Family and Friends

Its been a few days since we woke up to a changed world... We had to go a bit wider than we thought before reaching Cloudsdale... Well... We werent there just yet actually..... We had to find refuge from rain in a cave... It wasnt too deep but we at least collected enough wood before the storm actually hit.... only knew it was coming because the morning we set out, we saw clouds, thunder and lightning on the horizon. Managed to collect bundles of wood with Big Mac's axe. Last night I actually opened that spell book I stole from Canterlot without Shining knowing. Runes were something I didnt understand but hand gestures? Now this I knew. I did a few of these just to experiment.... I could make things levitate, move things slightly but I didnt wanna do anything destructive.... Okay maybe I threw a glass down. Scared Shining and I told him I nodded off a little, accidentally knocked it over. Anyhow tonight I was just.... afraid... to go to sleep.... I was scared.... May have actually grabbed a full bottle of whiskey during a quick supply run at a store, barricaded by survivors.... Not really any to speak of though. Didnt find anyone there... Might've moved on to go scavenging or something.... But hey... I got me a bottle.... Once I opened it, I took a sip. That sip turned into a few.... then before I knew it a third of the bottle was gone. I just closed it keeping it with me as I watched the wind whip outside, rain falling down. Though as I sat there watching everything I couldnt help but just hear the screams of my family.... Wondering where I was.... "Ryder?! Ryder!?" They all called out.

I swear that lasted forever.... their screams drowning out the sound of the wind and rains, lightning flashed green, illuminating the cave. Their cries still grew louder and louder still calling out my name. Things around me started to shake before I was just freaking out ready to run. I only realized that things werent shaking and the voices faded only to find Shining nudging me. "Ryder? Ryder you good?" He asked. I just started shakily breathing. The whiskey still clutched in my hands. He sighed before sitting down next to me. He took the bottle from me.... For a moment I thought he was just gonna smash it or toss it outside the cave. But no... He just took it and took a swig himself. "...Guess you're trying to drink away the pain huh...?" He asked. I sighed.... Just dug in my pack to grab a metal bottle for water. I sipped some making sure my water ration wasnt gonna screw me when I needed it.

"....Yeah... just.... my family.... if I knew this was coming.... I'd've been there with them.... ready to face the fire that burned the air...." I replied. I looked back at Soarin and Big Mac, both sleeping near the fire that was still burning. "....yet I was with you guys.... celebrating my new title.... the new life I thought i'd have.... Maybe do something for Equestria that wasnt putting myself in danger...."

"...I hear you dude.... When Cadence and I heard you were made a Prince by Celestia.... Cadence and I wanted to do something special for you.... we wanted to give you something to reflect that title you rightly earned.... It would've been something you, AJ, your sister and even Big Mac could enjoy.... Now I just wish there was a way I could tell Cadie i'm alive and kicking.... She'd probably send someone to get us... maybe.... but.... to her and the other Princess.... we're just skeletons in a charred wasteland, wind flaying our flesh from our bones...." He sighed swirling the alcohol. "Go get some sleep..... My turn to be on watch... And dont worry about this... I'll make sure the guys get some to keep em warm." He held up the bottle of whiskey. I nodded and just moved to the back of the cave near the fire. Tried to get comfortable before falling asleep.... though no matter how comfortable I got I knew it wasnt gonna be anywhere near comfortable as being in bed with Applejack....

As we slept I could hear everyone moving in and out during their shifts... my rest was about as good as a glass precariously perched on the edge of a pin needle ready to endure an earthquake. I still got as much rest as I could until the alarm clock went off. Once we were up we saw Soarin just asleep near the entrance, the now empty bottle. Shining went and woke him up while Big Mac and I got food ready for everyone. I've been more akin to the canned fruit we had though today I just had to suck it up and eat some veggies. Big Mac sighed as Soarin and Shining came over to us sitting around the smoldering embers of the fire, smoke still rising somewhat out of the bundle of burnt sticks. "....How's everyone holding up? Everyone good?" He asked. Nobody spoke up. Just the sound of us eating our food from the cans, the spoons we had just scraping the textured sides. "...Look... Judging from the whiskey bottle we'd all been drinking out of I know we aint good by far.... But we gotta keep going for our family... the ones we love.... We're doing good so far, just gotta keep going...."

I sighed just swirling around the juices in the can with a few pieces still floating in it. "...No objections here.... But you can blame that whiskey on me.... Just.... Hurt and that seems like it was the only thing to ease the pain...." I said.

"No worries there.... Guess'n we all had some pain... Others more than usual because I'm damned sure I left that thing with at least half the stuff still in there...."

We all looked to Soarin. Shining handed him some water. He drank it like it was still the freshest thing ever. "....Yeah... Sorry.... My drink of choice there..." He said.

"Aint nothin' to be sorry over Soarin. Just gotta ration it next time we get something.... Hell maybe if we find a few flasks we can split it up with whoever got the bottle getting the last bit of it that wont fit in the thing." Soarin sighed after swallowing a big helping of what food he had. Think that was a can of fava beans.... Think wine is better than whiskey with that but to each their own.

"Well... I know where to get something more if you dont mind stopping...."

I huffed downing the rest of the can. "Where at? Know of a liquor store around?" I asked.

"Nope but.... We can go get your mothers stash at the Wonderbolts facility if you want... I know where she has it."

I stayed silent.... Just tossed the can aside, the empty thing just banking off the cave wall. Shining huffed. "Sounds good there.... Though I'm just gonna stick close to Ryder today...." He said just resting a hand on my shoulder. "You and Mac gonna be good together?"

Big Mac let out a hearty belch. "'Course we are." He replied. "You just do whatcha gotta do there Shining.... Lord above he needs some backup..." Guess he could see how much that hurt without even me saying anything... and I'm not gonna lie it kinda did hurt... knowing we could just.... happen upon my mother's corpse.... I just sat there with Shining and started to breathe. Even took our rad meds while we had to redistribute things for our hazmat suits to fit in some bags. Of course I still held quite a bit. When we left the cave we just had to breathe the air.... You could still smell burning things in the air but at least you could see the sun.... The changing of the time of day actually made it better for our mood. We knew Celestia and Luna were still alive... or at least one of them.... I guess even they wanted the world to go on. Anyhow we set out making our way through the wilderness outside of Cloudsdale.

Forgot to say but we didnt really find any weapons in the depot the other night.... Guess they cleaned house for whoever was there.... No weapons, no ammo just a few rooms with wood scraps and such. We just had the pistols we had and all the ammo we had gotten for em. Think the most we've had to do was to just scare off some already scared animals. Mine was the loudest of the guns. Just pointed it in the air and fired scaring a few wolves off. Anyhow as we trudged through the area I fell behind with Shining. "....Why even suggest that?" I asked. "....Not sure if its to toughen me up or get to me but.... I just.... that's just uncalled for! We could just find a store, head inside again..."

Shining sighed. "Dont let it get to you.... He knows your mother had some stuff and it might be untouched." He said. "...We wont have you go in anywhere unless its clear.... If she is there.... We'll give her a burial.... Sound alright...?"

"Yeah... that's fine.... Just.... wrap her body up if possible.... I just dont wanna see her that way...."

"...No worries there... we'll do that... Just breathe deep dude..." I just kept breathing... the smell of burning stuff kept filling my nostrils.... I just kept telling myself it was just wood... and buildings.... Certainly not the dead cinders that are the flesh of ponykind cast into the wind.... After a while we found the cliffside to the WBTF. Had to walk around it to find a way up. Soon we came to the road and probably the worst view I've seen.... The weather factory in ruins and the rainbow falls just.... a dark drippy mess.... Something I once took comfort in watching now reduced to a slimy mixture, the colors just mixing together creating a horrific sight to see. As we walked up Soarin had to stop because the whiskey weighed a bit heavily on his bladder.... Guess we all had to go because once he went to the cliffside to relieve himself we all did.

Once we got to the top we just looked at everything.... the fence was busted, the office still in tact somehow, the other buildings just.... ruins.... all ruins.... The worst one was the mess hall. That thing was just crumbled down. Next one was the gym building.... Half gone. Least of the ones gone was the barracks. That was just missing the doors, part of the roof was caved in but it seems like it was still usable as shelter if needed.... Though as I looked at everything I started hearing their voices again... the voices of my family.... Scootaloo, Babs and Applebloom mostly.... All screaming to either go higher, lower, slower.... Hell I could even hear Dash.... "Come on! Lets see who's faster!" Her voice said. "Is it gonna be me or you Ryder? Ryder.... Ryder..." My name echoed until it faded becoming Big Mac's voice.

I was so spaced out I didnt see him trying to get my attention. "Ryder? Ryder? You in there bud?" He said waving his hand in my face and snapping his fingers. I just shut my eyes, shaking my head just snapping back to reality.

I took a deep breath. "....I'm.... I'm fine...." I said. "Just... so many memories rushing back...." Big Mac sighed.

"....Come on.... Try not to think about it..... Just a little longer and we can do what we need..." He hugged me.... I just hugged back.

Shining sighed just looking on at me just as Soarin was going in to the runway area via part of the busted fence. "Big Mac.... Just head inside with Soarin.... I'll hold back with Ryder...." He said. Big Mac pulled away from me and just patted me on the shoulder before hurrying over to sneak his way in too. Shining came over to me and just took my hand leading me towards the office. He looked to me. "You mind?" Without a word I just kicked at the door near the handle and it broke off. I looked away as he just looked inside. "Alright.... Clear for now...." He went in first... I followed hesitantly. The inside almost looked untouched.... Just had a few computers busted, knocked over, papers were all over the desk like it was sign up day. He pulled out a chair and just stood behind it. I sat down in it and he just sat in front of me. "...Ryder... You're worrying me man.... This isnt the first time I've caught you with that thousand yard stare.... I get it that you're having thoughts about the ones you love.... But you gotta keep going.... for them.... I get it you dont wanna see them gone before you.... I get you dont want them to live through this world that has been created.... but just imagine.... they're all there waiting for you where you want your final resting place to be.... Just be strong enough to make it there.... That's what I'm doing.... I'm just making believe my sister is at her castle... Just waiting for me...."

I just whimpered. "...But that's what I'm afraid of..." I said. "...I dont wanna see them dead or dying.... I dont even wanna see them alive, living through this wasteland... This hell brought upon the world... The night after the first we ventured out... I honestly wanted to strip off my fucking suit, walk outside until I just fucking dropped dead.... But no.... I didnt... Its not a way I wanna go out.... I'd rather it be quick and painless... yet its just painful enough knowing we didnt die like the rest of em.... but.... I just dont wanna suffer... nor do I wanna know they suffered...."

"....That's understandable.... But you really need to be strong.... They might not be there when you get home... they might be there as well.... Either outcome is scary..... But where ever they are.... they're waiting for you.... just take a deep breath here.... I'm gonna look around here... make sure we're not gonna find anyone here...." I nodded and just started breathing.... Didnt stop the tears from coming.... I honestly sat there and cried for a bit while Shining just scoped things out.... Thankfully my mother wasnt in here.... We did go into her office to find things... found a snub nosed revolver in her desk.... Fully loaded too.... Guess it was just in case she found Mythic snooping around... I just took it and unloaded it before putting it in my bag. I did get caught up in memories again.... mostly with pictures of after mom and I revealed our bond as mother and son.... He understood there but dragged me out of there. Though we needed to go find Big Mac and Soarin.... I just wanted to go look out over Equestria.... Biggest view here....

I saw Canterlot in the distance, still burning and destroyed.... Though the sun was still shining through the Fallout in the air it was beautiful in its own sense. The mushroom cloud had faded but you could still see where it was.... Ash still rose from the crater it caused. If being an artist was my special talent, I'd've painted this until my dying breath. If it werent for nobody to be around to see it and appreciate it I still probably would've.... Though something... Something felt off... Like... Someone was beckoning me.... Calling out somewhere below.... I heard nothing but... I felt that call... I wanted to step away but... something nearly pulled me forward.... Nearly.... The only thing that stopped me was the fact that as soon as I put one foot out I heard someone call my name. "RYDER!" I heard Big Mac call out. I stepped back and looked towards the buildings to see Big Mac rushing towards me. "Ryder! Fuck man get away from there!" He rushed over and grabbed my wrist dragging me away like I was Applebloom misbehaving at the mall. "Not. Yet. And dont be giving me that bullshit that you were gonna stretch your wings out or something. I know wanting to jump because of what happened when I fucking see it!" I just stayed quiet knowing I wasnt gonna talk my way out of this. "Look.... I aint gonna say anything because Shining asked me to come get you before those meds wear off. Gotta eat some lunch, take our meds and rest before plotting out a route to Ponyville..."

I just stayed silent.... Just kept breathing. Even looked to the buildings that were destroyed.... I just followed Big Mac back to the barracks.... When we got there we all just decided to shower to at least get clean. Nobody sat on watch while everyone else cleaned up. All just showered together, dried off and just sat down to eat.... Though I needed something other than water to drink. Soarin came with me to go clear out the rubble enough to raid the kitchen.... Big mistake.... We.... We found my mother... buried under the rubble.... I just.... honestly I couldnt do anything..... Only thing I could do was be dragged out by Soarin who had to yell for Shining and Big Mac while he sat there consoling me trying to keep me from crying... well... harder... Soarin and Big Mac had to help get my mothers body out from there and get her prepped.... Shining had to go in and grab whatever we could for drinks... Even found a few bottles of whiskey.... One to drink, the other to bury with her.... Soarin even knew where a shovel was kept and where they could bury her... Hell... Out of my depressed rage I grabbed a few bunk beds and just started destroying them, screaming it out. They just let me do it.... though they did take my gun away for the time being.... understandable. We had to carry her down the hill towards what was the Rainbow Falls.... Spent a good few hours digging a hole deep enough before I had to carefully lay her down in it. Big Mac found some machine parts from the weather factory that was just... GONE.... like no fucking joke that thing made rainbow falls and just... yeah... fucking gone... He just grabbed one, stuck it in the ground as we finished filling the hole... Helps when you fashion a makeshift shovel out of the hood of a car... Once we were done the sun was getting ready to set... Fitting even.... Soarin sighed as he wiped sweat from his brow. "....Anyone have any words?" He asked.

I gave a sigh.... Sniffling a bit. "....My mother.... She may have given me up but it was out of love..." I said. "...She loved me enough to make sure I grew up with parents who couldnt have a foal themselves... yet they did.... My mother was kind enough to adopt that foal that I called a sister for years.... If I could've spent the last hours before a new world born.... I would've.... Not only with her but with my family.... To hug her.... tell her I love her one last time.... But.... I cant now...." I choked up, tears welling up in my eye. Shining came over and just hugged me..... Big Mac and Soarin following suit.... I just couldnt help but break down there.... After we had our little makeshift funeral we headed back to the WBTF and just shut ourselves in to the barracks.... Shining was good enough to grab me a sports drink from the fridge in the mess hall but that was about it...

I drank that.... even made sure I ate something more and then sleep... thankfully they let me sleep...It was still a bit of a fractured sleep... Kept waking up to everyone moving about... shifting in their sleep but at least this was more comfortable than a hard floor.... Cots I'd have to get comfortable in during the war would've been more preferable to the hard floors of caves, armory bunkers, abandoned warehouses and such. That next day we just decided to stay here for a bit.... Not get comfortable mind you but maybe build it up for survivors to take refuge.... We had to take scraps from the mess hall and safe to say I had a destructive good time ripping chunks of debris apart, using them for walls at cliffsides to prevent ponies from going and climbing up or even having snipers take out innocents trying to survive. We were about half way done before it started raining.... we all had to race inside to take shelter from the irradiated bullshit that was this rain. I was the most wet out of it. That was fun.... And because I didnt wanna take another pill I hit myself with the liquid.... I was on the toilet for an HOUR. No fucking joke.... When Daring said that this was fast acting she really meant it... Drank the gross tasting liquid in one gulp, ten minutes later I'm on the can. Once I was done there I had to just go and lay down, sweating.... Lucky we stocked up on stuff to help me rehydrate and even eat. Big Mac sat with me as I ate some canned pasta. "Glad I aint you with that...." He said. "You good now Ry?" I hesitantly nodded as I drank a juice drink. "Yeah... Go and just take it easy and please try not to shit yourself.... Dont trust any gas." I nodded just being able to give a groan.

Shining came over and sat down. Soarin was just sitting by the door keeping an eye on supplies, the outside blocked from all of us. "Alright, Soarin says this might be a bit of a big storm so we might need to keep inside for tonight and tomorrow." He said just giving a sigh. "Might be able to run through the night tomorrow maybe but we need to figure out where we can go from here to at least get some shelter and rest for that night." Big Mac looked to Shining as I sipped my juice still feeling like I just shit my brains out.

"Big storm huh? Hopefully it dont last days... Dont really think we even have the food or water to do that... Might have to split up, have a team head out in the suits and under those anti rad meds and scavenge up some supplies or something... Not to mention Ryder here is shitting his brains out so he cant do anything and we dont want him alone if something goes wrong with him..." He huffed.

"Yeah.... Dont wanna have everyone go out if he's still gonna be out of commission... Least he isnt going through radiation poisoning... From what Twily made me read on it after explaining some lore from Nukes galore he'd mostly be weak, puking and losing his hair... So far only one of those but he's good there..." He looked to Soarin who looked almost as if he were nodding off at the door. "Thinking for just tonight nobody needs to be on watch... need to move a bed or two in front of the door and just sleep then... Gives us some much needed rest, we're protected, if anyone does try to get in we just show we arent to be messed with."

"Sounds good there... I know we've been taking turns on shifts but should at least sleep as best we can just maybe make sure we have someone sleeping closer to the door to warn everyone just in case... someone who sleeps lightly maybe?"

"Only one who sleeps kinda lightly here is Ryder and he's in no condition to fight anyone or anything..." I yawned a bit just rubbing my eye, my stomach just calming for the moment from the juice. "Speaking of him thinkin' he needs some rest after that liquid medicine..." Big Mac looked me in the eye.

"Seems like a good idea for him... Ry why dont you just go find a bunk, lay yourself down, I'll find a blanket for ya... Kay?" I nodded hesitantly. "It's alright dude... Its been a day... We're here for ya if you need... Just make sure you're empty before you get yourself some rest..." I nodded more as he took my drink and had Shining help me to my feet. Went over to the back, hit the bathroom and then chose a bed closer to the bathroom just in case. I fell asleep and just stayed asleep for a while. And I mean a WHILE. I ended up waking up when it was dark. Shining, Big Mac and Soarin were all asleep, there was like... four bunks piled on the door back to back. I got up, stretched and just sat there in the dark. Barely even a week ago I was contemplating what my mother said.... even longer since when she asked what I was doing even though I was a General, keeping my family safe and what not... But I never got a chance to tell her.... to say I was gonna be setting my weapons aside until I needed them.... that I wouldnt be getting myself into danger unless absolutely necessary... I could still hear her... Just telling me she doesnt wanna see me die.... that she doesnt wanna see me throw my life away all because I got cocky in a fight and fucking died because of it... I got up and just started walking towards the bathroom... Just looked into the mirror, splashed water in the face and just.... sat there breathing, trying to keep myself from crying.

I just sat there... I could just still hear all the screams, the voices just nagging at me to save them....everyone from Applejack, scootaloo and Applebloom to Dash, our friends, the Princesses.... hell... even Daring... all just screaming bloody fucking murder as if they were just on fire.... I just slammed my back against the wall and just tried ignoring them all... Just tried breathing... Nothing seemed to work. Their screams just ended up getting louder and louder before I just started breaking down... their voices just overwhelmed me... It didnt stop until I felt myself get pinned to the wall. I just looked up scared only to see Soarin just pinning me. I didnt hesitate on just tackling him crying. He just lied there.... Didnt try getting up... didnt try pushing me off... just let me cry...Big Mac and Soarin came in a few minutes later as I just cried.... Both Shining and Big Mac grabbed my arms and legs and carried me back to the bunk I was in.... Just lied me down.... Soarin sat next to me and sighed as the others went back to sleep. "...You'll see them soon enough..." He said. "...I saw what you tried earlier.... you're in pain.... but... you're almost there.... Just a little longer and you can see them again..."

I sniffled. "...I... I wanna see them now.... I.... I wasnt there... I wasnt there for the end... I couldnt save my mom.... she... she died without even knowing what happened....." I said soft as I could. He sighed.

"...I have a feeling she knows.... whether it was before or after the end... she knew you were special.... knowing whether or not you became a prince? You were her prince since she found you again...."

"...But... when we found her.... I... I failed to save her... she could've been there for days...."

"...Maybe but.... we found her, gave her a proper burial.... better we did than someone else.... We dont want kids coming up here for shelter only to find her like that.... Might make others feel better having them think the Wonderbolts are still out there somewhere.... That we didnt all die in this fucking disaster...."

"...I wish I would've.... I wish I was with my family.... sitting there... waiting for the end.... I would've wanted to fly into the fucking mushroom cloud with mom.... I.... I..." I cried more. Soarin said nothing more. Just consoled me as best he could with Big Mac and Shining looking on.

Shining came over and just moved a cot closer to mine.... just threw the blanket over me, grabbed his stuff and stayed near me.... Just rubbed my back as the others went back to their bunks. I just cried for a while longer until I fell asleep. Actually stayed asleep this time until morning... I wasnt the first one up. Last one in fact. I got up and hit the can before going outside. When I got outside there was a bit of a break in the storm. It was muggy but mostly clear. Clouds still lingered in the sky, the ground was all wet and I didnt doubt I was soaking up rads like I was swimming in a vat of the green shit. Shining was just coming from the broken buildings with an arm full of drink bottles. Water, juice, even a few beers. He sighed. "Mornin' Ryder. You feeling alright today?" He asked. I shrugged and took some of the bottles from him. "Yeah.... Had a feeling after last night... Lets get you back inside, take some meds real quick and eat something." I sighed as we went back in.

"...Lemme just... NOT take that liquid shit again.... Seems we have a window to get going here."

"I hear that. Big Mac and Soarin went down to cloudsdale, scouting around the mall. Should head down to help them, maybe see about getting something more to either protect ourselves or something. Longer we wait here, more danger they could be in." I nodded and we both went back inside. I went and changed clothes, grabbed some meds and we headed out, weapons in hand and ready for anything. Between me and Shining there was nothing much to say. I did take a second at the gate to just give my mother one last moment of respect, saying goodbye and telling her I'd be seeing her soon.

Shining and I even passed by her grave.... Just making sure it wasnt disturbed.... and if anyone did, I hope they dont meet me where I'm going... I'd rip their asses apart and I would hope that their blood doesnt stain anything .... Or if I'm told and allowed to meet with Hellfire to serve some justice.... and maybe give Berrie a visit... If she were still alive I would've hoped she got incinerated with the nuke that dropped. Either that or she would've gotten a double barrel in her cunt and her uterus in her lungs. Anyhow we walked through the ruins of Cloudsdale. I had to stop for a second and breathe as memories started flooding back. Shining didnt even hesitate to find me a soda to drink in a nearby shop that was mostly looted. The soda was warm, possibly irradiated but... I drank it like it was normal... though it was diet.... Wont complain. That didnt last long. Few gunshots broke out and I had to throw the thing down to spring into action. We ran quickly through the shopping center until we found Big Mac taking cover. We got just across from him by a streetside where we could hear yelling. I couldnt make out what was being yelled but I had to just make sure it was clear to go. Would've even done suppressing fire. And if the ballsy asshole inside me didnt wanna die going out in a blaze of glory I wouldnt have done this. I backed up a bit and just gave Shining a count before I flew up onto the roof and just got into position by a sign. I didnt hesitate from popping up and taking a few potshots at them. Few Griffons now raiders. I watched them scatter for cover. Think I even clipped one. I hopped down just keeping my gun aimed in their direction as I backed up towards my friends. Big Mac huffed as he came to my side. "Those sonsabitches got Soarin! Just took him hostage and nearly fucking killed me!" He said.

"You see which way they took him?"

"They just put a fucking gun to his head, I pulled on em and they ran just trying to shoot and protect my own ass!"

I looked to Shining. "You make sure he's good. I'm gonna go get Soarin!" I said. Shining and Big Mac looked to me.

"You're fucking insane if you're going in there alone!" Big Mac replied.

"Better I go in there and die and you and Shining try to get your asses home! And if I do die, leave my body here and for the love of Celestia if you run into anyone we know, tell them I died protecting my mother and we were buried together!" Shining and Big Mac looked to each other. Big Mac huffed and handed me his pistol.

"You get in there, pop a few for me with this thing and I swear if you do die and AJ is still alive I'm not gonna be happy!"

"And if she is, tell her i got drunk and died in the blast!" I replied taking the gun. I cocked his and mine together and just got ready.

Shining huffed. "...Ryder you're an idiot but Celestia be damned if we arent gonna get our friend back!" He said cocking his gun. "You get in there, draw them out if you can, I'll cover you if you need to find cover." I gave a nod and just got ready to rush in. Once I did I dont know what happened. I rushed their barricade, shot out the windows that were in the shop they hid in and just.... Nothing after that.... At least until we got Soarin out of there. ...The worst thing about it? He was injured... bad... So bad that we just couldnt move him much.... So we had to hold position....Shining had to do everything he could there while Big Mac and I kept watch just in case these guys had friends out scavenging.... You can believe I didnt hesitate on setting these guys out for anyone to see. I wanted to impale one of them but both Big Mac and Shining said it would be too much... Leaving their bodies out was enough. We sat there for hours holding position. Nobody ever came back... We didnt even know how Soarin was doing until Shining came out, blood still on his hands but wiping it with a wet rag. "....Mac... Ryder... Bad news guys..."

Both Big Mac and I looked to each other. We knew right then and there what was happening. We looked back to our friend. "...He gone or... is there time to say our goodbyes?" He asked. Shining sighed.

"Make it quick..." We both nodded and just lowered our weapons. and went towards the back. When we got back there we saw Soarin holding bloodied bandages to his gut. Big Mac sighed.

"....Soarin... dammit man.... Thought you'd be coming with us to Ponyville..."

Soarin grunted and coughed. "....I... Thought I'd be there too...." He said weakly, wheezing slightly. "...Shining was doing his best... kept me here as long as he could but... I dont think I'll be making it another few hours..."

I stooped down a bit.... Just put my gun aside and just stared him in the eye... his tired, tearing eye. "Soarin... do me a favor... alright?" I said. He nodded just trying to breathe. "...When you get up there.... if you see my mother.... tell her I'm not too far along here.... and just... thank you.... for being a good brother to Scoot while I was away.... and just... if you see her... tell... tell her I'm sorry I couldnt be with her in the end...." I teared up fast and just got up running out of the room.

Shining was already washing his hands in a sink while I just sat nearby against a wall. Shining just finished washing up and just sighed before coming to my side. Big Mac came out moments later, two bags over his shoulders and my gun in his hand. He sighed. "...Guys... he... asked me to give him a gun.... he doesnt wanna suffer anymore..." He said. "...I... I dont wanna give him a gun but... if we dont he's gonna bleed out.. and who knows how long it'll be.... We do.... would we be monsters for doing so?"

Shining sighed. "...Just.... Give him one of the griffons guns.... Let him know not to do it until we're out of here...." He said. "...We're not monsters for helping someone put themselves out of their own misery.... We were planning on it when we get to home... thinking this is as close as home as he gets..." He looked to me. "...I'll take him and get him out of here... maybe see about finding some booze to give to him... numb the pain and give him the courage to do what he needs.... Maybe even give us something to drink for later..." Big Mac just gave a nod before giving us his bag. Shining helped me up and just took me by my wrist like I was a child. He didnt even give me my gun. Big Mac just kept it. We didnt get around the corner from the shop before I just broke down. Shining just hugged me.... I couldnt help but just hug him tight. "...It's alright Ryder... he helped out as much as he could... I did everything I could to save him but I'm no doctor... None of us are... he was the closest..." I... Tried saying something... but it was just... a mess of gibberish. "Hey hey... I know... Just breathe dude.... Wanna find something to destroy? Maybe that'd make you feel better?" ...I swear he was talking to a toddler... then again I've got the IQ of one... I just sniffled and nodded. "Alright... lets find something for you to destroy..."

He led me along until we found a liquor store. Place was looted mostly but there were still some bottles on the shelf. Grabbed a few bottles of whiskey. Even found a little shot for me right then and there. Burned just right. I ended up seeing a shop that I damn well knew nobody could get anything from. Shining already knew what I was gonna do. I ended up grabbing a metal bench, throwing that thing right through the front end, followed it through with my hammer just taking out part of the wall and something else? Oh I took out a counter top, impaled a chair into another wall and even took a few bottles of wine smashed them and just let out the most primal fucking yell I could before just launching a table skyward. May or may not have destroyed more but that was just fun. I just huffed as I stepped out. "Fuck YEAAAH!" I yelled. Shining sighed.

"Better?" I nodded. "Good... Now lets get back to Big Mac and Soarin... And I'm gonna talk with Big Mac... We'll stay one more night here and then get going... Wanna make sure you're gonna be good to go... Already know its gonna be a depressing night..." I took a deep breath and just nodded putting a hand on Shining's shoulder. We just walked back together. When we gt back to the place where Big Mac and Soarin were we just.... we didnt wanna go through with it yet... we knew we had to.... We all were in the room when we gave him his gun, the bottle of whiskey.... Even said our final goodbyes... We all left the room... Big Mac had to drag me out. We just started walking down the mall. Didnt take but fifteen minutes for us to hear a lone gunshot to echo throughout the area.... We knew what happened.... I couldnt even keep it together.... I had to grab onto Big Mac and we had to sit aside for a while... Just try to accept the fact our friend was gone... Didnt even take a minute for each of us to take a swig of the whiskey we had... Shining made sure we only took one drink before shoving it back into the bag.

We went and scavenged for something more than just canned foods. Ended up snagging a bag of charcoal, a coal grill and stuff for hayburgers. And yeah... I had to carry most of it. The heavy stuff at least. Shining even snagged a spatula from a local fast food place. We headed back up to the WBTF together and while they got that stuff set up I had to run out and get something that wasnt alcoholic. Found a store that had some canned drinks. Juice and soda. Grabbed a case of each and flew back... even fought the urge to drop all I had, divebomb from such a height that I'd end up being a pancake and dead upon impact. When I got back the smell of hayburgers just.... filled the air. Saw Big Mac at the grill and Shining just sitting by, watching the sun start to set. As I set everything down Big Mac looked at me. "Wanna say this is the most peaceful moment we've had since the apocalypse..." He said. "...Gonna do the same thing we did last night. We're gonna barricade the door up, I'll keep the weapons near me, Shinin's gonna be near you just in case..."

I sighed. "...Good idea you got the guns... You're more sound minded than I am... Shining...? I'm not so sure he's as strong as you but... Yeah... He's gonna be alright if I freak out... probably gonna be inevitable..." I said. "...Think we should just... I dont know... have a toast for Soarin?" He sighed.

"...Good idea.... remember all the good times we had... Maybe give us a little bit of a speech to keep going. Doubt anyone would wanna get up after today...." I gave a nod and then just went over to Shining. Neither of us said anything. Just sat there watching the sunset.... Didnt leave my mind that Soarin was probably in front of Heaven's Light, on his knees begging for a spot there.... I just hope she has forgiveness for what happened to the world she helped create.

I went and flew around for a bit.... Acted like I was practicing a routine... Mom and Soarin were somewhere around just either watching me practice or getting ready to help me with movements... Kinda distracted me for the moment.... It was only until Big Mac flagged me down that the illusion went away. I landed and Shining tossed me a can of juice. I caught it and just cracked it open. Shining just held a few plates with food on em, one for me. "So... Prince.... Got anything to say?" He asked.

I took a deep breath and gave a sigh. "...This world that was born hasnt been kind to us.... Sleepless nights, death and destruction all around... yet we've made it this far..." I said. "Not our finish line that we wanted to reach but.... The loss of Soarin revealed this was his home... his finish line as well as my mothers... Their lives, images and deeds are symbols of this place... Hope it goes on for years to come here.... But here isnt our goal. Our goal is as close to home as we get! Whether it be dying fighting raiders or falling to our own weapons when we finally give in to the world we wish not to live in. I propose a toast. For those who survived, those who are trying to survive and to those we have lost. Soarin was a great friend, even greater brotherly figure to both me and my sister while I was absent.... If not for his bravery and being at her side I wouldnt have felt the comfort of her upon my return... Will I know that comfort again? Maybe not in this life but the next.... and until then we must keep pushing... Not for ourselves but for them!"

"Here here!" Shining said.

Big Mac raised his drink. "Agreed. For our friends and family!" He said. Shining handed me my food and we just took our things and just sat off to the side to eat. Almost didnt wanna eat because of Soarin but... Shining just had me eat no matter how much I didnt wanna... and holy FUCK did it taste better than lukewarm canned veggies. That night I just couldnt get to sleep right away... Shining slept near me, Big Mac was towards the front with all the stuff.

I got up and went into the bathroom. Didnt freak out this time but... I just still didnt feel like Soarin was gone... Like something was off somehow. I looked at myself in the mirror. "....Soarin just... He cant be dead..." I whispered to myself. "...I just.... Dont feel like he's gone..."

I heard a sigh that just startled me a bit. I only turned around to see Shining. "...Well... He is believe it or not..." He said. "....We all heard it... all saw the wounds he got... Even he knew he wasnt gonna make it even with his wounds...."

"I know but.... Just... Something about this doesnt feel real.... Like he isnt gone..."

"...Might just be your mind making you think he's still around here somewhere... Now either use the can, and get back to bed or just get to bed now.... I wanna get out of here early tomorrow...." I just nodded. He went and turned back into the sleeping area. I followed about a moment after. I questioned it still even while I slept... Didnt get the most restful of sleep. It just sat in my stomach like bad food but it didnt make me nauseous thankfully. That next morning we all popped some pills and just went out with our stuff. Even paid my mom one last visit before we moved on. We just moved slow... Kept scavenging, making sure there wasnt anything else around..... and even then Shining still had us check where Soarin was.... He went in alone and confirmed he was still there. Just to be sure nobody would find him that would recognize him we went and found a gas station not too far off from the mall.... Just piled the dead bodies from yesterday inside and lit the place up. Didnt stay long to smell the burning flesh of corpses. Just made sure that things burned. Even then we had to go outside Cloudsdale we didnt get far before having to take shelter from rain. Wasnt heavy. Just enough to make us take cover, stay dry and warm. Place we took cover was actually in the arcade. Gave us good distractions for a while. Good thing the Bass Villain machine was broken. I would've wanted to play it but I wouldnt get far before remembering the moment where I had to be tracked down by Soarin during the reveal of my family ties with my mother... Still ended up playing alley brawlers with Big Mac and ended up just playing something else... played so much we had to find a place here to barricade. Lucky us we could bring the big metal shutters down to help. Found a managers key before we started playing. Tokens galore. But as for now... I think that's enough for right now...