//-------------------------------------------------------// Fallout Equestria: Undead Reknown -by Nightwalker1- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// The Awakening //-------------------------------------------------------// The Awakening %1% A loud deep breath filled the room and faded. It had been two hundred years since the spells hit, and the not-so-young prince had finally awoken. Breathing heavily, he sits up on his bed in the west wing. "Hello?" His voice echoed on for what seemed like ages, as he went to stand. But being as he just woke up from a two hundred year coma, he toppled to the floor. "Shit!" He yelled, which again echoed for a minute. The great walls of the stable, scorched and uncleaned, noted an attack. And this aching pain in his neck indicated that either he had a horrible knot in his neck, or somepony tried to make sure he wasn't living. With bullets! He crawled back over to the hospital bed, and climbed back on it to sit and rest. "Damn, how long was I out? Better question, where the fuck is everyone!" The splitting headache he had from waking with a hard welcome. AKA brick pillow syndrome. Made him clench his forehead in his hooves. "Agh! Fuck! I got a migraine! Lunadamned hard ass pillows! Shit!" Now, with getting all his rage out with the most unnecessary of vulgar words, he calmed down. Resting his head in his hooves. He thought to himself. 'I got to figure out what happened to everypony...it's a little too quiet. Especially for a stable.' He again stood, but fell to his haunches, hooves aching. "Oh yeah, legs. Heh." He started crawling into the hall to his quarters. He got to the door after two minutes of furious, hoof flailing quote unquote crawling. "Finally!" He opened the door, and some of his least worst fears were behind it...quite literally. Viscera lined the walls, spelling notes and warnings. Bones scattered across the corridor, flesh still rotting on them. "This didn't happen long ago from the looks of it. And these scorch marks are fresh." A clatter came from a nearby supply closet, and to the princes’ luck, a security baton was sitting there at his side...well, shoved in the eye socket of a pony's skull by his side. Which, being as he really didn't give a fuck, he levitated the baton up, and held it, floating with a red aura encasing it. He crawled towards the doorway, and flipped the switch to open the door. And what he found on the other end would change his life. A mare with a bucket on her head. "Who's there! Where are you! Why is it so dark and echoey!" The alicorn chuckled. "Why are you laughing?" She stopped freaking out. "You...do know you have a bucket on your head right?" "What? No I don't?" He fell over and laughed loudly. Which quickly got annoying due to the extended echo of the stable. As the mare continued. "Stop laughing! I'm being serious! I do not have a fucking buck-" He levitated the bucket off her head then froze. "Yes, you did. Now, I need answers. One, what happened? Two, where is everypony? Three, did somepony take all my blood packs and run down the halls? Also four, what's with the fake bones?" "Well, first off before I answer. Oh my Celestia you're awake! Now, mister Night Walker, that's your name, right? I'll answer your questions now with one word. Slavers." He shot the mare a confused look. "Slavers?" She shot it back. "Really? It's that hard to guess by the name?" She sighed longingly. "This is gonna be a long two minutes of explanations." "Oh, and before we start that. Do you have anything to help me? I kind of can't walk, and my body hurts like fuck." Night gave her a pleading look. "Well I got this." She pulls out a small pipe with a trigger and loads in a needle. "It's for when I'm lazy and don't wanna walk over and help my friends." She pulled the trigger, and the needle hit him in the eye. "Ow! Fucking shit the hurts like a mothe-" The mare shoved a hoof in his mouth. "Shut the fuck up and pull it out." She yanked it out of his eye, in which he responded with a tiny squeak of pain. She pulled her hoof out of his mouth. "Feel better?" He stood up and stared her down angrily. "No it fu-" She shoved her hoof in his mouth again. "No seriously, shut the fuck up, this place is crawling with radroaches and raiders. Are you trying to get us killed or something?" He shook his head. "Good, then shut up and talk normally." She took her hoof back again, and wiped it on a rag. "So, where are you going?" She got up and looked around. "Well I was going to raid the kitchen before the fireworks went off in here, and bolt my flank out the front while it is." She turned a little red in the face. "That was, until I got a bucket stuck on my head..." She tried to hide her face with her magenta mane, but failed, seeing as it wasn't really wide enough to cover her face completely. "Hysterical behavior for such a fine mare. But I don't think we have time for standing around. We have to reach my quarters. I keep a revolver in a safe under my bed. You know, just in case." He turned and flipped the switch on the door. Immediately, the dual barrels of a sawn off shotgun were shoved in his muzzle. "So..." The pony on the other end sounded dark, and merciless. "You finally woke up? I thought it'd be another year before we could sell you." "You'f kno, imf gettin' real terd of gettin' shith shofed in muh fashe." He magically gripped the shotgun, and made it backfire in the ponies face. Ripping his flesh and bone to nothing. "Hmph, idiot..." He used his magic to fashion a holster out of the pony's leather armor. Which he strapped to his right leg for quick access. "Moving on madam?" He stepped out into the hall, and made his way to the overseer's room. 'Damn, he knows how to kill!' The mare thought, looking down at the mush that used to be a pony's head. It slowly flowed to spell. 'Hurry the fuck up before I leave you.' "Oh great, and now I'm scared." She ran out the door to his side. "So, kid, what's a fine mare like you doing in a stable after the war? You weren't here when I came in." She sighed. "Well this mare isn't from a stable, I was born in the wastes, and I live in the wastes. I just came here for supplies and answers." "And you didn't expect anything out of the ordinary?" Night stared at her questioningly. "So how long until we reach your room?" "ETA four minutes, five minutes tops. Depends on what we run into down here. Radroach, easy. Manticore, we're fucked." "And yet you still smile notoriously? You know, you're a strange pony." "Oh really?" He stopped with a hoof raised, looking down to his right, grinning. "How am I the weirdest thing you've seen all day?" She stopped alongside him. "Well you're not, I just find you strangely educated about this era, yet you just woke up. How is that?" "I don't know, lucky guess?" He shrugged it off and kept walking. //-------------------------------------------------------// 220 E-Day //-------------------------------------------------------// 220 E-Day %2% "Alright, we're here." The dark alicorn stated, as the door slid open. Revealing a small, dimly lit room. Completely intact and unscathed. "This literally might be the cleanest place in equestria." The mare said in return. "So, my safe is under the bed." He flipped his bed, and popped the lid off the safe with a loud 'KLINK', leaving the revolver and many pre war gold bits out on display. He grabbed the gun, and spun the chamber, holster mind it at his side in the custom made holster from the broken safe. "Oh, and this too." He levitated out some dark blue armor. It had little blue boots, and a collar with a white moon on it. "My mother's armor, fitted to fit me of course." He put it on piece by piece, with a few little chuckles from the mare. "Oh, and I never got your name ma'am" "Violet," She said with a flick of her mane. "Violet Hearts." Night chuckled. "You a slut?" She stepped back and scrunched up her muzzle in disgust. "Well I never!" "What, with a mane flick like that. And the seductive sound in your voice. It really sounds like you're a slut." She huffed and bucked him right where the sun don't shine. "Oh yeah, might wanna tell you. I've been hit there so much I can't feel it. Like every other place on my body. Now I know why I'm always boned! I just thought about that." She stepped farther back, blushing slightly. "Excuse me, do you talk to your mother with that mouth?" Night smirked and rolled his eyes. "Yes, but do you fuck your mother with yours? Sounds like it." "Well I've never in my life met a pony as rude as you!" She blushed heavily, again, trying to hide her face and failing to do so. "I try." he snickered silently, and continued to fondle with the holster. Making sure it was fastened firmly in position. "Dick." She turned and trotted out the door, meeting on the other side, a total clusterfuck of slavers. Her eyes went wide, as she turned and went back into the room with the most retarded looking face ever. Night stared her down, and gave her a strange look. "What exactly is that face?" She slid her hoof across her neck like a knife, and made a fake gag. "What..?" The clueless pony looked at her, the face slowly changing into an unforced annoyed face. "Slavers, smartass!" She knocked him on the head with a hoof. "We're fucked!" He smirked wildly. "Well that's one way to put it..." He pushed her out of the way and took a peek out the door. Another shotgun barrel immediately shoved in his nostrils. The slaver pony smirked as he looked Violet and Night down as though he were staring down a meal. “Looks like we got ourselves a jackpot, a smartass stallion and little mare-friend,” the slaver said as he turned his attention to the other slavers who began to laugh evilly. The Slaver then turned back to Night with an evil grin “You two ought to fetch a nice price, now come along quietly or else things are going to get ugly”. He said, shoving the shotgun hard into Nights’ face. Night’s ears lowered a bit as he looked at the slaver with a nervous face. ‘I need to get me and Violet out of here, but first, I am going to have to take care of these guys. Damn, and there are more of them then I have bullets, oh well, no one said this will be easy, here goes nothing.’ Night thought to himself trying not to look so afraid. He wraps the slavers gun with a red aura, and with a strong jerk, he rips it from the slavers’ grip and breaks it over his head, leaving a bloody mess and a loud crack as the pony's head breaks open like a peanut. In return, the other slavers lifted their weapons and got ready to open fire. Night Walker, who was looking at the bloody mess he had just created, looked up and saw the remaining slavers aiming right at him. “Fucking hell”, Night wraps his revolver in a red aura and backs up slowly. “Violet, down, now!” Night yelled as he pulled out his revolver and taking into account of the amount of bullets he has, spins the barrel and fires his first shot at the slavers, nailing one right between the eyes sending him flying against the wall, splattering the stables metal wall in a crimson red mess of blood and brain bits. In return, the slavers open fire, night gets hit in the left hind leg as he bolts for cover using the stables metal wall as a shield. “Celestia be damned, that fucking hurt,” night yelled as he gripped the bloody wound with his hoof and looked over to violet who had used the bed as a barricade. “Ok, that was one out of six shots, we need to find an alternate escape route in case shit hits the fan” Night said looking around as he gets ready to get out of cover and shoot back. “Hey here’s an idea, why not the air vents?” Violet said trying not to get shot as she stays down low. “Toss me a weapon if that’s not too much to ask” Night quickly peaks out of cover and fires off two shots, one misses its target and grazes it while the other hits a slaver directly in his chest. Night then grabs a 10mm pistol from a dead slaver with his telekinesis and throws it to Violet who immediately catches it and ducks back into cover. “Thank you, now what the hell is the plan? Do we keep fighting, or do we risk it with the air ducts? Either way, we may end up dying so I guess choose wisely.” Violet said as she was now against the wall opposite Night the pistol ready. The slavers began to advance, eager to claim their awoken prize. “Violet, check your mag, how many rounds you got?” The mare pulled back the slide and checked the magazine. “One in the chamber, six in the mag.” “And how many slavers are there?” Night took a peak around the corner, a slug ricocheted off the wall right next to his eye. “Ah shit! Too many to count without getting hit!” Violet took a look at her surroundings. “I...I have an idea. But you might not like it.” Night fired off another round blindly, kneecapping a slaver, bringing him to the ground screaming. “We don't have that many options right now, I'll take anything over death!” “Alright, we’re gonna need a meat shield.” violet suggested causing night to jump back a bit at the line. “That's inhumane, violating the dead.” Violet returned instantly cutting him off. “Well either that or be the dead besides from what I hear you're a damned vampire, now grab a fucking body and get out there!” “Sheesh...pushy.” Night said as Violet dove into the hallway, priming her pistol atop a corpse. Folding a hoof over her head for protection. Night bolts out into the hallway after her and takes cover behind a corpse. Painfully forcing his wings to unfold just enough to cover his head for protection. “If we can make it to the end of the hall, we can climb the stairwell up to the next floor, once there, there should be a terminal to activate the stables security protocols, sadly I am not sure how well they are functioning so that’ll be decided later”. Night takes his revolver and positioned it on top of the corpse, with a spin of the barrel, the stallion lined up the shot and fired, the bullet zips from the barrel and hits a slaver in the side of its neck causing him to grasp his neck as the blood poured from the wound, the bullet then hits the slaver behind that one in the eye making him fall dead. “Good shot, keep it up!” the mare said as she fired off two rounds, the first bullet met its target’s leg causing him to keel over and scream in pain as the second nailed a slaver right between the eyes. “Yeah, well that leaves me with one round and there are still a few left.” Night examined the stables surroundings and noticed a pipe with a very sharp end right beside him, ‘let's hope I still have my aim’ the stallion grabs the pipe with a red aura and with careful aiming he hurls it at the slavers, the pipes sharp end catches a slaver along the side and cuts him open causing him to fall over dead, the pipe then impales a slaver through his head. Night spins the barrel again and fires his last round, the round flies through the air and nails a slaver in the chest. “We need to push forward, I’m getting real tired of this, and there are only five left” Violet said as she fired off two more rounds, the bullets hit a slaver in the head knocking him off his hooves and onto his back. “Agreed!” Night wrapped three corpses in a red aura and threw them one after another at the slavers as a distraction, he then bolted as best as he could trying to keep pressure off his wounded leg, the stallion then took the pipe he threw earlier and after pulling it out of the pony’s head, he uses his telekinesis to hit a slaver over the head knocking him out before stabbing him through the back. As the other four got up from the distraction Violet fired off another shot hitting a slaver in the neck knocking him back down, the pony flailed a bit as he gripped his throat and died moments later from blood loss. Night then quickly looks up as a slaver comes up with a baton ready to swing, he reacts quickly by pulling the pipe out and blocking the strike. The stallion then pulled the sawn-off shotgun from its holster with telekinesis, and placing the barrel in the slavers’ face, he pulled the trigger, blowing the slavers’ head off and covering the floor in a bloody and gutsy mess. Violet took a shot at a slaver who was trying to sneak up on Night, the bullet zipped clean through the head, knocking him onto his side with a thud blood splattering the nearby wall. The last slaver, who was still buried under the incredibly fat slaver whom Night had thrown at him previously, was struggling to remove the corpse as Night walked up to him with an emotionless face. “You make me sick,” night took the shotgun and fired a slug right into the pony’s chest leaving a massive hole in it. The hole gave a view of where his heart should be. The slaver coughed and gagged, blood flowing from his muzzle onto the already rusted stable floor. He took his last breath and fell limp. “I say we gather up what weapons and ammo we can from these guys and head up to the next floor” Night said as he took a strip of bed sheet from his room and wrapped the wound up the best he could, then began gathering up ammo for his shotgun and revolver, he then picked up a 10mm pistol and took the holster from a slaver corpse before strapping it around his back right leg. Violet nodded and started to gather ammo, and even picked up a shotgun for herself. “Got everything you need?” Night asked as he checked down the hall to make sure there were no surprises before walking over to ensure the staircase was secure. “Yep, that’s everything now let’s get moving. I’d like to get out of here as soon as possible.” Violet said as she trotted up to him. “It'd be best if you took point, you know this place more than I would” the mare said as she messed with her holsters to make sure they were secure completely. “Alright, come on let’s get to the armory room, there should be something in there we can use” Night said as he proceeded up the stairs, violet following close behind. The two get to the next floor and proceed to the security room only to find it trashed and the door jammed to the point it will not open or shut. “Damn, guess that explains how these slavers got in. Okay...then onwards to the armory and equipment rooms” Night said as he walked down the hallway a little farther. “You don't think they could've already taken the weapons?” The two walk inside “ok Violet, I would suggest getting on a suit of vault 220 combat armor, it may be light weight but it should be better than nothing. They should be over there” Night said as he pointed his good hoof over towards a set of lockers. “Gotcha” the mare walked over to the lockers and began looking as Night looted the ammo crates and even took a bag from one of the lockers then loaded the ammo into one of the pockets. He then searched the room until something caught his eye, something was shoved into a locker in the back of the room. He walks over and pops open the locker, a very old skeleton falls forward onto the floor. The only thing left was the patches of zebra fur sticking out of the skull, Night immediately began to examine the corpse and found the dog tag. He immediately stumbled back panting after seeing who it was. “A’rin!?” Night said, trying not to cry over seeing his best friend's corpse, the next thing that caught his eye was the intact zebra commander sword which had rusted blood stains on the blade sticking from his rib cage. The blades’ enchantment was still good and Night recognized the blade as belonging to his friend. Night took two gun holsters and created a sheath for the sword then fastened it to his side. He then took the dirty black cloak from his friends’ corpse and put it around him like a cape, it covered his legs and wings revealing only the collar of his mother's armor. “Who’s that?” Violet asked as she walked up to Night, her helmet tilted onto the side. “Just an old friend… guess I know what happened to him now, or can only guess..” Night said as he sighs and walks to the door. ‘Was he murdered.. If so then by who?’ night thought to himself as he was filled with guilt, sadness, and rage. “Did you get yourself a good gun violet? I got us some ammo from those crates over there but everything else was raided it seems..” night said as he shook off the sadness and rage then let out a sigh. “I couldn’t find any weapons but I got myself some combat armor from the lockers” the mare said as she patted Nights’ shoulder. “Come on, let’s get out of here princy, are we taking some sort of back way out of here?” Night only shook his head “no, the access tunnels were sealed shut with special airtight locks, which were made to open from the security room with my access code. But...you saw that wouldn’t work, so we will need to hope that there are still civilian transports on the landing pad at the top of this mountain. I mean seeing as you cannot fly of course.” Night said as he shot the mare a humorous grin. Violet shot a look back and said “you can’t fly either you haven’t any-” before she could continue. Night pointed his hoof to his wings and gave her a smirk “what were you saying miss?”, violet huffed and turned her head away. “Okay smart ass, if you are done let’s get moving” violet said as she walked out of the room. Night chuckled as he walked up to her, “follow me we have several floors to go still, better get moving.” The two started down the hall and up the stairs, avoiding what they could and fighting when they needed to. After what seemed like hours of walking, the two finally arrived at the top floor of the stable. “We’re here, just give me a minute to unlock this door and we should be home free.” Night said as he walked over to the large stable door’s control terminal, “hey Violet, watch my back while I do this alright.” Violet rolled her eyes “ok, if you say so” the mare turned around and stood watch at the door behind them as night got to work opening the giant rusty door of 220. After what seemed like an hour of tweaking and button mashing, Night Walker finally got the old rusty metal door to open with an ear splitting screech of its old rusty mechanical gears grinding to life after 200 years of stillness. “I impress myself sometimes” Night chuckled as he looked back at violet who was now walking up beside him. On the other side of the door was a massive chamber, a large rusty pre-war shuttle sat on the landing pad with the bay door controls across the room, a low hiss came from across the room. “What in the sweet hell was that!?” night said a bit spooked, he cautiously lifts his revolver from its holster with his magic and loads the chamber with bullets then flicks it back into place with a click, he then starts to slowly approach the location of the noise. From out of the corner of his eye he sees movement and fires a round, the bullet hits a very large rodent dead between the eyes as a dozen more come crawling out of the vents towards them. “Violet. Get into the air ship now!!” Night yelled as he bolted back towards the mare who was already one step ahead of him. “Mole rats? Does this thing even work?” Violet said as she closed the ship's doors tightly while night started messing with the controls. “I don’t know but there is only one way to find out” night said as he began pressing random buttons and trying to remain calm. ‘I so hope this thing at least has weapons of some kind, or else we are so fucked.’ night thought as he slams his hoof on a large red button which causes the whole ship to moan to life and a set of launchers to fold out from the wings. “So she works a little, let’s try these missiles” night pressed a button but nothing happened, the missiles were so rusted that they weren’t being released but still had charges in them. “Well that didn’t happen, what now smart one?” Violet said as she kept the mole rats from breaking in. “This ship doesn’t have enough juice to take off but the missiles are still armed, I have a plan, pop that hatch below you and wait till I say then jump out.” Night said as he directed all the ship's power to the missile controls. Violet nodded but only because arguing would have been pointless now. “Ok jump!” The stallion yelled as he bolted towards the mare who jumped out under the ship with night right behind her. The rats took the bait and flooded the carrier just as it exploded sending shrapnel and burning metal along with rat guts flying across the rusty metal chamber. “Now let’s get these doors open” night said as he pressed a button on the bay terminal and the large rusted bay doors opened up with a screech as the sun, dust, and wind poured into the room. “Ahh fresh air, it’s been a long time, I wonder how I should surprise mother luna and Aunt Tia when we get to Canterlot” the dark alicorn said with a smile. “Well...um... never mind, let's go,” Violet said as she ran ahead of Night and into the outside. “Hey wait up” night said as he follows her and stands beside her on the cliff side overlooking a massive sea of clouds. “Sweet Celestia, are we above the clouds?” Violet said, gazing wide-eyed across the blanket. “Yeah, but don't get so used to it...something tells me we’re about to be in trouble.” //-------------------------------------------------------// Natural Occurences //-------------------------------------------------------// Natural Occurences %3% A patch of black spots could be seen flying across the clouds. A V formation of what looked to be tiny manticores. Yet as they got closer, their forms became more clear. Pegasi in heavy armor, scorpion-like tailed armor pieces, with bladed wing covers. “Violet, ready that pistol of yours, here comes the welcome party. And they brought gifts.” Violet gripped her pistol tight, and all Night could do is stand and wait. Still...staring death down the barrel of a rifle is a hobby of his. So it's a fifty fifty chance of his survival. The group of Pegasi swooped from below the cliff, and stood at a hover just off of the edge. The commanding officer’s armor stood out from the rest. Red stripes down the forehead part, metal plates covering the neck and legs. It looked like a set of power armor, but at the same time, it was light enough to fly in 'that armor looks almost like the power armor dashy made' Night thought to himself remembering how devastatingly powerful the armor was. He spoke after a short pause. “In violation of the Pegasus Enclave laws, you will leave or be killed. No pony from below is allowed above the clouds unless of Enclave origins, or do. support our cause.” The voice sounded familiar, the voice in his head was jogging his wartime memory. It was on the tip of his tongue. “Do I...know you from somewhere? Your voice sounds very familiar.” “No, I've never seen you before in my life. I was born here in cloudsdale, my father and mother both deceased, and I am a high ranking officer of the Grand Pegasus Enclave!” His voice began to gain in aggression. “Now leave before I am forced to slaughter the both of you!” “Burst!” The whole group staggered in their wake. The clanging of metal, and whispers of the other Pegasus. “I knew I remembered your voice!” Night said in a slightly excited tone. “H-how do you know who I am?” The leader aimed his plasma rifle at Night, charging it up to fire. “It's me, Night walker, we’re brothers! Non-biological true, but still, brothers!” “I don't have a brother! You're insane!” He took off his helmet for a better look at Night. A black and crimson Mohawk mane spiked up from the helmet. Every feature like Night’s brother. Just..no horn, and his eyes were deep blood red. Gaze confused, but deadly. “Whoever you are, I still state this! Leave or die!” Night staggered at the resemblance. Had he just met his nephew? If he did, why did he not recognize him? “Fine, we’re leaving. But we can't go back through the stable.” Violet looked off the cliff and jumped back a foot. “I don't like heights!” The four armored Pegasus laughed behind the lead. Until he gave the silence order. “Then you can scale the mountain. There should be a path just below the clouds. But be warned, if I see you up here again, I will personally kill you, and any pony else with you.” Night scowled at the Pegasus, and carefully made his way below the clouds, Violet close behind him. “Who was that Pegasus?” Violet said, staying behind Night, and trying her best to keep balance on the rocks. Night took a long look over the clouds again. Multiple gigantic pylons stuck out of them. Major protrusions in randomized spots around the view. “It's Burst, and I get the feeling it's not the one I knew a long time ago...sadly.” Violet looked at Night with a face of stricken sadness. “Well...if it's before the war, and they didn't get out in time, they’re probably-” “Probably what?!” Night snapped back at her. “Are you just gonna stand there and tell me what I already know?! You don't have to make the pain greater than it is!” Violet gave a hurt look, looking the tall pony up and down carefully. Night turned to see her face, and sighed in regret. “I'm sorry, Violet, I'm going through a rough time. I wake up to a dead stable, a whole new Equestria, and my brother dead. I need some time to adjust...not to mention my two hundred year coma taking away all my magical abilities, including my flight ability.” He fully extended his bat wings for the first time, examining large rotten holes in the pelt that covered them. “I don't have much left to be honest.” The stallion let out a sigh as he stretched his wings a bit, leaving them slightly open so they could get some air after the hundreds of years of misuse. “Come on Violet, let’s get moving, I would like to get off this mountain as soon as possible”. The two made their way down the mountain trail cautiously, trying not to fall off. “There are service tunnels leading straight into the stable, I would advise caution. Never know if there are some kind of surprises waiting in them.” Night said as they got close to the first tunnel. Night peeked into the first tunnel to find a pony armored in white Steel Ranger power armor, black zebra stripe decals and a brown torn and dirty cloth wrapped around its neck. Its head was down and was leaning motionless against the rusty service tunnel door of stable 220, the pony was lifeless and looked like he was laying there for a long time. “A Steel Ranger? Up here?” Night asked puzzled as he approached it to examine it better, upon closer examination night could see that it had been there since the stable had been sealed shut. Is...is it dead?” Violet asked shakily, moving up on the flightless alicorn. “It’s a Steel Ranger...they were an armored military unit, and police for the ministry mares. The founding one, Applejack, was the head of the Ministry of Wartime Technology, and I had the honor to fight alongside the massive armored battalion, before I was pulled to Oversee Stable 220 sadly.” Night said as he turned to leave. “Come on, let’s let the soldier get back to his eternal rest in peace” the stallion turned to leave the tunnel, Violet close behind. “Yeah, good idea..” She took a last look at the corpse, peaceful and sad. The end of a war, the look faded, the feeling stayed. After hours of walking, the two had finally made their way to the base of the mountain. As midnight rolled around, the dark princes’ eyes began to glow a faint ember color, his pupils turned to slits as his vampiric night vision turned on. “It’s getting dark, let’s look for a place to rest,” Violet said. The mare looked up at Night and jumped a bit as she saw his eyes, “Oh sweet Celestia, your eyes scared the shit out of me.” Violet said as she stared at night, a shocked and awed look on her face. “That’s because it wasn’t dark enough for my eyes to do this. Never heard of night vision before?” night said with a chuckle, scanning the area. “Though without the moonlight, it might as well be a glorified light show, cannot see very far...or well” night remarked. “Only animals have night vision, you know, rawr.” Violet said with a weird and confused look on her face. Night took offense to that, giving her a slight scowl. “Well if you're inferring that I'm a bloodthirsty animal, you're kind of right. Part vampony, part unicorn, so blood is sort of what I live off of, but I can still eat normal foods like you.” The two scouted out for a clear spot to rest. “Oh, well that looks fine.” Night gestured towards an overturned skywagon. “Yeah, but it's gonna be confusing to sleep on the ceiling.” Violet giggled lightly. “Well come along then, it’s most likely not dangerous.” She trotted ahead of Night, and straight towards the wagon. Night soon followed behind. Violet drew her pistol, two bullets in the mag, slowly pushing open the door with her muzzle. “I think it's clear to open.” She said, pushing open the door, putting her pistol back in its holster. Night trotted in behind her. An old dirty mattress sat in the center of the room, the skeleton of a pony atop it. Mare from the muzzle shape. “I guess the waste wasn't good to her..” Violet said, staring at the gear on the skeleton. “Leather jacket, a metal haunch pad, and probably some more stuff in her bag.” Violet said with vigor. Night scanned the room. “There's a radio in the corner, a couple sheets of cloth, and some crates. Wanna check those?” Violet was already in heaven. “Hell yeah I would.” She said excitedly, whilst she was looting a rotted corpse. “Perfect, now all we need is a fire to keep us warm, we may be able to listen to music if this radio works.” night said as he started to make a fire pit with the rocks he found laying around. “We don't have any wood to burn, and I didn't see any trees.” Night thought for a moment. “Hey Violet, you think you can help me chip some wood off one of the broken wagons outside when you're done scavving?” She gave a quick nod, checking the dead pony’s pockets. After a few moments, Violet looked up from the corpse, eyes full of sadness. “All they have is a pair of tweezers and a fucking pocket watch. No wonder they died...I'll be taking the jacket though.” She shook the bones out of the coat, wrapping it around herself magically. “One of us should stand watch.” she suggested, pointing to the doorway with a hoof. “Don't need any unexpected visitors in here.” Night gave a glance. “Well for one, you're helping with firewood. Two, I don't think any pony's out here.” After violet finished scavving they both headed outside to chip off wood from the other wagons. A bit later the two returned and put the wood in a pile where Night then started the fire and turned on the radio trying to search for a good station or any station so he could clear his head. But nothing came over the radio. Violet turned to night with a smile. “Better safe than sorry, am I right?” She said with a chuckle. “Yeah, true to that.” “I will take first watch, if there is nothing I will get some rest. I will wake you if anything happens.” Violet said as she took note of the prince's wounds. Night nodded, feeling the pain from his wounded leg, which was still wrapped up in the now blood soaked bed sheet. Night removes the bed sheet and carefully removes the bullet, he then wraps the wound up with a new sheet throwing the blood stained sheet away. That night, Night Walker began to have dreams and flashbacks of the war, vivid images of friends who he lost in the war, the countless lives he took in his mother's secret mission assignment to take out the enemy threat from their home front. He began hearing the echoing screams of ponies and zebras alike as they die, their voices never to be heard again. He remembers the sight as cloudsdale fell from the sky, and his mother's voice as she assigned him to oversee the stable 220. As morning came along, Violet awoke to see Night thrashing in his sleep. “Hey, wake up” Violet said as she nudged night but no response as he was still thrashing about violently. “Night Walker!” She screamed at him and he jumped awake. “Violet!” He woke up hyperventilating, bolting upright. But he slowly calmed to a steady breath. His heart slowly went to normal pace. “Night, what's wrong?” “It's nothing, don't worry about it.” He assured her, but she saw through his lie. Yet she accepted he didn't want to talk. “Okay, but I'm here if you need-” She was cut off abruptly. “I said I’m fine Violet!” This was the first he’d ever yelled at her. She didn't like it, but she had pushed too much on him. Her ears slapped to the side of her head, and she moved her gaze to the ground. “I'm...sorry Night” She said, a sad shaky tone to her voice. Night, noticing what he’d just done to the mare, stood. He reached his arms around her and embraced her. “Celestia I'm sorry Violet, I shouldn't have yelled. I'm just...a little agitated from all this. I wake up from a two hundred year coma to find the world was set ablaze. I can’t explain why all this is happening or exactly why or how it happened and it angers me.” Violet looked up at him, pleading for a smile. “Well, if it helps, it's not at all as bad as it looks”. Night sighed and let out a smile as he pats the mare on the head. “Well… I suppose it’s not, Violet, you know the way around better than I do, how about we head somewhere to get some supplies,” He said with a smile. “Besides, after waking up after 200 years I could use a shot or three of A.J Daniels” he got up and stretched his legs and wings then opened the door of the bus to look up and see the once beautiful city of Canterlot miles above them with a strange pink glow around it. “I wonder if… either of the princesses made it out alive… or are alive..” He sighed and walked back inside the bus then slouched down in one of the benches. Night began to mess with the radio again, soon a voice broke the static “Good morning folks! How are you all this fine morning? It's your host, Mister Caravan here! And thank you for listening in on Wails of the Wastes! Today's tip: How to craft a pipe gun! Fun right?” Violet walked over and gave the prince a hug, “it’ll be ok Night, I promise” she smiled as he looked at her. “Thank you, Violet,” he said, returning the hug and standing up, wearing a more confident look as he gathered his things and headed towards the bus door. “Come on, we are burning daylight. I think there was an old military outpost not far from here, if we keep moving we should be able to reach it and if we’re lucky and it’s still there, and has not been looted, gather what supplies we need then be on our way” he said as he put out the fire. Violet, glad she was able to help, stood up, gathered her things then walked out to join night. “Ok, so, our first main destination should be New Appleloosa, we can sell what we don’t need and then we can plan our next destination.” She said as she pulled up Night’s pip-buck’s map. “We could head for Tenpony Tower afterwards,” she added. Night nodded and began walking, following the road and examining his surroundings. “Ok so Appleloosa then Tenpony? That sounds like a plan.” He said as he walked ahead of the mare. An hour of walking later, the two reached the gated entrance of the old military outpost. “Awfully quiet, let’s be careful” night said cautiously as he gently pushed the gates open which screeched on their hinges. “Well, so much for being quiet,” Violet remarked as they walked inside. As they walked in, they noticed a bloody scene, the desiccated corpses of ponies hung like decorations from the walls or ceilings, or lay in the road or on mattresses. Words written in blood lined the walls, Night upon seeing this went into full alert wrapping his revolver and sawn-off shotgun in a red aura getting ready for a fight. “Doesn’t look good, I have a bad feeling. Violet keep your eyes and your gun ready for anything” Night said softly as they made their way further. Night heard a soft sound beside them, like a hoof step sneaking up on them. He stopped and cautiously approached the sound, as he got close a white unicorn pony in spiked leather armor jumped out at him swinging a pipe violently at the prince. Night quickly moved out of the way of the pipe before drawing the sword, then swung the blade catching the pony's throat and decapitating him. “Shit, Raiders” Violet said as more ponies in spiked leather armor came out aiming their guns at them. She took her pistol and fired off a shot, hitting one in the knee, causing it to fall over in pain. Night pulled his revolver from its holster along with the sawn off shotgun, taking cover behind a large stone piece of wall, he took aim and fired a shot at the raiders from his revolver. The bullet slammed into one nailing him in the throat, the raider fell to the ground gripping his throat as he thrashed around blood spewing from the bullet hole, he finally fell limp. Velvet fired 3 shots from her 10mm pistol, the rounds hit a raider in the chest flooring it. “Only four raiders left, let's end this and collect whatever supplies we need” night said after gunning down a raider who was very short and completely bald, he reminded Night of a mole rat. “Make that three…” night said as he ducked just in time as a slug hit the wall right by his head. “Shit, that was a bit too close for comfort” he said, firing back, knocking the raider to the ground. “Gotcha bitch” “Two..” Violet said in return as a bullet zipped past close to her eye ricocheting off a nearby stone wall before shooting back, grazing the raider who was on a building above them in the face, slicing his mouth open, the raider fell gripping his mouth in pain. Night then leaped from cover and charged the raider, jumping into the air he unsheathed the magic infused sword before landing bringing the blade across the raiders neck, the prince spun the blade, flung the blood from it and sheathed the sword. He walked away and clicked it into the case. When he did, blood erupted from the raiders throat as its head slid off onto the ground. “And one..” Night said as he shot the last raider who was right next to him now, in the head with the shotgun ripping its head to nothing but a bloody gutsy mess. The prince walked up to violet and smiled. “You ok violet?” Night asked curiously Violet nodded “yes, I’m fine. Come on let's get moving” Violet walked ahead of the dark prince, as they searched the old ruins the two gathered what ammo and supplies there were. Afterwards the two made their way towards the gates on the other side of the outpost. “Ok so how long will it take to get to New Appleloosa?” Night asked curiously. “I’d say about 2 days maybe, depending on what way we go or what we run into out here” Violet said in return as she checked her map to check on distance and possible routes. “Ok well, we do need to locate a place to sleep till we get there for the night's we are just roaming around.” *night said as he looks up at the mountain one last time wishing he didn't drink himself into a coma maybe would have saved so many ponies from death* “hey violet.. you don't think that maybe there were survivors from the vault somewhere do you?” Night said a bit anxious and hopeful* //-------------------------------------------------------// Pulled Strings //-------------------------------------------------------// Pulled Strings %4% The Duo head out from the military base following the main road or what is left of it with the sinking feeling that they were being followed but unsure of what. After a couple hours of walking the two hear what sounds like gun fire up ahead, “Sounds like someone may need a helping hoof, come on Violet let’s get a closer look” Night said as he takes off running at a full gallop toward the sound of the gunshots, Violet rolled her eyes and began to run after him “I swear this guy is gonna get us both killed, hey wait up”. The two reached the source of the gunshots only to find what can only be described as a slaughterhouse, ponies torn apart, blood and guts strewn all over and it just looked like a scene from a nightmare. The gruesome scene led to a large stone building with a large steel ranger statue at the entrance, this sight sent Night into a flashback as he saw the building for what it was before the war. This was military base Omega this was the very base that he was not only enlisted in but this base was the exact one where he would leave his power armor a gift from rainbow dash, and the love his life a beautiful cream colored earth pony mare with a rose red mane and tail, Rose strings was her name and before the war she was a talented musician. Night was only able to see her again briefly before he was pulled away to go oversee vault 220 after his return home from bombing the enemy behind their lines of course. Snapping back to reality, Night shook his head violently “that’s going to take some time to get used to” Night said as he looked over at Violet “are you ok Night? You kinda spaced out there” Violet asked, a bit concerned. “Y-yeah I think I’ll be ok violet, just this place was the last place I saw before entering the Vault so it brought back some memories” Night said as he gave a reassuring smile and trotted on ahead into the building. On one of the desks was a manifest ‘strict orders to move the vampire princes prototype “X01'' Advanced Tesla Armor to the basement of military base Omega under strict lock and key and protected with the highest level of security possible per princess Luna’s orders’ Night read over the orders and he let out a slight grin “so they never let it leave the base did they?” Violet walked up a bit confused “Never let what leave the base?” Violet asked reading over the manifest but was interrupted by the sound of gunshots deeper in the building. “Well looks like we got to get a move on, let's go night” Violet took off toward the sound as Night looked around for a minute and spotted a memory orb next to a headless skeleton, he levitated the orb over and tapped his horn against it. Suddenly he was back in time but it wasn’t his body that he was occupying this, instead it was a mare and this was around the time Night was being sent to vault 220. He saw himself in the distance talking to a pony in pitch black power armor with a golden wing emblazoned on the saddle. Night got done talking to the soldier and approached the mare “hey Rose, looks like I am off on another mission. this time I am to be overseer of probably the largest vault constructed, Vault 220 built on top of the other vault in the mountain not entirely sure why, but it's not really my job to argue” I could feel the mare's pain as i walked away “oh, and Rosey if, we don’t see each other after all this… just know I love you” Night said with a smile as he looked back and then walked away. Rose began to silently cry as he left, the vision waned as it moved to another part of the memory roughly three hours after night leaves, a large blast rocks the outpost, she was caught in the blast as it blew the window out and disintegrated her flesh all the way to the bone. Night came out of the memory gasping as he let out a growl, a strong scent hit him hard as he looked around, the sound of gunshots had stopped but he heard hoofsteps two pairs one sounded like it was wounded the other was slow, like a predator stalking its prey, night could hear the slow spin up of a mini gun. “NIGHT WALKER HELP!!” Violet shouted from down the hall, pain and terror in her voice, without a moment of thought Night began to sprint towards the sound. As he rounded a corner he saw it, a tall mare about as tall as aunt tia, long flowing mane, black coat and eerie green eyes, with a sinister grin she let out a crazed maniacle laugh as she looked night over “so, this is the one you were trying to get to save you, dumb bitch he can’t save you and now you die!” The alicorn spun up the mini gun and fired it at violet, the bullets hit her in the side, luckily missing any vital organs but causing severe damage. She let out a loud scream in pain as she fell to the ground hitting her head on a large chunk of concrete knocking her out. As she was slipping out of consciousness she saw as Night jumped out to protect her. The prince let out a large growl as he bared his fangs, he looked down at violet “I’m sorry Rose, I must now break my promise” he bit down on the large gushing wound and took in some of Violets blood, as he did bright red magic sprung out around him, his mane shot to life as it flowed like a bright red flame, his wings shot open and his eyes began to glow a deep blood red, his fangs seemed to have grown larger in size as he looked at the alicorn with disgust. “Your scent reeks of artificial growth and alterations. You dare call yourself an alicorn? I’LL RIP THAT HORN FROM YOUR HEAD MYSELF!!” Night said as his voice changed, it had a more dark and sinister almost hungry tone to it. The alicorn growled and began to fire up the gatling gun again, night began to charge her as the bullets tore through him but he didn’t feel it through the blood lusted rage, a vampiric power that is unique to him alone, he slammed into the alicorn just before she could put up any defenses, his curved horn piercing her chest she let out a loud shriek in pain, the gatling gun was still going and was pointed directly at his hind leg, the bullets tore through it at such a close range. Night's rage was beginning to wane, he removed his horn from the alicorn's chest and severed her head with his sword. After she fell he began to feed on the alicorn's blood before collapsing unconscious himself. Hours had passed and he began to wake up slowly. His body felt stronger somehow as he slowly lifted his head to look around. He saw Violet tightening a bandage onto her side before looking at him. “Oh, you’re finally awake? I-I’m glad” she said with a smile blushing slightly. “You saved my life again princey, but next time you bite me, at least take me out to dinner first would ya” she said with a giggle and booped his nose. “I- I felt I wasn’t going to win unless I drank real blood not that fake blood that I am so used to drinking, it was kinda outlawed back then so I was kinda afraid” Night said as he tried to stand but found he couldn't because his leg was far too damaged to support his full weight. “We’re going to have to find a way to get you moving, lucky for you I found something with your name on it.. Literally!” Violet said as she ran over and slapped a button turning on a light that showed a cage with a power suit behind it, it looked like it had seen better days as it was a faint black with rust covering it, the armor was slightly damaged from the blast that rocked the outpost as well, “My power armor? Quick help me over to it violet.” Night began to limp as best he could over to the terminal and unlock the cage with the secret password only he knew. The doors mag locks disengaged and it opened with a metallic screech. With violet's help he managed to enter the suit and close it up, the helmet's HUD came online and it showed the fusion core was almost drained of energy and that several parts had taken severe damage. “That’s going to be a slight problem, but for another time, let's see if we can get out of here,” Night said as he began to walk. His armor was not as bulky as regular power armor. Instead it had a very light, sleek design, along the shoulders and the spine of the suit there were Tesla coils but they were offline due to a lack of power and being damaged. The enchanted mini gun was useless so he removed it from the battle saddle and then took the minigun from the alicorn and rigged it in place. “Looks like the years haven’t been kind to this suit a lot of the functions are either in disrepair or just needing repaired, but it will have to do” Night and Violet began to walk out of the outpost, as they stepped out into the open he pressed a button on the side of the helmet that released a hiss of air as he then removed the helmet and had it placed inside the saddle bag on the suit before taking his torn Vault 220 cloak and placing it in his saddle bag as well. “There, now let’s get moving, violet, there’s a spot on this map that has been marked. By the look of it we will be passing through it on the way to New Appleloosa” Violet looked at night “oh? Ok well i’m sure we can make a stop there on the way, any idea what it is?” she asked curiously “not really, just that it was marked Operation Night Strider it’s only a day's walk from here.” Night said he looked down at the mare and smiled ‘I think it’s time for me to let go’ night thought to himself glancing back at the outpost window that his former mare friend took her last look through right before the blast hit the base and sighed as he turned walking away. They began to walk towards the next stop. //-------------------------------------------------------// The Vampire, The Earth Pony and The Sphynx //-------------------------------------------------------// The Vampire, The Earth Pony and The Sphynx A full day has passed and Nightwalkers’ night vision begins to kick in as the duo continues on their journey. The energy cell inside Night Walker's power armored suit had died some time ago making traveling a bit more difficult but with how severe his leg was wounded and how much pain he was in without it wearing it just couldn't be helped, better than trying to crawl. ‘How did we even survive that.. especially me I should be dead’ Night thought to himself as the pain in his leg was beginning to get unbearable. Violet looks around limping as she starts to get weaker with each step. “Hey… Princy I don’t mean to bother you but I need to lay down. I'm not feeling very well” Violet said as she staggered trying not to fall down the effects of her wounds beginning to take hold and her body exhausted. Night barely got to her before she collapsed breathing a bit heavily, he lifts her up onto his back and began to walk trying to find shelter. He trots ahead his rusted armor fighting him with each step soon finding an old sky wagon laying on its side, he forces the doors open and gently places violet inside covering her up with his old vault 220 cloak. “I will be right back, I need to go find some emergency supplies.. Patch you up at least” Night said as he left the unconscious mare in the sky wagon and headed out Nightwalker followed the road for about a mile before he came upon what looked like an old pre-war medical facility, it was small and only looked like it was big enough to handle certain types of emergencies unlike a hospital. “Don’t look like I’ll find anything better than this” Night said as he entered the building. Inside the building was a mess, papers and clipboards scattered across the floor, the facility gave off an eerie vibe as night continued forward. 'First thing I should probably grab would be some bandages or bedding cloth then I should probably try and locate a few blood bags or something' Night said to himself as he walked over to the nurses station hoping there’d be a supply list or something that’d help him out. Suddenly Nights bat-like hearing picked up a disturbance coming from behind him, his ear twitched and as he turned to face the source he found himself staring down the barrel of a full .50 caliber rifle. “I don’t take kindly to trespassers, why have you come here and make it quick, you have till three” the voice behind the gun was female yet had a certain fierceness behind it. Nightwalker's night vision was able to make out the figure very well, she looked like a griffin but wasn’t, she had the body and tail of a lion, wings and head of a pony. Her eyes were green and feline, cat like fangs, her coat was a bleached blonde color, hair was a crazy combination of green with blue stripes. She stared the prince down with a very serious almost death stare. “I didn’t know this place was occupied ma’am, I came here looking for medical supplies, you see, my.. Um mare friend was badly wounded. She needs blood and some new bandages. Once I have those I’ll be out of-” before he could finish the figure lowered the gun just a little “lemme stop you right there, your friend was hurt? And you just FUCKING LEFT THEM WHEREVER THE FUCK YOU FELT LIKE LEAVING THEM, HAVE YOU PERHAPS BEEN LIVING UNDER A DAMN ROCK!!! AND THEY’RE A FUCKING MARE TOO! I OUGHT TO CASTRATE YOU MYSELF!” she yelled almost roaring as she hit nightwalker over the head with the butt of the rifle. “Ouch, fucking bitch that hurt, and yea.. I had no other choice and she’s safe. I hid her in a sky wagon a mile up the road” Night said, rubbing his head. The figure just about hit him again before she began to walk past him towards the door. “I swear you are hopeless how you made it this far without being killed is beyond me, there’s a storage room that should have what you need just down the hall,.. I’ll go watch over your little friend but after that you owe me bat boy” the figure walked out the door and as she exited the building she spread her wings which now that they were fully outstretched seemed to look more like a gryphons than a pegasus and flew off towards violets direction. “I sure hope I just made the right choice letting that thing go to violet..” Night said as he walked down the hallway. After about thirty minutes of searching, night finally found the supplies he needed to tend to violets’ wounds plus a book on how to mend wounds with magic that the vampire prince gave a happy little bat-like squeak to “this ought to come in handy.. Now let’s get back to violet.” Night said as he stashed the supplies in his battle saddle and walked out the door as fast as his power armor would let him which wasn't very fast considering it had no power. —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It was daylight by the time Violet woke up and began to look around. Night was asleep, almost cuddled up to her, she blushed slightly a faint smile crossed her face ‘I can’t believe I’m this close to him’ she thought as she tried to move a bit, a sharp pain suddenly filled her side forcing her to lay back down “well well well, she’s finally awake. Your boyfriend there did a damn good job at patching you up, however I wouldn’t move too much the wound is still pretty bad, and might I add you two are some kinky fucks, you let him bite you on your flank? can't say you two don't know how to keep things spicy, though you may want to tell him to not bite down so hard next time.. unless of course you like that sorta thing” a voice said coming from the entrance of the sky wagon causing violet to turn to it, upon doing so she saw a cat like figure staring back at her “who or better yet what are you? And what are you doing here? and I-it's not like that either!!” Violet said cautiously and somewhat embarrassed by the comment as it caught her off guard completely, her eyes searching for her gun only to see it on the other end of the wagon out of reach. “I am Flare Blitz or Hotshot whichever name you feel your little pony mind can better remember, and I’m a sphynx my little pony, and don’t worry... if I wanted to kill you you’d already be dead.” flare said as she knelt down next to Violet, her sharp talons out on display making violent back up into night a bit. “H-he’s not my boyfriend” Violet said blushing slightly, turning her head trying to hide her face in her mane. “Oh but you want him to be don’t you” flare said almost teasingly “I-I don’t.. Yes- wait... I mean” Violet began to get redder and redder before burying her face in her hooves and letting out a faint scream. “Don’t worry your secret's safe with me” Flare said with a chuckle patting the flustered earth pony on the head before she began to walk out of the sky wagon “so where are you two heading? With your injuries you won’t last very long out here” Flare added turning her head toward violet “We are heading to New Appleloosa and with Night we should be able to-” violet was cut off as the sphynx raised an eyebrow at her “Nightwalker... was it? can’t hide the smell of blood from me, I know he is injured somewhere and he is simply forcing himself forward… for you. He is like a wounded animal and that armor being the condition it is in will not be of much help to him, not much longer anyway. I am going to tag along with you two at least till you make it to your destination then I am out of here, and I won’t take no for an answer” she said with a very 'if looks could kill' type scowls making violets ears slap back. “Fine fine, you’re right we won’t make it without some help.” Violet said laying back down she stroked nights crimson mane with her hoof as she watched him sleep. “Once he wakes up we can get going. I don't want to wake him.” Violet said with a smile and flare gave a nod before she walked outside perching herself on top of the sky wagon. As Night slept he began to dream again, this one was much clearer. it was the battle of shattered hoof ridge, he was only there as an observer at first but upon seeing his friend Big Macintosh take that bullet he slipped into action. Going against the wishes of the princess he bit into the neck of a zebra and drained it dry entering into a vampiric blooded frenzy he carved a path for the princess to escape. This dream amplified the screams of the zebra he cut down, it began to slowly torment him, he could feel their flesh in his teeth, taste their blood and smell the total fear from that day he could hear celestias' voice calling his name, "nightwalker, nightwalker, NIGHTWALKER!!" this time it was violet night bolts straight up as he surveyed the room he wasn't fully out of it because when he looked to violet he saw a zebra soldier who he killed in battle. This made night jump backwards extending his wings and baring his fangs "I.. I killed you, you're not real you're not real..." Night was shaking his head as violet was starting to get worried. "what's his problem?" Flare said a bit concerned. "he has these... flash backs of his past, this is only the second time he's had one of these but it's a bad one." Violet said before trying to approach him, he suddenly tackles violet who then hits him over the head causing night to snap out of it "ugh.. did- did I hurt anyone.." Night said as he looked at violet a bit hurt that happened. she only shook her head with a smile and hugged him "I'm just glad you're ok princy" Violet said which made Night smile a bit. "I don't mean to interrupt but we are burning daylight and it'd be best we keep moving still got a good while before we reach new appleloosa and I bet Night here would like to get in his armor so he can walk." Flare said as she helped night walk over to his armor. "you know, that leg may wind up being better off amputated bat boy" flare remarked as she got a better look at the stallions leg. "you got the balls to try and cut it off kitty?" Night remarked only to find a talon pressed against his jaw "call me that again and I'll make sure you won't have to worry about fillies or colts of your own ever again understand me?" flare said with a grin. "Now let's get moving" she said as she shoved night into the suit and closed it up before walking out of the wagon with night and violet right behind them. "how much longer till we reach our destination? or do you still want to make that pit stop?" Violet asked curiously as night used his EFS to track his destination "due to how bad our injuries are and how low we are on supplies I'd much rather not chance it, so we should continue ahead shouldn't be but another days walk" Night said as he walked ahead. "you got wings yet you're walking I just noticed that" Flare said as she gave night a puzzled look "yea I'm unable to use em, been asleep for 200 years and now my wings aren't as strong as they should be" Night said slightly stretching them out a bit. "or and hear me out, you're a pussy and too afraid to fall on your face trying to relearn such a basic skill" Flare said which night gave an offended look to "I am not scared" Night said slightly offended. "really? ok prove it" Flare said and before night could respond she lifts violet up and carries her up into the air before dropping her "Catch!" " wait no no no no.. damn it night walker help!" Violet yelled out as she began to fall Night began to gallop at full speed flapping his wings to no avail they weren't strong enough so he used his telekinesis to catch her and set her down. "what the hell was that!?" Night said furiously "that was an attempt to help you fly, but looks like you're not ready yet" flare said apologetically "sorry I was only trying to help" Night sighed "ok well don't do that again now let's keep moving" Night said walking off. new skill learned: Vampiric blood rage description: after drinking fresh blood the user is able to enter a rage like state dealing +2 damage to unarmed and armed melee attacks. pros: user feels none of the damage from physical or ballistic attacks for the duration of the rage. cons: after rage wears off user is fatigued and any damage sustained during the rage is felt. user also cannot use any magic or enter another rage for approximately one full day. //-------------------------------------------------------// LEOPARD BLITZ //-------------------------------------------------------// LEOPARD BLITZ CHAPTER 6: LEOPARD BLITZ The trio traveled for a few hours before coming onto a set of train tracks and what looked like a settlement in the distance. Night levitated his rusted brown helmet onto his head, the helmet slid onto his head easily, its copper and dirty visor sliding over his face to block the sun from his eyes, he looked over to violet and stopped “hey… I just had a thought but I don’t have the tools to do it, this armor has a built in power source. I may be able to tap into it and charge it if I can plug my pipbuck into it. And in turn powering my.. that ‘s only if it works and the power cell isn’t burned out.” Night said as violet and flare stopped beside him. “Whatever you choose bat boy either way New Appleloosa is right there and my job here is done, maybe one day we’ll meet again… for now though I have to go” Flare said as she turned and began to walk away. “you should reach it by nightfall if you hurry, just be careful you two and try to stay alive.” with that she spread her wings and flew off before night or violet could say anything. Night rolled his eyes and sighed before turning to face the town “I guess we should get a move on” night began to walk towards new appleloosa with violet close beside him the two trotted on for an hour before nights sensitive ears caught the sound of flapping wings closing in from the same direction as the town. Night stopped and when he did a bullet grazed his neck he spread his wings and got into a combat pose minigun spinning up as he faces the location of the shot “damn this suits EFS and targeting assist is offline, Violet looks like our opponent is an aerial combatant most likely a pegasus be ready for attacks from the air” Night said quickly analyzing the situation violet only nodding as the shooter closed in. A sand colored pegasus with a brown duster and matching western hat was closing in, what looked like a lever action rifle to his side he landed right in front of night and violet his weapon ready to fire “Ah won’t be missing a second time, you enclave types had better git ‘fore ah splatter yer brains across these here wastes, ah won’t be going back there alive either” he cocks his lever action rifle and extends his wings. “I don’t know who or what this enclave is soldier, but I guarantee I am not one of them, however I don’t exactly appreciate being shot at” Night said not taking his gun or his eyes off this new pony “Now let us pass, We have business to do in New Appleloosa” Night said, moving forward only to be shot at point blank range from the pegasus, his bullet penetrating a weakened section of armor right above Night walkers heart causing him to gasp abit coughing up a little bit of blood as he collapsed falling to the ground covering the hole with his armored hoof and growling at the pegasus “D-damn you” he began to force himself up but the added pain of the bullet hole to his chest and his leg was beginning to wear the prince down he could feel his body beginning to give up as he slowly began to lose consciousness the pegasus flew up and slammed himself down onto nights wounded leg the bones snapping under the suit night let out a loud pained cry as the pegasus turned his attention to violet. “Now Ah told ya to git out of here..” the pegasus looked to violet but before he could react the mare already had her pistol ready and shoved it against his muzzle “you shot him!? We told you were only looking to trade and you shot him?!'' Violet was practically screaming as the pegasus looked on with a blank emotionless face “Ah’m sorry miss but ah can’t be too careful now ya hear? But if y’all are serious bout this ah s’pose ah can get y’all inta new appeloosa for whatever business y’all have there follow me” the pegasus said as he reached down and grabbed a lasso from his saddle bags “he can’t walk and ah reckon that bullet missed his heart but he will need medical attention so y’all better tie this lasso round his waist tight as it can get so we can pull em” the pegaus stated as he pulled a rope from a saddle bag under his trenchcoat violet sighed “fine but you are definitely gonna pay for this” she took one end and with some help from the pegasus they tied the rope around night and the two pulled him to new appeloosa. Night woke feeling somewhat numb where his wounded leg was supposed to be… supposed to be. Night began to freak out “no no no no” he looked to his wounded leg to find that it was in fact missing the stump that was once his leg was bandaged up with what looked like metal protruding from the stump. The vampony looked around the room, in one corner he saw his power armor sitting there plugged into his pip buck which he doesn’t remember removing it at any point he’d have to ask Violet about it when he sees her. He saw his saddle bags propped up against a chair in the opposite corner. “I guess my leg will no longer be an issue but… how did I-” before he could finish the door to the room opened and a unicorn stallion with a snow white coat and crimson mane walked in his cutie mark was a cyan blue cross. “Oh? You’re finally awake!, I am sorry about your leg monsieur but the damage to it was too extensive. I had no other choice but to amputate it post haste. I however do hope it was ok that I took a small sample of your blood. Your body's ability to regenerate is superb and would make for excellent research.” the stallion said as he approached night from the front door and began to check his bandages. “Oh, I also took the liberty of tending to your wings. You should be flying again within a few days at the most and your pegasus friend was in here, Leopard Blitz I believe was his name. He was constructing something for your missing appendage, not sure what though he should be back momentarily but for now can I get you anything?” the stallion said curiously as he tightened the wraps. “Y-yeah what’s your name and where’s violet, the mare that was with me.?” Night asked, still feeling the effects of the medicine he must’ve been on. “The pretty little earth pony mare? She should be returning soon as well, I think she went to trade some things for supplies, too bad she has to deal with that dreadful zomb.. I mean ghoul pegasus. As for my name, you can call me Dr. Cyan Cross I’m this towns’ surgeon, and as much resistance this towns pony folk had put up to letting a “monster” inside their walls in which case your winged friend was quick to remind them of their resident ghoul. anyway I’ll be in and out till you’re good enough to go but for now you need rest I’ll be back in a few hours to check in” with that Dr. Cyan turned and walked out of the clinic, the sun from the windows began hitting night in the eyes causing his vision to go hazy. He covered his face with his pillow and forced himself to go back to sleep. —---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Ah hope you don’t hate me for shootin ya boy, by now y'all should know my name as Leopard Blitz though ah much prefer to be called Leo due to our talkative doctor. But lucky fer you ah know my way around that there pipbuck and power armor of yers so ah’m making it upto ya by constructin a prosthetic attachment that will allow ya to use your armor and with more ease of movement also ah noticed there is a mount fer a bigger gun on the opposite side of yer armor so ah left it alone figured y'all had a reason fer that being there also that there pipbuck of yers I had to remove to charge yer armor luckily ah had the tools to remove it since ah have a pipbuck of mah own. However yer goin to ‘ave to allow me to permanently attach the armor to yer leg.. Ah can't guarantee it won’t be painful but ah feel like y'all have been through enough that a lil bit of pain won’t bother ya none.” Leo said as he walked over and began to gather tools. “Ah will ‘ave to put you under so ah c’n get ya’ll fixed up” Leo added as he stabbed night with a needle that was filled with a sedative that began to almost immediately work putting night into a deep sleep. Night awoke eventually sometime later the numb feeling in his leg was replaced by pressure around the bend of his knee. He sat up and looked at his leg to find that the lower half of his power armor hind leg was attached permanently; he then looked up to see what could only be guessed as a small modification to his armor that would allow an easier access point. From his armor he looked to the corner of the room to find Violet asleep on a pile of hay and for the first time since he met her he finally got a good look at her, he noticed her dirty violet mane and tail, her pale pinkish coat, her violet heart shaped cutie mark that was surrounded by several other smaller hearts he could only imagine what she did to get that . his eyes followed every curve of this young mare's body as he noticed himself getting feelings he's not felt in years he wanted to buck himself for the thoughts he was having as he was unsure of how violet felt about him. blushing slightly night took his blanket wrapping it in a thin layer of red magical aura and covered the mare with it before trying to stand up only to fall flat on his face with a THUD. “Ow dammit that hurt '' he began to crawl over to the door as he got close the door swung open smacking him hard in the face causing him to shoot back gripping his nose with his hooves a tear in his eye. “I am terribly sorry sir, I was simply coming to check up on you. You've been asleep for two days now, your friends were getting really concerned for you. But I see you're up and moving around, would you like a hoof in standing up? We can get you some practice in walking with your new leg.” Dr. Cyan Cross said as he lent Night a hoof to help him stand up which night took gladly as he pulled himself up gathering his balance using his wings to help balance himself. “Now, let's take it easy. How about a slow walk around my office and when you’re ready we can walk outside to our resident ghoul. Apparently she wants to see you for whatever reason.” The stallion said with a smile. So the two practiced walking for about an hour before Night finally said it was time to take the practice outside very eagerly. “So doc what can you tell me of this ghoul. Why would she want to see me? Night asked curiously. as they got closer to the store night seen on the store front “ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING” “The ghoul has been around since before the megaspells, she may have known you since you two are from the same time” Dr. cross said as he stopped at the door “unfortunately I would rather not go inside I just can’t stand to look at that thing” with that the doctor turned to leave night standing in the door. //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue %I% prologue It was noon...the mega spells had just started going off, one by one, hitting big targets. First went to the ministry towers. Second, Pony Ville and sweet apple acres. Last, was Canterlot. There were two stables, one in Canterlot, one in the mountain. The ones that were lucky were signed up to enter the "Let's Get Along" stable, as the Rangers like to call it. The unlucky either died, or were sent to the largest, most elaborate stable of them all. Stable number 220. The first class, exceeding the princesses, we're all in the other stable. Lower class civilians were all in 220. But what made this stable so bad? Was it the food shortages, or the pipe leaks, or the fat mare in the lunch line that got more than her fair share? None of these...it was because our leader was a prince. The son of Luna, and basic spawn of darkness himself. A vampony alicorn prince. To make this matter worse, he was an alcoholic. So when he got here, he brought with him about twenty four kegs of AJ Daniels. Which, of course, were gone within the hour. And what happens to ponies if they consume more than five shots of liquor? Well either they get extremely drunk. Or they do what he did and slip into a coma.