and crawled towards her target. I watched her stick to the shadows. She rarely, if at any time, exposed herself to the light. Elder Sharp Sides really turned Lemon into a badass commando pony. But at what cost?

I took one last breath of encouragement and lowered myself as close to the ground as I could. Then, I crawled along the sidewalk to the left of our hiding spot. Several parked wagons provided excellent cover. Flag had been right about the lights; I just needed to peek to see where the enemy was at all times. Which I did right as I reached the intersection. My intended target was walking between a huge wagon bus and a milk delivery wagon. I stalked across to his position, keeping an eye on where the sniper ponies were looking. I reached the shadow of the wagon bus and waited for the Raider to pass. As he drew closer, I saw the light illuminate the ground ahead of him. The light banished the shadow of the bus, and only now did I notice my own shadow cast by the moonlight. I quickly pulled back, but the Raider caught my shadow disappearing. “What the?” He promptly trotted to my position. I instantly dropped to my belly and rolled beneath the wagon bus, just as he turned. “What the hell? I thought I saw something move. I gotta quit the fucking Dash.” He walked closer to my end, and I dragged myself forward, coming out the front of the wagon bus.

I opened my mouth and dropped the knife into my waiting hoof. Then, just like I was trained, I pounced on the Pony and wrapped one foreleg around the Raider’s neck, and pressed the knife against his jugular with the other. “Make a sound, and I’ll use you to repaint the side of this wagon.” I really hope he didn’t hear my voice quiver.

“Aw shit,” the earth stallion hissed, relaxing in my grip. “What now then?” he whispered.

I adjusted myself on his back, making sure to grip the weapon at his side with my hind leg so he couldn’t reach for it. “Back up, nice and slow to the other side of the milk wagon.” I pressed the knife against his neck to make sure he knew where he stood. He did as told, and once safely behind the milk wagon, I kicked the weapon strapped to his flank off. “Kick that under the wagon,” I whispered.

The weapon slid under the milk wagon with a swift kick, and then I climbed off his back to stand in front of him. My knife never left his throat.

The Raider blinked, surprised, then frowned and groaned. “You’re just a punk kid, god damn it, I ain’t never gonna live this down.”

“Do as I say, and you’ll live to regret it.” I swallowed a lump in my throat. Damn it, I looked down to my foreleg to see it trembling.

The Raider looked down and a smirk slowly formed on his ugly mouth. “Is that so?” He pressed himself closer against the knife. Stupidly I gave it slack, and he laughed. A low, raspy ugly sound. “You’re just bluffing, ain’t ya, kid? You ain’t killed anypony before, have ya?” The Raiders smirk grew crueler, and he took another step. “But I have. I’ve killed so many ponies because somepony hired me to, or hell because they pissed me off.” The Raider rolled his eyes, “you probably never even stepped on a radroach, have you?”

“Don’t try me!” I said a little louder than I meant, and I stupidly looked away to check if the others had heard.

The Raider’s smirk instantly vanished. He threw his hoof up, knocking the knife from my hooves, then delivered an uppercut knocking me on my ass. “You’re dead, kid!” the Raider roared and jumped on my chest, knocking the wind out of me. He threw his hooves down, pressing against my windpipe. I gasped, tears welling at the corners of my eyes. I desperately kicked my hind legs and hit him with my forelegs to no avail.

“Hey!” the Raider shouted, alerting his friends. Then just as quickly, his head exploded, painting the milk wagon red. His headless body followed the force of the impact, and he tumbled off me.

“Sniper!” A pony yelled, then the sound of a shotgun resounded against the stillness, followed along by the sound of a body smacking against metal.

“Fuck, they got Sticks!” A burst of rifle fire echoed across the night sky. “Aagh!” The same Raider yelled, followed by a splat. Then, all hell broke loose, I heard the doors to Ironshod burst open, and ponies gallop out. All the while, I dragged my sorry ass against the Milk wagon, coughing and spitting out bits of Pony. I spared the dead Raider a side glance. One of his forelegs was twitching. I closed my eyes and looked down at the blood and bits of brain staining my armor. I instantly closed my eyes and put my hoof against my chest. I swore I could feel my heart pounding against my hoof through my armor!

Breathe, come on, Valiant, you need to get in this fight. I took a calming breath and unslung my laser rifle. I gripped it with my trembling hooves and poked my head out for a peek. Five, no seven more Raiders had taken up positions around the front of Ironshod. I also saw the broken body of one of the Sniper Raiders that Strider took out by the front door. Lemon had decorated a wagon with the Pony I tasked her to take care of. She must have fired at him at point-blank range to have smeared him against the wagon. Lemon, meanwhile, crept ever closer to her prey. She was only a few meters from them behind a concrete divider, blind firing her shotgun. My eyes widened, and I instantly ducked back to cover as shots pinged against the milk wagon.

Right, just like in the simulations, change positions if compromised. I grabbed my laser rifle and rushed to the opposite side of the wagon. I peeked briefly, making sure the coast was clear and dashed into the broken-down wagon bus. I pushed past the bones of the long-dead to the driver’s seat. I perched the laser rifle against the rusted blown-out window and… nothing. Shit! My hooves trembled terribly, and I couldn’t bring myself to pull the trigger. I trained my sights on the ponies facing Lemon. I watched her float out her shotgun, blasting at four Raiders hiding behind a rusted wagon parked by Ironshod. She cleared the divider and rushed them trench knife in hoof.

“Die!” One of them stupidly raised themselves to shoot. Clearly, they forgot she was a unicorn. Lemon blasted his head to chunks with her floating shotgun.

One.

His body flew back, spraying his comrades with blood in the process. Lemon jumped over the wagon, sliding across the hood. She grabbed the first Raider by the neck and plunged the trench knife into his back. “Aarrgh!” He yelled horribly, and his remaining friends panicked and shot in his direction. Lemon raised the Raider up between her and the others. She used the knife in the Raider like a lever, forcing him forward as he was torn apart by gunfire.

Two.

Lemon rolled away, pushing the hole-filled corpse atop the first Raider before her. Then she threw her trench knife, stabbing the third Raider in the eye.

Three.

The last Raider pinned under his former friend’s body raised a hoof, no doubt pleading for his life. But Lemon didn’t even pause. She floated her shotgun to her and redecorated the pavement with the Raider’s brains.

Four.

Holy shit, Lemon really was some kind of monster. She turned to find her next prey before a loud bang drowned out everyone’s gunfire. Lemon was slammed against the wagon. Her eyes were wide, utterly caught by surprise. She lifted her hoof up before her eyes rolled up, and she collapsed atop the corpses of her enemies.

Hey, I’ll protect you if you ever feel like you can’t do it.

Lemon’s words echoed in my head as I watched her still body. I looked up; the remaining Sniper pony was smirking savagely, the barrel of his rifle smoking. “Lemon!” I raised my laser rifle, took aim, and squeezed the trigger. A bright red beam seared the air as it burned a hole through the sniper’s chest. His eyes widened, and he looked down, shocked. He tumbled over to the ground below. I slung my laser rifle back in place and rushed out of the wagon bus through the front exit. “Flag, Strider, cover me!” I hollered, making a b line for Lemon.

I could see the remaining Raiders hiding behind two wagons. One of them raised a Zebra rifle at me and got a bullet through the eye. Thank you, Flag!. From thirteen Raiders down to two, the Raiders rethought their chances. I saw the remaining two flee back inside Ironshod, closing the door behind them.

I reached Lemon and carefully picked her up, and dragged her to the opposite side of the wagon. I gently laid her down, and I looked her over. There was a hole on her chest plate and so much blood. Damn it, how much of it was hers? I worked the straps of her shoulder armor, dropping the pieces next to her. Then I removed her chest piece. Oh, sweet freaking oats, there was no bloody hole in Lemon; the armor did its job. The impact against the wagon must have knocked her out. Even so, the rage inside me did not subside. I gently placed Lemon leaning against the wagon. I put my hat back on and galloped at Ironshod.

I slid into cover, my back pressed up against the wall, the double doors to Ironshod to my right. I raised my hind leg and kicked the door in. instantly, I was met by a spray of bullets and curses from the Raiders inside. After a few seconds, the firing stopped, and my ears twitched, recognizing the clicking of empty magazines. I strode in instantly to find five Raiders. Three behind the display cabinet at the far back and two behind a flipped table near the entrance. I fired two laser bolts, burning a precise hole through the first Raiders head by the table. The second shot lit the other Raider up in a bright light before he poofed into ashes.

“Fuck!” The first Raider at the back counter’s far-right yelled and leveled his rifle at me. I dropped to the ground and rolled to the table for cover. Meanwhile, the ground behind erupted into dust and splinters from automatic fire. The rest of the Raiders finished reloading and opened fire, shredding my cover. Finally, a bullet burst through the table and hit me on the back of my shoulder.

“Gah!” I yelled and fell forward, my rifle slipping from my hooves and sliding across the room.

“Get the bastard!” I heard them hop the display cabinet. I rolled onto my back and drew the laser pistol. The first Raider jumped over the table, and I lasered him three times through the chest. He fell dead atop me. The second Raider stopped short of the table and fired onto his dead friend’s back. My ears flattened back against my head at the mixture of gunfire and flesh being torn apart. I stuck my laser pistol beneath the makeshift pony shield atop me and fired wildly. The Pony backed off before his remaining friend fired through the table. The shots tore the body’s flanks atop me, and I felt pain shoot up my right hind leg.

“Fuck,” I hissed through gritted teeth. I sucked in air through my mouth, pushed off the body, and fired my laser pistol as soon as I saw a barrel peek over the table.

“How the hell is he still alive!?” One of the Raiders yelled. I looked to the hole-riddled table and saw a hind leg. I tried getting up, but my shoulder and leg screamed in protest. I fell forward atop the blood and gore. But, adrenaline and the fear of death did wonders to dull pain. I pushed off my good leg and shoved my laser pistol through the hole. I squeezed the trigger for all it’s worth. Laser after laser burned the air. “Motherfucker!” I heard a body collapse. I pressed the trigger four more times until the cursing stopped. Hooves scrambled around me. I leveled my laser pistol left, the Raider turned, and he sucked in air ayes wide.

Click.

“Shit,” my own eyes felt like they were gonna bulge out of my head as I pulled the trigger again in vain. The Raider’s ears twitched, and his muzzle cracked into an ugly gapped tooth smile. Suddenly, I was exhausted. I dropped my gun and let out a sigh. So this is how I died then, never even made it off Manehattan? Still, I looked at the Raider bastard in the eye. I would not give him the satisfaction of closing them.

Bang!

I flinched but didn’t feel any new holes in me. Instead, the Raiders gun was shot off his hooves. Then a grey streak tackled him to the floor. Flag burst into Ironshod, sniper rifle trained on the downed Raider. With the Raider incapacitated, Strider delivered a hard punch to the back of his head, knocking him out cold. I almost laughed when Flag pulled back on the bolt on his rifle, ejecting the bullet casing, and chambered a new one. He was gonna bluff that Raider wasn’t he?

“Oh shit, kid!” Flag slung his rifle and sat before me.

“Hey, Flag,” I groaned, keenly feeling every ache the battle caused all at once. “How was my first shootout, eh?” I grinned, or I think I did. Everything was going kind of fuzzy, and my body felt light.

“Strider, give me a potion!” Flag’s voice sounded far away. I raised my hoof or tried to anyway, but my body was apparently done with me for today.

“Flag…” I spoke the name breathlessly and then nothing.

***

“You want to be a hero, huh?”

I opened my eyes only to quickly close them again. There was a light shining right on my face.

“I have to say, I wouldn’t recommend it.” The voice was distorted. I think it was a filly’s voice? She sounded my age, at the very least.

“Why not?” I groaned out.

“It’s a hard, thankless job. Well, I mean everypony does thank you! But trust me, your soul and body pay for it.”

I tried to cover my face with my hoof, but my body refused to obey me.

“You got shot up pretty bad.”

“Yeah, I saw Lemon get hurt, and I kind of just…you know?” Why was I justifying myself to a disembodied voice?

“Yeah, I do, boy do I.” Great, now I felt weirdly comforted by the voice. Like it knew what it was talking about.

“Okay, I’m gonna just shoot my shot and ask.”

“About what?” I felt really weak again. My mind was slipping.

“I need you to do a job for me.”

“A job?” I sighed; it was getting harder to concentrate.

“Well, it’s more than a job, really,” the voice hummed, “how about we call it a quest?”

“A quest?” I furrowed my brow, fighting the darkness creeping at the corners of my mind.

“That’s right, this is a quest to show me you’re serious about being a hero. It’s tough, but if you can make it through. I think I can help you.”

“How?” I felt my eyelids flutter, and my ears perked when a mechanical sound reached them.

“Don’t worry about that right now. I need you to stop the Manehattan Raiders.” I heard a blip coming from my right side. “There, if you manage to do that, make your way to Tenpony tower. Go to the train station and show them your Pipbuck.”

“Stop the Raiders, just the four of us?”

“Hey, you said you wanted to be a hero.” The voice said, followed by a giggle. “Good luck, I’m pulling for you, Valiant Knight.” The voice faded, and my mind decided it was done being conscious. As everything faded into silence, I swear I heard music.

I groaned, cracking my eyes open. I looked about the room; this was neither my bunk at Outpost Tacitus nor my room back home. I was lying down on a sleeping bag inside a decrepit room. “Mom, dad?” I looked left and right, feeling my heart beat faster. I heard the sounds of a door opening, and I looked behind me. A light green unicorn with a blonde mane and tail clad in armor trotted in. She stopped, gasping softly, “Valiant, you’re awake!” she rushed to my side and threw her hooves around me. With that, everything came back to me.

“Ugh,” I raised my hoof to rub my head, cringing as a dull throb spread across my shoulder. “What happened?”

“You passed out from blood loss,” Lemon frowned, pulling back from the hug. “Those meat bags hit your artery, and you almost bled out on us.” With her hooves still on me, she tapped my shoulders gently. “Potions are good at mending wounds, but they don’t replace blood. Lucky for us, we ran into a trade caravan.” Lemon pulled back her hooves, smiling. “They had medical supplies and the right blood to help you.” Lemon sighed, “we were gonna sprint you back to Stable 29, but frankly, I wasn’t sure we would make it in time.”

“Ugh,” This was too much right now. My whole body felt like a Hellhound used it as a chew toy. “Where’s Flag and Strider?” I spotted my gear neatly beside me and started armoring up again.

“Flag is out on guard duty. Strider is keeping the meat bag company.” Lemon hissed, looking away from me, her eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

Meat bag? What meat-oh-right. Strider managed to capture one of the Raiders alive! “Good, let me finish getting ready, and let’s go have a talk with him.” I grabbed my vambraces and worked on fitting them on my legs.

“You go ahead, I’ll join Flag on guard duty.” Lemon turned around and headed for the door. She paused midway through it. “Oh, I almost forgot, in exchange for helping us, we promised to help protect the trading caravan to Tenpony Tower.” With that, Lemon wrapped the door handle in her magical aura and closed the door behind her. I threw my head back and sighed; I’m still in freaking Manehattan! At this point, the following squad was probably halfway through Fetlock. Well, in for a bit in for a pound at this point. I finished armoring myself up, and as I slid my poncho on, I looked at my Pipbuck. That was a weird dream. Who was I even talking to? Just some disembodied voice. I gave the room at once over; there was a window facing an alley to my left. I trotted over to it, peeking into the alley outside. If a pony had snuck through, there’s no way they wouldn’t have made a noise. More than that, Flag Strider or Lemon would have been here at any point.

“There’s no way,” I sat back down and fiddled with my Pipbuck.

TENPONY TOWER DIGITAL PASSPORT

That was not there before. I lowered my hoof, unsure what to think of this. Damn it all, I had more pressing matters to attend to. I left my room, finding a set of stairs and hearing voices down below. I trudged downstairs and found several ponies milling about in a circle. One of them, an older earth pony stallion, turned to me and offered a smile. “Ey, I see yer awake partner!” He greeted me with a thick appaloosa accent.

“Ah, yeah, hey,” I waved lamely at him and his group. The rest smiled back, then returned to their own devices.

“Well, now that yer awake, let me introduce you!” He pointed to a pegasus mare sitting across from him. She had a bright yellow coat and red mane and tail to match, though I could see silver strands peeking through. Her eyes were a vibrant jade, and they held a serenity to them. “This here is mah wife Buttercup,” A little colt popped his head out from beneath Buttercup’s wing. “That there is our little one, Peppermint.” He had his father’s coat, soft light green, and his mother’s bright red mane and tail.

“The older handsome one there is mah oldest Bright Star,” the older stallion pointed a hoof at the Pony next to him. He really did look like a younger version of his father. Soft green coat, blue eyes, and bright orange mane and tail. Bright Star was wearing a cowpony hat, and when he spotted my desperado hat, he tilted his hat forward, and I returned the gesture. I felt like we just shared something only cowpony hat owners would ever understand. The older stallion chuckled before he pointed a hoof to himself. “Lastly, yours truly is me, good ol’ Rad-Raddish.” Rad grinned at his family, and they all laughed at his antics.

“Well, my name’s Valiant Knight, and I assume you’ve met my other friends.” Couldn’t well call them squadmates, could I? Or maybe I could, hell, I don’t know. I felt so out of place with this whole being a spy thing.

“Oh, did we,” laughed Rad and pointed a hoof at his wife. “Buttercup don nearly popped yer friend’s Flag head off.”

For her part, Buttercup flushed with embarrassment. “I saw your friends galloping full tilt at our caravan bloodied and armed.” She put a hoof to her cheek and sighed, “oh, I really do feel bad about the whole situation.”

“Well, you were kind enough to help us strangers out. So no harm, no foul, I say.” I trotted up to them and sat just outside their little circle.

“See, what I tell ya, Buttercup,” Rad grinned and slapped his thigh. “Them’s good Pony folk, I knew it the moment I saw it.”

“you said the same thing about me,” Buttercup giggled behind her hoof.

“Course I did,” Rad sat up and raised both hooves in the air. “A beautiful mare just fell from the sky right through mah wagon.” Rad placed both hooves against his heart and closed his eyes in remembrance. “I thought to mahself, I must have been a good Pony, cuz’ the goddesses jus don dropped one of her angels on me!”

Buttercup’s cheek must have been red as she held her face with both hooves. “Oh you, you’re just lucky I didn’t laser you.”

Wait, laser him? Pegasus falling from the sky? If my memory served correct, during the first battle of Fillydelphia, militant Pegasi flew down on the Wasteland with the intent to wipe out all military targets. I hope I wasn’t just about to bring up something terrible. “Excuse me, Mrs. Buttercup?”

“Yes, dear,” the Pegasus beamed at me. “Oh, and just call me Buttercup; you’ll make a gal feel old otherwise.”

“Feel free to decline to answer, but were you part of a military organization called the Enclave?” I pointed a hoof in her direction.

“Oh, don’t be silly.” Buttercup laughed.

Guess that’s a no.

“The Grand Pegasus Enclave was more than just the military. But yes, I was a Lieutenant before I was shot down and met Raddish.” She was so candid about it; you’d almost forget they waged war against every established faction in the Wasteland.

“Have you ever tried going back to the Enclave?” I looked to Rad and Bright Star, hoping I wasn’t angering them. They were more preoccupied trying to open a particularly stubborn can of beans. This conversation was clearly not the first time it was had in their presence.

“Once,” Buttercup mused, “a foolish mistake by a foolish young hardheaded pony.” She spread her wing, scooped up Peppermint with it, and safely placed him between her forelegs. “By the time I had flown just below the cloud cover, I realized I didn’t want to go back.” Buttercup gazed at her husband and son lovingly. Unfortunately, the heartwarming visage was somewhat undercut as Rad and Bright Star took turns banging the bean can on the floor.

“Here,” I trotted to them, drew my combat knife, and punctured the can; I cut off the lid and handed it to them. Both Ponies pursed their lips together before they hollered in joy.

“YEEHAW!” Rad jumped up, clicking his back hooves together. Meanwhile, Bright Star threw his hat in the air catching it before hitting the floor. I tilted my head back, giving them a cock-eyed stare, but they paid me no mind.

“Valiant!” I turned to Strider as he was walking in from a back room. “I’m glad you’re up and about; you’re pretty heavy for a nerd, you know that?” Strider chuckled and punched my shoulder.

“Not my fault you’re a scrawny string bean.” I grinned and shoved him away.

“Yeah, yeah,” Strider smirked, taking a seat beside me. “So, I know you just woke up.” Strider hummed and tilted his head to the room he had just exited.

“But we need to make that Raider talk; I’ve tried my best, but...” Strider trailed off, his gaze on the family next to us. “He wouldn’t even tell me what the different color flares meant.”

“Hmm,” I looked at the shut door and then behind me to the door that led outside. There was a window, and I could see Lemon’s back to it. An idea crossed my mind, and I felt my face crack into a smile. “I think I know what to do.”

“I don’t think I can do this, Valiant,” Lemon whispered as we stood just outside our prisoner’s door.

“I just need you to control yourself,” I placed a hoof on Lemons’ shoulder. “Don’t talk to him, don’t do anything but be there.”

Lemon’s brows knitted together in worry, and she glanced at the trader family worriedly. “But, what if I lose it?”

“Lemon,” I smiled at her, “if you don’t trust yourself, trust the me that believes in you.”

Lemon looked at me pointedly, and after what felt like minutes, she sighed. “Okay, let’s do it.”

I opened the door, and I trotted in, closing the door behind me. The Raider Pony was on his side, hooves bound like cattle. “Shit, if it isn’t the crazy fucker that ashed Jitters.” The Raider snorted a laugh and rolled his eyes.

“That’s me,” I sat a few feet before him.

“What you hear to ask me stupid shit too?” The Raider barked a laugh, “you and dickless before you don’t even have the balls to make me scream. Just because of the happy family on the other side.” The Raider grinned crazily. “You ain’t getting shit from me.”

“Are you sure?” I raised a brow.

“Fuck off,” the Raider barked.

“Alright, have it your way.” I sat up and turned halfway to the door. “Lemon,” I called out to her.

The door opened, and in walked Lemon. Instantly the mood changed; I could practically feel Lemon’s overwhelming need to tear the Raider to pieces. The Raider no longer looked so confident. “Lemon, can you kill a pony without making a sound?”

The unicorn nodded, never breaking eye contact with the Raider.

“Can you kill a Pony without them so much as being able to scream?”

“Puncture the lungs; a scream comes out as a wheeze.” Lemon’s usually bubbly voice was hushed, like the sound of a silenced weapon. “Excruciating and slow death. The lungs fill with blood, and you feel like you’re drowning.” Lemon’s gaze bore into the Raider. She didn’t even tilt her head down to look at him. Instead, just stared him down, eyes narrowed to slits, like a manticore seizing its prey. “If you try to gasp for breath, it feels like you keep swallowing water.”

“F-fuck me,” the Raider tried to smirk, but it looked more like a grimace. “You’re the crazy bitch that killed four of our ponies in one go.”

“Five,” I added.

“She left one of your friends spread against a wagon.” I felt my lips pull up slightly. “One word from me, and I can have Lemon here kill you in a way you wish I’d have ashed you instead of your friend.”

“You’re bluffing,” the Raider swallowed a lump in his throat, and I wonder if he was trying to convince himself or me of that.

“Lemon,” I stepped aside, and Lemon drew her trench knife.

“Fuck!” The Raider scrambled backward until his flanks touched the wall. “I’ll talk alright I’ll talk, just keep the psycho bitch away from me!”

“Good, Lemon.” I tilted my head, signaling her to leave.

She didn’t move; she only kept glaring at the Raider.

“H-hey, come on, I’ll talk, just fucking go!” The Raider pleaded.

Lemon took a step forward.

I immediately broke her line of sight and put a hoof over hers. “Lemon, I got it from here.” I pleaded with her silently, and just when I felt she was gonna stab me, she sheathed her knife and trotted out of the room. “Okay, as you can see, I can barely keep my friend calm. So talk and talk fast.”

“Fuck, alright, alright, just ask already.” The Raider panted, wiping at his brow.

“What are you doing in Manehattan, what were all those flares, and who’s behind this?”

“Fuck, do I look like Leather Cape to you?” The Raider barked out. “I just go where I’m fucking told. The flares are in case somepony discovers us and we can’t take care of the problem. We use the flares to tell the other Hunters to be ready the fuck up for trouble.”

“What signal does each color mean?” I made a mental note of this Leather Cape fellow. He must be in charge of the Raiders.

“Red means shit’s up, yellow means shit’s fucked up, and green means time to fucking start.”

“Start what?” I narrowed my eyes dangerously at him.

“Take out those high and mighty fuckers at Tenpony.” The Raider then laughed, “shit, Tenpony, those Ranger fucks, we’ll get ’em all in one fucking go!”

“What makes you think you can take on both the Rangers and the NCR troops at Tenpony?” There was no way they could take on both forces without heavier firepower.

“We’ve been sneaking into the city for months. We got plenty of fucking slaves and hunters to fuck them both up!”

Numbers meant little against power armor and overwhelming firepower. This Pony was way too low on the totem pole to know anything else of value. “One last question, where is Leather Cape.”

“Shit, you don’t even need to threaten me for that. Leather Cape’s at Four Stars, a big fucking hub with most of our hunters. Feel free to go there. I’m sure you’d get a hell of a welcome!” The Raider cackled madly, rolling onto his back.

Okay, that was surprisingly useful; besides, maybe I can warn Tenpony Tower before finally getting out of Manehattan. “Well, you’ve been a great help.”

“Whoop-the-fucking-doo.” The Raider deadpanned.

“You’re coming with me; you’re going to tell the authorities at Tenpony about your little plan.” I stood up and left the Raider to stew on his fate. Standing outside were Lemon and Strider. Both looked to me expectantly, and I gave them a broad grin. “Tenpony tower is gonna wanna hear what this scumbag has to say.”

***

I’ve never been to Tenpony Tower. Rad says he and his family have done the trip hundreds of times. Though he’s had to alter his route, calling NCR taxes highway robbery. He had slapped his thigh at this joke, and he and Bright Star laughed it up. I was sitting at the back of Rad’s wagon, laser rifle in hooves. I looked up not for that last time to watch Buttercup swoop past us to scout ahead. Before we left our camping spot, I had almost jumped out of my armor when I saw her come in in full Pegasus Power Armor. If time wasn’t a factor, I’d have begged her to let me get a good look at it. I mean, Pegasi alone were a rarity in Equestria. Pegasi Power armor was doubly so.

“Skies clear, and nothing on the road ahead.” I heard Buttercup’s voice crackling over the borrowed headset on my ear. I smiled, turning halfway into the wagon. I let my left hind leg hang while tapping my right hind leg on the wagon floor.

“Jeez, will you stop with the f-“ I slammed the butt of my rifle against the Raider’s Muzzle, cutting him off.

“Language,” I looked to Peppermint, who was periodically peeking at us from next to his father

“Motherfu-” He quickly shut his mouth when I raised my rifle. “Please stop tapping next to my,” The Raider gritted his ugly teeth. “effing head.”

I chuckled but obliged him if only to preserve the quiet. I heard hoof steps approach me, and I leaned out to see Strider. “Any idea what are we gonna do once we reach Tenpony?”

“I’ve been thinking about that,” I looked to the Raider on the floor next to me. “Once we turn this jerk over, We’ll need to send a message.” I left to whom unsaid.

“Right, any thoughts on that?” Strider looked up to the gored-out husks of skyscrapers passing us by.

“Maybe; I’ll let you guys know when I got something solid.” I slung my rifle and hopped off the wagon. “Switch with me; I wanna stretch my legs.”

Strider wordlessly hopped on and unslung his carbine rifle.

“Well, if it isn’t the pretty colt? What where’s your fu- ouch jeez!” The Raider hollered as Strider struck him.

“Language.” Strider monotoned.

I laughed and trotted up ahead. I swear you’d think we were brothers for how alike we were. I joined Lemon and Flag at the head of our little Caravan. “Lemon, Flag, how’s it looking?” I kept my eyes peeled for anything.

“Frankly, things are looking clear; Buttercup can see anything coming for us miles away.” Flag hit me with his trademark lazy smirk.

“Hey, what’s that?” Lemon pointed a hoof to a tower in the distance, though It was more like a metal spire with a red glowing orb on top. The Spire was atop a skyscraper with several NCR troopers on it.

“Oh, Scribe Scribbles told me about those.” I wagged my tail and trotted closer to Lemon.

“It’s a Psionic emitter, one of many used to keep Bloodwings away from the settlements around Manehattan.” I pointed to the Spire base atop a skyscraper with NCR troops. “NCR troopers guard them twenty-four-seven.” I squinted my eyes, looking at one of the Troopers by the edge. His coat looked kind of flaky, and he was periodically sucking on something. Jeez, NCR really just let anypony in these days, don’t they?

“No wonder we didn’t see any Bloodwings on our first night.” Lemon smiled. “Who built them? They’re clearly not pre-war.”

“Someone at Tenpony,” I explained. “They do have a downside though, Emitters screw with radios, so long-range communications are spotty at best.” I explained, raising a hoof, “That’s why the towers only run at night when Bloodwings would typically be out and about.”

“No wonder we never checked in with Outpost Tacitus at night,” hummed Lemon.

“Alright, my little ponies, I see a good camping spot ahead.” Buttercup’s voice brought me out of my conversation with Lemon. “Valiant, I need to circle back and keep an eye on our rear. Think you and one of your friends can secure the site?”

I chuckled; there was still a soldier inside Buttercup even after all her years. “Roger that Buttercup.” I looked to Lemon and then to Flag. Logic said it would be wise to bring Flag. He was experienced, kept a cool head, and was the best shot in the Order. But I also didn’t want Lemon scaring these good folks if Raiders got the drop on the Caravan by some stroke of bad luck. I also really wanted to take Strider, just because. Screw it, “Lemon, come on, Buttercup found a campsite. Let’s make sure it’s clear.”

“Okie-Dokie!” Lemon Beamed and winked at me.

“Buttercup, what’s the target location? I trotted ahead, and Lemon followed behind me.

Lemon peeked from her cover next to me. She scanned the target building; it was an old mega-mart of sorts. There was no activity outside, it looked safe enough, and my EFS was clear. Lemon, on the other hoof, disagreed. “Wait here,” Lemon whispered and then slunk off. She entered the store, and I did as told. Lemon came out minutes later, trotting out casually. “Clear!”

“Buttercup, bring them in, area secured.” I transmitted my message and went to join Lemon by the entrance.

RICH’S BARNYARD BARGAINS

I lifted my hoof as my Pipbuck labeled the store. I shrugged and entered with Lemon; as expected, the place had been looted clean long ago. Well, “clean” in a matter of speaking. The place was a dump with trash and knocked over shelves everywhere. “Lemon, see if you can find any supplies.”

“Sure,” Lemon nodded and disappeared around some shelves. I picked my way through the store myself. I made my way to the back of the shopping center, looking for loot as I went. Finally, I reached the store’s back; a mural decorated the wall though peeled and molded from the years. It depicted a picturesque little town, complete with a bakery, a shiny clothes store called Carousel Boutique, and a prominent central building. An amber earth stallion with slicked-back hair and what I could only describe as a plastic smile was next to the little town. There was a blurb of words next to him, but it was severely peeled and decrepit. The only words I could make out were humble, Ville, and beginning.

I trudged through some double doors, promptly ignoring the rusted employees-only sign. The double doors led to a hall with two rooms and a flight of stairs at the end. I scavenged for supplies in the break room first, managing to find canned foods. The can of beans I found especially brought a chuckle out of me. I checked the employee locker room next and found a 9mm hoofgun. There was a locked locker as well, and I tried my hoof at picking the lock. I grabbed a screwdriver and bobby pin from my saddlebags and went at it. Later, three broken bobby pins were rewarded with three 9mm bullets and one bobby pin. I grabbed my meager reward and shut the locker close, just a little harder than needed. I left the locker rooms and pushed up the flight of stairs at the end of the hall. At the top was a spacious office overlooking the warehouse floor at the store’s back.

The office was dominated by a massive oak desk with a lit terminal. Two moldy pictures of an older refined mare and pretty young filly hung crookedly on the wall by the door. I trudged inside and went behind the desk. I immediately noticed a safe tucked beneath the desk. “Hmm,” I looked at the terminal, sat on my haunches, and tapped away at the keys.

FILTHY RICH PERSONAL TERMINAL

PASSWORD: DIAMOND TIARA

I lifted a brow; this fellow was really typed cast, I see. I searched through his terminal and found the safe’s lock release and four uncorrupted journal entries. Well, I had some waiting to do, might as well see what kind of Pony this Filthy Rich was.

ENTRY 100: I have to once again commend myself for moving us here to Manehattan! My lovely Spoil has secured us membership at Tenpony Towers Country Club! All at a mere two hundred thousand bits yearly! Not to mention my darling Diamond Tiara has found herself a prominent position at the Ministry of Morale. All in all, things are looking up for the Rich family.

Entry 194: It’s silly, I mean really, us losing the war? Why we might as well be actually ruled by Nightmare Moon for all the sense that makes. But it set my darling Spoil’s mind at ease. So I have reserved us a spot at Stable 29. Though her relief did not last long. My dear Diamond Tiara has been relocated to the Shatter Hoof Re-education Facility. I have already sent letters to the MOM hub here in Manehattan demanding her immediate release!

Entry 211: I grow tired of these intrusive drills Stable-Tec demands of us! But, if we do not participate, our spot in the Stable is forfeit. Well, I better make this short. The fact they’re playing the sirens outside is just ridiculous. It’s only a drill; it feels disingenuous using the sirens. I have to make sure to make it to the Stable after picking up Spoil.

Entry 212: I think we were the only ponies to have made it here safely. It came out of nowhere; the explosion rocked the entire city. Thank Faust Spoil was taking forever to get ready. If she had been prompt, we’d have been down in the streets when the megaspell hit. Everypony at Tenpony begged us not to go. Said it was madness, Radiation, or worse, Zebra invaders would get us. I don’t believe they dared to look outside their windows. The green fires were still consuming the city. If we gave it as good as we took, I think the Zebras would have more significant concerns in their mind. I only thanked Spoil and her fears for us being prepared. We brought hazmat suits she acquired from the Ministry of Arcane Sciences. We stopped here for supplies; luckily, nopony has come to raid the store yet. Then again, I hope there are ponies left to do so. A Filthy Rich, full hoof discount! I hope whatever Pony finds this can make it out of Manehattan. My wife and I are heading for the Shatter Hoof Ridge re-educational facility. Our daughter is there; it’s a remote area with nothing of real value to Zebras. I pray to Faust I’m right, hold on, my little filly. Daddy and mommy are coming for you. To whoever finds this, Faust Bless Equestria…or what’s left of it.

This is probably why Ponies avoided two-hundred-year-old journal entries. I felt my stomach twist in knots, unsure how to feel about these ponies. I hope they found their daughter, and I hope they were able to live a whole life together. I looted the safe and found a laser pistol and hoof-full of magical energy cells.

I put a hoof on the safe door, ready to close it when I noticed something else inside. A picture of a magenta filly with a cornflower blue mane and tail. She was smiling, holding a sizable diamond in her hooves. I looked up to the moldy pictures by the door. I grabbed the picture and placed it in my saddlebags.

***

The Manehattan night was cool but never quiet. I felt my ears twitch every which way, picking up all the sounds. There was a low hum of the psionic towers, the groan of skyscrapers worn down by time and the elements. Though rare, the sounds of distant gunfire would dissipate into the sky from across the city. I sighed and leaned against the air conditioning unit, wrapping my poncho around me. I volunteered for the first watch. Everypony was inside the mart, probably sleeping. At least, I hope they were. Frankly speaking, sleep was the last thing in my mind.

“How’s guard duty?”

I jerked to the side, drew my laser rifle, and pointed to my left. Strider stood looking at me with a bemused look.

“Jeez,” I slacked against the ground, letting my rifle fall against my chest. “You trying to get ashed?” I sat back up, cradling the laser rifle against my breast.

“Ashed?” Strider took a seat next to me, placing his carbine rifle across his hind legs.

“I don’t know,” I shrugged, “that’s what that ugly jerk downstairs called it when I vaporized his friend.” Wow, I can’t believe I sounded so casual about that.

“About that,” Strider sighed, his eyes wandered up to the sky. “Are you okay?”

Hell no.

“Course, I just try not to think about it.” I shifted uncomfortably; the line of questioning really wasn’t helping me want to get some sleep.

“Yeah, I started out like that too.” Strider closed his eyes, and I saw him grip his carbine’s stock harder. “But, seeing a Pony’s head explode open like a tomato?” Strider looked at me and gave me a melancholy smile. “Ain’t no ignoring that,” Strider tapped a hoof to his head. “That stays with you right here.”

I looked at him; he’d only been a Ranger for a year, we had applied together, but I didn’t make the cut. It took me three tries before finally making it as a Ranger. Strider, meanwhile, got to do what I always dreamed of. “I’m sorry,” I muttered more to myself than Strider.

“For what?” Strider hummed and gave me a sidelong glance.

“We were supposed to become Rangers together, and I just held you back.” Strider joined the Order because of me. Strider could have done anything he wanted, be a scribe, become a trader, or just leave the Order to explore. My ears drooped down, and I tilted my hat down to keep him from seeing my guilt.

“Well, don’t be,” Strider knickered and waved his hoof at the ruins of Manehattan. “I had my own reasons to join the Order.” Then, he chuckled and grinned at me, “you know, besides keeping you from trotting into a minefield because you saw a cool piece of technology across it.”

“Pft,” I blew a raspberry at him and shoved him aside. “As if!” I laughed because I probably would try and justify a crossing for technology. “So, mind telling me, what’s your other reason for joining?”

Strider looked at me, then he stared off into the distance. Finally, he wrapped his hoof around his rifle and lifted it up. He placed the butt of it against his shoulder and aimed down the ACOG sights. “I wanna find the son of a bitch who killed my mother.” Strider squeezed the trigger, and the rifle clicked against the safety. “I don’t know who it was. All I got to go on is a name.”

“Who told you the name, my father?” I raised a brow.

“No, it was Elder Sharp Sides. That’s part of why I took her up on this outcasts deal.” Strider put his rifle down again.

“What’s the name?” I gripped my rifle tighter. The idea my best friend had to grow up without a mother because of some Raider bastard angered me.

“Stern,” Strider spat the name out like a vile curse. His eyes narrowed and pure hatred burned in his eyes.

“Shit..” I muttered and rubbed my foreleg with my other hoof. “I’m sorry, brother, I should have asked you this a long time ago.”

“Frankly, I didn’t want any Pony to know, especially you.” Strider narrowed his eyes at the sky. “I didn’t want you thinking I was only your friend to get promoted faster.”

“Why would you?” It hit me, my father. “Oh!” I laughed hard. I fell to the side and held my sides, cackling like that Raider jerk downstairs. “Oh, that’s rich; you’ve met my dad, right?!”

“Hey!” Strider looked mildly offended, but his face broke into a grin. “It’s not like I knew him before being your friend!” Strider cracked soon after and laughed with me. My father was the definition of a hardass. He breathed and lived the Order. He believed in our tenants almost religiously and absolutely hated any kind of sucking up. Star Paladin Heavy Arms wholeheartedly endorsed the old Equestrian meritocracy. Princess Luna and Celestia had always promoted the right Pony for the right job.

“Alright,” I wheezed, righting myself. “Well, you can count on me.” I owed Strider so much. Revenge wasn’t exactly something I understood; I have never been wronged bad enough to warrant it. But Strider was willing to put his life on the line for me. So I had to help him put this thing to rest.

My ears twitched at the sound of what sounded like a match strike. Strider was immediately on his hooves much faster than me, rifle aimed behind us. I followed suit, laser rifle raised, not even bothering throwing my poncho over my shoulders. Instead, my eyes knitted together, and I gritted my teeth, anger filling me up. The Raider had broken loose of his bonds. A yellow flare was lit behind him, but what really had my attention was Peppermint curled up in his foreleg, oblivious. His other hoof held a combat knife close to the colt.

“Shh, don’t go shooting that gun there, pretty colt,” The Raider taunted and nuzzled the colt in his foreleg mockingly. “Wouldn’t want to wake up the widdle shit.”

“Put.Him.down.” Strider growled each word through gritted teeth.

“I don’t think so,” The Raider licked his lips sickeningly. “I’m trotting out of here. I see mama Pegasus or anypony else.” The Raider brought the knife closer to the colt.

“Look, we could have killed you at any point.” I lowered my rifle slightly, “but we didn’t.” I tilted my head to the side, signaling the door he used to get up here. “Put the colt down, and I’ll let you trot out of here.”

“I’m taking the colt with me; nopony follows. I’ll have the little shit trot back to you.” The Raider gave me a gapped tooth yellow grin. “Deal?”

A pink magical aura wrapped around the knife and Peppermint. Then, what appeared to be a shadow grabbed the Raider by the throat and flipped him to the ground on his face. Next, the shadow pinned the Raider down, pressing an elbow to the back of his kneck. Then it pressed a huge trench knife against the Raiders back.

“No deal, meat bag.” Lemon hissed as she floated Peppermint over to my waiting forelegs.

“Fuck, alright, you got me.” The Raider smiled nervously.

“Good work Lemon,” I took a step closer to her, and she pressed the knife tip against the Raider, drawing blood.

“Fuck, come on, you got me. I’m sorry, I won’t escape again!” The Raider’s eyes were wild now as he pleaded for his life.

“Lemon, we need him.” Damn it all, I was glad Lemon saved little Peppermint on the one hoof. But, on the other, we really needed that bastard alive. He was our proof to Tenpony of the imminent threat. Without him, Tenpony might not listen to us without further evidence.

“Yeah!” The Raider looked to us, his eyes begging we rescue him from Lemon. “I’ll talk, man I’ll fucking sing if you want to!”

“Lemon, please…” I reached out with my hoof and lowered Strider’s gun next to me. “Just knock him out; once we get to Tenpony, he won’t be our problem anymore.” Please, please let Lemon listen to reason.

Lemon looked back at me through the narrow slits of her eyes. She closed them, and her hoof on the trench knife trembled. Finally, after what felt like hours, Lemon slowly pulled the Trench Knife back, and her posture relaxed. Then, the stupid Raider bucked Lemon off. “Wait!” I reached, unable to move with Peppermint sleeping in my hooves.

Lemon growled furiously and threw her trench knife right into the back of the Raider’s head. Instantly, she seemed to have recognized her mistake. The Raider’s body galloped a few feet forward, unaware it was already dead before collapsing. Lemon looked down at her hooves, her face an expression of regret and sorrow. “Valiant, I’m so sorry.” Lemon sat back on her haunches and cried into her hooves.

The door Lemon and the Raider had come through burst open. Flag and Buttercup, ready for action, quickly assessed the situation. A crying Lemon, me holding little Peppermint, and Strider looking angry at himself for being unable to contain the situation. Buttercup, for her part, looked to Lemon with pity in her eyes. Then, she trotted silently over to me, taking Peppermint into her waiting foreleg. “When she’s ready, Lemon and I should talk.” Buttercup nodded towards my crying squadmate before she returned downstairs.

I looked down and saw the knife used to hold Peppermint hostage. I felt my chest tighten, and I looked down to my right hind leg. My combat knife was missing; this was my fault. The bastard got away and threatened Peppermint because of me! I saw a shadow loom over the blade, and I looked up to see Flag. I titled my hat down, hiding my shame from him.

“Not to make everypony feel worse,” Flag grunted. “But I think shit’s got fucked up, as the Raider would have put it.” Flag trotted behind me as he looked up to the horizon.

I looked out to the skyline of the Manehattan ruins. Dozens of yellow flares now burned against the night. Every Raider would be on high alert from now on. My quest to go north just kept getting farther and farther away. “Fuck me sideways,” I breathed out, sitting on my haunches. Suddenly, I was really freaking tired.

Level up: 2

Perk: Wasteland scavenger: You're getting pretty good at finding valuable things! So go ahead, keep digging through trash cans! Who cares if everypony stares? You have a chance to get additional loot when scavenging the Wasteland.